A perfect Vacation.

We just got back from vacation. This was our third trip to Sanibel, FL and we've grown to enjoy it more and more each visit. This was truly the perfect vacation for us. We love the beach and it's still too cool here in the Mid-Atlantic so we left the cool Virginia spring weather......


...and flew to the beautiful sunny, warm Gulf coast of Florida.



Just give this gal a chair and an umbrella and let her stick her toes in the sand and she's a happy camper!




This sandcastle caught my eye when I was walking on the beach Mother's Day evening.



We ate lot's of fresh seafood!


Mr. Mid-Atlantic makes THE BEST crab cakes!




A bit of bird watching.



Love the graceful palm trees.



And the palmetto's too.



A tree lined street.



We went for a ride over to Captiva on our last evening and saw the most beautiful sunset. By the time we could find a place to park and take a picture, it was almost gone....but you can see the crowd gathered to enjoy the last fleeting moments of a spectacular sunset on the beach.



I found time to read three books over the week....



....I finished up a book I had been reading by David Baldacci. Love his books! He grew up one street over from Mr. Mid-Atlantic and went to our same high school.



This was a giveaway I won from Gollum of "Designs by Gollum" right before vacation. This was a perfect beach read.



And I had pre-ordered this book by Michael Lee West (Gollum) months ago and was saving it for vacation. I know many of you got your copies this past month and have been temping me with your posts and recipes. But I didn't even unwrap it until vacation and savored and enjoyed every page.....can't wait to read her next one....wonder if it will be out before my next Sanibel vacation.



Last year I found two note cards in, of all places, the grocery store! I framed them and they were a fun reminder of vacation, so this year I was delighted to find more to add to the gallery. It will be fun to look at these and be reminded of our week at Sanibel....but all good things come to an end....sigh.


It was fun to come home to a couple of packages.....
Right before we left there was a Spring clearance sale at "The Tassle House" --- now I've drooled over those for the past year or so. I couln't resist the sale and bought three. One was for Easter, so I'll be saving that for next year. One was for a Christmas present.....and this sweet little sheep is for me! (I'll try to get a better picture soon)


Then -- package #2 was another fun giveaway! I won this several weeks ago from Miss Janice!
Don't you love the anticipation of a package in the mail?



A sweet note from the artist.




Her business card and upcoming show....



....and finally a peek at what's inside.....



.....these wonderful hand painted starfish napkins! And in a lovely shade of raspberry pink!




Thank you for this wonderful giveaway prize Miss Janice.....The timing was perfect after our perfect beach vacation!


Hope you'll all be taking a vacation that makes your heart sing soon.....I'll be looking forward to reading all about it. So what's your perfect vacation?

See ya!

More pictures of Athens

Sharing a few more pictures of our trip -- since we started out in Athens, I'll take you on our tour there. The first evening we were there we walked around after dinner and took a few pictures. Here's one of the Acropolis, I never could get a good one at night all lit up -- but it was beautiful.



I never saw a grocery store while we were there. Markets like this with fresh fruits, vegetables and wine.



The streets are very narrow. No big trucks or SUV's, lots of smart cars, little cars and scooters. And none of them particularly pay attention to lanes on the highways or stop signs! I wouldn't want to drive there.



Here we are at the "Tower of the Winds".


A view of Athens from the Acropolis.



It was quite a walk up -- if you ever go, be sure to take good walking shoes because nothing is really level (or handicapped accessible) and a good hat! Here we are at The Parthenon.



Greek columns.



This was from the Temple of Athena.


These pretty little chapels are all over Athens and the islands too.



Sunday we went to see the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier.


The band started off the parade. Notice the dog joined in! There were dogs all over Athens. The city takes care of them and feeds them. They all have on tags and they really do look well cared for.



Notice that two dogs had joined them on the return parade.



Next were the solders.



All lined up.



And the ceremony begins.



The new guards join with the outgoing guards.



And the guard has changed. Check out the shoes!



After the changing of the guard we went to the Acropolis museum. I couldn't take pictures inside, but as you were going in you could look down through plexiglass and see the excavation. The museum was great and they had a video of how everything looked when the Acropolis was built. Beautiful and amazing.



This pretty building was our view from our hotel.



Here we are at one of the outdoor cafes. Evening meals are late and very unhurried. To check out some pictures of some of our wonderful meals scroll back to my Foodie Friday post!



Here's a picture of other diners at the cafe.



Our traveling companions Tom and Marti. It was great traveling with them because Tom's been to Greece many times and knows how to get around - it really made our trip worry free!




In the summertime, because it's so hot -- lots of places close down in the afternoon. We found it to be a great time for returning to the hotel for a nap. Now that's a Greek tradition I could really get used to! As you can see... Mr. Mid-Atlantic got a head start.

Next time, I'll post some pictures of our island excursions.

See ya!

Sights of Sanibel

We just got back from a lovely week on vacation at Sanibel Island, Florida. This was our view from the condo. I spent a lot of time sitting right here enjoying the ocean breeze.


A view across the courtyard.



A look at the pool.


There were so many flowers and lush plants everywhere. I have no idea what this plant is, but I fell in love with those beautiful pink leaves.


Hibiscus were everywhere. Beautiful blooms.


I love to catch the scent of gardenia on a breeze.


This charming guy (and several other feathered friends) would talk to you from right outside the grocery store we went to at one of the shopping centers.


This was one of our favorite restaurants -- we enjoyed it twice during our stay.


Loved the Florida palms painted on their entry porch.




Our traveling companions were my husbands sister and Brother in law. We all had a wonderful, relaxing week.


Mr. Mid-Atlantic and I really enjoyed our stay. We're already talking about making plans to return next year.


One of our favorite spots of Sanibel real estate.


Sanibel lighthouse.





Sailboats at sunset.


The bridge to the island.




A walk on the beach our last morning at Sanibel. I hate to even think about the oil spill reaching these beautiful beaches.


All packed up and leaving the island to head back home.


While I was gone, I missed Sheila's party!


But even though I'm late -- I still had to snap a shot from the condo.

Well, it's back to work and reality tomorrow -- hope you enjoyed coming along.

See ya!