Photographer in Training

Clif has worked for TriCity Electric for 20 years now.  Boy that's hard to believe!  In any event, his company graced him with a gift card this Christmas for his dedicated service.  Clif treated himself to a nice camera, and has decided to take up photography as a new hobby.

Being we live in Central Florida where weather can be unpredictable, and is inundated with heavy traffic during the Christmas Season, we had to be creative as to where he could experiment with his new toy.  Today after all was overcast with intermittent showers, breezy, yet warm.  After much deliberation and not wanting to spend a lot of money, we decided to venture out to Disney, but instead of the well known touristed areas, we decided to head towards the hotels by way of the 417/526.  Those that live in the area know you must avoid I-4 this time of year!   Much to our delight, we landed in the parking lot of The Boardwalk, an area that is new to us.  It is amazing where adventure will lead you when you turn in opposite directions of the traffic jams!



It turned out to be perfect!  It was festive, yet peaceful, a few guests, but not crowded.  Christmas music was still playing and magic was still in the air.  We estimated our walk to be at least a mile around the lake, visiting 3 hotel properties:  The Boardwalk, The Beach Club Resort, and The Yacht Club Resort.  These were all in short walking distance to the back entrance of EPCOT. We could have also walked through the Dolphin and Swan Hotels if we chose to, but we didn't.  They are all connected by walkways and/or boats.  Here are a few of his pictures for your enjoyment.







This is actually a zoomed photo inside EPCOT he took from outside the entrance gate.



He even let me have a try with his new toy.  I guess I am trustworthy!  Not too bad for an amateur.



Inside the Beach Club Resort, they had a Gingerbread/Chocolate Carousel, along with the ingredients to make it.






In the Yacht Club Resort, they had a Railroad Model display.



We ate at the Captain's Grill located right behind this display.  Our lunch was DELICIOUS!



He tried to get a good shot in one of the courtyards.



A view of the Boardwalk from the opposite side of the lake.



One of the many connecting walkways taking you to additional hotel properties.



And a couple of additional random shots as we headed back to the car.



It's great when you can spend a wonderful day with your loved one. Simple, yet fulfilling. :)

Christmas 2013

It's hard to believe how quickly 2013 has come and almost gone.  Lots of new changes took place this year, from the addition of Chloe, to Stephen and Amber being engaged.  Our family continues to grow, and we are truly blessed.  We thank our Father in Heaven for His Goodness, and His continual love and guidance.



Michael, Valerie and Chloe came over early afternoon on Christmas Eve.  Chloe is exploring all her toys now, and enjoys shaking her rattles.

The standing rib roast was in the oven, and all the fixings to go with dinner were prepared ahead of time as the roast occupied the oven for 5 hours.  I followed a recipe from Allrecipes.com called Foolproof Rib Roast.  They weren't kidding.  The roast was tender, melted in our mouths, and had the most amazing flavor!




Along with the roast, we had wild rice, green bean almandine, 7 layer salad, mashed potatoes, and roasted cauliflower. Pumpkin pie with cool whip was our dessert.  All the flavors blended well.  This was by far the best meal I have prepared! :)



Chloe was changed into her Christmas outfit for her visit to Santa.  Valerie wore this when she was a baby..aaahhhh!





Chloe didn't quite know what to think of Santa, but according to Valerie, she loved his beard.  Santa was given a nice recliner this year as a special gift.



Nana (Valerie's Mom) and Valerie wondered what Chloe would do if they put the bow on her head.  Well, you guessed it...she posed!  Not just for one, but several pictures.  She didn't even try to pull it off!  Instead, she turned her head so we could see just how big this bow really was. :)



I am so thankful these pictures were forwarded to me.  They put a huge smile on my face, and joy in my heart.



I took advantage of this "quiet" time to practice before heading off to Midnight Mass.  I stepped out of my box and learned some new songs this year to accompany the choir.  So, no singing for me this year, only playing my heart out on the piano and keyboard.



The house was festive for those looking at Christmas lights.  Clif and I hope to go out sightseeing before the weekend.  Folks these days like to take everything down the day after Christmas.  Not us, we leave it up until Epiphany Sunday, then it comes down.



We were up bright and early Christmas morning.  Michael and Valerie spent the night.  Stephen and Amber joined us at 7am after they got off shift.  The presents were stacked.  We were ready to dig in.



Enough of the pictures, just get the presents out already.



Stephen and Amber were creative in putting Michael's present together.




Valerie was happy with her gift. :)



It wasn't long before the presents were opened, and all were happy.



Chloe enjoyed some bonding time with Uncle Stephen before heading off to Nana and Grandpa Bill's.

After a nice breakfast the kids parted, and I took a 5 hour nap while Clif transferred all my files to my new laptop.  It was a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. 

We extend a Merry and Blessed Christmas to all our loved ones.  May God continue to bless you and extend His favor to you. :)

Baptism

Chloe is now Baptized!  Her Baptism was this afternoon at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Maitland.  Clif and I are excited to not only be her Grandparents, but her Godparents as well.  It was fun watching Valerie and Michael get their little princess into her baptismal attire.  She transformed before our eyes. :)



She is now 7 months old.









The Baptism to our surprise was in Spanish, but the priest did a wonderful translating into English so we could respond properly to our responsibilities.  Chloe was just mesmerized with the priest!











I was excited we were all able to be together on such short notice.  I didn't realize the Catholic Church could be so quick in arranging Baptisms!  We were given less than a week's notice. 

A special thank you to Stephen and Amber for being such great photographers for this glorious occasion. :)

And the stockings were hung...

I finally got Chloe's stocking made. 



I notice I have one more peg on the rack should Michael and Valerie decide to have more than 1 kid.

Christmas Preparations

Today was our day for the girls to come over and do Christmas baking for the day.  We baked all day and the girls tried some new recipes.  I admire the tedious work they like to do because I don't take the time, nor desire to try something new.  I always do the same old thing...chocolate chip cookies, peanut blossoms, and Chex mix.  But, I do like tasting the creations the girls come up with.  They are good cooks!



One nice picture to humor me....



....and one to show how they REALLY felt! (exhausted). 



Amber made peach pie cookies (the ones with the lattice work on them), and Valerie made snowmen melting into the sugar cookies.  Of course, they made much more than that, but those are the ones you can see up close.   Valerie made incredible Double chocolate caramel melt cookies and Amber made Peppermint brownie bites too...delicious!

By early evening, the 3 guys arrived to descend upon the table of goodies.  I kept inquiring what to fix for dinner.  They ate the treats while I had left over Vegetable Pizza from lunch.  At least I didn't have to cook again after a hard day's work!