Tropical

Although it has been a mild winter, 

 I still long for the tropical weather and foliage of Florida.

GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE

I will be joining Jenny for Alphabet Thursday.

Alphabe Thursday: L is for Luxury

It’s time once again to submit my alphabet homework to Miss Jenny. Each week, Miss Jenny assigns a letter of the alphabet and her students use their creativity to come up with novel expressions to honor the letter.

This week’s letter?

L…as in La

OK, I’m not that narcissistic….but any of you struggling with the assignment may feel free to write about how wonderful I am. Blush.


Humble as I am, I do still allow myself a luxury from time to time. When I am in Fort Pierce, that luxury is gelato from Uncle Carlo’s Gelato. Located on the waterfront in downtown Fort Pierce, Carlo offers gelato and sorbetto made fresh daily.

Photo from Uncle Carlo's website

Unlike ice cream, gelato is lower in fat content and has less air pumped into it which makes it creamy and dense. Carlo’s fresh flavors are always changing but are all made with the highest quality fruits, nuts, and chocolate.

Photo by La

All I know is it is yummy for the tummy. It is always one of the highlights of my trips as we sit on the portico overlooking the Indian River and enjoy this tasty treat.

Photo from Uncle Carlo's website

Carlo’s also serves sandwiches, salads, chocolates, and pastries. If you are in Southeastern Florida, do yourself a favor and stop in to see Carlo.

Don’t forget to join me on National Ice Cream Day, July 17, for an Ice Cream Social link party. Link posts with recipes, memories, photos, or poetry associated with this frozen treat. You can also link any frozen dessert, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, popsicle or yogurt recipe. There just may be a special treat for those who join in the fun.

Hope to see you there!



MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Vero Beach

Hello Friends.

Today, I am sharing some pics from Vero Beach.  After picking Jordan and Ashlee up from Orlando Airport, we stopped at Vero for lunch at the beach.  I hope you enjoy our time at the beach. 

These people look like they are having fun.

Jordan couldn't wait to take a dip.

Aunt Cheryl looks on as Jordan and Ashlee cheese for the camera.

Keanan grew up in Florida so he doesn't get what the big deal is...

...but we Ohioans love it!

I will be linking to Blue Monday, Outdoor Wednesday, and Watery Wednesday.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! 

Alphabe Thursday: H is for Heaven

Hello Friends. 

I am happy to be joining Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday meme.  This week, we are sharing essays, poetry, and photos beginning with the Letter H.  

For me, a beachside sunset is Heaven on Earth. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

To Bead or Not to Bead…

…that is the question.

While in Florida, Melanie planned a fun Girl’s Day Out. We went to get pedicures in the morning and then picked Cheryl up for an afternoon of beading followed by an evening at an auction in Palm City.

The day before our outing, Melanie and I visited Beads and Baubles to see what classes were available. Beads and Baubles is a quaint shop on 2nd Street in Historic Dowtown Fort Pierce featuring custom designed jewelry, beads, and all the supplies needed to make beautiful beaded jewelry.

Susan

Susan is the owner and is as sweet as can be. She is very accommodating and told us we should feel free to bring cheese and wine to enjoy while beading. She assured us we would complete our project during the three hour class and would have enough supplies to complete a second project. FANTASTIC!

Daughter's Bracelet

We chose a class to make this delicate Daughter’s Bracelet. Isn’t it pretty?

While I am not an artisan, I feel confident in my ability to follow directions and to mimic the actions of others. The three of us looked forward to this fun afternoon. Melanie and I planned to make our bracelet and then make one for someone else since we would have enough beads left over.

We arrived early to choose our supplies and to meet our instructor, Stephanie. Let me just say here and now….Stephanie has the patience of a saint because WE WERE A MESS!

Stephanie works with Melanie (L) and Cheryl (R)

So far so good

Stephanie would show me what to do and I would do it correctly for a couple rows and then suddenly I’d have a growth on the outside of my bracelet. SERIOUSLY?!?! Melanie and Cheryl weren’t fairing well either; although, Melanie eventually caught on.

I got it now!

After one and a half hours, Susan suggested we take a break for lunch. In our haste to get to our pedicure, we forgot to bring the wine and cheese so we walked around the corner for a quick (30 minutes) bite at a little deli.

While we ate, we discussed the likelihood that upon our return Susan would have locked us out of the shop and she would tell us through the LOCKED door that Stephanie had to leave unexpectedly. As it turned out, Stephanie was still there; what a trooper! She caught us all up so we were all at the same place. Wasn’t that sweet of her?

Concentration

I’d like to say that lunch helped our concentration and that we completed three works of art in record time. Yep, I’d like to be able to say that, but I cannot tell a lie. The truth is we didn’t complete our bracelets at all. We requested a copy of the pattern so we can finish it on our own…or at least try.

My masterpiece after 3 hours

By the time we left, the waist band on my shorts was damp from perspiration. We told Susan and Stephanie we were going down the street for a drink.

You may think from this account that we had a horrible time. To the contrary, we had a phenomenal time. We giggled to the point of tears the rest of the week as we reminisced about our ineptitude. It was good for us to laugh at ourselves.

The next evening, we ran into Susan at Bike Night. We all had drinks in our hands and I told Susan we were still drinking from the night before. She apologized for the stress, but we thanked her for the wonderful memory. 

I would highly recommend taking a class at Beads and Baubles….just don’t tell them La sent you. They may lock the doors.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

LOOK WHO'S BACK!

It is with great relief that I can report the Commander is back at his security post in Fort Pierce, Florida.  If you are new to my blog, you can catch up on the trials and tribulations of the Neighborhood Watch Commander here and here.  

It is still unclear to me where he has been or what he has seen, but I suspect the story isn't pretty.  Showing clear signs of battle fatigue and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he was very aloof and skirted my questions regarding his long absence.  

After seeing him, I have more questions than answers.  Is he absent for extended periods because he is...

protecting the entire Treasure Coast of Florida?

working undercover for Homeland Security?

simply a free spirit who cannot settle down?

He is a mystery and his enigmatic behavior makes him all the more seductive. 

While hunting for the inscrutable fowl, I came across this sweet family of ducks.  

Aren't they sweet?

Momma mistook this location, behind an SUV tire, as a safe haven for her ducklings.  Thankfully, a Comcast worker happened by and shooed them to a safer location.  

Cheryl reports after I flew home there was a strong storm system in the area and she saw the Commander usher the mother and her babies to a safe location to wait out the storm.  

Hmmm...is it possible???

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Hungry?

Hungry?

I'll bet you will be by the time you finish perusing this post.  As a food addict and a blogger, I can't avoid photographing beautiful food....and tasting it.  

One of the new food experiences I had in Fort Pierce was at the Sunrise City Bakery Cafe.  Kurt and Melanie took me there for breakfast the first morning I was there.  Oh my goodness.  Are you ready for some tempting delicacies?  

WARNING: Licking your monitor may result in electrical shock.

Look at the size of this bear claw!  Jordan loves bear claws so a couple of these monsters came home with me. 

This lobster tail was amazing.  For those of you residing in Central Ohio, the filling of this delicate pastry was reminiscent of  a Schmidt's Cream Puff.

We each ordered a ham and cheese croissant and it was delightful.  I went back for another one later in the week with my Aunt Cheryl. 

See the melted cheese oozing from the end?

Here are more of the delicacies Carol, a Central Ohio native, offers at this beautiful bakery.   If you are in the area, the cafe is at 134 South Indian River Drive, just a block from the marina.  

Another new dining experience was at the 12A Buoy, 22 Fisherman's Wharf.  We dined outside at this fabulous restaurant, which sets at the foot of the bridge spanning the inter-coastal waterway.  

We had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed the warm sea breeze to the sound of a musical duo.  

Look who flew down for the weekend. 

Ashlee and Jordan

My other dinner partners at 12A Buoy:

Keanan

Melanie, Kurt, Morgan, and Cheryl

We started dinner with calamari and smoked fish dip.  I was certain I took more photos of this dinner, but I guess not.  BAD BLOGGER!

Morgan's Lobster Mac n' Cheese

Melanie's Steamed Mussels

After dinner, we crossed the bridge and went to the jetty to watch the sun set.  We stopped and purchased some Rum Runners, which are served in plastic bottles so you can take them onto the beach.  

Hungry now? 

I will be linking this post to Blue Monday at Smiling Sally and Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! 

 

       

HOME IN OHIO

Hello Friends.

Did you have a wonderful Easter?  

If you haven't figured it out yet, I spent the holiday in sunny and warm Fort Pierce,  Florida.  I have a lot to share with you; but for now, here's a preview.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

The Pelican Brief

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

I will be linking to Watery Wednesday.

My Wish for You Today

May your joys be as deep as the ocean, 

your sorrows as light as its foam.

                                                     ~anonymous

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Enter here

While I'm Working My...

 

...Heart is Here.

Enter here

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Daydreaming...

...about fun in the sun.

Don't forget to enter to win a signed copy of Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Enter here

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Manatees

One of my very favorite animals is the Manatee, also known as a sea cow. Their scientific name is Trichechus manatus latirostris. These gentle giants are herbivores and are on the endangered species list with less than 3,200 individuals as of early 2002.

These aquatic mammals must surface for air every three - five minutes. The full grown adults weigh approximately 1,000 pounds and grows to a length of about 10 feet. The average female reproduces once every two - three years. This slow reproductive rate coupled with the encroachment of humans on their natural habitat threaten its survival.

Threats to the Manatee*

1. Extensive development of coastal lands which affects manatee feeding grounds.
   
2. Irresponsible recreational and commercial boating practices.
3. Poor water quality from civic, industrial, commercial, and agricultural affluent.
4. Alteration of wetlands for dredge and fill operations; chanalization of rivers, streams, and other changes to fresh-waterflow.

* Source: Manatee Observation and Education Center

The Columbus Zoo is one of the few manatee rehabilitation facilities in the US. The Manatee Coast Exhibit is one of the zoo's most popular. Currently, I believe the zoo has four juveniles they are rehabilitating. Most of them have scars on their back from boat propellers.

Manatee Coast
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Fort Pierce, Florida is a popular manatee destination during the winter months, typically December - March. The manatees congregate in Moore's Creek to keep warm when surrounding waters drop below 62 degrees. The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority operates a power plant near the Manatee Observation and Education Center and uses water from Moore's creek to cool the pipes in the power plant. As the water leaves the plant and back into the creek, it is 7 degrees warmer than the surrounding water. When the weather becomes warmer, the manatees travel out of the creek and will visit the rest of the year to drink fresh water.

On my latest trip to Fort Pierce, we were down at the marina for the farmers market when Melanie spotted a pod of manatees. This was so exciting for me and I tried to get some good shots of them when they surfaced.

Fort Pierce, Florida

Please visit the Manatee Observation and Education Center for ways you can help these wonderful creatures.

Please join me at Mosaic Monday, Blue Monday, Outdoor Wednesdays, and Watery Wednesdays.

Fort Pierce Farmers Market

One of my favorite things to do when I go to Florida, is going to the Fort Pierce Farmers Market at the marina. They have a wonderful variety of artisans, food vendors and produce. The market is held every Saturday morning, rain or shine.

My last day in Florida, this trip, was a Saturday. My cousin Melanie and her husband, Kurt; my Aunt Cheryl and I set out for the market early.

Check out these beautifully fresh fruits and vegetables.

We purchased a lot of vegetables, breads,

and dip mixes to make for dinner. YUM!

Let's look at some of the handmade wares being offered.

I bought a small purse to use while flying or going to auctions.

Hoola Hoop anyone?

Don't you love all the color?!

There is also a large tent where local authors sell autographed copies of their books. Cheryl, Melanie, and Kurt introduced me to an author they'd spoken to before.

Bob Morrissey is a retired police officer from Toledo, Ohio. He writes humorous books telling actual funny police stories from his years on the police force. As you know, my nephew is a police lieutenant so I asked Bob to sign a copy of 2nd Humorous Beat for him.


Bob has written several other books with a police theme, including A Cop's Gotta Laugh (fiction) and Humorous Beat. Korean Conflict War: Don't Take My Name, and Vagabonds are other non-police books by Bob. His books are available on Amazon and on shelves in your local bookstore.

I was getting hungry so I set out for something to eat. I found a vendor making crepes and boy did he make it look easy.

I'd like some strawberries on mine...

...and Nutella, please.

It was delicious!

A Four Man Trio (that's their name)

provided musical entertainment,
but the hit of the market was this little guy.

He was adorable, but he was

too busy to pose for a picture.

I'm linking to Inspiration Friday at Southern in my Heart.