~sunset...skywatch friday~

I watched from my covered balcony as it sprinkled rain throughout the afternoon.

When I saw the vacationers start to slowly wander out, I knew the rain was over.

First we saw the rainbow.

Little did we know it was only a glimpse of the beauty to come.

photos taken at Sand Destin, Florida beach

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman,

I feel that I have worked with God.” ~G. K. Chesterton

Linking to Sky watch Friday and Sky Friday.

a place in the sun

We had a place in the sun reserved on the beach this summer.

We were dreaming of lazy days reading novels under bright blue umbrellas.

Letting the tide tickle our toes as we walk barefoot along the sand.

But then came the oil spill and ruined our plans.

So in lieu of our summer vacation, I set a beachy tablescape.

(Can you blame me if my heart’s just not in it?)

Yes, we’ll get over it. There will be other vacations.

But what happens to the vegetation?

And what happens to the wild life?

I’m sharing with some beautiful tablescapes over at Susan’s

Tablescape Thursday.

Heading South

After just a few days home from the Alaska wilderness, we headed south to sunny Florida. I'd loved to share with you a few of the sites we enjoyed on our family vacation in beautiful Santa Rosa Beach, Florida along with the others at Susan's Outdoor Wednesday. The shot above and the next two below were views from the porch of our house. Just breathtaking!

I liked to say I got this effect on purpose, but the truth is the weather was so humid that my camera lens would fog up when I stepped outside. That's what happened here, but it made for an interesting silhouette, don't you think. See the bird posing on the branch?

This photo of the Cypress trees growing out of the mass of water lilies was taken off the wooden bridge entering the neighborhood where we stayed.

On one of our bike rides down 30A, we spotted this Red-winged blackbird by a pond. We found her sitting on the same branch every day we biked. We believe she had a nest close by.

And, of course, it wouldn't be Florida without these little lizards.

But the best part of the whole trip was being with family!

Here one of my daughters and son-in-law are splashing in the pool with their baby.

And this is my other daughter and son-in-law. You might recognize her from her blog, Peacock Blu.

There's nothing like watching your little grandson enjoy so many firsts...
like the first time on the beach...

and the first time...

to wiggle his toes in the sand. Priceless!