Vacation 2012 ~ Part 2

I simply can't believe how quickly our vacation went by ~ but we are thankful to have many photos to remember it by. Today, I'll share some of the sights we saw . . . 

Of course, a large part of our time was spent at the pool & on the beach at our time-share. Lovely, long, lazy days. 

Our mermaids :-)

 Here are some of my beach finds. You can see from my hand how BIG the oyster shells were!

 Something else we did was visit the Tampa Aquarium. We took a Dolphin Cruise boat ride. Lots of fun. Of course . . . by the time I got my camera up to my face, when dolphins were sighted, all I really got was their tales! lol But it was a beautiful day & we still had fun.

 A view of Tampa from Tampa Bay:

Some of the sights inside the Tampa Aquarium . . . some beautiful . . . some down-right scary! . . .

This is DD#2 taking pictures, silhouetted against the aquarium.

"Saw the whole thing, Dude. 1st you were all like 'whoa,' & we were like 'whoa,' & you were like 'whooooa!'" {~ the Green Sea Turtle from Finding Nemo}

Leopard Sharks

Sand Sharks . . . HUGE!

And with that friendly smile 8-/ I'll end for the day. Thanks for sharing our long-awaited vacation memories.

More later . . . 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Vacation 2012 ~ Part 1

PRAISE GOD, THROUGH WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Last week we took a much-needed, much-anticipated vacation to Florida. We have a time-share that we have not been able to use for years b/c my sweetheart hubby, THE Man, was laid off in '09 & the last 3 years have been a long, steep financial climb. 


In the next few posts, I will share w/you our joy . . . 

1st things 1st ~ we had to celebrate DD#2's BFF's very 1st trip to Florida by stopping at the state line.

When we got to our place, the weather was a little choppy . . . but did we care?! No way! We were in Florida! Once we got there, we threw everything into our room & took BFF out to the Gulf of Mexico ~ she had never seen an ocean or been to a beach. This (above) marks her grand arrival to the shore. 

Even the rough sea that met us upon our arrival was beautiful. Glory to God!

 Our place isn't fancy, but it's very comfortable & "just right." Goldilocks & Baby Bear would love it. '-)

 Our robins & sparrows were replaced by beach birds & gulls. I love feeding the gulls ~ throw pieces of bread up in the air & it will never hit the ground!

The best part of the whole vacation is that my sweet, hard-working Man got to kick back & relax. That's what it's all about.


More to come . . . 


Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

More Lakeside Memories

Earlier this week I told you that we went on a mini-vacation to Lakeside, Ohio ~ one of our favorite places on earth. I thought I'd share a few more photos & memories made in this unique & wonderful place.

Once again, this is our dear friends' family cottage. Many enjoyable memories over the years in this sweet place.

Time goes slowly at Lakeside, don't you just love this old dial phone?

I enjoy cooking in this kitchen. Since most of the cooking utensils, pots & pans, plates, etc seem to have been there since our friends' grandparents bought the cottage, decades ago, it's like cooking in my Grandma's kitchen.

This is the most coveted chair in the cottage!

Maggie enjoys Lakeside, too. Everything from watching squirrels run past the cottage door to walks on the foot-paths along the lake.

Twice a week, a farmer's market comes into Lakeside . . .

. . . & it attracts all the best people. :-)

One day, DD#2 & C & I went antiquing in Marblehead & found this great little cafe'.

And, of course, you can't go to Marblehead w/o seeing the Marblehead Lighthouse (seen on many Ohio license plates).

Back at Lakeside, you HAVE to visit the historic Hotel Lakeside, built in the late 1800's. It is lovingly restored.

Pull up a porch rocker & listen to the water, read a good book or enjoy good conversation.

Then go inside & walk through the living area . . .

. . . on your way to a great supper.

After supper you HAVE to have a yummy frozen drink from Coffee & Cream . . .

And end the day w/a casual walk around the cottage neighborhoods & take a few minutes to relax on the pier.

Ahhhhh . . .

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><