Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year 2012 from St. Pete Florida!!!

Mia and Gina Visit - Day 2

I woke up feeling pretty bad this morning.  Not able to do too much.  Mia and Gina took right over.  They made French Toast using the chocolate chip Panettone made with egg and eggnog.  To die for!

Then they made our annual corn flake wreath.  Going to have some of that tonight!

This afternoon we watched "Midnight in Paris".  The girls loved it!  How nice to be stretched out on the couch and watch a movie!

And tonight they made Fries Quatro Queso Dos Fritos . . . Sooooooo good!

So yummy!

After dinner we took a walk around the neighborhood in the cool air (got down to around 63 degrees!) Was nice to see the Christmas lights and Christmas trees in many of the homes.

We cut into the Corn Flake wreath, then played a few rounds of "Shut the Box".  It can be addicting!  Shut the front door!

Mia and Gina Visit - Day 1

I met Lu half way between Tampa and Orlando to pick up Mia and Gina for their annual Christmas visit today.  Traffic was extremely heavy, especially for them, with almost a standstill passing the Disney properties.

A mug from Mia that she painted for me . . . "And that's why you always leave a note" (you Arrested Development fans will know that one!)

 And Gina made the "There's always money in the banana stand . . . " (Another AD reference)

Opening one gift before we headed down to the Vinoy for our dinner.

Mia's new Christmas DVD collection.

Gina's new ear buds.

Delicious parsnip soup!

Wayne and I had the roasted beet salad.

Our waiter snapped this pic for us.

Mia, Gina and I picked the duck . . . and we were all disappointed.  It sounded good, but a disappointment for us.  Gina's water glass slipped out of her hand midway thru the main course and our waiter was right there, and cleaned it up . . . and brought her a replacement . . . we joked that she should have said to him, "remember, I had the sirloin . . . "
And Wayne had the sirloin . . .

Mia, Gina and I had the pot de creme . . . a great choice.  Wayne had the chocolate mousse slice of pie.

Doing the best "Mad Men" poses in the new seating areas along the main hallway.

Partial family portrait in front of the tree in the lobby.

Lighted boat docked downtown.  After dinner we strolled around downtown St. Pete.

The sleigh did not glide too well without the snow cover.

Whoa!  Rudolph!

Peek-a-boo Christmas trees

Ta Tee A Mum Mum.  Notice the small snowman hands . . .

Lighted torch in front of Tryst

Lots of pretty lights.

Wayne made some homemade cookie candy.  YUM!!!

And some gifts from the girls.

Modeling their bracelets that Wayne gave them.

Gina loves her penguins!  

Another set of stockings hung by the chimney with care.

A collection of Italian items, dear to my heart, from Joe and Pete.  They know me well!

Christmas Eve and Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve Wayne and I went to dinner at Bonefish Grill.  We passed these lights on the way.  Nothing like Christmas in Florida!

Who needs snow???


Bang Bang Shrimp, White Winter Cosmo, Black Cherry Guava Mojito

Pork chop w/ Fontina, pototoes, squash

Santa delivered gifts while we were out.

The stockings were hung by the electric fireplace chimney with care . . .

Biscotti on Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner courtesy of Mazzaro's: spinach sun dried tomato lasagna, veal w/ sundried tomato and tomato salad.

Wine decanter from Wayne . . . he added the glass stones and wire . . . love it!

Dessert tonight: cannoli cake, eggnog with Bailey's Mint Chocolate.