Happy New Year Central Time!

Just wanted to say Happy New Year for my friends in Central Time Zone.  And to all others whom I will not be awake to send you good wishes.

It's been a great year.  I'm happy to report that I have sold Somewhere, bought the Whim and the Lodge.  Spent time with family and friends this year.

We had a great Christmas with family at the Smoky Mountains Wyndham.  It just looks like it's going to be a wonderful 2012.  God bless each of you and I look forward to my new home in Crossville and my extended travels to Alaska.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Later...

Wine & Chocolate

Yes, you read that right.  Lakeridge Winery in Clermont was having one of their events and this one really appealed to me and Margie.  So early Saturday morning we headed north and arrived early enough that we didn't have to wait in line for very long to taste our wine and eat the Godiva chocolate.  Each wine was pared with a compatible chocolate, such as, very dry wine (which I don't like) was pared with dark chocolate, etc.

It was a good day.  There were arts and crafts on the hill too.  Excellent day.

We watched a movie on the development of the winery and the Cox family.

Tasting line runs through the vats.

About 10 different wines...

...and five different chocolates were tasted.

Processor for the grapes

The vineyard, or at least part of it.

The picking machine puts the grapes in the grey boxes.

Margie thinks this is a good place for a break.

Now where are we going?

We didn't wait on Santa.

 Later...

Chili Party at the Lakeside Resort

Margie and I decided to throw a party at my place which I have dubbed the Lakeside Resort.  That is what I put on the invitation and people got very confused as to where this place was and they didn't want to go outside the park, etc.  So when we told them where it was I got the number incorrect on the invite and sent guest on the other side of the lake to 364, thankfully those people are gone for a couple weeks and weren't home.  Alas, people began arriving and fun ensued.

Roger fixed the chili, which was delish.  Everybody brought a contribution to chili, their chairs and own drinks so there wasn't much else left.  I believe a good time was had by all.

The Lemon Drop Express made an appearance and the guys seemed to enjoy her.  Only thing is I need to get a back up battery sometime for her.  The range of travel for her is great as the pond is a perfect place to drive her around.   Someone suggested I get a little sled to put behind the boat & put Sedona on it and ride her around.  Don't think that would work though.  Sounds fun!

It was nice to see old friends again and to meet new ones.  I believe we will have another one in January at Margie & Roger's new place.

The flamingo and parrot say "Welcome Friends!"

Collette is brave enough to start the line.

It just took one to do it, yummy!

Mel seems to have made a friend.  Sedona wants some chili too.

Golf Cart junction.

Roger is checking everything out.

Sun's goin down. Hazel, Don, Dave and Patti have a front row seat.

A  visitor drops in

Vern and Denise with her light up glass!  What a great smile!

L-R Eldon, Roger, Louie, Don, Jean, Tina

Jean and Tina

Don from Ohio is putting away the last of the wine.

Patti is telling what a wonderful time she is having and Dave looks ready to go.

Roger is the puppet master.

Margie has gone to the birds.

I think the parrot is saying "it's time to go home, honey!"

We had a great evening with Jimmy playing on the computer, a little reggae and the Village People serenading us through the night.

Later...