Christmas in Charleston

A real shocker I know - I haven't posted in a month. At least I'm posting before the new year, just barely though. We had another wonderful holiday in Charleston, this time Christmas. Just magical! Wish we could seen the other half of the family - Heather, Brian, and the kids. Missed you! Ah well...

Our one and only family outing. Lunch outside in historic downtown Charleston. Chilly but they had heaters and wonderful fried green tomatoes. 

Activities pre Christmas. First up a bear wedding. Penny had planned it all and rehearsed with Jules. Creativity abounds. Penny had a scavenger hunt with clues for people to enjoy also. Busy girl!

The traditional gingerbread cookie works of art

Christmas Eve oysters - manly shucking. 

Waiting for Santa

Christmas Eve went by in a flash for the adults, thinking it was slow going for the girls. Tiffany ordered special oysters from Washington which came in time even with the crazy delivery delays everywhere. It required shucking and the guys rose to the challenge. They were fabulous oysters, some of the best I've ever had.

 Christmas was enjoyed with squeals of joy, a yummy tenderloin dinner, and Tiffany's special chocolate bread pudding. Groan, there will be a big reduction in food intake in the new year. Shrimp Paesano for New Year's Eve will be the last big blowout.

Another selection of Charleston architecture. I'm so taken with this low country style. Gorgeous. There's so much to like about this area that Tiffany and Chris have settled in.

Back to Naples for the next few months. Happy New Year everyone! Let's hope for a better one than the preposterous 2020. I seem to end everything with this - be safe be well.💜💛💚💙💓

Charleston Thanksgiving

The joys of family and actually getting together, at least with a portion. We were able to have a wonderful Thanksgiving in Charleston. Not without some shenanigans: driving, not flying (9 hrs), and taking COVID tests beforehand. Missed you and the family Heather! Crazy world right now for sure...

Walking and biking were the activities of choice in the neighborhood. Simply gorgeous area. Charleston is quite beautiful and oozing with charm. Love all the home styles, the real gas lanterns everywhere, and that low country style.

Lots of cooking happened while we were there - from all ages. Penny and Juliet have become quite talented in the kitchen. Chefs in the making.

One family lunch out which was lots of fun until we were rained on. A before photo.

Bye bye Charleston for now. We plan to return in a few weeks for Christmas. Crossing fingers for all things to align...

Celebration, River Otter, and Tai Chi

 

A busy week of all sorts of things including a contract on our rental condo here. I think (hope) this will not jinx the sale by mentioning it. It will be a relief to say bye bye and a nice place for someone else.

Happy Birthday to me. My dinner at a very special place in Naples - Turtle Club. They have done well during the COVID crisis with all their beautiful outside dining - actually had the best summer on record. Not many places like this with fabulous food, service, view to die for, and sand between your toes.

First river otter sighting of the season. They are curious and playful but also fearful. They hiss if startled. There have been so many startling things going on this year I'm surprised all humans haven't started hissing.

I tracked down my old Tai Chi instructor and have started the practice back up again. Danly is originally from China and teaches the authentic form. Currently teaching outside at a quaint park north of me with artist workshops, and kayak rentals for the river nearby. Boy, am I rusty. It's been 4 years and I have a lot of catching up to do. If you're not familiar it's great for core strength, balance, and activating Qi (our healing energy).

My last two photos are a little odd I know. It's the excitement of having a Trader Joe's close by. Heard about the green dragon hot sauce and grabbed it. Oh my, where has this been all my life - great stuff. And this is the first compostable bag I've come across in a grocery store. What a giant leap forward for the environment. Kudos to you Trader Joe's, hopefully everybody else will follow.

Back in the land of white sand and swaying palm trees

 

Finally back to posting. A whirlwind last few weeks coming back to Naples and getting settled in. The weather finally broke yesterday after we suffered with the last weeks of the humid sweltering mess that is Florida summer. It lasts 6 months of the year here. Glorious picture perfect weather now and I flung the sliders open to let the wonderful air inside. I planted flowers (in pots by the pool and outside in the yard and Mark filled a pot with basil and a tomato plant. It always feels remarkable to be able to do this in November while snow and below freezing temps are happening back at Star Mt.

It is also disorienting to be back in the land of manicured landscape and constant trimming, cutting, sprinklers going, and cleaning up of debris by the hard working crews here. A different world for sure. We're jumping back into our normal activities here. Golf for me once a week, Mark 4 times a week. Beach and fishing will surely be next.

Oh, the birds.  Love all these exotic tropical birds that are everywhere. Bald eagles are a common sight too, I just haven't caught them on camera yet. 

My three day art workshop with my artist friends Patty, Cheryl, and Mary along with others. Patty (in blue) is the instructor and a fantastic one at that. Her workshops always fill up and certainly this one did as the number allowed was  cut in half due to COVID. Giant social distancing  and masks the whole time. We got close for the photo and that was it. Not the most flattering look, but hey, you do what you've got to these days.  

So here we are for the winter. Lots of people never left over the summer due to the virus and season hasn't really started here yet. We hear many are not coming down, so we'll see just how busy it gets. On the other hand real estate has gone crazy here with people buying and moving out of congested cities. Strange times for sure. Please everyone be cautious and stay well.