ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Terry and I love scenic tourist trains.  A few years ago while in Sedona, Arizona we rented the entire caboose of the Verde Canyon RR just for us!

Beautiful leather swivel chairs for viewing. A buffet lunch just for us.

Private viewing outside the train.

Stunning scenary!

Train route

Me, being silly.  I wanted to buy the pillow as a memory but it was not for sale!

The day we took the trip was my birthday. One I will never forget.

While our "adventures" when I retire Aug 27 (Terry's birthday) will be a lot more low key than this fantastic trip, they will be none the less "romantic dreams come true" cause God gave me my best friend and hubby almost 16 years ago.  I am so excited to finally be able to retire and enjoy our life together.

Have a wonderful, blessed weekend.

Lynn

Our "PINK SAND CASTLE" ON THE BEACH

St. Pete Beach has it's own "Pink Sand Castle" and what a castle it is.

Want a closer look?

The "Don's" history is as colorful as its exterior.  Inspired by the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki Beach, Thomas Rowe built the property in 1928.

In it's heyday such notables as F Scott Fitzgerald and Al Capone frequented the "Don".

During WWII it became a convalescent center for airmen, then later,  housed VA offices and then stood neglected for years until 1973 when it was reclaimed as a hotel.  In 1994 it was fully renovated to its former glory.

It is the only property on St Pete Beach designated as a National Historic Landmark.

It really is flamingo pink. It's bell towers and trim, painted white, look like "white icing" on a strawberry cake.

If you want to see better photos you can go to the website here.

What interesting or unusual sites do you have in your area?

We are off to our grandson's third birthday party.

Have a wonderful, blessed weekend.

Lynn

Not Your Blazing Florida Sunset, But Still Beautiful

Saturday, hubby and I were off to the beach for a few hours before sunset.

Love the colors in this imperfect shell.

Always enjoy watching people feed the birds.

At first, it appeared as if we would have a very tropical sunset.

 

See the clouds moving in?

 

See how cloudy the horizon has become?

Clouds have moved in, but still so serene and beautiful.

We are so lucky to live so close to such natural beauty.

Peeked out just a little before it set!

Beautiful sunset sky.

Almost gone.

Bye sun.

Bye beach!

Tomorrow I will show you our "Pink Castle" on the beach and  our birds.

Have a beautiful blessed day.

Lynn

Have You Ever Stayed In A Caboose?

My husband loves trains. We found this Caboose "room" in Jackson, TN

It is located with Casey Jones Museum.

We had been there before, but never realized the caboose had sleeping quarters.

So next time we were in Jackson, we made sure we have a reservation to stay the night.

It had tv, small fridge and microwave and the daybed.

Along with the regular bed.

But the neatest aspect for my husband was........

The train's cupola. The crew set in elevated seats to inspect the train from this perch.

Me, relaxing on the daybed with my all time favorite quilt.

As we were leaving the next morning, another couple walked by and graciously offered to take our picture!

You can tell by our smiles that we have such a great time together and loved staying in the caboose.

Have you stayed in a Caboose?

Where was it?

Did you enjoy it?

Do you love trains?

Dreaming of our retirement journey and finding more Cabooses.

Have a blessed day!

Lynn

Happy Birthday Kellie!

This was my grandmother's bathtub as a child.

 Each on of her grandchildren and great grandchildren played in it during the warm summer months. Kellie about 18 months.

This was her 3rd birthday. We had just moved from New York State to Florida. Loved that dress on her.

My little Brownie!

Kellie also 3 with her beloved greatgrandmother. This was another favorite outfit.

Kellie at 4 riding her bike, Manassas Va

All decked out for winter in New York State, last year we lived up North. My parents bought both my girls

their winter coats that year.

Marching along in Oakland Park, FL

High School graduation, International Baccalaureate diploma

St. Pete High, St Pete Florida

College graduation from UF in Florida

We had a beautiful photo of her getting her Masters from USF with her daughter and husband

but could not locate for this post.

Kellie recevied her Masters in 2005,  passed the CPA exam the first time and in May 2007 had her second child, George ("Georgie" to me).

In Oct 2007 she opened her own accounting office.

Taking her daughter, Kaylee Lynn home to meet her beloved grandmother.

Her beautiful wedding day 2003

On my side bar you can see Kellie with both her precious children.

Kellie, I am so proud of you, all you are, all you do

but in the end you will always be my little girl.

How quickly you have grown, my child

All gone, the days when you were small.

How quickly time has flown, my child

Summner, Winter, Spring and Fall.

If we could just return, my child

To days you sat upon my knee....

Oh, how my heart does yearn, my child

Your dimpled smile again to see.

But you are now a wife and mom,

No longer mine to cuddle tight.

You have a different life, my child

Love them, but keep me in your sight.

It may not always show, my child.

The love I hold so deep within,

But know that it is always there,

Will always be,

                                              has always been.    

So while this is late due to having to work overtime today,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLIE

I LOVE YOU

MOM

Good Friday and Easter

Sunrise Easter Service We Hope To Attend Again This Year

Watching the sun come up behind the Cross and thinking of that first Easter

when HE had Risen!

May this Good Friday and Easter bring blessings to you and yours.

Love,

Lynn

Special note: Thank you all for praying for my friend Anita on her heart surgery this past Wednesday. As of tonight I have not heard from her family yet.  I am a bit concerned. Will update this post when I know more. Please keep her in your prayers.  I know her family thanks you.