Mike and Katie Visit St. Pete

My nephew Mike and his wife Katie are vacationing in Florida during Katie's spring break from teaching high school.  Visiting relatives in the Tampa Bay area, I got to spend some time with them (and Linda) here in St. Pete!

They have been staying with Linda and Louie in Bradenton, and drove up to St. Pete this morning.

As per my modus operandi, we went for a long walk so I could show some of the local sights.  We walked up to Coffee Pot Bayou, over to the Bay and to downtown.

We stopped at the north end of North Shore Park, where the Bayou meets the Bay, to check out the time on the sun dial.

Lunch at Moon Under Water.  Relaxing from the walk in the sun!

My blackened chicken tabouleh salad.

About to enjoy lunch!

After a short walk down to the Demen's Landing area, we stopped for dessert at Paciugo.  A must when visiting St. Pete!

Oh yeah!

Lunch with Janet and Entourage

We met up with Janet and entourage for lunch on Saturday at the Island Outpost in Dunedun, near Honeymoon Island.  Janet and I worked together for many years at DCJS in Albany.  

Janet with Allen and Marge.  Her friends from Albany who now live in Jacksonville.




Cara, Janet's daughter and her daughter Kai, next to her; And Ella and Jayden, Jason and Denise's two older daughters.

Jason, Janet's son, and his youngest, Jo.  Jason's wife Denise, was left behind up in Indiana.

Sharon and Skip.  Sharon is Janet's late husband Jack's sister.

Wayne and me.

My giant crab cake.

Amarylis in Wayne's backyard.

Wayne made this trifle to bring to Dave's party on Saturday night.  Pound cake drizzled with Amaretto, vanilla pudding with some Amaretto added, raspberries, whipped cream and slivered almonds.  A party hit!  He also made chocolate cookie truffles too!

Left Center Right and Lasagna

I attended an "LCR Casino Party" on Saturday afternoon and evening.  It's a simple game which we played with nickels instead of chips.  Low stakes, but fun.  We had three tables of seven players each.  After a while it does become a bit 'tiring' so we doubled the stakes to two nickels per 'chip'.  Living life on the edge!

It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside!  I still have to remind myself that it's February!

John had set a beautiful table for our dinner.  Lasagna, salad and chocolate pudding and carrot cake for desserts.  It was a fun time!

I think 'Shut the Box' would lend itself to this party.  When we played on Thanksgiving the stakes were higher - $1 per round.  A little more incentive, I think!  Maybe next year?

Celebrating at Universal Studios Orlando

I met up with Adele and Gina at Universal Studios on Thursday to celebrate Gina's 21st Birthday which was on the 9th.  It's hard to believe my baby is 21!

We had a great day . . . perfect weather, sunny, not too warm, not too cool.

Studio girls.  All that's missing is Mia!  (And Joe and Joy and Ruby!)

When Gina saw this, she said Mia would love it!

Minion spotting on the fence around the soon to be new 'Despicable Me' attraction.

We stopped at Richter's Burger Co. where you have over 100 combinations of soda to drink!

My veggie cheese burger.

This is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.  Shortly after eating, we headed over here.  We LOVE roller coasters!  You get to select the music you want to hear as your careen around and up and down, and flip and flap . . .

It even zipped thru some buildings.

Next, we headed to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.

First stop:  Hogs Head Pub for some frozen butterbeer!

Cheers!  It IS good!

And to Ollivander's to look at wands.

Saw some Hogwart's students.

The sky provided a dramatic backdrop.

Adele just loves Hogwarts!

I was surprised to see Universal is advertising my blog!!!

The sky at dusk was amazing!

Then on to the Marvel Super Hero Island for some cotton candy!

Gina said she had never been in the World of Harry Potter when it was dark, so we went back to enjoy the night life there!

On the way out, we stopped at the Latin Quarter in CityWalk for dinner.  It was amazing!  Our waitress Esther was sweet and friendly!

Our appetizer plate . . .

My coconut tilapia with yellow rice and mango cream sauce.  I was in heaven!
 

Adele and Gina both had the chicken paella.   They had enough for two more meals!




"What am I gonna do with all this paella?!!!"