"At the Beach"

The weather over here has been frightful - understatement!

I guess that makes looking back to a few weeks ago in 

sunny Florida all that much sweeter to remember.

Our last two weeks, or so, were spent on the Florida "panhandle" 

near Panama City and Destin.

St. Andrew's State Park had high winds the day we rolled in.

There was lots of wild life and some not so wild ...

Mama Owl watching

These owlets were a definite highlight!

Do you see him?

The wind was relentless but at least that white stuff was sand and not snow!

After spending a few days at St. Andrew's State Park,

we had two glorious weeks at

Grayton Beach State Park,

our Happy Place!

One of many, many spectacular sunsets! It never get's old.

We basically had the beach all to ourselves - pure white sand!

This was our relaxing and staying put time.

The beach was a quick 10 minute walk from our campsites and we took full advantage

of long walks and sunsets!

Each day included "happy hour" (appetizers and refreshments)

with our friends before making our evening meals.

One of my favourite appies was this delicious blossoming onion that

they made on their grill - I have to get one of these!

We had some wonderful meals from the grill and also

went out a few times for delicious local foods

(shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, she crab soup, etc.).

The seafood was expensive but so delicious.

Never fear - not all of our meals were "fancy".

There were a lot of hotdogs and hamburgers consumed as well (even some Mac and Cheese).

Intentionally however, we tried not to overdo the food - wanted this to be a 

kick start to healthier clean eating. We tried ...

A nice little side trip from our campsite was a day out to explore

the nearby Eden Gardens State Park.

A little, almost hidden, gem that is part of the Living Shoreline Trail

and a must see!

The magnificent moss-draped Live Oak trees, Camellias, Azaleas, Magnolias, Ginkgos,

just to mention a few were so pretty on this beautiful former Wesley estate.

I loved the whimsical statues of playful children that popped up here and there

throughout the gardens.

We were treated to an unexpected show of some playful dolphins just off

of the park's fishing pier! 

This place is often used for weddings and they were setting up for one the day we were there.

Back at camp I decided to try my hand at tie dying - have you ever done this?

We happened to stop in at a nearby Goodwill Store and I purchased a white cotton

bed sheet and then picked up some fabric dye at the local grocery store.

What fun to do this outdoors on the picnic table.

Did you know that bed sheets make the best kind of beach blankets?

They are light and the sand doesn't stick to them - something I learned from

my friend Anita - what a great idea!

It didn't turn out quite like I wanted but makes a great beach blanket none the less.

I'll need to do some more experimenting with this method.

This post was named "At the Beach" by our darling granddaughter

who told everyone that's where we were.

Meanwhile, when we returned home just before Easter we quickly prepared 

for a family gathering, a beautiful Easter Sunday service,

and tried desperately not to stray too far off of our intentional clean eating regime!

It was hard, especially when the Easter Bunny had hidden chocolate 

eggs all over the house and even in our shoes and boots.

Last year, this time, my Spring flowers were blooming and the air was warming.

We are still snow covered over here but the sun is shining and there are promising signs of

a Spring to come! 

Till next time .... a bit anxious and praying for the safe delivery of a new grand baby! Will keep you posted.

Spring was Sprung ...

Spring was Sprung in Tennessee and South Carolina!

As we travelled South, though it was still quite chilly,

we enjoyed experiencing Spring in fast forward mode ...

Who knew there was a beautiful Wildlife Sanctuary in the midst of Knoxville, TN?

We hiked the slightly muddy trails of Ijams Nature Center - so refreshing!

St. James Island County Park was a great place to camp with our

friends and travel out from there to see a plantation and

some of the historic sights in Charleston, SC.

Well worth the time to see Middleton Place.
Insights into this once rich and famous plantation which produced rice,
a wealth producing crop developed by the African Slaves,
was overgrown and neglected following the Civil War,
and now gives a wonderful historical tour of it's working farm and beautiful gardens!

Historical Charleston!

Beautiful and unique homes ... so interesting to learn about why the single homes were built
very long and narrow with beautiful verandas. This was for protection and
more efficient ventilation.

The city's Live Oak Trees are so magnificent!

Sweet Grass Baskets at Charleston's Market Square

We missed seeing Savannah this time round but are determined
to go back some day to visit that city and it's surrounding State Parks.

Jekyll Island State Park is near there and we did a windy and cool day trip to the park.

On the nearly deserted beaches, we collected hands full of the
prettiest tiny sand dollars.

There is an amazing sea turtle hospital,
Georgia Sea Turtle Center,
 and I'm so glad we got to see this.

Jekyll Island State Park is worth a revisit
and would be a great place to camp someday.













On to Crooked River State Park in Southern Georgia.
Crooked River was lovely and we enjoyed the wildlife and scenery there.
Our travel mates are amazing naturalists and we learned to really enjoy
the birds and the many surrounding nature trails.

We were thrilled to see a large flock of Cedar Wax Wings,
beautiful dragon flies, lush palmettos, and a resident gator!

Following Crooked River SP we went our separate ways for a few days
while heading further South and into Florida.

I have two brothers and sisters-in-law who winter in the New Smyrna Beach
area on the East Coast of Florida and we paid them an overnight visit.
It was so nice to see where they hang out for several months each year
and to be treated to a delicious dinner out and a lovingly made and equally as delicious
morning send-off breakfast.

Discovered that one of my brothers and I really like oysters!
The rest of the group declined - all the more for us.

Yep, those are homemade butter tarts on the breakfast buffet. Thanks Bonnie!

Excellent bacon and eggs from the grill by Floyd!

We were treated royally.
Breakfast hosted by Floyd and Pat.
Orv and Bonnie also helped to make this happen.














So thankful for my family and so glad we took this opportunity to check in on them at 
Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park!













One more stop at Ochlockonee River State Park in Sopchoppy, Florida
That is a mouthful ... but fun to say.

We enjoyed a beautiful trail walk and captured the first photo 
of the elusive Cardinals.

The trail was right behind our camp site.
Later that evening we had torrential rain and strong winds
but stayed dry and cozy in our wee home on wheels
 at Ochlockonee (pronounced Oak-la-konee I think)!

Are you still here?

Thanks for bearing with me on this long post!

Next stop ... joining our friends at St. Andrew's State Park and

Grayton Beach State Park near Panama City and Destin

for our last two weeks of this trip.

Till next time ...... praying for Humboldt Saskatchewan during this weekend's tragic crash and loss of so many young lives! 

Rear View Mirror

So much has happened since we left for our trip to Florida

on March 1st.

Since I don't even know where to begin I'll start at the end ...

A fabulous time was spent with our friends Gary and Anita,

who travelled with us in their 5th Wheel and most times we camped

at the same State Parks and RV parks.

We have known these two dear friends since forever, are related, and have

vacationed with them many times!

On March 27th, we pulled out of our campsite at Grayton Beach

State Park after the last two weeks of our vacation - 

relaxing, walks on the amazing beach,

excursions and delicious meals.

It was time to head home ...

After four hours on the road, a traffic slowdown on I65 in Alabama,

a check in the rear view mirror to see if our friends were slowing down

behind us - the sickening sound of a crash!

It was them ........

We pulled over in a panic and ran back to find their trailer on it's side,

across 3 lanes of the interstate, their pick-up truck on it's side

and people standing around the truck.

My heart was pounding so hard as I did not know what to expect.

There they were standing in the windshield with Gary holding Anita up

as she hung there in her seatbelt.

They were alive and not hurt .............. thank you dear God.

This is all that matters!

We helped them salvage as many of their belongings from the wreck,

things like clothes, medicines, jewellery, toiletries, and whatever

we could bring back in our little trailer.

Leaving lots of "things" behind - we were just so thankful to be able to 

bring them home to their loving and worried family.

This story could have ended so much worse - did I mention how thankful we are?

Keeping them in our prayers as they struggle with the trauma
of losing their beloved home on wheels and as they work through the
frustrations of settling the insurance matters etc.

In the meantime here at home - a Spring Winter storm is raging,

I'm having warm cuddles with my sweet granddaughter,

a sewing project is underway,

laundry is mostly done and put away,

warm thoughts of meaningful Easter Services remind us of what's really important,

and memories of an otherwise lovely vacation linger ...

Till next time ..... trying to catch up on all the blog posts I've missed in the past month and putting together some pictures and thoughts of a Florida vacation to post soon.

God is Good!

Rags to Quilts!

The "Jean Pile" that's been growing and multiplying

in my closet for decades it seems, is finally being repurposed!

The farmer's long legs made for a good supply of denim

except for the blown out knees, bad stains and splatters of paint.
The dark denim was cut from some of my old jeans that I've "outgrown" - a-hem!

A denim rag quilt caught my eye in one of my favourite local fabric shops

(E & E Cloth and Creations)

and I was delighted to find out that a class to make this project was upcoming!

It was time to start using this stash of old denim jeans ...

We needed to choose some flannel

fabrics for the back of the quilt.

   

Our teacher, Rosalynn, showed us how to plan the back of this reversible quilt (ragged on both sides).

I should have paid more attention to this part.

It was fun to see the other sew mate's choices - all so pretty!

It snowed and snowed - the perfect day for sewing!

With all the left-over scraps, pockets and seams that were trimmed from the jeans
I was inspired to do a bit of crafting ...

Amazing what a bit of bejewelling glue and bling can do for a jeans seam?

I love wearing it!

The pockets made a sweet little shoulder purse or caddy for my scissors and such!

I've put the scraps away now in case I get distracted again from all the other things needing to be done around here.

Many hours later, lots of "schnibbles" all over the floor/washer/dryer, a blister from snipping those seams, a good coating of denim dust throughout the house, and a wee error in the back of the quilt ....

It's finally done, mistake and all!

The denim fabric rags so beautifully.

Till next time ....... have yourself a most wonderful Valentine's Day. May the love of family and friends bring you much joy and contentment. God is Love!

Nammie's new picnic blanket!

Kitchen Renos

A long anticipated kitchen reno is underway ...

First came the new stove and now the new

countertops have been put into place.

The dishwasher needs to come out and the old counter top is being unfastened.

Within a couple of hours the new counter top (granite) was carefully set into place

by expert installers.

They came a few weeks earlier to measure with a precise laser machine thing and

everything was cut perfectly, including the exact holes for the taps and sink.

It's called Titanium granite and has some beautiful quartz marbling throughout.

The leathered finish on the stone gives it a beautiful look and we can't stop "petting" it!

My lowered Baker's counter (cause I'm short - smile)

A few more additions are being built this week, 

an island to replace the harvest table,

and a chimney cupboard for storage

(ironic since I really should be getting rid of some things and need "less" storage - sigh).

In the meantime we are putting on a fresh coat of paint,

deciding on a light fixture for above the island,

choosing stools,

and picking out some back splash tile.

Still lots to be done ... stay tuned.

Wanted to share a Cubano sandwich I was inspired to make after reading about

it here on That Skinny Chick Can Bake.  I love her blog!

I even managed to find a Cuban bread recipe that I had to try.

Must be because I had new counter tops to play on that I took the time to make this.

It was delicious - I will be looking for this sandwich on the menu

when we head South this winter!

Our little love is sick with a bad cold this week.

She is such a little darling and manages to keep a good attitude even when sick...

Love her so much!

Till next time ..... stay healthy and warm.