What is the perfect thing to do in the chilly month of February? Take a vacation to the south coast of Florida of course. So we did!
As it turns out, Spring came early to our parts this year and I’m crossing my fingers that it’s here to stay.
So what did I learn in February?
I learned that the Atlantic Ocean in south Florida is not only beautiful, but WARM compared to the Pacific Ocean. I’ve never spent any real time on the Florida Coast before so it was fun getting the chance to explore.
I learned that East Coast sunsets over the water are just as beautiful as those on the West Coast. This was taken on a dinner cruise up the Intercoastal Waterway.
One day while out exploring I met this man who gave me a quick lesson on how to weave grasses into beautiful baskets. Then he offered to let me become his apprentice and eventually take over his business on the beach.
A retirement consisting of doing crafts on the beach in sunny Florida? What do you think? 🙂
On an airboat tour of the Everglades (something I’ve always wanted to do) I saw a lot of alligators and I learned that . . .
. . . if you lean out over the water and stretch your hand out to the little guy he is quick to make an about face. Eeeek!
On the tour I also learned that though the guides are fun . . .
. . . they are also a little bit crazy. That my friends, was a worm😆
Another case in point.
Yep, that’s Paul Bedard from Animal Planet’s Gator Boys. He was very accommodating as he willingly showed me the scars from his many alligator bites.
Mix & Match Tomato Bar
In February a new store, Lowes Foods, opened in our town. It’s a store with Southern roots and in my opinion is the Nordstrom of grocery stores.
Please excuse the quality of my iPhone photos. They really don’t do this Bee-U-Tee-Full store justice. Does anyone know how to forward iPhone photos and keep the quality intact?
Pick a Potato Bar
The Bread Crumb
The Sausage Link
Hmmm, is he waving at me or telling me to stop with the pictures already?
Freshest Seafood
The Cheese Shop
This is just a sampling of what this store has to offer. It also has a chocolate and coffee bar, a super fancy cake shop, a fresh pizza shop . . .
I learned that I don’t want to go there hungry😂
Since our weather has been so Springlike, last week we decided it was time to get the boat out for the first launch of the season.
We discovered this deserted island on Lake Jocassee and pulled up for an explore 🙂
Hubby found a great walking stick and Sasha was right by his side for the adventure.
Isn’t she cute when she’s begging for a swim?
And SO happy to get into the water. From warm sea waters to mountain COLD!!!
What did I learn at the lake? That I STILL love boating in the beautiful waters of South Carolina.
To end this What I Learned in February post I want to say that although my month looks picture perfect, things aren’t always so rosy in real life. In fact, life can be quite hard but:
Friends pick us up when we fall. If they can't pick us up they lie down and listen for awhile. Click To Tweet
I’m blessed to have friends like these. 😉💕
A warm welcome to the month of March and blessings to y’all!
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, Making Your Home Sing Mondays, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, SmallWonder, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, I Choose Joy, Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Oh I NEED a tomato bar at my local grocery store!
We just came home from a trip to San Diego & I am having grocery store envy. My daughter-in-law & I visited quite a few grocery stores (we love to do that when we travel!) & they were so amazing. Living in northwest Arkansas I do think we’re growing enough to sustain at least one of these posh stores. Sure wish one would move in!
May you’ll get a Lowe’s Jenny! It has it’s roots in the South and they are opening in many places. I don’t know how big your city is but ours isn’t huge. Best of luck to you!
What a wonderful vacation! Also, you are so lucky to have a new Lowe’s Food Store. Alas, their store located in our little retirement town closed. It was situated at the base of my favorite hiking mountain and only a couple of minutes from my cabin. Our ritual was to hike in the afternoon and stop in at the market for dinner items and wine. Sometimes, just for ice cream and a chat with the nice employees. How I miss that store. Enjoy yours!!!
Oh that is so sad Eliza! It is so nice to have a specialty store nearby. I feel like the prices for their “regular” items are competitive with the other stores in town. I’ll have to be careful about the fancy items though! Thanks for the comment on my post.
Your post really made me miss Southern Florida. There is no place like the gulf coast beaches – unless you’re in the Caribbean. :o) Where was the picture with the waterfall taken??
I am praying for you my sweet friend!!
Just about a perfect February, I’d say. But YIKES, that worm!
The basket weaver looked familiar. Bought one from a guy in Key West on a sister trip. My grandmother also wove with leaves and her ancestors were from the bahamas. Looks like you had a fun trip. Loved that store.
Hi, Patti, and Hi to Sasha as well!
So lovely to hear about your month!
Glad you got to experience the Florida coast. Isn’t it beautiful? My in-laws visit for a month there every year, and this is the time of year they go. I don’t think I’d stick my hand out for the alligators. ha. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing, Patti.