Ocean Appreciation Day

Ocean Appreciation Day. At least that's what we call it when we enjoy a day by the water. This afternoon was spent out at Clearwater Beach. Today's weather was absolutely perfect. I spent most of the afternoon reading in my beach chair while the sun's gentle rays kept me warm. Today was the first days in months that the sun has not beat down with such intensity that one must seek shelter from it. What a wonderful relief! We stayed on the beach until sunset, then went to dinner at our favorite beach restaurant, Frenchy's.



Even though there is almost always a wait to get into Frenchy's, who could really mind when the "waiting room" is sitting in the sand at the beach? Frenchy's is directly on the beach, just a few steps away from where we camped out this afternoon.


Tonight's sunset



Sunset crowd

The cat ate my blog

I've been laughing to myself lately when I recall the recent conversation that I had with my friend and fellow blogger, Lindsay. She told me she gets sad when she checks my blog and there is nothing new to see or read. And just to drive the point home, she told me when she checks my blog she actually hears crickets chirping. So desperate for a blog, she said she would love to see just a photo of my cats. Well Lindsay, you are in for a treat. Not only is this a new post--it's also a video!

Enjoy a small piece of my everyday life. Dinner with the cats.

Happy Easter!

I've been...

celebrating my sister's 30th birthday ATL-style.







taking photos of Kyleigh's kitties.




enjoying time with Jilly Bean.




having palm frond bonfires. Easy Jillian! ;)


eating delicious home-cooked meals.


noticing Diego's appreciation for Florida life (or witch craft?).

visiting the manatees at the electric company. Not the nicest juxtaposition.

wondering why the neighborhood ice cream truck is a scary van.


preparing the kitties for six more visitors.


laughing at John's ever-so-constant dramatic behavior.


hanging out at the beach with my sister, Kyleigh, Leah, and John.




celebrating growing one year older.



welcoming more friends to visit!







checking out the fanciest place for dessert.


hanging out with my bestie from high school who traveled from Denver. (Please take note on how happy Diego is to be reunited with his Aunt Tiffany from his college days. He loves to do her hair.)





appreciating Dali's art


and also Mother Nature's.


close to a deadly rattlesnake on the beach. Yikes! The slithering little guy got picked up by the Parks Dept and relocated.


catching rays with Tiffany.


appreciating nature's little surprises.



shell-hunting on Honeymoon Island.










spoiled by a friend's cooking.


taking visitors to the same places. Ha. I can't help it, I love the manatees.



to my first road race, The Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg. It was a really fun race!








appreciating the architecture of St. Pete and the soon-to-be new location of The Dali Museum.