tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116578572024-03-13T07:47:04.557-04:00FlaurellaI own a tiara and I am not afraid to use itFlaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-59831515589943617912010-01-20T16:04:00.001-05:002010-01-20T16:04:48.584-05:00Playtime<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="240" height="180" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b04ea2d614&photo_id=4291426188&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b04ea2d614&photo_id=4291426188&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="180" width="240"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/4291426188/">Playtime, January 17, 2010</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>A nice warm Sunday afternoon in January and there is time to play before Binks takes her nap.</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-38902793210975354722009-12-24T16:03:00.004-05:002009-12-24T16:08:25.333-05:00Happy Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTq1mzlINFn__kXCBYI98wz6mbmgOgBuKUTJ0DSlDZ17XkzMIXDxlRiNF6w3h-3aArur87L5EExuagGZygzaanl2f20IrFHJmOviOfyCHdg6LahUofIQMvGKGigjsLwMqbea-dw/s1600-h/2009loaded.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418912265464195106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTq1mzlINFn__kXCBYI98wz6mbmgOgBuKUTJ0DSlDZ17XkzMIXDxlRiNF6w3h-3aArur87L5EExuagGZygzaanl2f20IrFHJmOviOfyCHdg6LahUofIQMvGKGigjsLwMqbea-dw/s320/2009loaded.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Wishing you a Merry Christmas from<br />72 degree Florida on a balmy Christmas Eve.<br /></strong></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZMq_E285v39KQS3bPHVR72dgKst8Im3HI-bGnxMG4I5sX1USgeRGcgXJeO3iFuCepnzGpt57CLavMxRmVo51640HzH7UJuQ5jF8minHG7iu6NkN-2Od28fPCHCgMCeq12mU8aw/s1600-h/2009tree.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418912052344576962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZMq_E285v39KQS3bPHVR72dgKst8Im3HI-bGnxMG4I5sX1USgeRGcgXJeO3iFuCepnzGpt57CLavMxRmVo51640HzH7UJuQ5jF8minHG7iu6NkN-2Od28fPCHCgMCeq12mU8aw/s320/2009tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div> </div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-48572218316259274482009-12-16T23:48:00.001-05:002009-12-16T23:48:23.022-05:00ReVah Pommegranite Wne<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/4192099008/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4192099008_5a960c1f73_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/4192099008/">ReVah Pommegranite Wne</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Pomegranite wine from Armenia tastes swell. Would be great with pork roast. 100% antioxident, too!<br /><br />Read about this in a NY Times review and had to try it for my birthday. Going to buy a case. Highly reccomended!</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-70256975723636874012009-12-09T18:43:00.001-05:002009-12-09T18:45:57.441-05:00Decking the Tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzMgaSOYxvzi7m2F6vNI6g0ERZjAVxg0oRsFMrjYtRKe0MrGlIs3zqwAzn27p93fioQ8Dc6fw5zwJ45Mp-ni467vp7lLB3xJdzp9fAe8hzH7KKfOclOJ6fqOCFFisrWl5p-lhJg/s1600-h/orncruise.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413386766991184594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzMgaSOYxvzi7m2F6vNI6g0ERZjAVxg0oRsFMrjYtRKe0MrGlIs3zqwAzn27p93fioQ8Dc6fw5zwJ45Mp-ni467vp7lLB3xJdzp9fAe8hzH7KKfOclOJ6fqOCFFisrWl5p-lhJg/s320/orncruise.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Our newest ornament, from Linda Gail</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-4169981083137813252009-12-09T18:41:00.001-05:002009-12-09T18:41:55.984-05:00Preserved and Pickled<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/4172269127/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/4172269127_988cac4c53_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/4172269127/">Preserved and Pickled</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Not taking any chances on the Oasis of the Seas.</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-78318653985113933192009-11-25T11:47:00.005-05:002009-11-25T13:58:54.998-05:00The Last Word<div><div>This week, I finally scattered my mother's ashes in the surf at Dania Beach. Mother took us to Dania Beach every afternoon in the 1950's. This is the beach of my childhood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc3k-Pvs6Dvb2XFWoZT9na6qBYMi_zKfs0OzkcL3YbTx4Xs3WkDqA-oz8WpHTbbhwtK5mU_lzQdx2ECgO038UDMZjlHYljvSrYhFwd7UYNdpqA-gnr8MjBOHxZCCYg8cA9rJUCQ/s1600/daniabeach.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408114347765529986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc3k-Pvs6Dvb2XFWoZT9na6qBYMi_zKfs0OzkcL3YbTx4Xs3WkDqA-oz8WpHTbbhwtK5mU_lzQdx2ECgO038UDMZjlHYljvSrYhFwd7UYNdpqA-gnr8MjBOHxZCCYg8cA9rJUCQ/s320/daniabeach.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It's been ten and a half years since my mother passed and I was surprised it made me so emotional to say goodbye again. I didn't expect after all this time, that the tears would roll down my cheeks like a flood. Anyway, as I was scattering her ashes in mid-thigh high water, boo-hooing like a baby, a big wave came along and smacked me in the butt, soaking me with salt water, seaweed and ashes. I had to laugh. Mother got the last word.<br /><br />I drove all the way back home, about 300 miles, in salty, damp shorts with a touch of Mother. It was a comfort and it makes me smile.<br /><br />You always miss your mother.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM8HbPsITMmKkywQug3Lco8TP0nHFRXW7EVWLePa1WoaNkn1e3rPMlFuyjtKNBOP7xF_fOSV6a9bLwThaUNVcIrI6tdAEg2pvN1bftqM8RpzldQ9mDyit6hbvRQl6rnU-kwH2WA/s1600/motherdania.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408116992339477090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM8HbPsITMmKkywQug3Lco8TP0nHFRXW7EVWLePa1WoaNkn1e3rPMlFuyjtKNBOP7xF_fOSV6a9bLwThaUNVcIrI6tdAEg2pvN1bftqM8RpzldQ9mDyit6hbvRQl6rnU-kwH2WA/s320/motherdania.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div></div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-33467084115200649672009-11-11T21:55:00.003-05:002009-11-11T22:02:09.621-05:00First Manicure<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuWCYRsxel3zl4-VWLa7aFiVzARtm4GTJ4GMvg21cJ06eAaeG_c_7j1O4aONvot3uC64UPEBg0O8tX15hGzpGu7ky_Kg0VnI3AKPzY6pzchsRX-lMs9uOJdv0YDkLBBz1s3Hc1Q/s1600-h/10-11manicure.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 304px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403046096555220882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuWCYRsxel3zl4-VWLa7aFiVzARtm4GTJ4GMvg21cJ06eAaeG_c_7j1O4aONvot3uC64UPEBg0O8tX15hGzpGu7ky_Kg0VnI3AKPzY6pzchsRX-lMs9uOJdv0YDkLBBz1s3Hc1Q/s320/10-11manicure.jpg" /></a><br /><div>October 11, 2009</div><div> </div><div>Baby Binks is getting her finger nails filed.<br />It made her laugh. When Binks laughs, so does Glammie.</div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-52439071509684134052009-09-30T20:24:00.009-04:002009-09-30T20:40:07.777-04:00Updating Our Crap<div><div>I am so behind the times. Just received our new passports and it has been a long time since renewal. Our daughter did get a new passport 2 years ago for her job in Japan. However, our passports, unlike Kait's, now have computer chips inside. Apparently, all we have to do is look for the symbol at immigration stations at entry points and wave our passports at a chip symbol sign and we are in (or out) like flint.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfFFceT7uFL3LAPVLajT1cBbQhkMGUOuXfoM9HccnAE8DrJaOQcViIzUR4KQKCUGajfBjVDPEx1fGkhGwOEJSGQ__8xg68_Cj8uIp2LMIpI8lXo73Ax25e1r8hK7bqD3s_ccYAA/s1600-h/newpassport.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387423888410693074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfFFceT7uFL3LAPVLajT1cBbQhkMGUOuXfoM9HccnAE8DrJaOQcViIzUR4KQKCUGajfBjVDPEx1fGkhGwOEJSGQ__8xg68_Cj8uIp2LMIpI8lXo73Ax25e1r8hK7bqD3s_ccYAA/s320/newpassport.jpg" /></a> <div>Technology can be pretty cool.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFK6qzf25WDUqELweA1IkmKUhmH-gXMEKejWzXoxErb8gi1t60FOdskIlo7OeKUttMDuA1VT1Qg4qVdA9q2V8LyHh0aaSyydX9pfBr1_oDwrnPq3X-tId0au8E_cfdN5aKxCzJw/s1600-h/oldpassport.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387424091584692690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFK6qzf25WDUqELweA1IkmKUhmH-gXMEKejWzXoxErb8gi1t60FOdskIlo7OeKUttMDuA1VT1Qg4qVdA9q2V8LyHh0aaSyydX9pfBr1_oDwrnPq3X-tId0au8E_cfdN5aKxCzJw/s320/oldpassport.jpg" /></a></div><div>Aging is another story but it beats the alternative.</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-30810783857123793292009-09-17T19:16:00.006-04:002009-09-17T20:24:20.768-04:00SPASM TunesAfter a long and expensive year of surgeries and medical procedures for W4D and me, I have discovered these faboo guys who <em>truly speak</em> to me. Spazz out with the Laryngospasms. They're a hoot and they sing like angelic amnesthesiatic hallucinations! Gotta love 'em!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOrjcLJ2IE0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOrjcLJ2IE0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><strong>Rock on Tubers!</strong>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-49440198270713681852009-09-15T21:24:00.001-04:002009-09-15T21:24:11.117-04:00Baby Swim Lesson<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="260" height="195" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bd3e5bfa93&photo_id=3916055321&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bd3e5bfa93&photo_id=3916055321&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="195" width="260"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3916055321/">Swim Lesson - 2 Months Old</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a></span></div>Here's Baby Binks at two months old with her Poppy teaching her to swim in our pool. The water temp was 76 degrees that day and way too cold for Mommy or Daddy (not to call them whimps) but our little Binks is a real trooper.<br /><br />Poppy is teaching her to kick in this slide show and yours truly (Glammie - not shown) has been teaching her to float on her back. Baby B loves the pool. <br /><br />Watch out for this kidlet in the 2022 Olympics! Woot!!<br clear="all" />Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-67278520882602481012009-09-13T18:38:00.001-04:002009-09-13T18:38:06.261-04:00Glammie and Binks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="260" height="195" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b946ec7cf0&photo_id=3915953037&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b946ec7cf0&photo_id=3915953037&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="195" width="260"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3915953037/">Glammie and Binks</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a></span></div>Here's a little slide show thingie of Baby Binks and me poolside on August 30, 2009. It seems I am always a few weeks late trying to view, organize and post pictures. Patience, please. <br /><br />To make up for my slow posts, I'll tell you how I came to be called "Glammie." <br /><br />The first time I held little Miss Biannca Averi, just a few moments after she was born, I was hugging and smooching her and I introduced myself as her Gram and told her how absolutely precious she was. Then I said, "You beautiful little girl! You and I are going to have SO much fun together... We will go shopping and get our nails and hair done and I will dress you in fabulous vintage jewels. I am so going to glam you up!" <br /><br />At that moment, daughter Kaitlin who was a bit of a tomboy gal young-un said, "Well, that's what we are going to call you. Whether you like it or not, you are "Glammie" for sure now."<br /><br />And it stuck and and I am delighted to be Glammie. Since Kait got to name me, I tagged sweet little Biannca with the nickname, "Binks." <br /><br />Turnabout is fair play.<br clear="all" />Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-34649998569925450612009-09-13T14:44:00.005-04:002009-09-13T18:42:36.269-04:00<p></p><p>Doh!</p><p>Ignore me.</p><p> </p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-25377052715912598652009-08-28T18:31:00.002-04:002009-08-28T18:41:08.127-04:00Pretty in Pink<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TbrLsZo2j1KWzd0VLUMDFzkWEhWGEfQHYZ2fTQHWvnD-q9OAu7MJkr2ZZuqR7oP_5w-z8a3E09oG1GKVUUfmSDiG7OSgj1JKEAJXcu8UnPAfDipWe7HXKgOUUI9F_PrQhhDRsA/s1600-h/augustinpink.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375147170244575234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TbrLsZo2j1KWzd0VLUMDFzkWEhWGEfQHYZ2fTQHWvnD-q9OAu7MJkr2ZZuqR7oP_5w-z8a3E09oG1GKVUUfmSDiG7OSgj1JKEAJXcu8UnPAfDipWe7HXKgOUUI9F_PrQhhDRsA/s400/augustinpink.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div><em>Just look at that sweet little chin.<br /><br /></em></div><div>Baby Binks grew 4.25 inches taller in her first two months.<br />She's going to be tall like her mama.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Next weekend, I am going to teach her about GATOR Football!</div><div> </div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-22198453122816475102009-08-14T21:51:00.001-04:002009-08-14T21:51:47.094-04:00The Good Life<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3821387763/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3821387763_a2c8961a90_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3821387763/">Aug 9, 2009</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>This is my granddaughter, Baby Binks, floating in our pool at 7 weeks of age. I have about a thousand -- okay, at least several HUNDRED new pix to share but am finding it difficult to make the time to sort, let alone make some clever photo presentations -- so keep watching and I promise to get a some new series of pix posted within the next few days.<br /><br />That said...<br />ISN'T SHE TOTALLY ADORABLE?<br />CHECK OUT THAT HEAD OF HAIR!<br /><br />Is it not the sweetest time when babies fill out and thrive?<br /><br />Weekends are the BEST now that we can play with our little water baby, Miss Biannca!</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-73958922055821393082009-08-02T16:52:00.006-04:002009-08-02T17:11:10.356-04:00Baby LoveThis is an experiment to see if I can add a slide show.<br /><br />Here is Kait with Biannca at 25 days old.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhqHJ8itvpGo7cyfmLuugv_oedffYZuguIX6VAAmsSsrxV520vwshUG7Q3c0o29l6eC9bftwXkCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />You can tell Kait loves being a mommy.Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-61894255001542792572009-07-06T18:38:00.014-04:002009-07-06T20:46:20.537-04:00Independence Day, Small Town StyleHope you all had a glorious and a relaxing July 4th, as did we! It was our daughter's birthday<strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"> (Happy Birthday, Kaitlin!)</span></strong> so we always have a little gathering and enjoy the local park activities as sponsored by our McIntosh Lion's Club.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xzov6RMm4sGz1XTMHnjKXwq3PsF2fycYIXb7AclOGNAYiyh95SblceJg7sCQSfdRpqBIblonVRVUI2eO-6C1GltHmdLcjAKn_zcRe_cRVH7pIxJSgVQxBQgOPTPKcAUa0v7Dag/s1600-h/relaxing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355508759884592770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xzov6RMm4sGz1XTMHnjKXwq3PsF2fycYIXb7AclOGNAYiyh95SblceJg7sCQSfdRpqBIblonVRVUI2eO-6C1GltHmdLcjAKn_zcRe_cRVH7pIxJSgVQxBQgOPTPKcAUa0v7Dag/s320/relaxing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is nothing sweeter than the little kids and their decorated bike parade.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DJ-Sh9p4t75LzKJond24w4I29v43gihZaKRF0VlWy_hUr6ucVT68XUBaRei1YqEPBKt38x19hF2_DGWBudeQ4vCBOQ3f8VQ7j4zm92YtH58RoiJhoaiexomnTKRPVGGU8Q0oUQ/s1600-h/bikeparade01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355509195228393026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DJ-Sh9p4t75LzKJond24w4I29v43gihZaKRF0VlWy_hUr6ucVT68XUBaRei1YqEPBKt38x19hF2_DGWBudeQ4vCBOQ3f8VQ7j4zm92YtH58RoiJhoaiexomnTKRPVGGU8Q0oUQ/s320/bikeparade01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My other faves are the Hula Hoop Contests, the Egg Tosses and the Wheel Barrow races.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife-06exZc77xAg6A8DrBtSj493u8SzAX07truLc5WzxW-PfQp6bltxDLD2uYYNRcY-pcgWz8dNrKh69z_QNPUgxQu5a1WgMQ3aTVwQdl2yVPLJ9e7chQaY0gU4w_4Iz31fnyHRg/s1600-h/hulahoopintermeds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355509568736020002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife-06exZc77xAg6A8DrBtSj493u8SzAX07truLc5WzxW-PfQp6bltxDLD2uYYNRcY-pcgWz8dNrKh69z_QNPUgxQu5a1WgMQ3aTVwQdl2yVPLJ9e7chQaY0gU4w_4Iz31fnyHRg/s320/hulahoopintermeds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After we and a group of friends returned from the park across the street, ate and drank to excess while chilling in our pool all afternoon, we took a little nap in the late afternoon and then watched Macy's excellent fireworks show from NYC, plus the D.C. Capitol stunning display, as well as the unique, rockin' Boston fireworks program on the tube.<br /><a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/07/05/alg_macys-fireworks.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px" alt="" src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/07/05/alg_macys-fireworks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All the displays and concerts were wonderful but nothing can compare to a small town, (population 456 peeps), Independence Day Celebration in the park across the street from your own house. No traffic!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkWQLKHdfiyKfc3_vS6Ak8I9IM_96J72xJJ2vR8Yed410rteZSzeDuxjvC5hZGdKdZVUBUGthaCj5kHFbZMk5XZPgOIfPRK3B44CVFEdG7UltVgS6NDUQkQMjPE2cXm3T9-uCGA/s1600-h/bikeparade04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355511328224611298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkWQLKHdfiyKfc3_vS6Ak8I9IM_96J72xJJ2vR8Yed410rteZSzeDuxjvC5hZGdKdZVUBUGthaCj5kHFbZMk5XZPgOIfPRK3B44CVFEdG7UltVgS6NDUQkQMjPE2cXm3T9-uCGA/s320/bikeparade04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here are a few more personal photos in a slideshow format.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/sets/72157594186456794/show/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/sets/72157594186456794/show/</a><br /><br /><strong>Happy Independence Day.<br />God Bless America!</strong>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-2313679561687783612009-07-01T22:10:00.004-04:002009-07-01T22:21:54.957-04:00Baby Love<div>I can't begin to tell you what a brilliant young lady my first grandchild is becoming. She is growing so fast and already communicating and practically crawling. She's not only adorable... she's brilliant! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvLJKKSyFA0INuoARRz9avWq4oQh-h3GvZqobWs65_XpUEmKd9Yh0-iURkx452W5UW1crppAS5WJpP_pYSyu9bv8ae3SXgSGwQHEYL0Jk79V6KdFfaYAFXlNng_kav-FOpdVzsw/s1600-h/6-28bythepool1.jpg"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353681984719457858" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvLJKKSyFA0INuoARRz9avWq4oQh-h3GvZqobWs65_XpUEmKd9Yh0-iURkx452W5UW1crppAS5WJpP_pYSyu9bv8ae3SXgSGwQHEYL0Jk79V6KdFfaYAFXlNng_kav-FOpdVzsw/s320/6-28bythepool1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>Of course, she is only 10 days old but we Grands know these things. And I, am totally smitten.</div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-16670777453258309902009-06-26T16:53:00.003-04:002009-06-26T16:57:25.063-04:00Canna Lily<a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3663716044/"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3663716044_db80f469fa_m.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>From rhizome clump to five feet tall in 3 months, canna lilies grow quickly and thrive in the heat and humidity here in Florida. By fall, W4D will be hacking them back with his machete. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3662913287/">Click here for another view</a> with more detail.</p><p></p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-80553619260342435402009-06-23T14:12:00.001-04:002009-06-23T14:12:13.842-04:00Hello World!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3654822618/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3654822618_149d7c8ef0_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3654822618/">Hello World!</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>Already a chatterbox at 4 days old.</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-16698431815424368412009-06-20T14:39:00.005-04:002009-06-20T15:01:40.546-04:00She's Here!<div>Meet my adorable granddaughter...<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrQfEtP1fsawXX6-KGXmKYmXllgg7U5vNYpqqDjEJm3nUPatEhMSbrJey1xsM9lkmFxHB-1HSZYR9yrM0M1HHxbjRXCHwZ0kNc4JfAKeWdDHoksh5aoy3K_EdPDC5SbjXWeqk9Q/s1600-h/smallchicks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349482849647116066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrQfEtP1fsawXX6-KGXmKYmXllgg7U5vNYpqqDjEJm3nUPatEhMSbrJey1xsM9lkmFxHB-1HSZYR9yrM0M1HHxbjRXCHwZ0kNc4JfAKeWdDHoksh5aoy3K_EdPDC5SbjXWeqk9Q/s320/smallchicks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Biannca Averi<br /></strong>born June 17th at 11:31 PM<br />weighing 6 pounds - 14 ounces<br />19 inches long.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/sets/72157620004465916/show/"><strong>View a slide show!</strong></a></div><div></div><div><div class="zg_div"><div class="zg_div_inner">I know you want to. :))</div><div class="zg_div_inner"> </div></div></div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-7396371378795774642009-06-06T13:35:00.003-04:002009-06-06T13:56:22.439-04:00Summer's BountyIf you've followed this blog, you already know that W4D (What's 4 Dinner?) is my husband and that he loves to grocery shop as much as he loves to eat.<br /><br />It was Farmer's Market Day and yesterday afternoon, he arrived home from work toting the following:<br />watermelon<br />cantaloupe<br />blueberries<br />snap beans<br />okra<br />potatoes<br />spaghetti squash<br />a couple of pounds of fresh shrimp<br />and a lemon meringue pie from the bakery.<br /><br />The second trip to the car yielded red wine, white wine, vodka, bourbon, a cheerful red and yellow bouquet of fresh flowers and an adorable little bouquet of fresh herbs.<br /><br />W4D is very good about bringing me flowers at least once a week but this was my first herb bouquet. It is so convenient having our little local Farmer's market this summer. Everything is picked fresh same day and we know most of the farmers and the shoppers.<br /><br />The flowers were lovely and showy but my fave is the little herb bouquet, tied with chives and lily leaves. I spy parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, mint, dill and tarragon.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVGkVy7qLkVxxp5WcL83JSRjGXiuefuTmgaWzZSgdBMTDaWODFAr40d-Bxx9tglEWswUh2aP4KFH4zP5t2MpH_GMOZ1kjMOp6QyY39pB-Fkm8kjnE45w1ofhnptuzM1Dj_KxlGg/s1600-h/herbouquet-03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344274462676423234" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVGkVy7qLkVxxp5WcL83JSRjGXiuefuTmgaWzZSgdBMTDaWODFAr40d-Bxx9tglEWswUh2aP4KFH4zP5t2MpH_GMOZ1kjMOp6QyY39pB-Fkm8kjnE45w1ofhnptuzM1Dj_KxlGg/s320/herbouquet-03.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My kitchen is fragrant.</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-51256851952750134702009-06-03T23:34:00.005-04:002009-06-03T23:49:24.813-04:00PSHAW!Texas' got Baby GATORS. ::snort::<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wesh.com/video/19">http://www.wesh.com/video/19</a><a href="http://www.wesh.com/video/19640878/index.html">640878/index.html</a><br /><br />Here in Florida, old ladies pet 'em before breakfast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG8I233a5vwtDazP2HkcuLt-lqRSb1FjCxidIN0ChZoPtXPchXwvVbX70dXrsw1Ybl-c7Iw3ShHY02s_0ZzDLzDRsFdZfHpjxTRQhfMwruBxBdyy5E54yJirIYPjxOW29PzLPOw/s1600-h/goodgator_sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343313348075471138" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG8I233a5vwtDazP2HkcuLt-lqRSb1FjCxidIN0ChZoPtXPchXwvVbX70dXrsw1Ybl-c7Iw3ShHY02s_0ZzDLzDRsFdZfHpjxTRQhfMwruBxBdyy5E54yJirIYPjxOW29PzLPOw/s320/goodgator_sm.jpg" border="0" /></a>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-91335100898028882872009-05-20T16:09:00.004-04:002009-05-20T16:16:20.734-04:00Pick a Peck<div><strong>Today, May 20th, is<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Pick Strawberries Day."</span></strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ylPCS7lV-wWAX1OYkM2dDy0wFDjrSMbFzVupqW6UYXqMvggH2qGYrF-bsF4gQhL9w3VelBdE61d9xS_T_rEtvt2k0-5uT4pUioojRNIf3XpMOTtFwNKB2tz_7Cuj2R6hAOuZA/s1600-h/bigberry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338001570877050402" style="WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ylPCS7lV-wWAX1OYkM2dDy0wFDjrSMbFzVupqW6UYXqMvggH2qGYrF-bsF4gQhL9w3VelBdE61d9xS_T_rEtvt2k0-5uT4pUioojRNIf3XpMOTtFwNKB2tz_7Cuj2R6hAOuZA/s320/bigberry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I hope you have fresh strawberries at your house, too!<br /></div>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-41842008223465683132009-05-15T12:29:00.009-04:002009-05-15T13:02:39.170-04:00Pass the Panty LinersMy friend Kathleen and I were chatting this morning about some delish mussels she ate as an appetizer that were "so gosh darn good I nearly needed a panty liner." What a delicate way to put it. I have been known to remark to W4D when something tastes so orgasmically fine that it has <em>creamed my jeans,</em> but I think Katzi's expression is better for mixed company. Anyway, now I am hungry for mussels.<br /><br />While I run off to Publix to get some mussels, here are at least three of my mussels recipes with pictures. All are delish and easy. <a href="http://flaurella.blogspot.com/search?q=mussels">Click here for Flaurella's recipes and pix.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItiPc4lDoPyywed61-O8YloZQe_ujCR36R95-PUPH28gLvHH-Eypol6w_urPCvVKo9k0z5uEJR-WmbuCo7LeoX4GQKU9hbO6YTJVFn8RANKfdhv9hJdKR2PCSYCoUnvDThNY_tQ/s1600-h/publix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336090046040916562" style="WIDTH: 73px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItiPc4lDoPyywed61-O8YloZQe_ujCR36R95-PUPH28gLvHH-Eypol6w_urPCvVKo9k0z5uEJR-WmbuCo7LeoX4GQKU9hbO6YTJVFn8RANKfdhv9hJdKR2PCSYCoUnvDThNY_tQ/s320/publix.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />BTW, my friend Walt who hails from Long Island pronounces Publix as "pube licks." Walter, you are one funny dude. Happy Birthday, there about!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOymKPtEni8GsDh2zwFX2e7Rrn5g0OwxBrHaBQeJvR8UOys_FuqlnFUjGnbUnmn9uLI_gVcLQ3w-Id3EyO0KEI34n2merCdbZt2neGBl6tXKIjwvM7OnuMtPiAFnD2hHBM4Uijg/s1600-h/waltbike.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336090496821419586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOymKPtEni8GsDh2zwFX2e7Rrn5g0OwxBrHaBQeJvR8UOys_FuqlnFUjGnbUnmn9uLI_gVcLQ3w-Id3EyO0KEI34n2merCdbZt2neGBl6tXKIjwvM7OnuMtPiAFnD2hHBM4Uijg/s320/waltbike.jpg" border="0" /></a>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657857.post-31591765770841670712009-05-09T18:54:00.001-04:002009-05-09T18:54:47.520-04:00Happy Mother's Day!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3516931096/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3516931096_dde9e276d5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/3516931096/">Happy Mother's Day!</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/flaurella/">flaurella</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>Cheerful yellow Gerbera daisy in my kitchen reminds me that I am loved. So do several other beautiful floral arrangements in the kitchen, family room and my office..<br /><br />A day without fresh flowers is worse than a day without sunshine. Thanks, W4D, for showering me with flowers this week and every week.</p>Flaurellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10069587668622689627noreply@blogger.com0