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Showing posts from November, 2013

Some Thrift Bonanzas and Some Regrets

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I had just finished watching the entire series of eleven seasons of Frazier when I spotted this cup Now I can't believe I talked myself out of it Regret! I know I can't have every coffee cup I want but talking myself out of two cups I really liked in one day?   Regret!!!  Tea Time Tuesday has beautiful tea cups and saucers but I'm a mug person through and through! So I'm sharing these two mugs with them today! Yet I picked up this vintage pottery planter which is yellow and green, not blue.  I love old pottery and I can use it on my front porch.   Halloween is over, but I couldn't resist this little Jack O'Lantern It's ceramic and has a foil label marked "F" from Korea I love the rakish tilt and the witches hat.   Bonanza!  Swanky Swigs?  I didn't think so. Didn't buy, no regrets    Cute picture...left it.  No regrets. Bonanza!   Every house needs a spot of c

It's Begun!

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The Christmas season is here!   Even the Flamingos are dancing!  The photo was taken at Busch Gardens, Tampa early in November on my last visit and I couldn't resist a little editing on this first day of the Christmas Season!    Linking to Pink Saturday Junkin Joe Masterpiece Monday Beautiful Sunday

The Florals at Busch Gardens in November

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The flowers are beautiful!   This draping orange orchid was stunning to see in person!  The white dot on the read leaf is actually a long white stamen growing out of a red lily!   Varieties of orchids are tumbling over each other in this bed  Christmas decorations and flowers together Everywhere there were masses of flowers These Cladium's were so thick and beautiful as a border. I "spotted" these and later found out they are called Eyeballs!   The cactus was even blooming in this dry gulch town Some sort of bottle brush bloom  Shrubs were blooming And this ray of sunshine!  Yellow and gold Marigold's Any time of year is beautiful in Busch Gardens! Linking to: Ruby Tuesday Too Mandarin Orange Tuesday Wow Us Wednesday Ivy and Elephants What We Accomplished Wed Share Your Cup Thursday

Shadow Shot Sunday A Blast From the Past

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My mom!  Vintage 1959 California Mom lighthearted and dramatic Always having fun Growing up with an edgy mom was always interesting!  She was the belle of the neighborhood, the one who gardened in short shorts, danced the night away in underground beatnik clubs in San Francisco and dyed her hair every shade of blonde there was.  My California mom is still going strong here in Florida at 85 .  She is still dramatic and lighthearted and always up for something fun.   Married 60 years to my awesome dad who gave her free reign to be herself and loved her unconditionally.  How lucky can we four sisters get? Linked to:   Shadow Shot Sunday2 Sundays in my City Beautiful Sunday Monday Mellow Yellows Make it Pretty Monday Ivy and Elephants

The Christmas Creep

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 I was reading today about how stressful it is for a blogger to have to remove Thanksgiving decorations before Thanksgiving arrives to photograph Christmas  ( here ).  She was somewhat lamenting about the Christmas Creep.  A necessary evil.  And I agree with her!  But, for the record, as a reader.....I love the Christmas creep!   Weeks before the late November Thanksgiving celebrations have arrived, Christmas posts begin to appear.  It seems that once Halloween has passed, it's open season.   Last year I had pink poinsettias!   I have to say, after pumpkins and orange and brown for the past couple of months I don't blame them. I'm tired of the Autumn decorations!   I'm getting very tired of my own Autumn banner!    By the time Thanksgiving looms up, my attention has definitely lagged.   So,  I'm now eagerly clicking on the Christmas craft posts and reading about Santas, Snowmen and Nutcrackers.   At least it isn&#

Thrifty November Finds

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My newest acquisition! A vintage tea set! I'm showing it as I bought it.  Warts and all.  According to my research, which corroborates with what the seller told me, this set dates from the mid to late 1800's. It is silverplate. The set was still faintly marked $125.00 from a long time ago and the elderly lady was selling it for $40.  She told me she actually only paid $75  about 10 years ago and that it was from the 1800's.  I loved the detail and the shape of the pot. The thumb guard is to keep your thumb from slipping and touching the hot pot.  The handle is very beautiful!  The acorn finial is nicely detailed.  One foot needs to be soldered  I saw one like it advertised it was made by Thomas Bradbury & Sons from Sheffield England  It was found on ebay UK almost identical with the same acorn finial. but it didn't show the stamp.    It sold yesterday for about $80 USD.    It was shined up and ready to us

Florida Gators

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A rare shadow shot this week of cloudy days. I perused my week of photos almost in vain.  The soft sunshine makes the gator looks like he is actually wearing shades!   My favorite shadow shot of all.  Behind bars today But wander free everywhere Florida gators! For more shadow shots click here at Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Busch Gardens in Autumn

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Oh my goodness, we had a lovely day in Tampa at Busch Gardens!  We had been meaning to go since September but life got in the way...or was it laziness?   Yes, it's Fall, but while taking the skyway I spotted this gorgeous pink tree!   Perhaps you know what it is that blooms pink in November  but I have not seen one anywhere else and I don't have any idea what kind of tree it is.   As soon as I got off the skyway ride I hurried over to see it!  It is still 80 degrees most days.  Look, people mostly wear shorts and tee shirts.  I love Florida!  What a pretty view this was! It was dripping blossoms into a sweet little pond where you guide boats by remote control.  The gator looks a little less vicious with pink blossoms all around him. The blossoms were huge and so beautiful  Anyone?  Anyone?  I would love to know what kind of tree this is!   A very nice way to spend 11-12-13 Sharing with Treasure Hunt T

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana

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I'm minding my own business, taking a picture of a cute little birdhouse at a park.   And then, ready to go,  I jump into the car.  And what do I spy?   The banana tree had actual bananas on it!  I hadn't even noticed when I had been standing right under them taking the birdhouse picture.  Jumping back out of the car (while Mr. Me sighs), I run back to get pictures of real bananas growing  on real banana trees!  Isn't Florida wonderful?  I couldn't help myself.  I swiped one.  I just HAD to try it.   As Bill zoomed off, I peeled it and was surprised to see perfect fruit. I wasn't sure it was safe to eat and so took a very small bite.  And, it was delicious!   Mr. Me predicted I would probably get sick... ...or arrested.   Even pointing out a police car a few blocks away.   And although he was prevailed upon to share this marvelous experience, he wouldn't touch  a bite of my stolen fruit so I ate