(no joke, I was standing less than 2 feet away from this alligator, no need for a zoom lens)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Flamingo Gardens
On Presidents' Day we headed over to our old stomping ground in Broward County to visit Flamingo Gardens. When we became members of the Naples Botanical Garden last month we received reciprocal benefits to many other gardens across the United States. Flamingo Gardens (a throwback from Florida in the 1970's) was our first stop. It is set in a former citrus grove which is a lushly landscaped sanctuary for rescued wildlife - particularly birds. The kids really enjoyed the free roaming peacocks. Our next stop will be Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Little Midweek Break
It has been a busy week! Darin and I haven't gotten home until after 9:00 pm the last two evenings. After school today, I decided we needed a little midweek break. The kids and I drove to Bonita Springs to surprise Darin.
We met at restaurant that offers a Wednesday special, Bang Bang shrimp for $5. What is bang bang anyway?
It never occurred to me that this is "season" and there would be an hour wait at 5:oo pm. Luckily, the restaurant serves drinks and appetizers on the patio. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset evening outside.
However, no rest for the weary. While enjoying our midweek break, Mackenzie informed us that her next chorus concert is tomorrow. It looks like another late evening for us.
We met at restaurant that offers a Wednesday special, Bang Bang shrimp for $5. What is bang bang anyway?
It never occurred to me that this is "season" and there would be an hour wait at 5:oo pm. Luckily, the restaurant serves drinks and appetizers on the patio. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset evening outside.
However, no rest for the weary. While enjoying our midweek break, Mackenzie informed us that her next chorus concert is tomorrow. It looks like another late evening for us.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Greek for a Day
Darin already knows this place is on my bucket list.
But with the current uprising in Greece, the closest I will come to visiting is the annual Greek Festival at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church. We made our 10th annual visit to the festival this weekend. Afterward I decided it would be fun to be Greek for a day. Wait a minute, I think I was Greek many years ago.
I think I even married a Greek. Sorry, I digress. After completing some online research I decided to prepare an authentic Greek meal at home. I threw on Mackenzie's Greek dancing scarf and prepared souvlaki and Greek orzo pasta.
The funny thing, after all that cooking, I ended up eating Italian when I received a last minute invitation to celebrate a co-worker's last week before taking maternity leave. At least my family enjoyed being Greek for a day. Although, I must admit being Italian isn't bad either.
But with the current uprising in Greece, the closest I will come to visiting is the annual Greek Festival at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church. We made our 10th annual visit to the festival this weekend. Afterward I decided it would be fun to be Greek for a day. Wait a minute, I think I was Greek many years ago.
I think I even married a Greek. Sorry, I digress. After completing some online research I decided to prepare an authentic Greek meal at home. I threw on Mackenzie's Greek dancing scarf and prepared souvlaki and Greek orzo pasta.
The funny thing, after all that cooking, I ended up eating Italian when I received a last minute invitation to celebrate a co-worker's last week before taking maternity leave. At least my family enjoyed being Greek for a day. Although, I must admit being Italian isn't bad either.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Wine and Chocolates Anyone?
This is "season" for us in Southwest Florida. That means all of our snowbird clients (snowbirds are residents who live up north in the summer but then flock south for the winter) are in town, so time to entertain and party! This week was Ascendant Wealth Management's second annual wine tasting party for our clients. This year, we sampled five fine wines along with chocolate pairings for each. We even had a chocolatier come in and demonstrate how to make chocolate, but sampling the chocolate was more fun!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Macro Photography
Macro photography is close-up photography of very small subjects. My photography class came to an end on Monday with one last assignment: a macro photo shoot. My instructor encouraged us to not just to take something small and make it larger but rather show something with meaning.
A few years ago, after many years of marriage, Darin and I decided it was time to upgrade our wedding bands. I recently lost a few diamonds from my band and haven't been able to wear my band for over a month. Thankfully this week it was finally repaired by the jeweler. With both bands in the palm of my hand, I set out to capture the perfect macro shot. To add even more meaning to the shot I included a rose that Mackenzie had received at her middle school's Valentine's dance.
Enjoy!
A few years ago, after many years of marriage, Darin and I decided it was time to upgrade our wedding bands. I recently lost a few diamonds from my band and haven't been able to wear my band for over a month. Thankfully this week it was finally repaired by the jeweler. With both bands in the palm of my hand, I set out to capture the perfect macro shot. To add even more meaning to the shot I included a rose that Mackenzie had received at her middle school's Valentine's dance.
Enjoy!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Weather Alert
I'm sure most of you have already read the following Facebook weather alert:
The State of Florida could be sunned-in for the next few days. Residents have been urged to hunker down at your nearest beach or tiki bar for further instructions. Stock up on Cold Beer & Rum. Use extreme caution while braving this blizzard of sunshine, preferably SPF 30. We are asking our friends & relatives of the north to please keep us in their thoughts as we deal with 2 feet buried in the sand.
When we have such terrible weather there is only one thing to do: head to Cambier park.
We made shadow puppets.
We listened to a free concert by the Naples Daily News Jazz Band.
We enjoyed a few snacks.
Don't you feel sorry for us!
The State of Florida could be sunned-in for the next few days. Residents have been urged to hunker down at your nearest beach or tiki bar for further instructions. Stock up on Cold Beer & Rum. Use extreme caution while braving this blizzard of sunshine, preferably SPF 30. We are asking our friends & relatives of the north to please keep us in their thoughts as we deal with 2 feet buried in the sand.
When we have such terrible weather there is only one thing to do: head to Cambier park.
We made shadow puppets.
We listened to a free concert by the Naples Daily News Jazz Band.
We enjoyed a few snacks.
Don't you feel sorry for us!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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