In Florida, in the midst of summertime, it's a good idea to take advantage of the morning hours and the evening hours for getting out and about outdoors.
This evening was a good time to take a drive over to the bay waters to watch the sunset. Hubby and I were thinking fresh seafood sounded good for dinner so we headed to a favorite restaurant of ours in Tarpon Springs. It's about a 30 minute drive on two lane roads with lots of wide open spaces on either side of the road. We ate outside over the water and watched the dolphins swim by and the boats ride by.
Afterwards, we took some of the windy roads through old neighborhoods just to look at the houses and the area in general. There are some historic homes big and small... some on the water and some not. The evening air was clear and salty as we eased along with the top down on the car.
Even though there were clouds aplenty the colorful sunset did not disappoint tonight . It was intense on the western horizon with reflective pinks splashed in every other direction.
Sunset Beach was an appropriate stopping point to walk off a little too much dinner and breathe in the beauty as the night closed in on us.
A peaceful and restful end to our weekend. I hope you all had a great weekend, too.
Blessings, Meems
What a peaceful and scenic view you've given us. Thanks for the beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteYa'll are so like us. We are forever taking a drive somewhere with dinner in mind. I can't say that we got our top down though and very jealous you do. Such pretty views and scenery too.
ReplyDeleteoh how i wish i were there for the drive(topless)hehe, the fresh seafood, and the beautimous sunset. i'll have to keep this in mind for my next tropical visit.
ReplyDeletegood for you guys, bravo to romantic time.
What a lovely evening. You are so right about the wonderful sunset. How pleasant for you both. Special times and precious memories.
ReplyDeletemeems, wonderful photos. How delicious to top off a good meal with a drive and a walk on the beach to see a sunset! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGail
You know what I'm going to say, don't you? Yes, you've done it again. I wanna go home! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I can only say... AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We took a Sunday evening drive too. We had to wait for the evening showers to end tho, and it was muggy, suana hot - so I was ever so grateful for the a/c car. We headed up Dade City way on some back roads. It's country like the old times - fields of cows & horses, farms, etc. It does one good to get a change of scenery now & then. We had spent last Sunday on the beach in Tarpon Springs, with a gorgeous sunset to end our day too. Nothing like a Florida beach sunset to make you appreciate living here in this beautiful state. Thanks for your pictorial tour.
ReplyDeleteThat was just beautiful. I felt I was right there.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Philip
Oh my gosh Meems. These pictures are spectacular. I just love that first one especially.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever made sea grape jelly? My DB's Uncle mentioned one time that he had some once and just loved it. We stayed with them (they live in FL) so we tried our best to find some sea grape jelly to give them as a gift. We couldn't find it. Do you know if there is such a thing and where we might get it?
Pam, thank you for coming along.
ReplyDeleteAnna, You gotta eat! Even with gas prices taking a drive to eat and walk around is a fairly reasonable date!
Marmee: It is a drive that should be added to your must-do list next time... very quick and very different scenery than inland.
Beckie: Thanks... yes, special and yet not too far from home.
Gail: It is so nice to get away for an evening. The weather on the water just happened to cooperate with us that night... it isn't always the case.
Sophie: I'm so sorry! I hate it when I make you feel homesick. Maybe when it gets cooler again you can plan another get away?
Mom aka Senior Gardener: The showers were finished by the time we left around 6 in the evening... and actually it was very pleasantly cool by the water... you know there is always a breeze and it is typically a few degrees different than inland.
Philip: Thank you.
Lisa: That first photo was my favorite too... about 45 minutes before dark.
I've "heard" of sea grape jelly - never tasted it. My mom tells the story of picking them when she was a little girl (it was legal then) growing up in Miami... and making the jelly with her mom. I did a little research online for you but couldn't come up with a place to "purchase" it. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for you as I am back and forth at lots of little beach haunts as often as I can be. Maybe someone else knows??? and can give us some help on that one.
I gave the recipe for sea-grape jelly on one of your very early posts last summer. Can you retrieve that? I don't know if it is sold commercially, but I will also research to try & find out. I really don't understand why picking the grapes is illegal as they are just going to rot & fall off until the next season produces more. Not all Florida beaches have the bushes though.
ReplyDeleteMom: I retrieved that earlier post and found it on the Internet as well... I'll be glad to give it away again if anyone wants it. I think Lisa was probably desiring to purchase since she lives in Indiana and can't readily pick sea grapes... thanks a bunch for your help.
ReplyDeleteBelow is a recipe I found on a blogger's site, who stated she was a Florida native and it was handed down from her Nana to her Mom to her.
ReplyDeleteI also e-mailed Palmetto Canning Co to see if they still make it. They used to, but I didn't see it in their listed products. I'll let you know if I hear back from them.
Sea Grape Jelly
2 to 3 quarts of sea grapes
8 cups fruit juice from sea grapes
8 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup lime juice
Select ripe and partly ripe sea grapes. Wash and place in large pot, add water to not quite cover the fruit. Bring to a boil and soak until tender. Squeeze juice out by hand or strain through jelly bag, then measure juice.
To each 8 cups of juice obtained, add 8 1/2 cups sugar and 1/3 cup lime juice.
Cook to 225 degrees, which will take about 27 minutes. When it reaches the jelly stage, skim and pour into sterile jars and seal. Makes eight 1/2 pound jars.
PS - also found a site where you can purchase the plants to grow at home - didn't know about that!
If everyone could take a walk along the beach and watch the sunset each day, it would be a better world.
ReplyDeleteTop down on the car!!???
ReplyDeletep
This looks a truly stunning place - and the colours in the photos are wonderful - wish you could just step into the screen and be there!! Technology isn't that clever .... yet! Hope all's going well with you - the garden looks great! Take care Miranda
ReplyDelete