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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Monday, September 24, 2007

longboat key part 2

I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm. Author: unknown

coquina beach

i am always thrilled to see trees on the beach. as a child, growing up in florida, it was a common sight... not so much anymore.

more photos from longboat key...


"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Albert Einstein


beach morning glory


all night the thirsty beach has listening lain with patience dumb, counting the slow, said moments of her pain; now morn has come, and with the morn the punctual tide again.
author: Susan Coolidge

sea oats

i'm not a shell collector. only i couldn't help but notice shells this particular morning. there were four just like this one within ten feet of the other. i confess... i picked them up AND they came home with me. i'll give them to my mom who has quite a collection of shells from over the years.

sea grapes - a beautiful fruit

more photos from anna maria island...




a fearless poser


blue heron- this one at anna maria... are those wings of willet shorebirds in the background?



twins? remarkable creatures- brown pelicans

saturday was one of those days i'd like to duplicate again soon. only like hubby always says, "if you could duplicate it, maybe it would lose some of its special-ness."
and i always reply, "well, i'd sure like to try anyway."

15 comments:

  1. What a wonderful place! The great blue's escorts are, indeed, willets. One of the best field guides you can get is The Sibley Guide to Birds. Maybe your library has a copy you can check out (pun intended, *heheh*). Birds like the plovers look quite different in breeding plumage.

    I'm suppsed to go to the city for groceries and 'stuff' today, but you've got me longing for the beach. Reckon I couldn't talk the guys into eating whatever I can beach-comb. 8-}

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  2. okay...your camera is AWESOME! Or is it that you are becoming quite the photographer?? Great snaps...every single one. Mademe feel like I was there, almost. :o)

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  3. I can totally relate to your husband's comment about special-ness (in past experience, the second go-arounds aren't nearly as great), but I'm still willing to try. Earthshine, anyone?

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  4. sophie: maybe the guys would be okay if your beach-combing included 'fishing' but otherwise you'll probably have to go to the grocery store. :-)

    thanks for the tip on the field guide book - my first and only (so far)purchase is a book on florida birds. i figured it would be less confusing if i could narrow my guesses to species that were definite florida dwellers. it has been fun learning.

    mlm: thanks for the shout out. and i am definitely ready for another earthshine - we must keep trying.

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  5. Meems, I just saw that your blog was featured over at Susan's Central Florida Gardening blog! Congrats! You definitely deserve the recognition! WAHOOOO!!!

    Have a JESUS-filled day!

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  6. Great pictures, it reminds me of my recent vacation in Sanibel

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  7. sophie: thanks. i really do appreciate susan and her interest in florida gardening. she has so many good references and helpful links.

    rusty: thanks... i have spent many weeks at sanibel, too. it is so quaint and charming and a fabulous gulf beach.

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  8. Did you know that sea grapes can be used to make a wonderful jelly or preserve? When I was a kid, in the dark ages, my mom & aunt used to gather them from the beaches and take them home to cook and prepare for eating. Just a side thought as I was rambling through your posts, in the wee hours when I couldn't sleep.

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  9. Sea Grape Jelly

    1 quart sea grape juice
    5 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
    1 package powdered pectin
    5 cups sugar
    To prepare juice: Wash sea grapes and measure. Put in fairly large, wide pot with half as much water (1 cup water to 2 cups sea grapes). Bring to a boil. Mash often with a potato masher and continue boiling until fruit is reduced to a soft pulp (about 25 to 30 minutes). Drain through a jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth. Do not squeeze.

    Place one quart juice in a wide kettle. Turn heat high and add lemon or lime juice and pectin. Bring mixture to a rolling boil. Stir in sugar and return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. Pour hot into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 5 minutes in boiling water bath.

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  10. SG: wow! How fun that you actually shared the recipe. i had read somewhere recently about the jelly.

    i guess that's why they have signs posted asking that the public not pick the grapes.

    btw, hope you ended up getting some sleep. :-)

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  11. Great pictures of great garden. Do you mind if I link you from my blog, so others can see your beautifull garden too?

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  12. ewa: welcome all the way from Poland... so happy to have you visit. Yes, feel free to link my blog from yours. God Bless.

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  13. What I see on your pictures is free mind, peace, concentration and admiration - all this is behind your pictures.
    20 years of gardening... hmmm... I envy you in a way. I am gardening since 3 years and here is a lot to learn.
    I started blogging, because concerning my garden, I can mainly wait until trees and shrubs will grow. In the meantime weeding, watering and fertilising :) I regret that my garden is small.
    I love the way you arranged yours.
    Congratulations again.

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  14. ewa: your words are kind... thank you. i started gardening slowly because i was learning as i went along. no matter what size the garden there will always be weeding, watering and fertilizing. :-)

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  15. Very Informational Discussion. Thanks For The Great Blog Your Next Step To Success

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


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