Vacation

I have been packing all day to get ready to leave early tomorrow morning for Florida.  These are the pictures from the website where Dave made our reservations.

Looks nice and it is on the beach.

New Smyrna Beach.

We stayed in New Smyrna Beach last year when we stayed at Robert's mother's condo.

We are hoping for lots of sun and warm temperatures. 

I got a Nook Color for Christmas and I love it.  If you are in the market for an E Reader consider this one.  The best feature is that you can download books from your library.  The last book and the current book I am reading are from the library. 

I was browsing my pictures and I have a few favorites.  I took a lot of pictures to Amy and she is scanning them so we can post in the future.  I love old photos.

Cousins.

Tracie and Jenny. 

If I haven't said it before I want to say I am enjoying retirement so, so much - loving all my time with my hubby.  Wednesday is a busy day for us.  We have Bible Study at our church at 10 am, I have Chime Class at 11 and we are taking line dancing lessons at 1:00.  So good not to have to stick to a schedule - except for "fun" things.

We are leaving on Saturday for a two week stay in Florida.  Dave found a really good deal at Smyrna Beach - a condo on the beach.  We will be packing up (our doggies are going with us).  We are planning to relax a lot and explore the area.  We will also visit with Dave's nephews and their families.  Hopefully Dave's brother and Kathy will be able to stay with for a few days.  Hopefully the weather will be warmer and the sun will shine a lot == it has to be better than this at 7:00 tonight:

A few other pictures that I finally was able to download.  Jerry and Barbara came over to watch the Va Tech Bowl game and Barbara brought dessert in this pretty hat box.

The best lemon meringue pie I have ever eaten!! Thanks Barbara.  By the way Tech lost the game to Stanford - Barbara's father and brother graduated from Stanford - we had a great time.

I am attempting to eat healthier and hopefully will lose a few pounds.  I am going with Weight Watchers.

I recently discovered "Cook Yourself Thin" that has a daily show on Lifetime and they have several cook books.

This recipe is from WW Take-out tonight! (one of my favorite WW books -Chicken Saltimbocca.  Very yummy. 

Flattened chicken breasts, add cheese and prosciutto, roll them up...

and you have these...

Lightly brown...

Very yummy, Dave liked them too, I think the secret ingredient (Prosciutto) is very salty, which Dave loves. 

This chicken dish was served over whole grain pasta.

..also from WW take out tonight  - Chimichurri Steak with Jicama Salsa.. another winner.

I have never cooked with this - but it adds a crunchie, sweet taste to a salad - pronounced hi-ka-ma.  I had my doubts but it was a hit.  Loved it.

Tomatillos (mexican green tomatoes) and avocada were also in the salad with the Jicama.

Fresh ingrediets really add a great flavor.

Today I really wanted something decadent.  This is a great Pavlova from Cooking Yourself Thin.

Beaten eggs whites with sugar -

Pile on a cookie sheet, bake @ 300 for 1.5 hours, turn off oven and let rest in oven for one more hour.

Out of the oven - beautiful, even if it has a crack.

Whip some fresh cream.

Chocolate shavings.

The recipe called for raspberries, but my store didn't have any so I went for these gorgeous strawberries.

So yummy and low in calories and fat.

A few other pictures.  I found this in St. Louis - must make soon, but not on my diet.

I love this, Alex wrote his name for me.  I love to use things like this for bookmarks.

I have discovered Home Goods-Amy and I went to the one in St. Louis = I found a few goodies. 

Flavored oils for bread dipping.

 #1 - Garden globe.

#2 - love this game board.

#3 - Frog for Dave's birthday.

#4 - Cute Cake Stand -great news - there is a Home Goods in the west end of Richmond.

Doggies watch every thing we do.

Late entry - cute cooking Santa to add to my collection.

Vintage angel.

Recent new purchase - love this.  So many flavors available including tea, hot chocolate and more coffee choices than you can imagine.

My favorite - Cappuccino - with frothy milk on top!!