No More Boxes

Yes, it is true, all the boxes are unpacked and furniture is in place. The next major project is to arrange the kitchen drawers and cabinets. All items are placed "somewhere" in the kitchen, but I have to make sure I am comfortable where everything is placed. 

Here are a couple of photographs ( not great shots, but there will be more), of the living room. I think my furniture in this smaller space is working out very well and I am very comfortable living here. 

New Colors and the bookcases have been separated. 

Paolo on the couch, and Peter Stilton's "Tuscan Sun Descending"

Unpacking

The move on Friday was successful and the place is looking good thanks to Frank's organizational and decorating talents and his very hard work. I only have a couple more boxes to unpack; working on it a little at a time as I still get very fatigued quickly. I need to also thank Biff and Butch for their packing and unpacking help. All three were responsible for making this a successful move. 


I am already comfortable in the new digs, and I think Paolo and Lucia are slowly adjusting. In a few more days everything should be put away and ready for some photographs. So stay tuned.

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere

Moving day is Friday

That's All I'm Saying

Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

When I lived in Seminole Heights (Tampa) 3-years and more ago, there was a good pizza restaurant only a few blocks from my home. We would go to the restaurant since the pizza was good, (especially the New York style crust -my personal favorite), and we could walk to the restaurant.  They also offered a Chicago Deep-Dish pie. The pizzeria is called Cappy's. 


I have lived in St. Pete for 3 years and I have frequently driven by the St, Petersburg version of Cappy's  on 1st Ave N and 29th St, but had not eaten there until Saturday evening. This location (in the Kenwood area of St. Pete), and the one in Seminole Heights are located in similar Craftman style neighborhoods. Frank and I met Bob G., Bob S. and Clyde for another birthday dinner - this one for Frank. But Bob S. and Clyde also have birthdays but did not want any formal recognition/celebration. Too bad, they got cards anyway. ;-)


Frank, Bob S. and I shared a New York style pizza with fresh tomatoes, sausage, and mushrooms, while Clyde and Bob G split a Chicago-style "Cappy's special. (Bob what were the toppings?)


Regardless the pizzas were very good, although the wine was mediocre. Overall it was a nice evening with good friends and another "not-so-new" restaurant to check off the list.


Happy Birthday to Frank, Bob S. and Clyde. 


Oh, and before I forget, Cappy's is in my new neighborhood - about 9 blocks or so. So I will be back.

Time for a Change

Almost 3 years ago, I move to downtown St. Petersburg and fell in love with the urban experience almost immediately. I still enjoy the downtown life with all the restaurants and bay front close by. A couple of months after I moved in I found out that my leased condo unit had been on the market since February 2008. This spring I learned that the unit was listed for a short sale. Although the sale is still pending I cannot renew the lease, as the potential owners want to live in the unit, and not lease it out. So I started looking for another place to live. Finding a place in the downtown area proved to be more difficult that I ever expected. Availability in my acceptable price range was almost non-existent. 


So, I will be moving to a new apartment in the next couple of weeks. It is an older 11-story apartment building, which just reopened after a 30 - million renovation. While it is 3 miles from downtown, it had the space to hold my furniture and was in my price range. It will work out just fine, and I will be the first tenant in this unit, so that is good. I will post another blog after I get moved in.


Those who need my new address, will receive a separate email in a few days. I will be in the new location around August 1.

Two Headed Cat in St. Petersburg

OK, just kidding, it is only Paolo (L) and Lucia (R) attached at the butt, pretending to be one cat with two heads. 

Well they didn't pull that off very good - i think they need more practice.

Scans, Frank's Birthday Dinner, and North Carolina - a busy week

I have been missing from the blogosphere for a few weeks only because I didn't feel I had anything of interest to post. But I have saved up a few items for this post.


1.  I had my most recent MRI and CT scans the end of June. The great news came back last week - no new progression or new growths. So I get another 8 weeks break from exams and/or treatments.


2. Frank's birthday was last week and we celebrated at The Black Pearl on Main Street in Dunedin. This is a special occasion restaurant with a neat black and silver art deco interior. We started with a shared seared pork belly served over cheese grits - it was wonderful, may have been the highlight along with the dessert. 


This was followed by a mixed green salad with a nice raspberry vinaigrette.


For our main courses, I opted for a twice cooked Long Island duckling served over rice and a cranberry and apple demiglace. Frank had a very nice beef stroganoff served over spaetzle. 


And for dessert a luscious tarte tatin, made to order, order early or allow extra time to prepare. The apples were thinly sliced baked with butter, brown sugar, spices and topped with puff pastry. It was a work of art. and tasty as well.


3. The next morning we flew to Asheville, NC and a short drive to Maggie Valley for the annual family gathering and to celebrate my brother's birthday. Ah, it was much cooler than St. Petersburg; a nice change. My niece and nephews rented a nice 3 bedroom, plus loft space, log house, high up on the mountain side overlooking the valley. It had great views and cool breezes. We had a good time with my slightly crazy family. I think at one point there were 20 people in the cabin for meals.


Frank and I skipped out a couple of afternoons to visit Asheville and Highlands. I would like to spend more time in Asheville - it is unlike any other town in North Carolina (at least from my experience). It has a great historic downtown area loaded with restaurants, art galleries, and shops. The Highlands business district on the other hand, is about 6 blocks long, but is filled with nice shops and restaurants. We stopped at Wolfgang's Restaurant and Wine Bistro for a glass of wine and a mid afternoon appetizer. (We are always attracted to any place that has bistro in the name). I had a bowl of Shrimp and Lobster Bisque and Frank had a trio of fish tacos. Both were very good. 


We arrived at TPA yesterday afternoon after a very busy, but enjoyable, 4 days in Maggie Valley.

Boston Photographs Are Ready

The Boston photographs have been posted on Picasa. Please click on the New Statehouse photograph in the right sidebar to view the album.

Animals in Boston

I am almost ready to post the Boston photographs on Picasa with a link to them from this blog. But until all is ready here are a couple of animal pictures from the trip.

The Famous Swan Boat
in the Boston Public Garden

Make Way for Ducklings
Boston Public Gardens

I must give credit to Frank for the photographs from Boston. He took almost all of the photographs on this trip. Good job, my friend.

Teaser Pics from Boston

Fanueil Hall

Trinity Church