Wednesday, September 25, 2019

A touch of cool

Fall is definitely in the air, even in Florida.The mornings are cool with a little bit of breeze. A wonderful respite to the scorching days we have had.

So let's put a little cool on our table.



We had a guest for dinner the other evening, and he brought me these colorful flowers.




Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Lighthouse Landing

 What's at the end of this walkway?

 A cute little Lighthouse!
Lighthouse Landing at Land Between the Lakes, Grand Rivers KY.
 

Monday, September 23, 2019

The Spice King = a review



Elizabeth Camden has once again written a fabulous historical fiction in The Spice King. I absolutely loved her characters and the depth of their interaction.
 
Annabelle Larkin is determined to win a donation from the Delacroix plant collection. Fresh out of school in Kansas, she feels somewhat at a lose to be living and working in Washington DC. Working in the Smithsonian for only two months, she tries every way she knew to contact the elusive Gray Delacroix.  After writing two times to Gray, she refuses to give up, being the latest of in a long line of botanist who'd tried and failed to make headway with Mr. Delacroix. If she can obtain the coveted Vanilla Orchid, she would secure her position with the Smithsonian. Boldly she makes her way to the Delacroix home. Along the way she spies a Spice map and hopes to gain entrance to entice his interest. As she meets Gray she notices that he is quite ill, the effects of Malaria, but he demands to see the map. Adamant that he doesn't trust the government, Annabelle charms her way into the man's greenhouses.

This is the most charming tale. The story is full of historical insights from a time when there was no regulation on foods stuff. I love how the relationship between Gray and Annabelle progressed and how they learned to trust each other. A definite 5+ star on my scale.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Traveling

Several years ago my hubby had a conference in a far away state, and asked if I'd like to come along. We decided that we would drive. And boy, what a drive it was. We traveled from Florida all the way to Kansas!! From the time we left home, til we came back we went through 9 states! Wow, I've never seen such a diverse array of country side while traveling from a tropical state to the prairie. It was my first visit to the Midwest, and I have to say it was beautiful.

The sky was so breathtaking.

I could not keep from taking pictures of the clouds and fiery sunsets.

The beautiful farms

and the amazing wild sunflowers that grow by the side of all the roads

This was the view from our room on the first morning we were there.

It was just so gorgeous.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

9/11

May We Never Forget!


In the United States, Sept. 11 has become a day that haunts the nation of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since the attacks, the day has been called Patriot Day or National Day of Service and Remembrance, and serves as a day to remember those who lost their lives. The day was passed by Congress on Oct. 25, 2001 and was signed into law by then President George. W. Bush. 

 "Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew." -- President George W. Bush

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Transitioning

September. All of a sudden we are thinking about transitioning from summer to fall. I'm not particularly happy about cold weather and darker days making their appearance. But we don't' have much of a choice. So we go with it.