Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #77

LOL, now the kids want to get a cart for the Cottage...
It was fun to see Deborahs sunroom, it is also her craft and computer room.
She has beautiful wicker furniture in there, very comfortable to sit and visit.

Also, it was wonderful to see all her decorations, many from the swaps she gets into.
Fairy, your arrangements are beautiful. Deborah has them all over, from butterflies to wall wreaths.

One of the stories, i enjoyed hearing again was the Deborahs Chaicken walk...I asked her to show Jacob because he also has a similar type walk...

and of course Jacob had to show his rendition!

and the two of them got together and showed us their Elvis impersonation!

LOL, thank you, thank you very much.

Was so cute cute, Deborah offered to keep the kids while we go to Florida.
LOL, she almost had them too...but in the end they wanted to go swimming.

So the next day we drove the rest of the way to Florida. We really just enjoyed relaxing at the pool, on the beach for two complete days.
We had dinner at the resturaunt right next door. Barnacles, awsom food.

The only thing I had schedualed was greeting the day. So in my anticipation, I awoke at 5:30, lol...Sun daybreak is at 6:30...so kept busy making coffee watching for first light...Then trekked out to watch the sun emerge! What a sight to behold.
This is one of my all time favorite things to watch. Each and everyone is so spectacular, it is such an honor to see.
You can probably guess, I had a wide smile the entire time the sun rose higher into the sky.

Thank you Liz, for showing the first sunrise for me...This was minutes later.

So, on the third day, After the Sunrise...
We went to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.
We love to see Lighthouses...We try and see one everywhere there is one.

Ponce is the Tallest in all of Florida. Her light is still in operation too. This is just wonderful.
Many do not operate any longer. She has 233 stairs. Good heavens, took me about 15 minutes to climb.

(pic is blurry, sorry...)

The view was breathtaking! I find it just amazing how vast our earth is.

This is the Atlantic...We actually went fishing out there...
LOL, I'm getting there Betty. Thats tomorrows story!

And you see all the cars in that parking lot? Thats where we went for fishing.

Anyway, As i told you the Ponce has a working light! I had not realized it until I was up there. One cannot got into the lantern room, but i was able to capture a picture through the bars.

Isn't it just incredible?!!

The Ponce is also a a museum. Tells the history of the lighthouse.
There are 8 buidlings to stroll through. They had a Garden...
Also They had a a bird conservatory. We walked through and there was lovely palms,

Glad you had a nice trip Judy. You passed not too far from us I think. Hi to all and hope all is well. Betty you have dmail. HUGS BEV

This dainty red flower was in one little section...It is actually a vine. I do not know what kind but i thought it was so very pretty.

I zoomed in on this picture. The flower is actually very small.
This is the only garden we saw. So, I was in heaven...lol, I did not see one bird while in there!

Believe it, the kids made it to the top so much faster...
They loved the view as well.

I just love taking zooms...Another view from the top.

Also, what would a lighthouse be with out a gift shop?

LOOK at my gift!! They had several eagles...
This is the one one that just screamed at me...We inquired if they had a many, they did...so opted to wait until we were done with the tour. OH MY GOSH...They had put out several other eagles, was a tough decision...but my heart was set on this one, turned out it was the last!

Now LOL, just got to find the perfect home for it.
Also bought a wind chime!

Love the photo's Judy..omg got to wait until tomorrow to get the fishing story..patience is a virtue they say...your visit with Deborah sounds wonderful..gee I'm feeling bad I wasn't able to drop in as well...

Congratulations on yet another day of not smoking...Liz, this is where I come in and say which non smoking day are you on???? come on, you Said Jan.1st right

Bev thanks for the d-mail...

Wow, something I ate or the onset of the flu has hit me..spent last 20 minutes in and out of washroom..yuk...it's home to bed for me shortly..

Judy absolutely love those eagles, how about the fireplace...

You were lucky it still was there, how many times have I seen something and debated about picking it up or have said I'd pick it up on my way out and gone it was...now I pay for it and ask if they can keep it until I'm ready to leave...

Well, that was one long day at the Ponce.
We thouroughl;y enjoyed it.
That very night we were pretty tired from all the walking and the steps
We went to a movie at Daytona Beach. The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Then the next day...Was the day of the Fishing expedition!!
The name of the Boat was the Critter Catcher a fun name huh.

Our first mate was James...He was a lot of fun to watch go about his work.
What really had me facinated was he reminded me so much of my Brother!
In looks, mannerisms and actions...Yow, could been his twin!
Was funny because jacobs said the very same thing and Breenie agreed.

So he was the one to explain how to work the fishing rod. The rules of the boat etc.

So we got a towel and placed it at a rod. While we motored very fast over the the ocean...The mated loaded the spaces with fish bait.
Uhmmm, yuck...Breenie, wanted to fish but not bait her hook! Being the nice ma that i am baited it for her, yuck again!
Well then Here I am walking through all the stepps that James instructed. This Rod is quite large, heavy too. OK so, hold the rod with the left hand. Thumb on reel, and crank with right hand...sure easy enough. Breenie was laughing, we both were. OK so it took both of us to hold the rod, and follow all the steps...While she held the back of the rod, I held the the reel, lol, what a sight. Ok so we finally got the hang of it and commenced to fishing individually from there!

Ok thats me concetrating!

OK Judy, fishing rod in hand now what did you do...

Janice, mailed a few things out same day as I posted Cedric and Bailey and they've arrived so my dear, might be there when you get home...

Jesse sweetie if you are lurking please let us know how you are doing? Anyone else hear from Jesse or see her post on other threads?


Laura, wanting to check in on you as well...still a 'smile' day I hope...

And Actually Breenie was the first to catch a fish.
Unfortunately it was too small to keep, so back it went!

Jacob caught one and Steve cought 4...They were all keepers!

I caught 5 fish that day! Only none were keepers all too small but one...Was quite large!
But not one to eat!!

So here i am fishing, catching and jumping with excitement on catching thes fish from the ocean.
When low and behold, I feel a tug! not just a nibble, i am talking a giant fish!! Here I am...reeling in as fast as i can, ithe end of pole is bending from the heaviness, and I got one foot against, the side of boat, the pole tucked under my arm pit and i am reeling and screaming help me, some one help me...I gotta big one!! Geesh, i felt like Lucille Ball!! LOL, what a sight. then James, my hero the first mate finally came a running. By this time i finally got the fish up outta the water, along with 4 other people hooks all stuck to my fish!
So James had to untangle all the lines then concentrated on getting my fish hook.

Here is Breenie!

Imagine my dissapointment It was a big Sucker fish!!
LOL, well at least I caught the big one!!

This is James holding my fish..
isn't he adorable...LOL I mean James!

Hahaha, James took him off the hook, and instead of tossing him back, stuck him to the side of the boat!!

LOL, my fish just hanging around, for about 15 minutes!

Laughing so hard Judy, throw away the 'sucker' and keep James..I would....thought for a minute there you were going to say you had hooked onto one of your fishing buds...lol

On the way back...We all went up top. Was a beautiful Sunny day.
And i was delighted to get a full view of the Ponce!

Now that I'm reading and thinking spring, thinking gardens, have any of you ever used one of those magazine designs that whow you were to plant what and where within a specific area and did it work?

Beautiful Judy, stayed in the area for a few weeks years ago..isn't it where the Fountain of Youth is said to be...you can visit it and purchase the youth solution...lol...have to say, I must have lost the bottle..still aging quickly... and the fort at the corner of the bay near the lighthouse, isn't it made of shells...? been a long time but think it could be same...

The mates and the Captain, offered to fillet the fish for people for sucha nd such a pound.

We ended up with 4 pounds of fish. Will be delicious.

Jacob and dad with their catch.

Judy, did you keep them frozen to bring home?
Steve does a lot of fishing doesn't he at the cottage, different fish type though isn't it....just you wait until he fishes in Georgian Bay..I'll set him up with Doug who knows every fishing spot there is and we'll make a trip to Henrie's..all you can eat fish restaurant known around the world..it's on an Island in Cognashene..giving you baiting information so that Steve doesn't forget his promise to visit this summer...lol

Now you have my attention. LOL Fish and chips wrapped in newspaper? Wait, I am on my way--well when it is warmer that is.

LOL Betty, I am not letting him forget!!

He will love fishing. Yep...Me too.

Anyway, you are thinking of St. Augustines..with the shell fort and the Fountain of Youth...
Your so cute, lost the bottle.

Hi Bev..glad you like my pictures.

Anyway the rest of the trip was mostly relaxing and walking the beach...
Steve hasn't hada vacation in a year so he was so ready to lounge.

I walked alot of beach, read two books and watched the ocean...I got to tell you it was intoxicating to be pushed and pulled with the waves.
An awsom sound of the waves crashing to the beach... LOL, I tried to do some thinking but never did as i was so mezmorized by the sounds of the ocean. Just like the sunrises each wave so very different in site and sound...

Yes Betty, We froze them and kept them frozen.
Steve cooks fish excelently.

Now I am anticipating going to the Henries!!

Well thanks for listeneing to my vacation story...

Gott go get Breenie now, will chat later.

Betty, Hope your not getting the flu.

I've some photo's somewhere of Henry's..will go in search of it...got to keep adding fuel to thought..

Judy enjoyed your photo's..almost feel as though I was there with you all...

Judy, haven't found Sans Souci photo yet but here's one of Georgian Bay to entice Steve...

All you can eat fish at Henry's...

Inside away from the wind...

Rock cut always frightens me.always think I'll take the bottom end off..lol

Tell Steve the bay is welcoming him..

Should have added, 'just not today!" lol

Hello, everybody! OK, Betty, I'm here! I had lost y'all! Freezing rain all day today, not on the sidewalks, but on the cars, so I didn't go get that pizza I wanted! Hasn't been out of the 20's all day! My geet never did get warm, and I have socks AND shoes on!
Been putting away a few decorations, of course I lost a tiny wing nut that I probably wont be able to replace on my tree. Today's the first time I've felt like doing anything. Little by little!
As for being cold, I even went to bed and turned on my electric mattress pad, and still didn't get my feet warm!
Think I'll soak them in hot water!
Later!!
Audrey

After I saw your post I went to the front door to see if Cedric had arrived. Surprise, there was a neat envelope from Betty; knew it was too small for Cedric but when I opened it, there were his Santa boots! Can Cedric be far behind?
I go back to work tomorrow so will have to wait until I get home to see if Cedric arrives. I am planning to take him into work with me; the guys will love him and I work 1/2 block from both the capitol building and the historical museum. Sorry he wont be able to see the beautiful Christmas tree on the Capitol front lawn since it was in two of his favorite colors; blue and green!

Hello Betty. Hope you had a great New Years! We are all doing well here. it is 46 degrees here today, and raining a little, but not bad. We need any rain we can get.
Hope the year will be great for everyone.
Linda Kay

Goodnight Betty, hope you are feeling better.