The Art of Nothing

The Sea Hag Antiques on Cortez, Florida

We went to a place that had antiques from the ocean...a great place for pictures...

Old floats...

more floats...

 

old ropes...

antique fish taxidermy...

 

Japanese glass floats...

old fishing nets...

an old pulley.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

My BFF Toni took me out to Anna Maria Island today...

The sand here on the gulf side of Florida is so white!  It almost hurts your eyes when the sun is shining on it...

We walked out onto the wharf...the water was such a beautiful blue...

We had lunch across the street from the wharf at the Waterfront Restaurant...

We had fresh stone crab claws...oh my!  The claws were so sweet and the remoulade sauce and Orzo salad was a perfect compliment.

Toni has fresh fried oysters...

I had a wonderful scallop nicoise salad.  There is nothing like fresh seafood on an island!

We drove around the beach side of the island and loved looking at all the adorable cottages...like this one called the "Wee Cottage."

There was this gorgeous house on the beach...loved the colors and all the gables...a perfect vacation house!

 

Bradenton, Florida's Hernando de Soto & Manatees

Toni and I went for a morning walk in the Hernando de Soto's park.  Toni was amazed that I had never heard of de Soto. 

 He discovered Bradenton, Florida and lead the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States.  I asked Toni if she had ever heard of Junipero Serra.  She didn't know who he was...Father Junipero Serra founded all the missions from San Diego to Monterey.  I told her deSoto is an east coast thing where Serra is a west coast thing.

There is a recreation of an Uzitan village here in the park...

There are many picture cutouts of the natives throughout the park...

It's quite creepy to be walking along the beach trail and come upon one of these cutouts...

As Toni and I were walking in the park, a park ranger drove up to us and told us there were 16 manatees close to the shore on the east side of park.

We walked over and many people where there watching the manatees  We were told that the manatees were engaged in a mating ritual.  It was very interesting seeing the manatees so close to shore.
 

Tombstone Tuesday-Glasgow, Scotland's Necropolis

In 1831, this Victorian Park in Glasgow was converted to a necropolis.

 

There are many beautiful angel statues here...

and beautiful epitaphs...

 

The Necropolis is on a hilltop above the Glasgow Cathedral...with a view of Glasgow from the top.

It was a lovely day to take a stroll...


A Solitary Angel in a graceful pose....

The Scottish have the best epitaphs!

 

 

Tampa...Lunch with my BFF's

I travelled to Tampa with the Squirrel Hunter...he was playing in a couple of tournaments. 

 

I finally got to spend some time with Bonnie and Toni...my BFF's that I have known for 20+ years.  We have travelled many miles together...raising 7 children on the TOUR.  We have seen many a zoo, museums and different countries together...oh the fun memories of those days...of kids...suitcases...airports...birthday parties and many, many adventures on TOUR!  One could write a book.  It was fun to catch up with my girlies!

Toni and I were going to spend a couple of days together to make more memories and see her family.

It was such a special day that ended with a beautiful Florida sunset!

Happy Mother's Day

My mom and me going for an adventure on the Santa Fe up to Los Angeles to visit my Auntie Rene in 1958.  So many years have pass since those days...I miss my mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Miss Rosetta...a Lovely Mermaid

Miss Rosetta

$195.00

This darling mermaid is created from a frozen charlotte doll that was unearthed from the ancient soil of Thuringia, Germany. Her tail and fins are hand fashioned from sterling silver wire and soldered to her body with silver solder.
Miss Rosetta 's dangles from a vintage rhinestone necklace enhanced with faceted ruby drops. Miss Rosetta has a beautiful vintage rhinestone earring at her waist.
To hold everything together there is my signature hand forged sterling silver “S” shaped clasp with more rhinestones.
Every element of Miss Rosetta has been antiqued and polished to a beautiful shine.
Miss Rosetta is one glitter girl that can add the sparkle element to any outfit…casual or dressy.
The necklace is 18" long and Miss Rosetta is a 2.5” drop.
This necklace can be lengthen up to 20" upon request.

Miss Rosette is now available in my Etsy Shoppe.

Baseball Has Started...Spring Must be Here!

Spring is in the air and Padre Baseball has begun...

We were there for the first pitch...

We watched the Friar root the Padres on...unfortunately it didn't work cause we lost!  The season has not started well for our young team...we are in the cellar after 30 games...10 wins and 20 loses.  The seers of baseball tells us that we will be great in 2 years!  I want them to be good NOW!  We will continue to root them on...you never know by September we could be in first place!?!

Loved being with my kiddos and hubby on opening day!

GO PADRES!!!

Pearly Layers

 

Pearly Layers
$250.00

This is a beautifully crafted necklace in gold and silver tones. It's charming and sparkly vintage gold tone links hold three layers of beautiful taupe colored freshwater pearls accented by antiqued rhinestones rondelles and spheres. The top layer of this necklace has those taupe pearls that dangle with three different sizes of rhinestone rondelles and a beautiful vintage shell carved cameo. The center layer is antiqued rhinestone spheres with another rhinestone accented pearl hanging from a gold tone chain. The final layer is more pearls with gold tone straight links and a lovely antique sterling silver cross as a centerpiece.

 All three layers hang from an old rhinestone two part buckle with links from a vintage gold bracelet and pearls and rhinestone spheres to complete the necklace.
To hold everything together there is my "signature" handcrafted sterling silver “S” shaped clasp with more antiqued rhinestones.

 

Every element of Pearly Layers has been antiqued and polished to a beautiful shine.
This necklace will look great whether you are dressed up to the nines or just a casual night out with the girls.
Pearly Layers is 18 inches long with the final layer that is 8 inches long.

Pearly Layers is now available in my Etsy Shoppe.

Slater's 50/50-Stacey's Birthday Celebration

We gathered at Slater's 50/50 in Point Loma to celebrate my sister, Stacey's birthday.  This was a new burger joint in my quest for the perfect burger in San Diego.

 
Stacey's best and life long buddies, Debbie & Ron came to celebrate...

 
Along with all the kiddos, their friends and hubbies too...

Slater's 50/50 are apparently known for their
signature 50/50 (50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon)!  I know...GROUND BACON!?!  Throw in fresh bread, 12 cheeses, 30 toppings and 20 sauces and you get to decide on the combo you want or they have specialty combos.

Stacey, her BFF's and I decided to order different burgers so we could compare.  Ron ordered the Peanut Butter & Jellousy Burger...Sterling Silver ground beef topped with a thick cut of bacon, creamy peanut butter and strawberry jelly on a honey wheat bun.  This was surprising delicious...who would think that peanut butter and jelly could go so well on a burger...my second favorite!

Debbie opted for the Fried Chicken and Pancakes...fried chicken topped with house made bacon infused country gravy, two strips of thick cut bacon, and a fried egg between three buttermilk pancakes, smothered in real maple syrup.  Unfortunately...she should have gone with a burger...you'd think with all that going on in the description there would be happiness in your mouth with every bite...but this really had no favor at all...better off to do it with waffles or better yet go to Rosco's Chicken & Waffle House in Los Angeles.  To make up for this tasteless dish...Debbie enjoyed the Mississippi Sangria...Bacardi Dragonberry Rum, pressed lemons, fresh basil and simple syrup...these were simple irresistible!

The sisters ordered two different burgers...

Stacey had the 50/50...a 50% ground beef 50% ground bacon patty topped with an egg sunny side up, avocado mash, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo served on white brioche.  While the combo was delicious...the meat patty was yummy but too rich tasting for me.

I opted for the Thanksgiving burger...a juicy ground turkey patty with stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce and sage mayo served on a honey wheat bun.  You could taste each individual element and all together it was sheer perfection and absolutely my very new favorite in the burger realm!

Everyone enjoyed their burgers...it was fun to share but get the smallest size...

cause these burgers are HUGE!  We couldn't finish!

It was birthday dessert time...we were all so full that we only ordered two desserts and shared with the whole group...everyone wanted just a bite!

We ordered the famous 50/50 Bacon Brownie...warm Ghiradelli chocolate...chopped bacon brownie served ala mode...one bite was all you needed of this rich salty bacon laced chocolate brownie!  The other dessert was Homemade Bread Pudding...banana flavored bread pudding made with brioche also served ala mode.  This was my least favorite...I really don't like graham crackers on my bread pudding and there wasn't much taste.

It was a fun birthday gathering...everyone agreed that Slater's 50/50 had great and unusual burgers...we'll be back!