Sat, Dec 24, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Worked my crossword puzzle this morning after morning ablutions and breakfast.  Really warm this morning, but tempered by the wind.  A lot of people now in the park.  But they’ll be out of here by January 1.  Off to a Christmas Eve cocktail party at Douglas’s this afternoon.  Taking smoked salmon, crackers and wine.  Looking forward to it.  Most of our friends in the park are going.  Low 80s today and windy.

Old Town Bakery on Eaton Street
Key West

Dining al fresco at Red Fish Blue Fish the other night.
Key West

Fri, Dec 23, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Another nice day here in the Florida Keys.  We decided to take care of a few chores.  Dragged out our awesome ladder and washed the walls and ceiling in our fifth wheel.  The ceiling is so high we need a ladder to take care of that chore.  But we got it done and then rewarded ourselves with dinner at Mangrove Mama’s.  Ran into John and Sandy and joined them for a few drinks after dinner—a few too many drinks actually.  But we had a great time on a beautiful evening. Plan to get together with them for a night of marbles or trivial pursuit somewhere in the future.  Upper 70s today and beautiful.

Mangrove Mama's Christmas decorations.

Waiting for our drinks.

Joined Sandy and John for some after-dinner drinks.

Thu, Dec 22, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  This morning dawned cloudy and grey.  Went out to get the paper this morning and that’s the extent of my forays outside.  A good day to watch more episodes of “Shameless”. Last night we went to see “It’s Only a Play” at the Waterfront Playhouse.  Great show.  There were a lot of people in Key West last night—partly because of a big bash at the Customs House, a holiday concert and bazar.  Lots of live music and artisans plying their wares.  After dinner at the Red Fish Blue Fish, we walked around the Westin and Customs House complex enjoying all the holiday lights.  A fun evening.  Upper 70s today.

Strolling through the holiday lights.

Laser show on the back of the Customs Building.

At the Waterfront.

Waiting for the curtain to go up. This small theater used to be an ice house back in the day.

Wed, Dec 21, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Headed to Big Pine for a Walgreens run, stopping to pick up the smoked salmon for the cocktail party on Christmas Eve.  Back home and watched a couple of episodes of “Shameless”.  Cooled off a bit. Had shorts and a tee shirt on and had to change into something warmer.  We head to Key West tonight for dinner and then to the Waterfront Theater to see “It’s Only a Play”.  Was a big hit on Broadway.  We’ll see.  Upper 70s today and perfect.

On one of our sojourns into Key West we spotted this beautiful motor cycle--an Indian I think.

On a walk-about in Key West.

Tue, Dec 20, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Decided to go to Big Pine to do the grocery shopping at Winn Dixie this morning.  The store has been completely renovated and is pretty nice.  Got our shopping done and then had lunch at the Galley Grill.  Stopped at Fanci Seafood to see about ordering some smoked salmon for Douglas’s cocktail party on Christmas Eve.  Will pick that up tomorrow.  Sat outside reading for a while until it started raining.  The rain cleared and Suzette and Samson stopped by.  Left-overs for dinner tonight.  82 and beautiful again today.

Flowers of Key West.

Mon, Dec 19, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Mike was off to the dentist this morning and I headed down to start the laundry. Finished the laundry and did a couple of other chores and then sat outside and relaxed for a while.  Sally, John, and Sandy stopped by.  Mike returned and we had lunch.  Yesterday afternoon we took the bikes out for a short ride over to the KOA and back.  Wanted to check them out to make sure they’re okay before we go on a longer ride.  Off to happy hour tonight. Another perfect day—low 80s and breezy.

Biked over to the KOA yesterday afternoon to check out the bikes.  Stopped at the pub for a drink, but it wasn't open yet.

Nice sunrise this morning.

Sun, Dec 18, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  We sure have been lucky with the weather down here this year—so far anyway.  Another beautiful day.  Delivered cookies to Sandy and John who were next door with Larry.  Talked with them for a while and then went in and made a poached egg for breakfast.  I found a great way to do it in the microwave.  In the Sunday paper this morning there was an article on sedum—the last of the succulents I planted.  They refer to sedum as a forgetful gardener’s dream.  Perfect for me and for the fact that we’re gone more than we’re here.  Sedums store water in their leaves which is perfect for snowbirds who are gone for months at a time.  They can die back in drought and then pop back to life when water arrives. Some gardeners say only stones need more care than a sedum.  So, maybe they’ll still be here when we return next November.  82 today with a tropical breeze.

Sedum we planted a month or so ago.