Retire to Paradise – Sarasota, FL

Rowing with friends

2009-08-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

This morning was perfect! There we were, 4 rowing friends and our trusted cox on the glass-like waters of the Inter-coastal. What made it even more exceptional was the beautiful double rainbow, a shark fin gliding by the boat and a dolphin leaping 6 feet into the air in a graceful arc. That was the kind of row we were having until we neared the beach, when a bolt of lightning was spotted and quickly followed by a peal of thunder. Suddenly, the mood changed and everyone discovered an extra burst of energy to quickly sprint for the shore. Thanks ladies, it was a great way to start the day!

Tea with friends

2009-08-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being retired is having more time to spend with friends. It is a close second to having more time to travel!
I think women, more so than men, enjoy having a group of female friends who they can feel comfortable and relaxed with. They exchange ideas, discuss problems, support each other through rough times, and introduce new interests to the group.
My contribution is arranging Craft Night when friends are welcome to come with a project they are working on, or come to learn a new skill. We are a multi-talented group and we have all the bases covered - knitting, beading, sewing, crocheting, quilting, you name it.
Of course we take a break for tea and goodies and last week this cake was a big hit.

Plum and Pistachio Cake

Flavorful, moist cake – excellent with a cup of tea.
4 large dark plums
50g/2oz shelled pistachios
175g/6oz softened butter or margarine
175g/6oz sugar
3 eggs
175g/6oz self-raising flour
Zest and juice of one lemon
Icing sugar for dusting

Heat oven to 180C/365F. Butter and with wax paper line the base of a 20cm to 22cm cake tin. Stone the plums and cut into 8ths. Tip pistachios into blender and finely grind.
Beat the butter and sugar fluffy, then add eggs, pistachios, flour, lemon zest and juice and keep beating until light and fluffy.
Spoon half the mixture into the pan and scatter over half the plums. Smooth remaining mixture on top and scatter the remaining fruit.
Bake for 45 to 50 mins. until cake is firm and golden. TIP: If using a spring pan place some foil under the pan as I found that juice came out.
Let cool 5 mins. in tin then turn out and cool completely. Dust with icing sugar.

Leaving Paradise

2009-07-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

It's wonderful to live in paradise but sometimes you need to get away, even if it is only to appreciate what you have. It gives you another viewpoint of the world, lets you meet interesting locals and fellow travelers, and adds a little spice to ones life.
I have been traveling, and sometimes living permanently, around the world since I was a teen, and I usually have some trip or other in the works.

This time it is a six week odyssey through Europe with a Eurail pass, so if you want to travel vicariously read my other blog 'Traveling light'.

The Brits are here!

2009-07-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

There are a fair number of Brits, some retired, who have found their way to this paradise, me included. Personally, its not that I seek out the company of fellow countrymen, it just seems to happen. I joined the rowing club and there they were; interesting, adventurous, varying ages and having often taken a meandering road to get to Sarasota. Sometimes our boat contains more Brits that Americans!

One is able to find a few homeland delicacies here such as Pork Pies and Sausage Rolls from The Pasty Shop, and others one can generally make at home. Let me pass along a couple of easy recipes from my mum, that actually go together and are usually a big hit with a ‘cup of tea’.

Scones
3 cups Plain Flour
¼ cup sugar
1level tsp bi-carbonate of soda
2 level tsp cream of tartar
3 oz raisins
1 egg
½ level tsp salt
¼ to ½ pt milk (sufficient for fairly firm dough)
6 tbsp margarine
Mix all dry ingredients except raisins and rub in margarine. Add raisins and beaten egg, then mix in milk until right consistency. Knead very lightly on floured board and roll out to 1inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut scones and place on floured baking sheet. Brush tops with a little milk.
Bake at 450 – 475 for 10 – 12 mins. at top of oven.

Lemon Curd
Put in a saucepan
¾ cup sugar
2oz margarine
Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
Heat and stir above ingredients until sugar and margerine melt.
Leave to cool, then quickly stir in 2 beaten eggs and return pan to heat stirring until it thickens but does not boil. Pour into glass jar and store in fridge.

Retiring in Paradise

2009-07-07T09:39:00.001-07:00

Wondering where to retire? What are you looking for – palm trees and amazing beaches, culture, outdoor activities and sports, plenty of dining options, great shopping, excellent medical facilities, and the list goes on and it can all be found in Sarasota.

We discovered this jewel on the gulf coast and have never regretted our move from Manhattan 5 years ago. Each time I drive along the Marina Drive I remember why we came here. Among the numerous beaches, Siesta Key is the most well known for it’s fine white quartz sand and its second place ranking in the Top 10 Best Beaches.

The beautiful climate and situation offers endless options for active outdoor people. I have taken up biking on the Legacy Trail, and rowing and sculling with the Sarasota Masters Rowing Club. Both these activities offer interaction with nature and wildlife as dolphins and manatees play around our boat, and otter families scuttle across the trail. The inter-coastal is excellent for kayaking, both Myakka and Oscar Scherer State Parks offer many hiking trails, and there is a strong running community who organize year round races including a marathon. The warm waters of the Gulf also offer great training for triathletes.

The Sarasota Ballet is top notch and the newly renovated Opera hosts world class performances throughout the season. Theatre options are numerous, from the Asolo Repertory and Florida Studio Theatre, to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall which offers a world of great music, dance, and theatre.

What flavor excites your palate? The restaurant options are endless and cover everything from fine dining, to ‘Old Florida’ waterfront eateries with great seafood. At St. Armands Circle you can browse the eclectic and elegant mix of stores before dining on ‘The Circle’. Don’t miss FantaSea with its extensive collection of ocean related gifts and accessories.

For the gardener, the beautiful Selby Gardens with its comprehensive orchid collection and tropical plant conservation project is a must, and the bayside location is magnificent.

If indoor hobbies are your thing, there are two wonderful bead stores in town – F.O.B and Beading Elements, the friendly drop-in knitting atmosphere at the Spinning Wheel, and numerous options for the quilter.

This is a great time to purchase real estate so don’t wait; come join those of us who have already discovered Paradise.