On The Road Again

My Dad and I are on our way north!

Good bye sunny, beautiful Florida!

See you again soon!

:)

Gifts From The Sea

Wednesday, Mr. Flea took sister Lynn, Dad and me 

to a favorite family place...Ft. DeSoto Beach.

...a beautiful and natural beach with pines to shade us

 and miles of sandy beach to walk and search for shells.

The sky was blue and the sea a beautiful blue green.

Walking the beach looking for shells, gazing out at the water...

...it was good for the soul.

The dolphins were in view...

sailboat on the horizon...

(click to see them a bit larger)

Seagulls and Terns kept us company...

As beautiful as it was...

I was feeling a little bit lost, 

...knowing how much Mom loved being here too.

...and then I looked down...

...and saw these angel wings.

Although our hearts ache, we really had a lovely day

 and finished it off with some delicious seafood.

Hope you enjoy these warm and sun filled photos

 and that the weekend ahead is full of fun

 for you and your family!

:)

Put and Take

 My Dad has a collection of interesting small brass items which he keeps in a little glass cabinet on his dresser.

 This little brass Put and Take has a special history.

Dad says that his Father gave it to his Mother along with a box of chocolates when they were courting around 1920.

 I don't know what kind of chocolates he gave her...

...but I have it pictured here with my Dad's favorites.

Put and Take was a gambling game with an interesting history.

It was popular from the 19th century to the 1940's.

A google search provides additional information.

 He also had this nice old brass whistle.

It is heavy duty with a lovely smooth old patina.

A google search turned up the Whistle Museum with lots of pictures if you are interested.

I am enjoying my visit here in beautiful Florida. 

Hope all is well with you!

:)

A Change of Scenery

I flew to Florida to spend some time with my parents yesterday.

As is our family tradition, my Dad drives directly from the airport to a little place on the Gulf called Sams.

Looking out at the water

the fishing boats and the seagulls

gently remind me that I have left the northeast.

It's not all bad!

A Margarita in a plastic cup is served along with crab cakes and chowder. Casual dining at its best!

I enjoyed the different varieties of Florida flowers

on my walk this morning.

A different sight than the tall towering pines of the north.

The Spanish moss looks so graceful...

This dapper Sandhill crane walked right across my path and out onto the golf course...

 

Of course I love the pretty blue Plumbago....

I am so happy to have the opportunity to spend time with Mom and Dad. 

I hope to be able to do a bit of thrifting and perhaps a flea market or two while I am here.

I will certainly keep you posted!

Be well!

:)

Florida Flea Market

Computer accessibility and posting from Florida has not been as easy as I thought it would...
...but here are a few images for you...
Did a Southern belle once wear this pretty vintage dress?



...We saw lots of planters, urns and garden items....



...reamers....for all that delicious Florida citrus...



...pretty hat pins and porcelain holders...



...ice cream scoops



...vintage bottles



...lots of beautiful silver



..look at the size of those onions!
...and look at the oxalis planted in....a funnel!!
...yummy tomatoes and strawberries and beautiful orchids!
...click to enlarge collage for a closer look...



...just a few of the little things I stuffed in my suitcases...
...it was a bit frustrating to only be able to purchase what I could pack!



This collage is for my mixed media artist friends....
...Cheryl, that means you!...



...and my last day here in Florida was spent touring the little town of Dunedin....
we had lunch by the water at Bon Apetite and toured the little antique shops and boutiques lining the streets...

I have loved my week here in Florida...visiting with my sister, parents and in-laws...
... but will be leaving first thing in the morning to fly back to Starla and Mr. Flea who have missed me terribly... :)

What's next you ask?

Surprisingly, I will be heading north.....very north to Montreal, Canada to visit McGill University with my nephew Joe and sister, MaryBeth. We leave on Thursday morning and will be there for the weekend...

...and guess who I will be meeting?

Yes! On Friday morning, I will be meeting our very own Zita of Mlle Magpie!
We plan to share a cup of coffee and perhaps even a bit of antiquing!

How lucky am I?
:)