Free Christmas Decor

I needed a centerpiece for my kitchen table.

I was lucky enough to be gifted a beautiful

Amaryllis by a beautiful friend.

But she looked lonely out there on that big table all on her own.

(okay, so it's not so big, but it still looked lonely)

So, I remembered I had this lovely blue pot

sitting in my empty pot ghetto.

(Note glass missing from kitchen cupboard with a cactus in it sitting inside the blue pot.)

And also seemed to recall some Paper-whites

popping up in the front garden.

I noticed them for the first time last year

after yanking out all the over grown plumbago.

( It had become infested with skunk vine. Yick.)

A little poking around with my trowel...

a squeeze of bulbs into said little blue pot...

and we have:

Just the centerpiece I was looking for.

Free!

Um...I mean Pretty!

A bit of ribbon from the gift bag my friend

gave me the Amaryllis in was all

that was needed to finish it off.

Hope you're finding creative ways to

decorate for the holidays!

So am I officially Southern now?

I did it!

I finally tried boiled peanuts.

And they are delicious!

If you see this van parked somewhere

off 50 in Central Florida,

pull over! Best part is - he makes it all in equipment

that is over 100 years old.

Read more about Steve's P-nuts here.

Hoping he's there on my way by tomorrow!

Just a Few of the Many, Many Things I am Thankful For!

Mother's Day flowers from my baby.

Visits from nieces and their puppies.

Peaches from my peach tree.

And the peach jam they become...YUM!

I love this time of year, when I am reminded

to stop and take a moment to think about

everything I am so very thankful for.

I can't say it enough: I am a lucky girl!!!

Have you checked out my other blog?

FL Home Blog daily snapshots

A few photos from my October trip to Scotland & England

The UK is a beautiful place,

and once again I enjoyed

my time there immensely!

Where to buy fish.

Where to buy "veg".

Where to buy flowers.

The Scottish Highlands.

Where to catch your own fish.

Hope you had a fantastic Halloween.

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving!

P.S. Want to see daily snapshots of my life here in Tampa Bay, Florida, or places I visit? Please visit my new blog: FL Home Blog daily snapshots I'd love to share them with you!

Our favorite new breakfast spot in Brooksville, FL

While picking up some cowboy boots

my boyfriend had re-heeled, we spotted a diner-y type

restaurant across the street from the boot shop.

If you've read my previous post about having

several (at last count there were 26!) roosters

decorating my kitchen, you might just happen to notice why it

caught my eye:

Roosters Cafe, Brooksville, FL

The food was delicious, the prices very reasonable,

and the staff friendly and welcoming!

We loved it, and vowed to become regulars!

Hoping that upon returning from our impending trip to

the UK & Scotland that we will do exactly that.

Wondering if Phil the manager will remember me and my Phil...

They could use our help!

The F.W. Springstead Marching Eagle Brigade

is in desperate need of funding.

These kids could sure use a minute or two of your time.

Read more about the band, and vote for them here.

Pepsi Refresh Project

And thank you to Pepsi for the opportunity!

You can also text 102376

to PEPSI (73774)

standard text rates apply.

Super easy way to help some very hard working kids!

Thank you for your support!!!

About springstead high school marching band:

Springstead High School Band has competed in state competiton and placed 2nd last year.

We are a title 1, low income high school, resulting in many students unable to pay band fees, Due to increase budget cuts, lack of funding, we are in desprite need of equipment, maintenance, and uniforms.

Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA

During a recent trip to Philadelphia, PA,

I was lucky enough to be with a local,

who happens to be one of my very best friends.

She thought Elfreth's Alley would be

right up my...well, alley!

She was right.

(She always is!)

"Elfreth's Alley — popularly known as "Our nation’s oldest residential street" –

dates back to the first days of the eighteenth century."

"Since 1702, Elfreth's Alley has been home to more than 3,000 people.

Today thirty-two houses, built between 1728 and 1836, line the alley."

"They form one of the last intact early American streetscapes in the nation.

Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark District,

one of the first districts that celebrates the lives of everyday Americans."

Definitely worth a visit!

Homes in the UK

Here are a few of the homes

I couldn't resist snapping a quick photo of

during my most recent trip to

England.

It really is a completely different place in the

Summer.

I fell even more in love with it!

Doesn't it make you want a rose covered trellis over your front door?

in Ely

So classically elegant...love the glossy black front door.

Thatched roofs. Soft muted colors. Cottage garden. Yes, please!

in Market Deeping

Hickledy pickledy.

in Ely

Tudor. Real, still standing Tudor.

in Lavenham

Have you ever tried Pimm's?

It really is the English summer in a glass!

Fort Lauderdale, FL

We spent the weekend in

Fort Lauderdale, FL.

I had forgotten just how beautiful the beach is,

how much I love the diversity, and yes,

even the humidity.

The fact that it's only a four hour car ride away

from Spring Hill means we'll be back...

SOON!

Honeymoon Island, Dunedin, Florida

A few shots I snapped with my cell phone

when I recently took the kids over to

Honeymoon Island

in

Dunedin, Florida.

We collected shells, saw dolphins,

and made plans to bring our dog to the dog beach asap!

A few photos from my recent trip to Washington D.C.

We road tripped north from Spring Hill, FL up to MA, and on our way back down we paid our Nation's Capital a visit. What a wonderful experience! It was like walking through my childhood history textbooks.

Hoping to visit again, soon!

Arizona in bloom

I knew the desert would be beautiful...

I just never expected it to be in bloom!

So glad that the tropical plants here in Hernando County, FL are making a recovery from the unusual cold snaps we had this winter...I'm so thankful that my own yard is also blooming now!

From the heart of the UK to the heart of the USA...

I'm in the lone star state

for SxSW in Austin this week...

and I find myself falling in love with rural America all over again.

I love visiting all the beautiful parts of this great country!

Have you been to Austin? Where should we go for some cool cowboy shirts?

Back at the zoo...er...I mean home...

I loved every moment in the UK...

the scenery both in the countryside, and in the glorious city that is London, awed me, and left me wishing I had more time still for looking around and taking it all in.

Well, after a night trapped at the airport in Newark, NJ, I hopped one of the only flights getting out - after final boarding...and the fact that it was headed to Fort Myers - and am home again with my crazy animals. I missed them. (okay, so mostly the poodle)

It's nice to be back, and even though I'm doing battle with an over grown Pink Grapefruit tree right now - the tree is winning! - I have to admit that I love being in flip flops, feeling the warmth of the sun on my back while I working in a tank top, and that

Florida is still the place for me!

Food, glorious foooood...

Sausage & salad...

Jams & chutneys....

Fresh produce at the local stand...

Fish pie...trust me, you MUST try this!

Toe-mah-toe and Bahzill soup...delish.

I feel like I'm eating my way across the countryside!

A Floridian in the English countryside...

I might need to wear 2 coats (at the same time),

a hat, some warm gloves,

and I've had to leave my beloved flip flops back in Florida...

but I have to admit that even though it's a bit chilly...

and the sky is mostly grey...

I'm loving every minute of it!

Have you been here to the UK?

Can you point me in the direction of your favorite pub?