North Jetty Park, in Nokomis Florida

The North Jetty Park is located on the south end of Casey Key (where Stephen King lives). When you drive on the key it takes you straight into Nokomis Beach. Turn south to the end of the key and it brings you to the north jetty. This is where the have Bill's Beer run the Sunday before Halloween. It's a fundraiser for the Manasota Track Club this year was their 21st year.

You can park here and go right to the beach. Or keep going to the jettys, where you'll run into this.

The jettys attract a lot of fishermen, they have a bait shop, and area to sit and get some snacks.

We used to come here more often than just once a year for the run. When Wade worked at the jet ski shop in Venice this was a great place to take the jet skis.

The boat ramp here is on the inter coastal and you can go into Roberts Bay, Donna Bay and out to the Gulf Of Mexico from here. Often you'll see dolphins and manatees in the area.

A nice place to boat down the intercoastal.

Going out on the jetty looking back at the fish camp.

The South Jetty is in Venice.

Looking out on the beach. They have a playground up by the parking lot, where they have a pavilion and picnic area and restrooms.

The lifeguard stand look quite different from Siesta Beach.

Near the wet sand area and near the rocks of the jettys they have a lot of shells. This beach actually has some stones, we don't see that in Sarasota.

Last week when we were here we saw two manatees just in the gulf on the north side of the jettys. Then they swam into the channel toward the bays. Right down the middle of the channel with boats going out to the gulf, no wonder they get hit you sure can't see them when they are swimming. Wade said that we should of giving the manatee in the water sign, what? Okay so you hold your hands above your head to make a big circle (like the A in the YMCA song) just no point on the top.

The Gulf beaches are always interesting and fun for us to see. We enjoy them all times of the day and all year long. It's even fun to go when it's windy and the surf is up!

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few Christmas things!

Just a few things I had to get done today. It was in the 80s this weekend which isn't exactly Christmas weather, but I'm enjoying it while I can because we are going north for Christmas. Maranda saw snow once when she was 2 years old (we have it on video). So she wanted to see snow. It will be nice because she'll get to be with our family on Christmas. We usually spend it with my aunt and uncle when they are in town, but more often than not they are visiting their kids. We have been spending it with our friends whose family is in South Africa. We have a blended Christmas, and we have a lot of fun. Well to get in the spirit we had to add some snow at out house.

We aren't decorating much since we won't be here...

I made these ornaments for my breakfast kids that eat with me at the "good manners" table. I thought they were fitting since I work in the clinic and they're made of tongue depressors.

I wanted to show you a few things that I have from my grandmother's tree. This angel topper is really old and things just don't hold up that well in Florida. We don't put it on our tree anymore, it's so delicate and falling apart. I have some other ornaments from her tree. Some old glass ornaments, one that she made out of a hollowed out egg. Some icicles and much more.

I have some candle holders from my grandma as well. I found these salt and pepper shakers that are a perfect match for them on Ebay. They are Holt Howard dated 1950. I am looking for some vintage table clothes to go with the theme.

This was the ornament that I got from our book clubs first ornament exchange. I was lucky getting this flamingo, I love it. Now we rarely end up with the one we open. Jeanne thinks up all these cleaver games for us, I don't know how she does it.

This was at our book clubs Christmas book club ornament exchange. I should of taken a photo of the one I got this year. It's nice because there is always someone that is eyeing for the one I brought. Tracey ended up with it and she said she always likes the one I bring. Oops didn't take a pic of it before I went.

It was Ann's and my turn to bring food. The host provides the drinks.

Here is Jeanne explaining what we have to do in this game. We have to wear the hat and oven mitts and unwrap the present and open the card that are in it along the way and do what the cards say. All the others are in a circle throwing a dice and when someone rolls a 4 that person switches places. I didn't throw a 4 for the longest time until the end. Hee,hee I ended up with this tiny jewelry size box. I got the oven mitts too.
Last but not least I made this cranberry bread from Kristy's blog at My Little Space she made it with blueberries, but I had some cranberries I wanted to use. I think it has cooled off enough. I have to go try it. See you later, gotta go! Watching Fa la la la Christmas on Lifetime!

Wordless Wednesday

Shell Crafts

These are my shell angels that I make every year. The smaller ones are the shells that I've found on the beach. I have different size pearl beads that I use depending on the shell size.

And a better addition to my new sea urchin "jelly fish". I still have to make more sea urchin "snowmen". I have enough shells, I better start glittering!

I usually have on my tree some sand dollars that we found and decorated too, they are packed away right now.

I also made some night lights. I have one in my kitchen with a sand dollar on it.

Here is a sea urchin shell that I bought at The Green Turtle. It's a different variety, a lot larger shells than the ones I found. The natural opening is large enough to put the bulb in through.

I originally got this shell to make a candle out of. These we can find at our beach at times.

A large scallop shell, usually have do dive for them.
A blogger friend said I should take more photos of Tucker. Well, I have plenty, but didn't want to post too many. I took this the other day just for Phyrra! This is his "do you have anything for me?" look, "are you sure? I'm just sitting here watching"

Why I don't do Christmas card photos...

My older sister was married way before I was. My younger sister got married probably five or six years before me (not really sure) but for years ahead of me they were able to send photos as cards or with their Christmas cards, they were adorable! My cousins and friends also did this, and one cousin's wife, well and others would write the yearly update letter. It's amazing how accomplished their family was and how active their kids were. Of course they had the flair to put it down so cleverly in words, and copied on such festive paper. Well intimidating as this was, by the time I was married and had one child I thought it would be a nice thing to do. Now I have experience in photography, took a lot of photos throughout the years. I had my 35mm that I controlled all the settings...shutter speed, aperture, film speed etc... piece of cake!
This is the cards that I bought to put the photo in. (I actually had to cut the wrapper open today to scan it!) So just to give you an idea! If anyone wants them I'll send them to you, never been used.
Aren't they just the cutest? This was 1987. I think there were some earlier ones, this is what I found.

Oh, another one in 1988...and she had three kids to line up! She sent these for years, even with them all grown. Can't wait to see this years with Ryan married and with a baby of his own.

My little sisters girls. Now I see you don't always have to have a Christmas theme if you get an adorable photo during the year and remember where it is. Even on a beach on Lake Michigan will turn out great!

But the in front of the Christmas tree ones, you can't beat it! She also sent these through the years. The girls are older here so that should be a snap, but look how nice the dog is sitting!

So with all this in mind, but the first Christmas she was 1 month old, and I haven't a clue what I did. The next year, a great picture...

but a little late!

Okay, lets decorate the chair in Christmas fabric next to the tree...perfect!

again, oops, again!

Okay, this year lets try one outside with the dog. Again Christmas decorations for that special touch. Oh, she forgot to smile, hey Tucker, over here!

Tucker, look, oops, too late you moved.

Oh good they're both looking at the camera, well... I got most of her face!

Next year back inside. Yes, nice one!

There you go, nice smile! nice pose! (may I remind you I only have one child)

Uh, no! Get some shoes on, and pick up your mess!

Okay it's getting easier, now that she's getting older.

It's easier, but I still didn't take the pictures in time to get them in the cards. We didn't have a digital camera, where you can check then take some more. That's what we end up doing for Maranda's annual front porch birthday picture! Take some pics, run in check on the computer, run back out get camera on tripod (Wade's really not good at taking photos at all). We ran in and out, on the tripod, off the tripod I think four times before we were satisfied with a photo to put in her album. Next year I'll post all those photos, from 1 year old to 16!

I do have tons of photos of her just being herself. When I took them I was so frustrated that she always had a funny look this way or that. Now going through them to scan her old pictures, they are all adorable. It really shows her personality. My dad always says the best photos are the natural ones, not the one where they are sitting, posing, smiling for the camera, but aren't those the ones you always get in the Christmas cards? Except from me!

So I leave you with a photo my dad took of us three girls and two of our cousins as we are watching The Wizard of Oz.

Happy Christmas card writing! I better get started.