Winter Getaway

Hi Everyone!

  I thought you might like seeing what Winter looks like in central Florida.

 

 

(Yes, Steve thinks I am crazy for taking pictures of his feet!)
 

Last weekend Steve and I took a little breather and visited Tarpon Springs and

Clearwater Beach.  We started our weekend in downtown Tarpon Springs where

there are thirteen antique shops covering several blocks. Of course we had to go
 in every one.  Our second stop was  the Sponge Dock area which is a small
 Greek community famous for their  sponges.  They still dive for the sponges
and they are sold all of the world and at local shops.
 

I have lots of memories of visiting the dock area as a child.  I am sure it was

the great Greek food that kept my parents coming back.  The food is still

wonderful and the Greek pastries....fabulous!  The town has its share of tacky

 souvenir shops, but so did the towns we visited on our trip to Greece.

See the chocolate roll pastry on the right....it was yummy!   I can also vouch
for the baklava.

The landscaping at the hotel was very pretty.

The next day we headed to Clearwater Beach for a seafood lunch and a
walk on the beach.  I'll be back later to share those photos.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope to see you Wednesday night
for the Open House Party.

xx,
Sherry

Partying at:
Savvy Southern Style
French Country Cottage
Coastal Charm
Common Ground

A Different Kind Of Fall

 

 

Hi everyone!

 

 

The Fall season is a little different here in Florida than many of you are experiencing in other

parts of the country.  Growing up in central Florida, we never celebrated or decorated for Fall.

It was just an extension of Summer for us with 80+ degree days.

 

In October we still had picnics, went to the beach and swam in the warm water of our pool.  Halloween costumes were limited to those that wouldn't be too hot or scratchy and our Thanksgiving meal was normally eaten on the large screen porch.  Christmas day we rode our new bikes through the neighborhood and played outside with our toys.  Later that day my cousins would come over and we would all have fun in the pool.

 

My parents were both raised in Florida and neither could tolerate cold weather.  Though they

loved to travel, we never took trips outside of Florida in the Winter.   I saw snow for the first time

at the age of twenty.

 

Having moved to Virginia four years ago, (Dad calls it the great frozen North) was the first time I

really got excited about  decorating for the season.  Of course, blogging added to my need to nest.

Yesterday I rode around the neighborhoods near Dad's house in Florida.  There was not a single

pumpkin to be found nor a wreath hung on any door.  What I did find were beautiful lawns and

blooming plants, people sitting on their porches and working in the yards.  Children were walking

home from school dressed in their shorts and t-shirts, men were fishing on the lake and the outdoor

farmers market was doing a brisk business.

I thought you might enjoy seeing what Fall in Florida looks like....

 

 



 

 

The above photos are from dad's yard and below is his neighbors house.  

 



 Aren't these hanging plants amazing?   They each measure about four feet wide!

 



 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of FALL(ing).  Look what I found when I got out of the shower this morning.

 

 

 If you are a regular reader of my blog you already know I have moved to Florida and I am

living with my 86 year old dad. . He had reached a point where he needed full time care.

After having several mini strokes his mobility is very limited.

 

This morning he wasn't in his room and I saw the garage door was open.  I threw

on my shoes and ran outside. 

I found Dad painting the tile roof!

God,  please give me understanding and patience.

 

Now,  I have to find a place to hide the ladder

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

 

xoxo,

Sherry

 

I am partying at...

Savvy Southern Style

At The Picket Fence

French Country Cottage

 

 





Beach House Review

Hubby and I moved to Virginia 18 months ago leaving our previous life in Florida. In some ways it was very sad to leave the beach home we had designed and had custom built. A lot of love went into designing and decorating that home. The good part of our move is no more hurricanes.  After being hit by two major hurricanes in one year, major renovations both times, huge insurance increases, fighting insurance companies for money owed us and trying to find reputable contractors we decided enough!

After failed attempts to sale the property we decided to rent it to a nice young couple. They moved in a few weeks ago and seem to love the home.  We rented the home completely furnished which worked out great for us and our renters.

Below are pictures of the house that we will not be using this summer!  We know we made the right decision to move and we love living in Richmond...and I got to decorate our new home from scratch!  

Oh, but I will miss this view!