Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Siesta Key (Post #3)


**************Beer, wine and another game of Yahtzee. I finally won for a change!



We got lucky.
Our rental car is nearly brand-new. It had only 1400 miles on it went we picked it up.








That's Lon entering the restaurant where we ate on Sunday evening. I had a smoked salmon and baguette appetizer for my meal, Jared had a steak and Lon had pork chops. Everyone was happy with their meal. We've been here several times over the years and always love it.












The coffee cup is decorated with Ronald McDonald boots. My relatives who own this condo, were among the first McDonald restaurant owners.


We have parasailed in the past. The fear factor we experienced outweighed the views. We won't do it again.














Every year, we visit Siesta Key Village, just a mile or so from Siesta Dunes. Several restaurants and shops draw visiters to the area. Big Olaf's ice cream...we'll stop there at least once.










***************I like this bold statement, splashed on the side of this coffee shop.










*******************************The bright colored shops and restaurants are a common sight down here. We've scarfed down plenty of pizza at Napoli's, under the yellow awnings.



We don't see these Banyan trees anywhere in Wisconsin. They look like something from a horror movie and yet I appreciate their uniqueness.













****************************It's been pretty cool down here so I was "forced" to do some shopping. I purchased a blue hooded sweatshirt in this shop.












The guys had King Crab here at Captain Curt's while I enjoyed a bowl of their really, really good clam chowder. I was amazed at the amount of mainly clam and small pieces of potato in the serving I
wolfed down. I agree that it's the very best!





























*********************************The condo we're staying at, Siesta Dunes, is on Crescent Beach. The sand on this beach is quartz. It's white and nearly as fine as flour. No matter how hot the sun is, quartz sand is always cool and soft on barefeet.


























































This photo was taken just outside the pool area.
Lon and Jared went in for a swim while I stayed warm and dry. I know, I know, I'm a party pooper.



















This sidewalk leads to the pool, the gulf-side deck and the gulf waters.




















On our way to Sharky's restaurant yesterday, we stopped here.
Tervis Tumblers are insulated to keep liquids hot or cold and they don't sweat. I bought a mug with a lid and a small tumbler also with a lid. I'll use the mug for coffee at work and the tumbler for coffee in the truck on my way to NorthPointe on Saturday and Sundays.
Jared got some tumblers with NBA and NFL emblems.
















































Alongside the parking lot at Sharkey's On the Pier in Venice, FL, egrets were wading in puddles formed by all the rain Florida has received lately.



















This fellow was hanging out on the pier.



























He seemed pretty ornery that the wind was messing up his hair. To tell you the truth, I was a bit annoyed by it as well.


















************************************I took this photo from way our on the pier, facing the restaurant. Lon and Jared went back there to the pier today to do some fishing. They caught catfish and saw a fellow catch a small hammerhead shark.














































*****************************Jared bought me a Bloody Mary and beer for himself and Lon at this quaint bar at Sharky's. He's 31 and they still check his ID wherever he orders drinks.





Eagerly and happily, I await my Bloody Mary.






















We chose to dine inside. It looks warm in this picture but when the sun went down and with the wind blowing, we were happy to be seated under a real roof.











*******************Jared and I waiting to be seated for dinner.















This debonair character was hanging out next to our table. He eagerly awaits St. Patty's Day. While he watched, we enjoyed lobster tail dinners.
What can I say other than: WE'RE ON VACATION!
















Thank you so much, my friends. Sharing the fun multiplies my excitement.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Siesta Key, FL Vacation (Post #2)










































































































































































































The smile and wave are for all of you who visit my blog. I'm looking forward to sharing some of the fun and hopefully you'll be able to make sense out of it all.
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Since I'm on vacation and don't want to take the time to be organized, my posts will be a hodgepodge of photos taken here at the Siesta Dunes condominium in Sarasota, FL on Siesta Key and a summary of what we're doing.
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Regarding the food, it's terrific. We always buy the grapefruits, grapefruit juice and key lime pie when we're down here. I just had to try some strawberries from Publix this year and we all voted yes to fresh shrimp with sauce. Everything we bought delighted our tastebuds, surpassing our expectations. Feel free to help yourself to anything you'd like.
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Lon and I start the day with a cup of coffee on our balcony on the 4th floor. We have a great view of the grounds, the pool, the gulfside deck (not clear in the photo but we know it's there) and the gulf waters.
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Today, Sunday, was a duplicate of yesterday, that is, a day with clear blue skies and plenty of good old-fashioned FL sunshine. Lon and Jared went to a baseball game (an annual event for them) in Bradenton this afternoon while I did my favorite things here at the beach.
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Drop in again soon and I'll feed you, warm you and even treat you to a mild sunburn.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

From Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida

Hey, y'all,

I'm in the rec room here at Siesta Dunes. It's Saturday and it's nearing 5PM. Not a soul is in here but me; kinda cool, huh?

I've been doing what you all told me to do, that is, relaxing and enjoying myself.

We had a cloudy, rainy day yesterday but we made good use of the day. We bought some groceries at Publix (an awesome grocery store chain down here) and fresh grapefruit and grapefruit juice at Albritton's.

Today the sun is shining and it's about 70 degrees. Lon fixed us breakfast this morning. We always eat breakfast late down here, between 10 and 11:00. That way, we don't really need to eat much again until dinner time.

After breakfast, Jared took his fishing pole and headed for the south end of Crescent Beach to see what kind of fish were biting. Due to the wind and subsequent waves, all he caught were lots of snags which resulted in several lost lures, but he loves to fish so he'll try again soon.

Lon and I walked the beach together for a while and then while he sat by the pool, I walked the beach with my CD player and the audiobook, Loving Frank. I can't remember the author's name but the book is about her relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright.

After that walk and while Lon and Jared went to the tackle and bait shop, I wrote for a little while in my tablet in a lounge chair beside the Gulf and then came back inside the condo. I made a mini-sandwich of horseradish cheddar cheese and rinsed off half dozen fresh strawberries for a mid-afternoon snack. I noticed the guys had been enjoying the carrot cake we bought yesterday. I'm looking forward to another piece of Publix's key lime pie after dinner tonight. I can't be in FL and not have some of that good stuff.

We normally eat out at around 7PM every evening. Last night, we feasted on King Crab at Captain Curt's after a game of Yahtzee in the condo. We can observe a wide stretch of the beach and Gulf waters from the table where we eat and play games. Are we lucky or what?

I didn't bring my camera memory stick down here to the rec room so pictures will have to wait until next time. Besides, I haven't taken very many yet. You know what happens once I get on a roll!

Wishing you all a fine Saturday evening and Sunday.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Laptop Dilemma











If I don't take my laptop with me on vacation, I'll wish I had. If I do take it with me, I'll wish I hadn't.

Aren't you glad you're not me!
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My father used to say this about my mother: She doesn't know what she wants and she won't be happy until she gets it.
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Well, those words also describe me perfectly. It's a hell of a way to live but I've survived 61 years of it and I don't foresee changing drastically in the near future.

Perhaps, I'll give changing my ways some thought in FL. I'll have ten days to practice a new way of living should I set my mind to it.

But then I'm back to where I started. If I change, I'll wish I hadn't. If I don't change, I'll wish I had.
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Once again, aren't you glad you're not me!

Maybe I shouldn't pack any thing at all and see how that works for me. Just take my driver's license so I can get on the plane. Dare me?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Shaddy's World


















































It's about time I offered a new post, don't you think? How about a hodgepodge of subjects with hopefully something of interest for everybody? (Or, nothing of interest to anybody?)

Subject #1: We'll be leaving soon for ten days on Siesta Key, FL. The challenge of packing is threatening to throw me into a tizzy, but so far I'm keeping my head above water. I've got piles of clothes, clothes on hangers-just hanging out, books, an audio book and portable CD player, a carry-on bag and an open suitcase awaiting my final decisions. I'm trying hard not to be overly concerned about the clothing I pack. That's what normally stresses me out the most. You see, what I'm wearing has a lot to do with how I feel. It's a pitiful state of affairs, but true.

Subject #2: I'm looking forward to kicking back this evening to watch the Academy Awards. (Yes, I'm already slipping into a vacation mode. Enduring the days before we head for Florida won't be pleasant for me and consequently won't be a picnic for my coworkers either, the poor dears).

Subject #3: I actually cooked something today that took more than five minutes to prepare, a tuna/macaroni casserole, to be exact, with sliced green olives to boot. Obviously, gourmet cooking isn't my thing! But, listen up. Miracle Whip mixed in with the other ingredients gives the casserole a better than average flavor and crushed potato chips on top are a sinful addition. We ate half today and the other half is in the refrigerator for dinner on Tuesday or Wednesday. Of course, it'll taste better after lounging there for a day or two.

Subject #4: I stuck to my rigid exercise plan and faithfully got in four workout sessions at NorthPointe this first week of March. When I joined in November, my weight was around 123 and now it hangs between 114 and 116. Yes!! (I'm sorry, Auntie Babe. I know you don't like my intense workouts but I can't seem to lighten up. It's in my blood you know. I'm another one of those stubborn Norwegians!)
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That's the latest from Shaddy's world.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Welcome to March
















We're five days into March and I just realized I haven't shared this welcome to March page from my 2010 Perennial Grace date book. Artist Sharon McCartney's rich colors and forms are so full of life and beauty, perfect for March's presentation page.
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Happiness comes from spiritual wealth...
Happiness comes from giving...
To get joy, we must give it and to keep it we must scatter it.
-John Templeton
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Darn, I wish those were my own words of wisdom. Although, I didn't write them, I can adopt and do my best to live them.
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Happy March to all of you and Happy Birthday on the sixteenth to my brother, Tom.