Friday Florida Favorites ~ From Lauderdale by the Sea!

Hello there!  I'm delighted to share some highlights from my vacation in the sunshine state of Florida!  My preference is to stay in beautiful Delray Beach, however my husband wanted to stay in a new and exciting place so we chose Lauderdale by the Sea after I read an article extolling its virtues in the Boston Globe!

Sunrises are beautiful!

Our hotel was right across from the beach where I headed every morning with the hopes of catching the sunrise.  One morning I saw a real stunning one:

The Hotel ~ Blue Seas Courtyard

We found this most charming and colorful hotel that was perfectly located.  In addition to having the beach right across the street, we could walk to the small downtown area for meals and people watching!

The Blue Seas Courtyard has 12 unique rooms that are decorated in true Mexican style.  In addition, they're a pool that we enjoyed swimming in every day:

Head here or on the pictures to read more about this cozy and colorful hotel!

The Water Taxi in Ft. Lauderdale

One day we went on the water taxi which has 10 stops as well as a connecting stop to Hollywood Beach.  You can spend the entire day getting on and off the water taxi, and Ft. Lauderdale has so much to offer from a beautiful beach to shopping to restaurants.  In addition, the water taxi driver and a tour guide offer amusing anecdotes as you cruise around the Intercoastal:

Get ready for Cinco de Mayo!

Also, check out my new blog post about books that tell about Mexico and Cinco de mayo:

In closing....

Today I'm delighted to link up with with Erika,  Narci and Andrea for:



as well as Anna Nuttall's New Bloggers Links-Up:




Make sure to head over to their link-ups to read many more fun and interesting blog posts!  

Happy Easter and/or Passover!
 

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Wednesday Hodge Podge Straight From Florida!

Happy Wednesday from the Sunshine State!  As always, I'm delighted to link-up with From This Side of the Pond for:

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.


1.  Go to Florida =



2.  Visit my Aunt who has Alzheimer's (she's at a facility in Florida) =


3.  Go to the Everglades = 

 






2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?

I find rest when I'm reading ~ here's the book I'm finishing up now:

I find rest after I've gone spinning which I did a week ago.

I especially find rest when I'm doing a crossword puzzle or a Sudoku ~ 

3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 

Sure, I like celery ~ if I'm at a party, and it's already cut up, and yes, I'd reach for it after cauliflower!

4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day.

How many of these are you currently doing? Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?


I NEVER make a to-do list or any list because I still believe that I can remember everything I need!  I do get dressed as soon as I get up and I know what I'm having for dinner.  Most importantly, I take my dog for a walk eat breakfast and make my bed which really makes me feel all set for the day!

5. Describe the view from your window.






Palm trees and sunshine!




6. Insert your own random thought here.
 







I'm so lucky to be in warm weather, and I'm hoping spring arrives at some point in Massachusetts!




Thank you for checking in today!  Do you love Florida or do you prefer another warm weather state?

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Currently ~ Marvelous March!

Happy Marvelous March!  Today I'm linking up with Anne In Residence 

and Foxy's Domestic Side for: 

 Planning

I've been planning activities for World Down Syndrome Day which is on March 21st.  This year's theme colors are blue and yellow.  In addition, on this day, you're supposed to wear mismatched socks as a way to acknowledge this special day.

Last year, my students and I wore mismatched socks and drew a pair, too:

Get more details about World Down Syndrome Day here!

Seeing ~ Spring Books!

Spring is in the bookstore, and it makes me so happy!  

I just LOVE having new books to check out ~ especially when it signifies spring ~ a season full of hope and improving weather!

Making

I made a new "Lots of Socks" activity and posted it on TPT.  Click here to check it out for free!

 Pretending = Daydreaming

I am a HUGE daydreamer!  These days I'm daydreaming that I'm sitting by a pool in warm weather, and that my legs are tanned!  Of course, it does help that my husband and I are going to Delray Beach, Florida in April!

Wearing

This is my favorite part of the post!  I just signed up for a Style and Styleability course which includes a March Style Challenge:

I love having a goal when I'm selecting my clothes for the next day.  Do you pick out your clothes the night before?  This is my routine to prevent having to think too much in the morning while I'm on auto-pilot!

As always, thank you so much for visiting today!  I appreciate you taking time to read my blog!  Have a wonderful rest of the week!

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Florida Style Five For Friday!

Hello from the Sunshine State!  I've enjoyed spending time in and around the Delray Beach area!  Now presenting:

Introducing My Aunt!

The real reason I'm here on vacation is to visit my aunt ~ my mother's sister:

I haven't seen my aunt for ages because she has Alzheimers and can no longer travel.  She is in a facility right here in Delray, and I've been visiting quite often.  She loves to jabber non-stop, and I try to pick up on one word so I can continue the "conversation."

My family and I used to come to this area during February vacation to visit my father-in-law and my aunt and uncle.  My aunt and I had a tradition of going to the Ross in Boynton Beach for a shopping spree.  I bought this hat there, and my aunt LOVES the hat!

It's such a gift and honor for me that I am having this opportunity to visit with her!

The Everglades

This is my third time visiting the Everglades, and I LOVE the whole experience:  the air boat ride, the scenery, the animals and birds:

The alligators in the alligator show include "nuisance" alligators who go into residential areas and need to be removed.  These people do not kill the alligators which is what other alligator control people do ~ these alligators get to participate in these shows.  According to the person, an alligator's brain is the size of a walnut, and "that's being generous."  In addition, the alligators eat chicken once a week.

I'm hoping to write a whole blog post about the Everglades because I'm so fascinated about this area.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

This was the number one activity to do in Delray Beach, and we had never heard of this place which is a nature preserve.  The main attraction are the wood storks ~ threatened birds that make quite a bit of noise.  They have even managed to drive out most of the herons:

If you're ever near Delray, this is an amazing place to visit!

Puttin' Around ~ Mini Golf Fun

My husband and I played two full rounds of mini golf at this fun Florida-themed course.  I just love the Florida version of snowflakes!

Crocheted Trees

I found these cool crocheted tree coverings in front of the Delray Town Hall:

Some day, when I take up crocheting, I can crochet sweater for the trees in my yard instead of granny square afghans!

Right now I'm sitting at the airport waiting for my flight back home ~ which is delayed ~ of course!  We'll hopefully be leaving at 10:01 p.m.!

Make sure to check in for more Five For Friday news here:

Have a wonderful weekend!

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