Happy New Year!!!

I saw this shirt hanging in a store and it was just perfect for me with the New Year's celebration upon us! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Low Tide

One day recently we were picnicking on a nearby island when a storm came up very quickly. The tide was going out - and the storm made the tide just rip out to the gulf. We stayed on the island for shelter - the storm was scary but luckily for us and the others on the island it blew through very quickly. Once it cleared enough for us to leave we jumped in our boat to head for home -- on the way I spotted this poor sailboat that didn't fair to well - thankfully no one was on it.

Holiday Shoes!

These beautiful red shoes belong to my even more beautiful niece Erica -- she wore these out one night while I was visiting my sister and her family. I thought they would make a perfect Ruby Tuesday shot for this time of the year. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Monday Monday

I saw this house and car one day while out walking with "B" and it just screamed mellow yellow -- Happy Monday :)

Twas the day after Christmas...

Yesterday was yet another wonderful Christmas day in the chapter of our lives. There is nothing better than being with those you love. Even after all of the shopping and wrapping and the decorating and the baking and the cooking and the long month of preparation when the day comes - none of it really matters except the being together. Hope that you had a joyful day with family and friends.

Merry Christmas

Wishing You All a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous and Healthy 2010!!!

Here comes Santa Claus!

For all of you who are young and who are young at heart - tonight is the BIG night! HOHOHO Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Night!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

At long last the tree is up. I really love it this year - but then I say that every year :)

Christmas Amaryllis

It's hard for me to believe that I put an ugly brown bulb into a pot the Saturday after Thanksgiving and lo and behold 4 weeks and 2 days later this is what I have to enjoy. This is the first of 3 to open and it's not even all the way there yet I just couldn't wait any longer to take a picture of it. What a glorious thing I have growing right on my kitchen table. If you have never planted an Amaryllis before -- next year when you see those boxes on the shelves as the holiday season begins grab one (it comes with everything you need) and try it for yourself you won't believe your eyes. Merry Christmas!!

Santa and Pups

Yesterday my daughter and I took her dog Biggie and our two puppies LuLu and Junior to see Santa at a local PetSmart - the people running the "Santa" were from a local shelter and all of the proceeds went to help with their expenses. They were a super nice group of people the manager's son (19 years old) played the jolly old elf himself he was a very patient kid to say the least. The puppies were a bit nervous LuLu shook the whole time Junior took it in stride and Biggie the seasoned professional wasn't even fazed. It was a fun thing to do and the pictures came out great here's a few I snapped on the side. HO HO HO Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Neighborhood Lights

Every year our neighbor enters a local boat parade. His displays are always excellent - he makes everything every year from scratch - he even paints all of his lights the custom colors that apply to the theme. This year he took 1st place overall in the Sarasota, FL boat parade and 2nd in the Venice, FL boat parade. If you've never been to a boat parade you should really put it on your list of things to do it really is spectacular. When our children were little we went every year in our own boat and watched from the water. We don't go as faithfully as we used to but, thanks to Mr. N our neighbor we get to have a special display right on our own street. Merry Christmas!!

Drum Roll Please!!!!!!!!

This is my first ever Blog Award and it comes to me from my dear friend and co-worker Martha of Martha's Menagerie. I can't tell you how much fun I have been having with this little ol' blog. Truly it has been more fun then I ever imagined - I couldn't have done this without Martha's encouragement and mentoring! Believe me there have been times when I was completly lost and she has walked me right through it. I know I have a long way to got.... Thanks to everyone who has left me such encouraging comments - you are all the best. :)

Let it snow let it snow let it snow...

Well since snow is VERY scarce here in SW Florida every year at Christmas time I hang snow flakes around my house. This is something that I have done every year since my children were little kids. When they were small we used to make paper cut-out snowflakes and hang them in our windows. Now, I just use some of the lovely ones that you can buy in stores. These two little beauties are hanging from one of the shelves in our kitchen I thought the shadow was neat. I hope that you like it and for those of you who have snow on the ground it's in the high 70's here and I wouldn't have it any other way :) Merry Christmas!!!!!

Easy and Fun Gift Idea

This is the basket that I put together for one of my co-workers. There is some yummy body lotion, spray and wash in there. There is also a Christmas pin and mini stocking - the basket itself is one that could be used on a buffet table to put utensils and napkins in -- that's just one idea. Truth be told the basket was a "hand me down" and all of the stuffings were purchased on sale. I think it gives you a lot of bang for the buck and I'm sure that my friend will enjoy it.

Water Girl

This little girl spends her days running through a fountian in a local mall. I just love the tilt of her head - to me she looks like this is the most fun! And of course everyone throws pennies "at" her :)

Red Sky in Morn Sailor be Warned

This is a shot from may back yard one early morning. The sun was just beginning to rise and the colors were spectacular as you can see they were all reds and pinks. This is really one of the best times of day to capture natural beauty.

Not Quite a Shadow Shot

This was taken one Saturday night at the "drum circle". The "drum circle" as we call is held each Saturday evening on the beach. It's a very nice gathering of people - lots of people. There are several drummers (about 15 to 20) there and they just make a nice melodic beat to the setting of the sun. As the sun gets closer to the horizon they beat faster and faster - it is really a very nice experience. This mother and daughter were getting ready to leave and they were shaking out their blanket. I thought it was such a nice picture of the two of them with the beautiful sky in the background. Not quite a shadow but nice none the less.

Junior/Gerry Garcia

This is Junior our 9 month old maltese puppy - he is quite a guy - we nicknamed him "Gerry Garcia" because of his "bearded" face and his way laid back ways. He has a sister named LuLu and she is the complete opposite! I thought this picture was just so cute it really looks like he's posing :)

Pretty Pink Puff!

On one of the recent outings by the waterway B spotted this adorable little pink flower - or weed or what ever I just say "puff" there were a few of these here and there - I don't know what they are called but, they remind me of Horton's puff flower in Horton Hear's A Who one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. I wonder if there is a little town on there???

Pumpkin Bread

This wonderful recipe comes to me from Lorraine - not only is it easy -- it is a family favorite year round. The recipe makes 3 one pound loaves of this "heavenly stuff" and once you've tasted it you'll be glad that it does! I bake it in one pound coffee cans and honeslty it really comes out best this way - you can of course use regular loaf pans but, it really does change the taste and texture of the bread. So, if you can get a hold of 3 cans by all means do, you won't regret it. The recipe is simple:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour 3 coffee cans or loaf pans

3 1/2 cups of flour

3 cups of sugar

2 tsps baking soda

1 1/2 nutmeg

1 1/2 tsps cinnamon

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 cup of canola oil

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

1 cup walnuts or nuts of choice

Mix all wet ingredients. Mix all dry ingredients then slowly add wet to dry mix until all the batter is wet.

Pour evenly into the 3 pans and bake for 1 hour. With my oven it takes a bit longer - I bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Beautiful Water Way

Bonnielee and I have been taking walks in the afternoons. One of our favorite spots well at least one of my favorite spots is the Waterway by our homes in Venice. We always take our cameras along just in case we see something that catches our eye along the way. This is a pretty sun shot that I was able to capture on our way back one day - I really love the way the sun looks on the water. What do you think?

Here I am Martha!

I have been off again for quite a while - life kept on getting in the way. I hope the everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and a nice long weekend with it. I had a very nice Thanksgiving day with family and friends and of course the meal of ALL meals!

I have been out walking with Bonnielee of "Just B" taking lots of pictures of some of the beautiful scenery here in SW Florida and of some other interesting things that we have come across.

Now that the Christmas count down is on I will be baking and wrapping and making candy so I should have some fun things to post. Speaking of fun things my new header picture is of the Gingerbread men that my daughter Marissa made. There is one for each of us in the family - I think that she did such a great job on these they are so fun!!