Happy 2014!

Happy New Year, family and friends!

Wishing you all the best for 2014!  Bill and I attended a dance party at the Emerald Pointe Clubhouse!  We old guys even got up to dance several times.  Our DJ played mostly 50's and 60's music so we recognized and could sing some of the words.  Each of us brought snacks/appetizers to share and we kept them at our table.Wonderful food and good music and we rang in the New Year with wine!  Happy 2014!

Winston is dressed for Christmas!

 I had to snap these quickly, as  as fast as I put the hat on, Winston pawed it off!  It was a little cool Christmas Day so Winston needed a coat.  All we had was an argyle blue, not really Christmassy and quite big, but it worked.  Our Boxing Day expenditure was this new coat at 50 % reduction...he is ready for next Christmas!  He did get toys though...an armadillo, a rope type toy and a hard bone.  He is not too spoiled!

Dade City Lights

 For three nights prior to Christmas, 4 0r 5 blocks of Dade City's Church St closes to traffic and lights up with luninaries lining the sidewalks.  An unbelievable sight; each home had a large Christmas Card theme with greetings to visitors as they ambled the street.  Entertainment attracted many viewers as carollers, instrumentalists and choirs performed.  Churches, as this was Sunday night, had evening services and they were opened to the public.  The lights below were set to music and even a conductor added to the setting.

 This house was magnificent with its white lights and candy cane lane and paths.  WOW! was all we could say...huge crowds gathered here to take it all in.  Just amazing!

I have no pictures, but the four of us also enjoyed the Walk to Bethlehem, enacted by Richland Baptist Church.  Live donkeys, goats and sheep were part of the setting.  An excellent  ventriloquist entertained  and told the Christmas story prior to our group being led on the Walk.  Very well done!

Christmas Eve, we attended a candlelight service at Zephyrhills Wesleyan Church.  Brief but well done!  A great way to get into the Spirit of Christmas!  It is because of the Birth of the Baby, our Lord Jesus, that we celebrate this season and we were thankfully remnided of that very clearly!

Plant City Car Show under Christmas Lights

 Not far from here, Plant City offers a car show the third Saturday of the month during Snowbird season.  Christmas lights added to this 100-150 car show.    We met Wayne Copeland who owns the Meteor in the second picture; we bought the 1954 Victoria from him in the 80's.  Good to see him again and to know that he is still in the classic car business.
Blair knows so many of the car buffs; indeed there are many in our park and some from his New Brunswick car club.  This area is a car buff mecca!

 Joan was not feeling well so she and I did a lot of resting and chatting.  She was short of breath and lacking in energy.  ill and Blair toured the area a couple of times.  The lights were beautiful.  A very nice evening!

Christmas Lights on 39

 This was an unbelievable sight!  Gazillions of lights decorated this huge country property and all was set to music, a nearby radio station, that you could tune in on your vehicle radio.  His electric bill must be atrocious unless he has some sponsors but it sure is beautiful!  The camera does not do it justice.  The only drawback is it creates a traffic hazard and there is not enough roadside parking for all who wish to stop and gaze.  It must take a very long time to set up.  I wonder where he stores it all????  WOW!  AMAZING!

A Jasper Christmas!

 Michael, Nadine and Daniel met Kendra in Jasper for a Christmas weekend fun in the snow.  They rented a cottage in December to celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts and so Kendra could see Daniel once again.  The weather for the drive from Edmonton and Prince George was iffy as there had been new snows for the few days before.  Both had their doubts about the drive, but everything worked out fine.  Both had white-knuckled drives to Jasper but the return trip was ok.    While there, they skyped the opening of their gifts and I took pictures of the screen...just like we were there.  Missed the hugs though!

Daniel was super-excited to see Aunt Kendra and to see what Santa had delivered.  This was one of his gifts along with a camera for kids that operates just like a digital.  Pictures can be downloaded too.  I think they wen tobogganing in the fresh snow and got lots of fresh air.  of course no one travels to Jasper without a feed of fresh cinnamon bums from the local bakery.  Yummy breakfast!  All too soon, the weekend came to and end...but Kendra is now halfway through her residency programme. 

 Michael opened his handcrafted wood clock and light switch for his office that we were able to find in LaConner, WA last April on our way home from the south.

Daniel watched as Aunt Kendra opened her shirt and earrings...I think a birthday gift from Nadine. Michael and Daniel

 Nice to chat with Nadine.  Kendra had knit her a beautiful scarf of alpaca wool...gorgeous!  A great weekend!