St. Augustine, Florida

This is the beach in front of Marineland, which is just south 0f St. Augustine, Florida. It is absolutely gorgeous! We noticed that you can rent beach houses and we will certainly keep that idea tucked away for future reference. You could walk for miles and miles!

Marineland is right beside the ocean and the pool looks like it blends in with the horizon.

This little gal was very friendly and she certainly tried to win my daughter over . . . peaking over the glass to say hello and inviting her in for a swim. Oh . . . come 'on !!!! she seemed to say.

The hands on the hips say it all . . . . not gunna-do-it.

Ah well . . . maybe some other time you'll change your mind.

OK then, I'll play will your Mom and brother . . .

The football was very easy for her to grab and return !

They do look like they are smiling !



This is a picture of a new Mom and her baby (born in June 2008) She doesn't swim with guests yet, but is very curious.

~~~

I posted a video of Pebbles in my previous Dolphin post below. She was quite funny!

Obama visits the Byward Market

Well I guess I should have gone to the market today! Look who was buying cookies and local pastries. President Obama is said to have joked "they also have stuff in Chicago that will thicken the arteries." He bought the red Maple Leaf cookies for his daughters and also shopped briefly for a few other souvenirs. Still making time to be a Dad ~ good for him!


After meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada (his first foreign visit) the President's motorcade stopped at the Byward Market, a Farmers Market in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Obama's arrival surprised and stunned shoppers, many of whom crowded around the new President, shook his hand and posed for photos.

Thanks for visiting Canada today !

Photo credits: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Swimming with the Dolphins ~ Marineland

We are back from our holiday. It went by so fast! The weather was great (80's) and my personal highlight of the week was an afternoon at The Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center. It is located just south of St. Augustine along the East Coast of Florida. A gorgeous spot! I will download my pictures tonight (these are the Marineland pics).

We lucked out! There was only one other gal for the Immersion Swim. We each got our own trainer and Dolphin to swim with. No big groups or line-ups : )

Here are a few pictures of Pebbles the Dolphin, my son and I. We had a great time and enjoyed Pebbles' playful nature. She is such a fast swimmer ~ she caught a ball underwater and swam up behind us while we patiently waited for her. I am sure she thought we needed training. Turn around darlings . . . I'm right here! I've posted a short video of her antics below.

We spent about 40 minutes in the water with these wonderful creatures.

Jumping, twirling and splashing was all part of the fun.

The wet suits were appreciated ~ the water was actually filtered ocean water

(still February after all)

Pebbles was a great host and I would swim with her again in a heart beat!

~~~~

Florida . . . here we come!

We are having freezing rain today and the schools are closed. I guess I have 2 helpers for last minute packing. Not sure that is a good thing, LOL.

We are off to Florida tomorrow and managed to find a reasonably priced resort with a wonderful water lagoon in the centre of the property. Temperatures are in the high 70's F. in Florida right now. We Crazy Canucks will be running around in our bathing suits even if it drops to 65.

Looking forward to the change in scenery. Bye for now!

Thinking of Our Friends Down Under

These photos were posted on one of my chat groups last week, by a gal in a small town north of Victoria. This poor Koala bear sought relief inside a porch and certainly seems to have appreciated the water he was offered. He didn't even mind having a few pictures taken.

He decided to stay for a while to escape the extreme 115 degree heatwave.

Now Victoria is dealing with far worse than heatwaves. This was a terrible weekend for the people and animals in Southern Australia. Bush fires were fast, destructive and lethal. May relief come quickly.

~ Thinking of our friends in Australia ~

A Few more Pretties

Is February too early to want Spring ? I guess I'll have to settle for Millinery diversions!

Floral Lace

Vintage Corsages made from Silk and Velvet

Raised Floral Detail ~ Irish Crochet

and Large Cabbage Roses ~ Pretty in Pink

They are currently listed in my Etsy Shop .

~~~

Guess what ! Our family of four is going to Florida next week !!!! I can't wait : ) Bye Bye snow for 7 full days. I may even get to swim with a Dolphin or two ! Only one child is willing to go with me . . .can you believe that? Do you love Dolphins? I ask. Oh Yes, Yes, say the little munchkins. Do you want to swim with one? Absolutely not says my not-so-brave 14 year old. Hmmmm? Ah well . . .all the more swim time for me I suppose. I can't wait : )

Etsy Update ~ Antique Lace

~~~

I actually managed to get a lot done today : ) Sometimes when you let yourself poke along you actually get a fair bit done ! So . . .tonight I have a completely unplanned Etsy update. I've been taking my time going through my stash of lace and updating my Etsy Shop . I even changed some of the categories in my shop to better reflect my current inventory. "Antique Lace" is now at the top of the list.

I have several lovely lace "Jabot" Ruffles

Intricate Lace Collars

Pretty Irish Crochet

Silk Trim



An Edwardian Garter

and lots of florals.

Maybe I'll be just as productive tomorrow and list some more items !

~~~