A day at the beach

I decided to take a mini-holiday on Sunday and pack up the hubs and the dog and enjoy a relaxing beach day.  Unfortunately I also missed my Sea Creature Sunday post – but I’ll make it up to you, I promise!  I love going to the beach here on the Gulf side of FL.

Gorgeous white sand, gentle lapping waves, blue skies that go on forever, and endless sunshine

The cooler full of goodies and an escapist novel don’t hurt either!

I also almost ended up with a new puppy – this guy kept sneaking away from his Dad and into our shade.  So adorable!  My puppy was more than a little jealous.

The water is still a little chilly for my Southern sensibilities (meaning colder than 25C – I’m a wuss!), so we enjoyed walking along the beach instead.  Rather than collecting seashells, I collected seashell pictures 🙂

We tried to coax Merlin into the water – but he apparently didn’t want to muss his fur

After a lovely stroll I decided to once more try and incorporate photosynthesis into my nutritional routine.  One day I really will be solar powered!

 

We stayed until Merlin was passed out on the sand and the sun faded into the horizon (of which I didn’t get a picture due to dead battery!)

It was a truly enjoyable day where I let go of all the stress of the week…..

Then I came home to find my computer keyboard partially non-functional. I have to say I wasn’t aware of how attached I am to that computer until I finally had to let the technician take it away!  Hopefully I will have it back (using  a borrowed one now) before next Wednesday. Then I will be leaving for a two week cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.  I am looking forward to sharing the experience with you all!

Midday Breakaway

The air conditioning on my floor seems to be malfunctioning.  To combat the warm, sticky inside air, the office window is opened and in rushes…warm, sticky outside air. I know. Woe is me!  Today with the warm breeze I could smell the pungency of spring and finally I couldn’t resist taking a walk around campus to literally smell the roses. And the jasmine. And daisies.

As well as this gorgeous bloomer!

I also have been bringing my new Sony a5000 camera with me wherever I go now, thanks to some great blogging advice from a pretty smart lady. FSU’s campus has some gorgeous landscaping mixed in with huge old trees. Would you like to join me on my walk?

 

This is a very smart person!

 

I love the African lilies, I’m contemplating sneaking back at night and stealing some.

Apparently this is what lured me out of the office – confederate jasmine.  I love how the flowers look like they are doing cartwheels! And they make lovely additions to palm fronds.

I’m an absolute sucker for “texture” style photos that focus on shape and shadow.

But of course, the flowers.

The best part? The magnolia blooms!  I have loved these flowers since I was 10 years old when my sister and I would hide in giant magnolia trees on my Grandparent’s front lawn.

Isn’t it just the most Southern of all flowers. I could write (really bad) peotry to those blooms!

I may not have felt any cooler after my walk, but I felt much happier with my day.  Who wouldn’t with such lovely companions?