Curlew Crossing...and a Sea Gull

For me, there is nothing that relaxes me more than sitting on the beach ...

under my umbrella...

and watching the birds ...

scamper through the surf...

Or just stand guard, watching for a crumb from an unsuspecting beachcomber.

May all your troubles melt away with the setting sun...

Have a wonderful weekend!

CLEARWATER BEACH...

Saturday...a beautiful Florida day of sunshine and breezes. MacDaddy and I decided to go for a drive to Clearwater Beach. It's been awhile since we have been there (we usually avoid the "tourist" areas) and we were amazed at all the changes. What I loved the most were the renovated homes on the north end of the island. Here's a glimpse of my favorite...

I.AM.IN.LOVE!!!


Oh, how I wish I could have photographed the whole house! This classic beach bungalow in Clearwater Beach almost convinced me
to forget moving to the east coast. Almost, but not quite. (I did suggest to MacDaddy that we paint our house white with orange shutters. He rolled his eyes.)


One house away is this...

 It's a lovely beach access...

A few houses down the block, I spied this wall...

It's made from coquina "crush" stucco with large shells embedded in a design.

WOW!

Sea grasses blow in the wind. These grasses grow on the dunes...and separate the beach and the sidewalk on the public beach...

These dunes are fairly new...a great "natural" protection on the public beach. Showers are available for beach-goers. Each are topped with adorable sea turtles...

Love the changes along Clearwater Beach. It's a wonderful place for a gulf vacation...

Come on down!

Oh No! Mom's At It Again...

HIDE...Mom's got her camera out again!!! 
     DB and WG simultaneously hide their faces when Mom's camera appears...Gee thanks, guys!




















Pulled pork sandwiches...Ribeye Steak sandwiches...Grouper Sandwiches...Fish Tacos...and a very "healthy" (?) salad...It's a Sunday at Ozona Blue!


This is one of our favorite places to go...especially on a beautiful sunny day. Imagine the sound of the breeze in the rigging of the sailboats...the lap of the waves...the palm fronds swishing...the call of the seabirds.

Good food...beautiful atmosphere...and a wonderful time with the family (minus MG - sniff). It's a great way to spend the afternoon....

Sailboats quietly motored through the water as they headed into the Gulf of Mexico...


Oh how we wanted to hitch a ride... I miss sailing!!!

These little girls kept us entertained all afternoon as they splashed their toes in the water.  It was such a warm day...

This pool is available to all the patrons of this restaurant. Drinks are served poolside, with food being delivered to a covered area on the deck...

I hope to see you here one day...

Jane

Be sure to check my previous post...for a CSN giveaway. All you have to do is check out the swing sets and leave a comment. The drawing will be on Friday...

and BE SURE to check out Outdoor Wednesday at asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com. You'll find some beautiful photos here...

What a Perfect Day...

MacDaddy and I took a break from our offices today...we drove to the Causeway for our lunch. 






The sun is warm, the breeze is cool...the temperature is
72 degrees...
What a perfect day!

Sea birds are wading in the gentle waves...tiny fish dart around the rocks...the sounds of the water and the wind soothe our souls...


What a perfect day!

There are even a few shells to find, nestled in the seagrasses and pebbles...


What a perfect day!

Only a few people are out here...most of them are tourists from the northern climes. Everyone was fishing...or sunbathing...or, like us, enjoying a quiet moment by the sea.


What a perfect day!


I hope you have a "PERFECT DAY", too...
Jane


Be sure to visit Susan@asoutherndaydreamer for more Outdoor Wednesday posts. 

Taps...

the lonely bugle call at the end of the day...

Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.

Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star,
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise,

For our days,

Neath the sun,

Neath the stars,

Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

There are many stories about the origin of this familiar song. Some say that it was found in the pocket of a Confederate soldier...by his brother/father, a Union soldier.  Other accounts attribute the song to Union Gen. Daniel Butterfield who had the song written to announce "extinguish lights". Regardless of which story you choose to believe, the song had its beginning during the Civil War.  

As I researched this song, I came across some family information... Taps was first played on the battlefield at Harrison's Landing in Virginia...Confederate soldiers on one side, Union soldiers on the other. Harrison's Landing was owned by the Harrison family...which includes Benjamin Harrison and William Henry Harrison (relatives of my hubby). We never knew this...

Since the time of the Civil War, Taps has been played at military funerals. Last week, at my dear uncle's funeral, the minister shared the words as my uncle was laid to rest. It was so moving...

*The first two photos were taken in progression as we crossed a bridge from Hallendale, FL to the mainland. The final photo was taken a little ways down US 1...heading to Ft Lauderdale. All were taken from the inside of our car...through the windshield. 

I am posting with Outdoor Wednesday...Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer to see all the other beautiful posts.

Fall in coastal South Florida...

Fall in coastal South Florida...some of the Sea Grape leaves turn a beautiful RED...

Some turn GOLD...

Then they FALL....

Happy Wednesday...

Jane

Be sure to visit Susan @ asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com for some really beautiful Outdoor Wednesday posts.