Early July Morning, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Snow

Here in Western Kentucky, we are getting our second snowfall for the season. I am thankful that none of us have to go too far in it. 
Living in Florida for most of my growing up, I didn't see much of the white stuff. I remember when I was 16, our family took a trip to Colorado for Christmas to visit with family. We were really hoping for a white Christmas. We had a little dusting when we woke up Christmas morning. Our gifts waited while we all went out and played.
After our vacation was over, we were treated to a real winter wonderland...on the way to the airport. As we traveled down the interstate, I noticed the delicate flakes landing on the window. I wasn't saying much, just taking in the beautiful scenery. Pretty soon, I asked everyone to look at the flakes (hey were so cool). My mom looked at me kinda funny. I told her they look like those paper snowflakes we use to make in school. She smiled, and said, "Oooh." Growing up in Colorado, she really hadn't given it much thought. The rest of the way to the airport, everyone was talking about the flakes.

Fast forward to my years in college in Idaho. Being the Florida girl I am, I was pretty amazed at the snow....ALL the snow (which was A LOT!!!). My friends, most of which were from Idaho and Utah, use to tease me about some of my comments. They were grateful, though, to have a friend that was very naive about winter. I had one of them say to me that I made her appreciate the beauty of the snow more.

Essential Oils

My daughter and her husband have been trying something new...essential oils. I have been hearing about them for some time now.

I love the way they smell and have been very curious about them. For the past ten years, I have had a rash on my lower leg. It comes and goes, and switches legs. I have it more than I don't, and it REALLY itches.............BADLY!!!!

I tried Tea Tree Oil because according to therabreath.com....
"Tea Tree Oil Uses
Tea tree leaves were originally used for healing skin ailments, scrapes, insect bites, skin spots, cuts, infections, and burns by crushing the leaves and applying them to the area in need. Tea tree oil has been used for conditions such as acne, athlete's foot, dandruff, nail fungus, vaginitis, thrush, periodontal disease, boils, lice, eczema, psoriasis, yeast infections, and as a general antiseptic. It is also used often in creams, ointments, soaps, lotions, and shampoos. "
It really did'nt work for me, though. 

This rash is really odd. It comes in December, and usually leaves 
around May or June when I go to Florida to visit with my family. I 
have often wondered it maybe it was the humidity and salt air that
helped in the healing. 

My daughter and her husband were here for Christmas, and they 
brought all their essential oils. Boy do they smell good! I spoke to
them about it and they answered a lot of my questions. Not only
are the essential oils good for rashes, they are also good for your
general health. 

As I further investigate these oils, I would like to hear from any of 
you that have used them. Do you have any good stories, or bad...I'd
like to know both sides of the story.


Friday, December 28, 2012

The First Snow

Typically, I am not a fan of snow. Except for that first snow. Something about it brings out the child in me.
I think maybe it is more that I am not a fan of the cold. I have said many times, I wish it could snow and still be warm....80 degrees would be fine.
But that won't happen.
So, I guess I either have to live in a warm area where they see little to no snow....
or live someplace where the climate changes and you get the snow... along with the cold.
You have admit, it is pretty.
And fun to play in.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

I would like to take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I love this time of year, even though I am a warm weather gal, I love the Christmas season. I love the time with friends and family. I especially love remembering my Savior Jesus Christ.
Even with all the hustle and bustle of the season I like to remember the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Sure, I love to put up the Christmas decorations, buy gifts, go to all the parties, etc, but I really try to focus on what it is really all about.
It is my prayer that we all try to do the same, and especially try to continue it through out the entire year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!!!

Friday, December 21, 2012

New Orleans, Louisiana

A few months ago I mentioned that we were planning a trip to New Orleans. I had asked for some suggestions as to what to do. We didn't want to spend much if anything at all. Our trip has now come and gone and this is what we did.
Since my daughter and her husband only live about an hour or so away, we first went to her stretching class and got all stretched out. It was a great class. We rushed home to get ready, and then we were on our way.
As we got into NOLA, we passed what might possibly be where my son in law will go to Physical Therapy school in a couple of years. This is one of several places they are looking at.
 Anyway....we drove right to the French Quarters and met an old friend we use to go to church with in Monroe, LA. She met us at the Gumbo Shop. We all had a really nice time eating good food and visiting.
After a very filling and calorie filled lunch, we decided to walk around. Of course I took loads of pictures. I love the architecture down there.
We went in a few stores
 and shopped around. These were cool, I took a picture, thinking maybe someone could make these. The only thing I bought was a tie and a Christmas ornament, my daughter bought a gift. 
We roamed around Jackson Square a little looking at all the people. If you like to people watch, this is the perfect place to go!
There are all kinds of strange things going on down in the French Quarter area.
There is a living statue
or two
or three.
After roaming around a little, we decided to go to Cafe Du Monde for some beignets. It was very crowded, as usual, but we finally found a place where all six of us (plus one who was coming) to sit.
Our friend's husband met us there and we filled our bellies with these wonderful tasting treats. 
After we finished our beignets, we said good-bye to our friends and went back to Jackson Square to look at all the stuff the artisans were selling.
I was not allowed to take any pictures of the art work so I took pictures of other stuff.
If you look close you will notice Mardi Gras beads in the tree.
Everything was all decked out for Christmas.
Even though there was a lot of complaining about going to NOLA, I think we all had a good time. It sure beat staying home and looking at each other!
It was a gorgeous day too! Not too hot, not too cold, and the sun was out, that always makes me happy.
Well, it was getting pretty late in the day, and we had already put money in the meter once. We knew our time was running out on the meter again, so we decided to head back to the car.
On the way back, we stopped in one more shop. The Pepper Palace. Our family loves hot, spicy food, especially my dad and my youngest son. I loved the way they had the store set up. You could taste all the different salas and hot sauces.
There was one sauce that was so hot that you had to be 18 to try it. It was "the hottest sauce in the universe" or so they say.
Of course our youngest and our son in law had to try it. I think by the looks on their faces you can tell it was pretty hot. After trying it, the clerk gave them a sticker and took their picture. As we were leaving the store, two other young men decided to try the sauce. Later on we saw them walking down the street with that look of "my mouth is on fire" on their faces.
We finally found our car and were headed back home, or at least to my daughter and son in laws home. 
And, yes, I took more pictures. 
I would never want to live in NOLA, and I know a lot of people have bad things to say about the place. I never thought I wanted to go there either.
It's a very unique place. Yes, there are a lot of bad things that go on there, but you get that with any big city. I enjoyed our little adventure. We spent very little money; lunch, dessert, parking meter and a few little souvenirs was all we spent our money on, so it was a pretty cheap day (as far as tourist things go). Oh ya, gas...we did have to pay for gas to get there.
French Quarters area reminded me a lot of Nassau, Bahamas. Going to New Orleans is kinda like going to another country, yet not leaving this country. So if you ever get a chance, go for it, visit New Orleans.





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Ghostly....

We just got back from a very long trip....just over 3,000 miles! I had a great time visiting with friends and family, but I am sure glad to be back home.

While I was gone I took A LOT of pictures. One of the the challenges I had last week for our photography club was GHOSTLY.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do. First off, since we were headed to New Orleans, I wanted to go to one of the cemeteries and take some photographs...
and I did! I think they are pretty cool. Since New Orleans is about seven feet BELOW sea level, they have to bury their dead ABOVE ground.
I had an idea of what I wanted to do, so I took several pictures

 of the cemetery
and then I took some pictures of people being....
ghostly.... 

Since I have a very low end editing program, my idea did not work. I am hoping to get a better one for Christmas.
Well, anyway, this is what I came up with. 
Then I tried this out.
This one actually has a bit of ghostly to it and I didn't even edit it.

Which one do you like?