Holiday Time is Here!

Well, somehow the summer and fall escaped us and here we are in Holday Season, 2007. They say the older you get, the quicker time flies, and that is certainly true for David and me! We're looking forward to an exciting 2008, with Kevin and Sunni's wedding in May. A trip to Boston in January is scheduled for Sunni's shower. I'll be traveling up with Lisa, which will be fun! Wish me luck with all the cold weather!

Our World Traveler...

Our daughter Sunni headed back to the UK last week to generate business for her new endeavor. She is now an 'independent contractor' working with a former associate from Tru-Fit. Her stops this time included the Manchester area and Amsterdam as well. She's pictured above with boyfriend Kevin attending a destination wedding in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I wonder where that travel bug came from??? Hmmm.....

Where the buffalo roam....

Who would believe it? In our very own home town of Lady Lake/the Villages, a few precious buffalo still roam...Even the Villages High School honors them as their official mascot. The buffalo are quite the tourist attraction and easily approach you from the fence. As you can see, they also love the camera! Thanks to our friend Bob Brownfeld, Photographer Extraordinaire for this up close and personal look at our favorite local attraction. Click on the picture for a closer view if you dare!

Member-Guest Tournament, 2007

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Our friend, Ron Steinert from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, joined David for the Member-Guest Tournament in Harbor Hills. This is a three day event, bravely fought in Lady Lake's cold weather in March. The field was one hundred and twenty men strong! Our twosome struggled against strong winds and rain...and proudly brought home the second place trophy!! Frankly, the second place trophy was my personal choice. The first place trophy was too big to fit on our shelf!!

Celtics & the Heat - Up Close!

And personal, as daughter Sunni & boyfriend Kevin sat
in the 6th row of the Boston Garden. They enjoyed some up close time with Shaq and Duane Wade! So much FUN! Click for a closer view.

Chef James' Cooking Class

On Monday, February 5, Chef James imparted a few of his many secrets to interested cooks at Harbor Hills. On the menu: lobster pasta salad, beef casserole pot pie, Pork Crostini, Maple Leaf Duck Breast with mixed greens, puff pastry tort with fresh fruit and the perfect jelly roll. A delicious time was had by all! For more pics of this savory event, click here. Use your browser's back button to return to the blog.

Rally for Rally for the Cure!

We 'rallied' for Rally for the Cure, a Harbor Hills golf tournament to benefit a cure for breast cancer. We played with Lin & Terry McLeod in very cold weather! Our last three holes were in twenty-five mile an hour winds in under forty degrees. Okay - we're Floridians, so we FROZE!! But rally we did, and enjoyed an Italian buffet at the end of our round. Even though we didn't win the tourney, David won a raffle for two sleeves of golf balls. But Lin was the Big Winner, winning $50.00 from her lucky raffle ticket!! More photos can be seen here. Use your browser's back arrow to return to the blog.

Marion Marketplace

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Today was a visual treat. Friend and fellow photographer Neil Toulch, took the wheel and drove to Marion Marketplace. Walking through the booths brought back memories of Itaewon, Korea and Taipai, Taiwan. Odd novelties abound alongside a prolific produce section. Although there were many unusual faces, for the most part, we stuck to taking photos of inanimate objects. My 'macro' setting worked overtime, to help create some colorful images. A few can be found here. Use your browser's back button to return to the blog.

Release the Hounds!!!

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On Sunday, January 21, our friends the Ellis' invited us join them for a fox hunt! Actually, no animal is hunted. Instead, a bag with 'fox scent' is spread around the woods and then hidden. The bloodhounds lead the riders and their horses to find the bag. This is done three times during the hunt.

It was an amazing experience for us to take photos amidst the fifty riders and their stunning horses. Of course, when the hounds were released from their trailer, the excitement really began! We thanks the Ellis' so much for including us in this animal-lovers Dream Day!

Featured above is Bravo, one of the two Ellis horses. Bravo is twenty-two years old and has been hunting twice a week since he was very young. Click here to view additional photos. Don't forget the second page! To find out more about the hunt club, click here. Use your back button to return.

My Birthday Camera

Yes, another birthday is rolling around next week. My loving husband gave me my gift early - a new Nikon D40 camera! Today was my first official 'shoot' with two Harbor Hills friends, both accomplished photographers.

Here is a link to more of my shots from the local park. Special thanks to my friend Neil Toulch for sharing his expertise, time and creativity.

Better than Gold

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That's what good friends are, better than gold. Our friends Marga and Steve Montanino from PGA Village, Port St. Lucie, visited with us this weekend. This was Marga and Steve's first trip to our area. We showed off our new home and community. Steve and David enjoyed a round of golf at Harbor Hills on Friday moring. We all attended the Chris Botti concert in Orlando on Friday night. Saturday evening, we ate at Isabella's, our favorite restaurant, owned and operated by our Harbor Hills neighbors. A fine dining experience, we all agreed! What a delight to share our lives once again, with two lovely people who are more family than friends. They both deserve the best life has to offer...
Click this link for more photos.

Fantastic Pre-New Year's Party!

Since moving to Harbor Hills last June, our lives have been filled with wonderful new friends and parties! December 29 was no exception. Jerri and Geo Mayer, pictured above, hosted a fun-filled evening at the clubhouse, black tie required!! One hundred and twenty-five of their closest friends attended. The dinner was delicious, the music divine, and most of all, the warmth of our many new friends was a joy! Click on this link for more pictures, but don't forget to view the second page of pictures by clicking 'page 2' (letters in green, upper left corner) on the first gallery page.

The Best Holiday Surprise of All!

Well, it didn’t take long, but hard work, negotiation skills and a great personality (gotta love those genes!) helped Lisa seal her first deal with a home built by Hartley Brothers. In December, Lisa called to tell us she sold her first home. We were all thrilled, but no one struck the celebration pose quite like our Lisa!! We’re so proud of her!

They're Here!!

Boston-based Sunni & Kevin arrived yesterday for the holiday!! We're having fun, starting with an evening of hibachi. Of course, any visit to Sumter Landing includes David's favorite venue, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream!!

Music of the Night!

Our country club held a 'Music of the Night' evening, Friday October 17. It was a big turnout, complete with drinks, dinner and dancing. We enjoyed the evening, which required a little dressier attire than normal....Of course these folks took the Phantom theme 'up a notch.' A great time was had by all. For more pics of the evening, click here. Don't forget Page 2 by clicking "2" next to the green 'gallery pages.'

Thanksgiving & the Girls

The picture above shows the girls in 1979. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving, 2006 is here. The best part is having our family around the table again. Sunni will be with us in Florida (the one with the big smile on the left) for a week, getting relaxed and rejuvinated. Lisa (the one with the big smile on the right) and Danny will be here for as long as Lisa's hectic schedule will allow. But one thing's for sure - we are truly thankful for the blessings our family has enjoyed all year long. From our home to yours, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking for a New Home??

We are so very proud of the new real estate agent in our family!! Our daughter Lisa recently landed a job selling new homes with a prominent builder, Hartley Brothers. in the Gainesville area. Check out her website if you're in the market, or even if you're not!! The homes are beautiful and frankly, so is she!!

Boo!

Our first Halloween party at Harbor Hills was so much fun! The costumes were creative and funny - and some quite beautiful. David and I donned our "Bonnie & Clyde" attire. Once David gets that white tie, hat and machine gun going, he's "in character" for the rest of the evening. Everyone got into the fun with prizes for costumes and Halloween games. Click here for more Halloween pics! Now, what shall we dress as next year? ..

Good Friends, Great Times!

On October 27, Bob and Luz Stella Tinsman visited us in Harbor Hills. We spent a delightful weekend together. It included dinners at our two favorite restaurants, golf, walks and lovely conversation out on our patio. Even Bailey the Pekingese, recognized "Uncle Bob" and (eventually) greeted him with a fine hello! We're looking forward to our next visitors, Steve and Marga Montanino, in January.

Having Fun at Harbor Hills

Grandson Danny spends the weekend, and all kinds of activity takes place! Practice putting, golf cart rides and doggie walks are all on the agenda. Even an "Hibachi" dinner makes the cut!