Time is Fleeting..........

 

 

Well this might well be my final entry to the blog for 2015. We are now packing up all our kitchen and household items with the living area littered with five large Rubbermaid containers. Our condo owner next year has allowed us to store our “things” rather than take out a storage locker which we had to do last year. We are grateful.

 

 

Rushing to finish final paintings, needle felted pieces and transfer a pattern onto linen canvas for rug hooking en route home. Simply couldn’t endure the drive without rug hooking. Fortunately I don’t experience motion sickness and am blessed to be able to pass the time this way. Gord is happy too ‘cause if I am concentrating on my rug, I don’t comment on his erratic driving/speeding/cursing of other drivers cutting us off, etc.

Hoping the weather holds for our trip although, some snow is forecast according to the long range………….

See that the temps at home are still in the “freezing” range- BURRRRRRRRRRR. Re-entry is always a “Bi___”.

 

 

We ate braised short ribs at Guppy’s last night. Thought of Wayne and Sue as I believe, this dish is one of Wayne’s favourites. It was yummy and the March break crowd seems to have gone back to school and work so the restaurant was comfortably busy but not the usual March madness of prior years.

 

 

 We have at least one more restaurant we would like to try before we depart. One touted by locals as “their” favourite- Middle Grounds Grill in Treasure Island. We will likely dine there the night before we leave on March 31^st.

Oh and for old time’s sake; we stopped at the ice cream shop across from Pier House to have Salted Caramel (Gord) and Candy Bar Overload (Laurie) ice cream. YUM!

We enjoyed our trip but we really missed our “pals” who couldn’t join us this year. Hope you are well and we look forward to reconnecting on our return.
Hugs to all,
Laurie

Shells are Nature’s Gift to the World………………………………..

 I realize I have let you all down- not blogging regularly. Always concerned about what is “blog worthy” and don’t always take my iPhone to every activity.

We have had glorious weather these past few days.  Very warm, each day.  Now above normal temps for the period- 85+ degrees F.  Wonderful. Great to spend days swimming, sunning, shelling :-)  I am VERY HAPPY.

Now about shelling……………….

Did you know that shells are nature’s gift to the world?  We went shelling at Honeymoon Island yesterday.  Not a shelling experience for those not willing to walk almost 10K to gather the little bug_____s.  We of course are compelled to walk the distance, take a picnic, and enjoy the Honeymoon Island Park experience.   What a beautiful place.

Shelling this year has been hit and miss- we certainly haven’t found quantity BUT the quality is amazing starting with my find at Shell Key – an oversized whelk earlier in our trip.  At Honeymoon we found three “banded Tulips”- one very large for its type (Laurie’s find).  An incredibly large “lettered Olive” (Gord’s find) and several sand dollars.

Ok some would say not worth the walk, but we of course think it was.   :-)

Pictures tell the story of the most beautiful shells in Florida.  The common “Nutmeg” is in abundance at Honeymoon- but alas, I think I have two large bags full so I held back.  Large “Angel Wings” were found as was an “Apple Murex”.

Ok now I am sounding totally nerdy ………….
And it is after all who I am.

I managed to find some creative outlets for these wonders of the sea.  Am attaching pictures of shell initial, shell mirror and shell picture frame created this year.

Clearly I could do “shell things” ‘til the proverbial cows come home.  Anyone want a “custom order” for a shell initial?

The day prior to our wonderful shelling experience we shared a delicious dinner with friends- Ina Garten’s recipe for Beef Burgundy – so yummy.

Oh and I managed to complete a few still life paintings.  Quite pleasant I think.

Life is good but we are now on the final count down- only 2 ½ weeks to go before we return to our “PROJECT” in the County. I have compiled a list as long as my arm of deficiencies, finishing projects, etc.

Reality will hit us sooner than later………………so glad we have had this time in Florida.  We are truly blessed.  Understand the temps back home are getting more moderate and spring is on the horizon.  So glad for y’all.

Hugs to all…………………………..