Valentine's Day

Chocolate and roses are synonymous with Valentine's Day. Roses are pretty to look at, but you can't eat them. My wonderful husband got me the BEST chocolates.. from ETIQUETTE of CHOCOLATE in Orange Park. The quality is phenomenal and the combinations of fruits with chocolate is scrumptious. The first picture shows their amazing creations. Very dainty looking. The second heart is filled with candied ginger dipped in chocolate. Naturally a good cup of coffee to go with the sweets! I really love a great cup of "Joe" and no one makes better coffee than Gary. We use Naviera Cuban style coffee. It's a dark roasted coffee with chicory. So enjoy some decadence today, Valentine's Day only comes once a year!

Birthdays

It's true, my brother just had a birthday this week and my dad's birthday is today. He's 82 years old. Dave threatened me if I published the picture of him with the sombrero (from the Mexican place) so instead I have one of him and his antique tractor. We have not celebrated dad's birthday yet, so his birthday picture will be coming soon.

Packing

The packing has begun!! I'm packing up the china today. It's possible it will stay packed for several months since there will be no place to put it. It seems with the slow economy that we are creating much work for everyone?! Once we sign the initial loan (for the start of construction) things will be happening VERY fast. They will take our current "home" to the dump, plus we're getting numerous trees removed. Many of them are large and old. Not the type you want next to your new home. Plus we have to make room for the new place. Then the foundation is poured and the new home is being built during this time frame. It is built in a factory in Lake City (I think). Our rep, Allen, says it should take 3 weeks to build. Not the 90 days I was anticipating. That's great that they have nothing but our house to build but what a whirlwind it will be! I was figuring on more time to save money to buy furniture. Oh well, that's the way it goes. We'll be putting this place together for several months.
Yes, the tourist room (aka spare bedroom) will be equipped with "visitor" beds. Any are welcome, just give me a month to move in. Actually, visitors are fun. That way we all get together and eat really good home made food and hang out. My family used to do that when we were all kids, sadly it rarely happens on such a grand scale anymore. I have such fond memories of hanging out with all of my cousins, eating, and just having fun being together. Where does the time go?
Enough musing, the packing must go on!