Here I am down here in Jupiter, Fla. with many Saratoga Springs friends nearby. We get together at least once a week and sometimes more often.
So, it only stood to reason we'd get together on New Year's Eve. Not everyone who is down here, but six us did.
We went to one of our favorite haunts, Nick's Tomato Pie. The name is intriguing because it sounds like a pizza parlor. Although they have pizza they specialize in great Italian dishes and the atmosphere is very Italian including garlic bulb hanging fixtures.
Fred and Dinda McNeary battled the elements and arrived just in time to join us. Retired Supreme Court Judge Loren Brown and his wife Veronica have been here for awhile. In fact, they drove up to Tallahassee to be with their daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons for the Christmas holidays, but came back in time to join in the fun.
My husband and I have been here since early December. We had Mary and artist Anthony (Tony) Alonso over for Christmas dinner. They are our good friends and live about 20 miles away.
So, although our children traveled to be with their immediate families during the holidays, we are still able to enjoy festivities with good friends.
In fact, we are all meeting Wednesday night for dinner. Norma Quinn, who also lives nearby, is usually the organizer.
She and her husband Frank spent New Year's Eve with their daughter, Annie, who was down here visiting.
I want to take this time to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. Here's a toast to 2011. Let it be one of the best years of our lives.