December Weekend - Christmas Round 1

The Holiday rush has begun. On Friday night we went to a house party up in Clearwater. It's been a little "nippy" at night, but the party was still held in the backyard. There was a fire pit to sit around later in the evening as the Florida "chill" set in. (Ah! I don't miss the Albany weather right about now...)

On Saturday night we went to a party for my branch of the credit union at the branch manager's home in Seminole. Again, a porch and backyard party. This year's theme was New Orleans Mardi Gras, and most of the food was catered from a local cajun creole restaurant: Creole Gumbo, Crawfish Cornbread, Jambalaya, Cajun Pork, Shrimp Etouffee and for dessert, Warm Whiskey Bread Pudding. Wayne made a 10 layer cake and we brought that to add to the dessert table. When it got to be time for dessert, we walked out to get it, only a couple pieces of the cake were left! I wish I had brought my camera for my fans who love seeing pics of the food I eat. :-)

Today in my neighborhood the neighborhood association held it's annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. Eight homes were featured. To quote the site:

A popular tradition since 1997, the 11th Annual Historic Old Northeast Candlelight Tour of Homes returns to St. Petersburg on Sunday December 7th from 3 to 8 P.M. This Yuletide favorite will feature a myriad of decorating and architectural styles including a traditional 1926 arts and craft style bungalow, a classic mid-20th Century style condo penthouse, a wonderful 1920’s two story with Mediterranean influence as well as a beautiful 1930 two story Mediterranean, a stylish 1924 two-story home completely renovated, a charming 1920 two story home and carriage house, a lovely two story Colonial and an historically significant 1913 "work in progress".
Spirits will be warmed by the hospitality of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westminster Palms Colonnade Guest House and The Dickens House. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic – both wonderful organizations which work tirelessly on behalf of families in our community - and the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association.

This drawing is of the house that was my favorite. It is still undergoing rennovation, but it is beautiful so far. The owner lives in the guest house in back in the meantime. I was thinking, "I could live here in the guest house!"

One of the homes was a condo on the ninth floor of an older condo building. It has a balcony with a spectacular view of the Vinoy Resort and the downtown and waterfront.

Wayne and I celebrated our first year anniversary this weekend. We went to dinner at the Roman Gardens Italian restaurant in the Grand Central District in Saint Pete. It's a cool place. We both had veal dishes and the waiter brought us a piece of the bananas foster cheesecake for dessert on him because of our patience. There was a party of twelve in the center of the restaurant and it was a bit busy. The place isn't too big, but it is cozy!