Ed Sheeran Concert!

The sky was on full display for the Ed Sheeran show in Tampa.  Steph and Elle went with friends.

Here's the setlist - Tampa, May 20, 2023

Sautéed Cobia!

Our neighbors caught a huge Cobia fish in the gulf near Cedar Key and shared some filets with us.  Steph did a wonderful job on the prep and we ate well!

Oak View Spring Concert

Busy week last week with three band events!  Kids and bands all did well!

Two Shepherds and a Bear!

Birdy and Bear!

Gator Baseball!

We went to the Gator baseball game With Rick and Rick as part of a fun week-end of golf, food and family!

Sausage Rigatoni!

Steph and Jack were away for the week-end so Elle and I got to play in the kitchen!  She first made brownies (barely visible on the counter in the pic) and then we made our favorite dish that Steph makes - Sausage Rigatoni.  We even found the particular Classico sauce that we could no longer find during the Covid years!  The recipe is below.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

1 lb. of rigatoni pasta

1 lb. Italian sausage

2 cloves of minced garlic 

1 jar (24 ounces) Classica Marina with Plum Tomatoes & Olive Oil (pic above)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 pkg. (8 ounce) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (cubed)

Several fresh basil leaves (torn or chopped to garnish)

Start heating the large pot of water to boil the pasta.

Brown the sausage in a large skillet.  Drain any excess grease (usually there isn't much so draining isn't needed)  Add minced garlic and place on low.  Add the sauce and continue to cook on low.

When the pasta water is boiling, add the pasta and begin cooking per directions.  Usually 11-12 minutes.   Add the cubed cream cheese to your sauce and stir regularly until it has melted and blended.  Turn heat up if necessary.

Drain the pasta when cooked to liking and add to pasta sauce.  Stir until blended and ready to serve.

Add parmesan cheese and basil to liking.

Pete Excited for a Pup Cup!

Elle and I took Petey to Starbucks for a "pup cup" or a "puppacino".  He didn't mess around and licked it up quickly!

Jeep Grand Cherokee Hits 100k

We went in with Jack to purchase Rick and Barb's old 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  As we were driving it home we got to celebrate it hitting 100,000 miles.   I've personally only had one other car make it to 100,000 - my old 1987 Honda Accord which I ultimately sold when it had ~130k miles to buy a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse.  Something I still regard as a mistake!!!

The Jeep, however, was not a mistake.  It is in fantastic condition and will be a great first driver for Jack in the Fall.

A Random Dog Steph was Petting in 2006!

Moon Series from Ring in St. Augustine

Here's a cool moon progression shot from our Ring doorbell in St. Augustine.   The pics are in reverse chronological order and occur about two hourse from one another.

This one was around 5am and you can just barely see the moon.

The one was 3am.

And this one around 1am.

Cereal Boxes

Actually Jack and I still read cereal boxes at breakfast on occasion…

Go Big Red!

Elle is loving her (and my) Nebraska gear.  I bought the hat out of necessity when I visited Bill for his 50th birthday party.  We went to the Husker-Wisconsin game and it was cold!!!

Superbowl i-Chat

During the big game Robert and I kept tabs on each other...   <initial draft submitted 2/5/2008>  

 

Elsa’s Apple Tag Working!

One month in and Elsa's Apple Tag tracker is still working!  We've been able where she likes to hang out around the neighborhood.

Bbq lunch after Freshman Orientation!

Year in review series...

Rio Grande in Fort Collins

Bill and I had an opportunity for a quick meet-up and shot up to Fort Collins for a few hours.  We took full advantage of our time by visiting some of my favorite places when I was there 25+ years back.  

One of those was Rio Grande known for its strong margaritas!

I always appreciated how clear their classic margarita was as well.  We inquired on its ingredients and learned this classic margarita actually doesn't contain lime juice.  Their fancier margaritas do. 

The other notable thing was the weather.  It snowed throughout our trip to the Fort and was cold!

In Progress Pyramid

Progress on the pyramid project!

School Pyramid Project!

Elle had to build a pyramid for a project at school.  It needed to open up so you could see on the inside as well.

Back dog!

National Youth Leadership Training!

Jack completed National Youth Leadership Training earlier this year.