Cruise Begins

We had a leisurely breakfast with Mom and Sonny, then drove to the airport for our flight to Miami.  We rode the train from MIA to downtown, and took a taxi the last mile to the port.  We settled into our veranda suite on the ship.  By 5 p.m., we were leaving the Port of Miami.  

Time with Family in St. Pete

After breakfast at the B and B with Mom and Sonny, we walked around downtown St. Pete.  Hibiscus and bird of paradise were blooming, as well as a giant jatropha tree.  Sailboats were sitting in calm water in the harbor.  Later we had lunch on the bayfront, followed by our favorite gelato at Paciugo.  We were joined for dinner by cousins Renee and Russ, Jane and her friend, Fred.  

We had a wonderful time!

Dinner in St. Petersburg

Papa and I flew from Tucson to Tampa today.  We arrived at Tampa International Airport this afternoon with the feeling that "we had come home."  Over the many years we lived in Sarasota, 

we flew in and out of Tampa many times.  Mom and Sonny met us at the airport and we drove to 

St. Petersburg, to stay in a B and B for the next two nights.  Our long time friends, Joy and Jim, drove up from Sarasota to spend the evening with us.  We sat on the porch while enjoying a bottle of Chablis.  We walked to the bayfront for dinner.  We enjoyed the evening with family and friends! 

Latest DALE Bags

About a month ago, Papa and I bought two new cow hides, with a veg tan finish.  Since we got the leather, Papa has been at work making two new DALE bags.  He made one for cousin Renee and one for me.  The straps are very different on each one.  Nice work, Papa!

Horses

My hike this afternoon was punctuated on either end by the horses.  Oscar, Pablo, and Doc were near the gate to the Buck Knob pasture.  A herd of deer passed between us as I first approached them.  As I was passing by them, they behaved like little boys, nipping at each other.  On my way back through the gate, they stood in my way, begging to be patted.  They are good horses...  spoiled but good.

Papa

I took this photo of Papa at our Winter Roundup.  Nice smile, Papa!

Jim's Famous Oatmeal Cookies

We moved from Tucson to Dallas in August 1982.  Within two months, we found our new home, on Bradbury Lane.  The day the moving van arrived, our next door neighbor, Jim came over to mow our yard, to welcome us to the neighborhood.  His wife, Carolyn came over to tell me their cleaning lady had a day available, which I quickly acted on.  Jim happened to be the Assistant Coach for the Dallas Cowboys.  During those years we lived on Bradbury Lane, we became friends with Jim and Carolyn.  Our kids played with their grandchildren.  We enjoyed the "extras" during the holidays when Jim made fudge and cookies for various players on the Cowboys team.  When Jim retired, Claire and Whitney made it their mission to make sure "Jim was having a good day." 

We stayed in touch with Jim and Carolyn over the years, always exchanging holiday greetings.  Jim wrote when Carolyn passed.  About eighteen months ago, while in Dallas, we stopped to visit Jim.  His memory was gone, but we were glad we saw him.  Jim passed last summer.  His caretaker called to tell us.  She saved a program from his funeral for us, which had a recipe on the back for Jim's Famous Oatmeal Cookies.  They are yummy!

Jim's Famous Oatmeal Cookies

Mix:

2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Add:

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups pecans

1 cup melted Crisco

2 beaten eggs

1 tablespoon vinegar

Mix well with spoon or by hand.

Dust batter with flour and refrigerate 10-15 minutes.  Roll cookies.

Bake 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees. 

Saturday Hike in Bear Creek

Papa and I drove the Ranger  part way across the ranch, to hike in Bear Creek.  We hiked down a very rocky cliff to get to the creek, then enjoyed hearing and seeing running water.  The rocks in Bear Creek are big and colorful, reminiscent of The Flintstones.  It was a strenuous hike.

 

February Sunset

We watch the sunset every evening.  This one was quite colorful. 

Signs of Spring

We've had an unusually warm winter with good amounts of rain in southern Arizona.  

I took these photos yesterday at our Tucson house.  Spring is in the air!