A QUIRKY THRIFT STORE FIND

        WELL ~ THIS WAS AN APPROPRIATE FIND!

Thrifting is becoming a hobby for me. I used to collect antiques, until I became one!  Now, it's more the "hunt" I like, in Thrift Stores.  I couldn't resist this mug--even if it never sees coffee--it will grace the windowsill with its presence.
Now, did I find the mug/or did the mug find me?
            http://abirdandabirdie.blogspot.com/

A NIGHT AT OLD TOWN ~~ KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA

           CRUISING THE STREETS OF OLD TOWN

In Old Town,  Hwy. 92 Kissimmee, FL every Saturday night there is a cruise. It's a legal cruise featuring almost 200 cars. Great music of the 50's and 60's is blaring through the speakers. 

We know the words to every song.  We sing along - along with every other "Snowbird" on the street.  I took several pictures, but figure you all know what old cars look like.  Of course, my favorites are the VW bugs!  Having had a VW Bug, VW van, VW Rabbit and currently a VW Beetle, you could say I have an infinity for Volkswagons.

Andrea poses with the resident pirate.  The firey car, on a pedestal, is at the grill and pub appropriately labeled, KOOL KATZ--where we feasted on delicious sandwiches.

Bill poses with a ghoul from the local Haunted House.  Oh, and Marilyn is still trying to hold her skirt down/like she really wanted to!

A fun place to relax and take you back in time.

EARTH DAY 2010

               40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

LA CASA DEL SOL

WHERE WE WILL BE SPENDING WINTERS ~ IN FLORIDA

LA CASA DEL SOL

The clubhouse, the inside, the library, the pool, the pond near the clubhouse; the beautiful lily pads in the pond.

THE COTTAGES
Our place is comfy and "shaping" up.  I'm still in the process of making it shabby chic/eclectic.  Come in and sit down, look around at where we live.

Our hats grace the wall in the hall.  While a geeko climbs the wall in the living room.

Our airy screen porch is the length of the cottage. 
A quiet place to read, watch TV, ponder over a puzzle, play games on the large round table; dine "outside" yet "inside."   
A room in the back convienent for storage.

The cottages are basically the same in shape, size and color.  Situated amongst a forest of trees, the cottage occupants can garden as they wish. Evidenced by the beautiful rose garden in front of one cottage, the Floridian grass and plants in front of another cottage and on the side of a cottage, the wonderful vegetable garden.  Maintenance comes around to cut the grass if you don't.  The park is well-kept, yet spilling over with nature ** which makes it very inviting and lends to that "homey" feeling.  

(Oh, that's Bill, our neighbor, cutting the grass - not maintenance.  Although the maintenance guys around here are super!)

LAST PART OF OUR TRIP INTO FLORIDA * BITS AND PIECES

So many bridges to cross!  From St. Petersburg to Bradenton ~~ this bridge was the best by far.  The supporting system is a work of art.

I met my Alter Ego, at an ART FAIR in Blind Pass.  Isn't she a grand lady?  When I am "old" I shall wear purple.  Yup, I know she is wearing red--but I will wear purple! 











Mother Nature has a hold on me and these three pictures are evidence she is everywhere!  The Osprey built this nest in a residential area, in Apalachicola, FL. 

 The playful terns gathered on the beach, very early in the morning.  I was out shelling and they paid no mind to me at all.

The newt was at the historic Fort De Soto.

THE PIER

We have been visiting this pier for twenty two years!  Located in St. Petersburg, FL ~ it is one of the first places we went together way back when we first visited Grandma Cramer.  In the span of those 22 years we have seen The Pier go from very vibrant, to almost desolate.  This year it was "on the mend" and just jumping with activity.  Good to see it's making a comeback!  Now if they would just get back the restaurant with the philly steak sandwiches!  They were the best! 
The pelicans still frequent the pier, looking for a hand-out.  Michelle and Josh used to feed them and at times they would try to take a bite out of them! 
Oh, the memories...
The above picture is a view of St. Pete from the pier.  The trolley takes you up to the pier from the parking lot. 
Josh, my son, (at the tender age of 6) innocently asked us, "What's a trolleyup?" 


Not understanding our slur of words when we said, "Let's take the trolley up."
Funny to me every time we are there! 

SLOW AND EASY DOWN THE COAST

   TAKING OUR TIME AND ENJOYING THE COAST

Meandering along Hwy. 98 close to the Gulf of Mexico has been very pleasant!  We have been stopping at all the sights, the beaches, the quaint towns and  the state parks. We drove over several bridges, joining beach towns. 

I walked the white sands of the beaches, so white it looks like snow along the highway.              

Joe saw more old buildings! 

These not as preserved as
the previous ones! 

We've seen colorful beach homes, several dome houses (Could they be trying to have the storms blow over and around them?), and so very, very, many homes for sale. The one that hit me as being extremely sad had a yellow sign in front of two words: MAKE OFFER 
The economy has affected many all over the world--we have seen results along the coast.  Many boats in Destin, FL had Bank Owned signs on them, with prices 1/3 of the original prices!  Count your blessings, we do, everyday.

The town of Apalachicola was a fun stop. I "just looking" shopped.  Numerous antique stores line the streets of this quaint town. Mixed in with the antiques were many "ideas" to fill my mind!  Joe went to the museum, which was locked, so he preceeded to visit through the windows.  He got the gist of the town through the items he viewed.  Most museums have the same displays--things from our childhoods! 

Left Apalachicola, returning to Hwy. 98.  Figuring there would be a motel along the route, as we just left thousands of hotel/motel rooms behind us.  NOPE!
Nothing for miles, now it's dark -I don't like us driving in the dark.  We got off on Hwy. 27 to find the small town of Mayo, with one motel and a Subway!  We considered ourselves lucky.  Relaxing in a comfy, clean, old-fashion motel, eating sub sandwiches.
On our way to the beaches tomorrow!