sunday eve

 

The Lord reigns...

Let the heavens rejoice, 

let the earth be glad,

let the seas resound and all that is in it;

let the fields be jubilant,

and everything in them.

Then all the trees of the forest

will sing for joy,

they will sing before the Lord for he comes…

Psalm 96:10-13

(photos taken in the great land and sea of Alaska)

~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.

~taking detours off that long paved road called an interstate~

On the road to Destin, Cigar Man and I decided to take our time, make some stops and smell the roses along the way. You know, there are some interesting places to see off that long dull paved road called an interstate!

One of the most interesting stops we took was in Cullman, Alabama at St. Bernard’s Abbey. I’ll have to say, a monk’s abbey is not a typical stop for us and may not be for you either, but it was well worth the visit!

Walking through this miniature village called the Ave Maria Grotto, we couldn’t keep our jaws from dropping to the ground! The Grotto, stretching across a two-block pathway, consists of a landscaped hillside of 125 small stone and cement structures built over a lifetime by Brother Joseph Zoetl, affectionately called “Brother Joe” by the clerk at the visitors center. I can truly say, I’ve never seen anything like it!

We were told the story of “Brother Joe” by a friendly man at the visitor’s center. It seems he came to America to be a monk at the newly founded St. Bernard Abbey from Landshut, Bavaria in 1892. Soon after arriving, he was in an accident that resulted in existing in an iron cast. He lived in pain much of the rest of his life, but was still able to create all of these elaborate replicas from all over the world.

With the calico cat and me in the pic,

you can get an idea of the actual size of the structures.

(After seeing this pic, these are not my favorite pants - just saying.)

I would really recommend this hidden treasure

off that long dull paved road called an interstate any day!

The friendly man I mentioned also told us about a restaurant in Cullman called

All Steak.

The story goes, at its origin in 1934, it was supposed to be called

All Steak Hamburgers but the owner ran out of money.

(You can’t make this stuff up.)

Good thing we were hungry and just had to stop cause it was southerly divine!

(Well, we were pretty much hungry through the whole trip. LOL! )

Doesn’t this look delicious?!

Fried tilapia, fresh squash, and purple hull peas! YUM!

Their specialty?

Orange rolls!

They’re brought to you at the end of your meal.

As you can see, we tore into ours!

Going on down the road, one more stop I want to tell you about is…

They have peaches, of course, and all kinds of locally grown veggies and fruits and the best country kitchen with all kinds of “tried and true” goodies.

What do we stop for?

FRIED PEACH PIES!

They are to die for!

In fact, we stopped on the way back and brought a couple home.

Listen…I think I hear one calling me from the frig now.

Stop by later. I’ve got more pics and tales from our ROAD TRIP.

Linking to Susan’s Outdoor Wednesday.

wish you were here!

and the “white stuff under my feet” WAS…

YOU GUESSED IT!

Well, some of you did.

I’ll have to say it was fun to read who guessed sand and who guessed snow. I can tell you right now. I’m not a snow person. If I can go where the sun is warm on my face and the sand tickles my toes that’s where I’m heading.

We drove south to Destin, Florida, a beautiful resort town established in 1984 and from the beginning grew faster than the sea oats below ever did.

No oil either! But as you can see from the tee shirt below, the Destin natives are not too happy with BP.

I’m told the oil never made it to Destin, unfortunately not the case for Gulf Shores, but many of the businesses in Destin suffered a slow summer anyway.

Cigar Man and I relaxed in the sun…

(loved these pink chairs and umbrellas)

Enjoyed delicious seafood…

(Cigar Man eats oysters on the half shell, NOT ME!)

and beautiful views!

Just wanted to let you know I’m back.

I have much more to show and tell about our road trip.

Catch you later.

Sunday Eve – peaceful moments

(Photo taken off the waters of the Dominican Republic)

Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation.

- Stephen C. Paul

(Caribbean waters)

When we are present in each moment,

the past gently rolls up behind us

and the future slowly unravels before us.

- Rev Richard Levy

(Blue Mountain close to Destin, Florida)

Set peace of mind as your highest goal,

and organize your life around it.

- Brian Tracy

“the LORD turn his face toward you

and give you peace." Numbers 6:26

Are you feeling it yet?

May you enjoy Rest and Peace this week.

sharing with Spiritual Sunday.

lasting souvenir idea

Want a keepsake from your vacation that’s not a cheap cheesy souvenir that you’ll toss out soon?

Let me tell you about something I tried the other day you might like.

It all started when I rearranged my bookcases on each side of my entertainment area and it got my creative juices to flowing. On one of my shelves sets a souvenir from a recent Alaskan trip that Cigar Man and I took. This adorable little bear was crafted by a local Alaskan artist who fishes in the summer and creates during the long winter months. I fell in love with him. Isn’t he adorable! The platform he’s standing on is fashioned from stone from the area and his rust color goes so well in my room.

I had an idea to place a picture of Alaska in a frame behind it. You know the kind where you’re smiling real big and a majestic snowy mountain juts out of your head. Yea, you’ve been in those. J

So I went to my computer reminiscing over our vacation pics and playing around with ideas. I ran across a postcard texture from Shadowhouse Creations and the wheels started turning.

Over my scenic photo, I layered Shadowhouse Creations’ Texture ABT2 at 35%. Next, I layered the postcard also at 35% and then placed the photos of Cigar Man and I in digital frames with Photoshop Elements. Lastly, I wrote a message and the date and place the photo was taken, printed and placed it in a frame.

I know. You’re thinking that’s not such a big deal. And it’s not. Just a simple idea to make a vacation souvenir a little unique and something you can display and enjoy for a long time.

Sharing this decor idea with some other great ideas at Funky Junk Interiors, SNS.

Sunday Eve

Let the sea resound,

and all that is in it;

let the fields be jubilant,

and everything in them!

1 Chronicles 16:32

If you’re interested, the effect above was achieved in PSE.

I first applied Gaussian Blur at 20% and then applied the texture “Swirls” at 33% Opacity.

You can find the texture “Swirls” at Shadowhouse Creations.

They have some awesome free downloads.

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.

Main Street USA

We had some great weather recently for a change. When the sun comes out, I'm ready to follow suit so we enjoyed an afternoon strolling down Main Street.


We have one of those picturesque main streets with the interesting little shops propped in old quaint buildings and the beautiful old colonial type homes from the 1800. I don't think I'd ever tire of walking on Main Street. It feels like you've strolled right into a Norman Rockwell painting.

We strolled past old churches with interesting architecture

and intricate stained glass windows,

charming old homes with wrap around porches,

interesting roof lines,

and gingerbread lattice work,

porches,

and ponds.

And, of course, we had to stop for a

Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte

(I drank it quicker than I can type it!)

What?! It's only 90 calories!

Check with Susan's at A Southern Daydreamer to see what others did outdoors.