Thursday, March 26, 2015

A Little Florida Sunshine and a Few Good Fences

Good afternoon, friends!
I want to start out by thanking each of you for your kind words
and uplifting thoughts regarding the loss of Hunter...
...they mean more to me than you will ever know.
~
So our trip south didn't start out the way we had planned...
...life is just like that sometimes.
To add to that, Delta lost our luggage (along with about a dozen other's on our flight)...
...you know, that one suitcase with everything important in it.
They were finally able to track it down.
It went all the way back to Raleigh then to Atlanta...again...
...and then finally made it back to Panama City...again!



It arrived by courier late the next day...
...and I must say, getting a shower and some fresh clothes never felt so good!
Really, Delta??
~
But one look at these beauties and all was right with the world.
 

 
They bordered everyone's home in the neighborhood where Jim's sister lives in Sandestin.
Each bloom was about the size of a tennis ball!


Throughout their lovely neighborhood, the redbuds were also in full glory.



Some of you may remember that redbuds are my most favorite sign of spring...


 
...and around every corner, I had to get a few more shots.
 
 
Please bear with me...
 
 
OK...I'm finished now :)
~
We went to visit Jim's younger sister, Theresa and her husband, Steve,
and to surprise his older sister, Dianne for her 75th birthday, also visiting from Ohio.
She frequently visits Theresa, and we had kept it a secret from her that we were coming.
She was beyond surprised to see us and tears of joy flowed freely.
 

Happy 75th Birthday, Dianne!


Here are some other photos from our visit.
There are a few Good Fences in some of them :)



Here's the sun setting over the bay at Sandestin...

 
...and a fisheye view of the same...
...and sunrise the next morning over the gulf on Miramar Beach...
 
 
...the morning fog lifting off the water.



It was still kind of dark for great photos but I liked the reflection of the little guy below.



Someone from the day before left some very unique sand sculptures.
Can you name this familiar object from the 70's??

 
And of course, most everyone recognizes Sponge Bob...
...as unfortunate as that is :(

 
Still, a very talented individual...
 ...leaving their mark that they were here for Spring Break 2015!
~
The next day we made a short trip down the coast to the Seaside Community.
It had been nearly 25 years since I had first been here and couldn't believe it was the same place!
Back then, a few pastel colored homes and a cute little post office were the only buildings here,
along with a breathtaking, wide open, unspoiled coastline.
I couldn't believe how much this community had grown and it kind of made me a little sad...
...way too many houses, restaurants, shops and wall-to-wall people for my liking.
But it must be Mike Huckabee's cup of tea.
This is his permanent residence, just a few miles down the road.

 
We literally were within a few hundred feet of his front door.
Not much security for someone who may be running for President of the United States! :o
~
But I was able to get a little peek of the beach by standing on the deck of a restaurant.

 
The sand looks like granulated sugar...

 
...and even though we had overcast skies, the water was still that lovely aquamarine hue.

 
Ah...now there's a good fence!
~
And here we all are, in all of our glory..haha!

 
So our time in Florida came to an end and it was time to return to reality.

 
It was a great day for flying and Dianne and I were seat buddies as far as Atlanta...
...and here's a lovely shot of the back of Jim's head, a few rows up :)


We said our goodbyes to Dianne in Atlanta as she headed back to Dayton.
~
We were very glad to see our little buddy, Oscar when we returned,
and he was certainly glad to see us!
Not only had he never been to the kennel alone without Hunter,
he had never known life...period...without him for almost six years.
Anyone who has ever had a dachshund must know that they are all about themselves.
I can't really tell yet how much Oscar misses him...or not.
I have caught myself calling out to Hunter a few times since we returned home.
~
And by the way, it's the little stinker's birthday today...he's six :)


Happy Birthday, Oscar!
~
I hope I didn't bore you you enjoyed your little trip to Florida :)

 

33 comments:

  1. And a good time was had by all! (Well, maybe not the dog)

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  2. cute little oscar. :) glad you had a good trip, considering! and surprising family is wonderful. beautiful beach scenes. :)

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  3. Sounds like a great trip all things considered, some beautiful photos. I am a great fan of Florida.

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  4. Thanks for the nice trip and alot of thanks
    for the beautiful beach fences :)
    Have a beautiful day
    【ツ】Knipsa

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  5. What a beautiful lady Dianne is! We Diane's love to smile! And I'm glad you had fun and got your luggage back. WHEW! Love all the Spring blooms. We have had a little shower here and everything is so green and lush. Glad you got to visit and enjoy your trip! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  6. Not at all bored...that 4th photo looks like a worthy subject for a gorgeous painting. Glad that you had a blessed time away celebrating a sister's birthday! Very cool.

    Oscar is a very cute little fellow...glad that he is adjusting well to his loss...ahem...and praying for you to cherish your memories and not feel too sad.

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  7. The water is so gorgeous against that gray sky. I enjoyed your photos and story. Sounds like a good time, a good surprise, a good luggage rescue, finally, and probably good to be back home.

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    1. Thanks, Dotsie...it's always good to get back home home, isn't it? :)

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  8. Love your new header. I am looking at red buds out my window. They seem especially beautiful when it's not a sunny day.

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    1. Our redbuds are just now becoming visible. The plum trees in my header only lasted about a week it seems...glad I was able to get a few shots!

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  9. Sounds like such a wonderful trip. Sandestin is so beautiful and I haven't been to Seaside in a few years. I need to go back!

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  10. SOunds like you had a lovely trip! I live in Florida and the azaleas and redbuds have been so pretty recently. I love all of our spring bloomers. Happy Birthday to your little Oscar...such a sweetie. Have a lovely Friday.

    Blessings, Vicky

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  11. Beautiful photos, Debby! I like the fish-eye - do you have a special lens? I'm saving up to buy a new lens for my camera and can't make up my mind which one I want. Any suggestions?

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    1. Hi Nancy...about the fisheye lens...this is a cheapy that I got at either Amazon or ebay...only was $50. It actually is not a lens in itself, but rather a lens extension that screws into your kit lens' threads. The quality is not that great but it is fun to play around with. There is no way I would pay big bucks for a fisheye, simply because I wouldn't use it except for special effects BUT I would LOVE to have $$ for a great extra wide angle which you can get a great panoramic shot with a curve. I do really like the effect of fisheye too :)

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  12. Hi Debby, Happy Bdy to Oscar - what a sweetheart. I loved seeing your photos. John's late parents retired to Venice FL and it's been MANY years since we've been back there. I, too, love red bud trees. I think of you often throughout the day; praying that the sweet memories get us through the tough times. God bless!

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  13. Lovely shots! Redbuds are one of my favorites as well. Such pretty shots! I lost my tree last year so I'm really loving your photos. Your last sand fence shot is the epitome of what I always associate with The Summer of 42 movie. Had to smile at how you found your way to my blog. So glad you enjoyed your visit. :)

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  14. So many beautiful photos -- I love the beach scenes.

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  15. Looks like you had a wonderful trip. I absolutely love the "Fish Eye" shot and the beach fencing. Oscar is adorable. Hope he has many more birthdays.

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  16. Well, Happiest Birthday to Dianne and Oscar! I hope they both got treats for their birthdays! Your trip looks like a wonderful time, and your photos were beautiful. I especially loved the flower pictures - breathtaking, Debby.

    And, dear friend, I am so saddened by the news about Hunter. I know you know how I feel about dogs, and so my heart just broke for you. Sigh. I don't have Scripture to back this up, but I have a feeling that God has a plan for these furry friends. I love this quote from Billy Graham:

    "God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there."

    GOD BLESS!

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  17. I loved my trip to Florida and I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip as well.
    Oscar is a handsome young lad, isn't he. Do you think short dogs are 'all about themselves' as you say. My granddaughter has a chihuahua and he just thinks he's king of the castle, haha.

    Diana

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  18. You could never bore us, sweet friend. Visiting your blog is like being able to sit down and chat with a precious friend. I always enjoy your posts and your images.

    Dianne looks like such a sweet and joyful lady! I am sure she had a fabulous birthday. And speaking of birthdays... Happy Birthday to your sweet Oscar!

    Thinking of you, my dear... Love and hugs!

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  19. I loved "our" trip to Florida, Debby!! Beautiful scenery, time with loved ones, birthday celebrations...what's not to like? I am glad that you were able to enjoy your visit, despite the very sad beginning.

    Happy Birthday to Oscar! He is a darling!

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  20. Happy birthday,Oscar!
    Destin and Sandestin are beautiful towns, we've gone there several times on vacation.
    Loved looking at your photo's Debby, that little bird on the beach must like his reflection too!

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  21. Lucky you. Destin is my favorite beach. I discovered it many years ago when I was a young traveling singer, and the area's population was very sparse. Not long after, my twin and I did a road trip together, and several more after we both married. It remains high on my list of places to visit. I loved your spring blossom pics. Redbuds are a fav of mine, too. And poor, little Oscar. He is probably mourning the loss of his buddy. Happy birthday to him.

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    Replies
    1. I am still in shock over the growth of Seaside...oh my word!

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  22. Looks like a wonderful trip! It's been much too long since I've set foot on a beach. Your beautiful photos make me want to go again. I love the gorgeous redbuds, my favorite sign of spring, too! And, that's a gorgeous house Mike has...his Fox gig must have paid very well! lol! Happy Birthday to cute little Oscar. Have a nice weekend, Debby!

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  23. Love those blooms. So pretty! That's a beautiful place for a vacation.

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  24. I did enjoy that little trip to Florida. Love the red blossoms! And that aquamarine sea - gorgeous! So glad you could spend time with your family AND that your suitcase finally arrived.

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  25. NO<definitely not bored with these pictures. The flowers are spectacular and even the beach,I'm not a beach person,looks wonderful.I am so done with cold weather and snow that this was a nice break from reality.

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  26. Enjoyed viewing your photos of your trip, love that beach fence and Oscar is cute!

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  27. Hello Debby,
    What a great shots!! Wonderful the flowers with the waterdrops.
    Shot 12 is really amazing on that beach. Great colors of the sky.

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  28. What a wonderful trip, Debby, and such lovley photos! It looks like everyone had a fabulous time.
    I read on about the loss of Hunter. I'm so very sorry, Debby.

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  29. Beautiful photos, Debby! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Still thinking of you as you heal from losing your sweet pup. Have a great week. :)

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.

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