Valentines Day

 Years ago, we started bringing out the china to celebrate Valentine's Day.  It was a wonderful tradition.  Even with the boys away, we decided to continue with a fancy meal.  It was yummy!

We finished the dinner with a variety of cupcakes.  I like to have bites of a variety taking advantage of the opportunity to try more than one.  My favorite is still the Pucker Up!

 My Valentine since 1987!  Love him!

Shake!

I had the idea of milk shakes for dessert last night.  Then, I forgot I donated our blender to the soup kitchen.  Good thing the food processor worked just as well!  They were yummy and filling!

I gotta get past this cold and start exercising.  The cold is my excuse and I am sticking to it!!

Would have be more festive and in the Valentine spirit if I'd had red sprinkles.

Inaugural Indoor 5K

Peanut completed his first indoor 5K.  It was lots of laps 'round the track.  Grateful we got a sneak peak with this picture.  Even better if - - we'd been there in person!

Half Marathon

After we left St. Pete at Thanksgiving, Pumpkin called saying he was going to do a half marathon.  He did it!  I was very impressed.

This weekend it dawned on me to look for the marathon pics.  Found two of Pumpkin!  Look at those quads!

I do not like to run in the slightest bit.  Maybe someday I'll walk the St. Jude Half...

Cinnamon Lips

I expected these candies to be so much more!

I was walking through the store and splurged thinking these would hit the spot.  I like the authentic cinnamon bears.  These taste more waxy.  The flavor varied from lip to lip.  Sounds funny, huh?  I'm going to let The Big Guy try them.  I'm guessing they won't do much for him.  After all, they are not chocolate!

Feel Better, Peanut!

Got a text that Peanut was sick this am.  No need to go into the knitty gritty details.  I think this was his first time to feel bad away from home.  What a milestone, huh?  I was thinking about him from afar all day long.  Hoping he feels better and gets that grin back on his face in no time.

The Cuddler

Jude always finds her spot very close to us!

Snow Day = No Knead Bread

I made some no knead bread yesterday.  It was the perfect with our Buffalo Wing Soup!

Just wish the boys were here to share!

Handel's Messiah

This Christmas was a Christmas of new traditions.  One addition was attending Handel's Messiah.  Two of us enjoyed it.  The other two survived it.  LOL!  Not sure it is something I will be able to convince them to do again.

 After the show, we walked by the lights in St. Pete.  The weather was so mild.  It almost did not feel like Christmas.

 At the risk of sounding corny, these guys are the stars in my life!

Penny for Your Thoughts

We made it to Clearwater Beach just in time to see the sunset.

Wonder what Pumpkin is thinking?  My wonder continues...

Love this boy and miss him more <3 p="">

Archery

Gotta love groupies!  We tried archery in St. Pete.

My arm was sore the next day - believe it or not!

Loved being with them and loved trying something new!

Sunset on Holidays 2017

What a whirlwind of a month.  My heart was full during the holidays.  It was wonderful to spend time with my boys and with family.

My hope this year is to start up this blog, again, and keep it going.  This is one way Peanut can keep up with what is going on as he has limited social media.  Plus, it is therapeutic for me.  As I adjust back to an empty nest and endure the cold temps, the memories warm my heart.

I snapped this pic on our first afternoon in Destin.  Absolutely gorgeous!