Photo Hunt - Symbolic

Ca' d'Zan Mansion, John and Mable Ringling's mansion... Historians call Ca d'Zan "the last of the Gilded Age mansions" built in the United States. Symbolic of the Roaring 20s, the Jazz era, when America was experiencing a “consumer society".



Built in 1925 the mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy.


With its Venetian Gothic architecture, and grander overlooking Sarasota Bay, it is hard to miss.


Along with automobiles, symbolic of new America and the nation's wealth that more than double between 1920 and 1929.

.. . Ca d'Zan has finally met its destiny as the iconic symbol of the Roaring '20s

Shared with Saturday Photo Hunt - Symbolic. Check out the others who posted their photo take on "Symbolic"

Photo Hunt - Drink

This week's Saturday Photo Hunt is - Drink-

I have many "drink" photos from my The Tiny Skillet blog, some unusual, some festive, some traditional, some international. I chose this one because...well it is a pretty "drink" but also if you notice in the background my dog is getting a "drink" as well. He always did like to "drink" from the pool!

The DRINK is agua-de-flor-de-jamaica-hibiscus-tea a fun and tasty treat!

Photo Hunt ~ One ~

"One" tall palm...out front of the Ca de Zan - John Ringling's Mansion.

With summer being the off "season" here in Sarasota, it is a perfect time to visit some of the local sights. With less crowds we can get around quicker, not to mentions get into restaurants and parking spaces at the beach. Today we went to The John and Mable Ringling Museum and walked around the grounds...which are stunning. Many variety of trees , Mabel's rose garden and always a favorite the Ca de Zan mansion...where I found my subject for this weeks Photo Hunt ~ One~

Visit the Saturday Photo Hunt Facebook page to see more of the themes and other photos shared by others.

Painted - Photo Hunt - Summer's end in a beach town

This is very late for photo hunt "Painted", but here it is. Living in a beach or coastal city, many things are "painted"...

"painted" all colors and bright color, light colors...and maybe needs more paint by summer's end...

pastel colors...

...and some are constantly being painted...

Enjoying our surroundings before school starts again.

#1 Beach in the Nation - Siesta Beach

We made number one! I say we because Siesta Beach is one of the closest beaches to us, we can ride our bike there. Dr. Stephen Leatherman's or AKA Dr Beach ranking of Siesta Beach as America's top shore destination for 2011, was announced May 27th. For the last two years we were rank #2 and this year we made it to #1 Beach

...and since it is so close to us and so beautiful...I have posted many photos here on my blog.

There are many events that take place throughout the year... from the drum circle on Sundays at sunset...

...to the Kid's Summer Beach Runs, we have been going to since Maranda was 3 years old. She has a T shirt from each year she participated, a 16 this year I'm not sure if she will get one this year...we'll see...

...at least the summer kid's runs are held in the evening where it's a little cooler...

...but often it will be overcast or the afternoon storms come rolling in...it always makes it interesting.

...it is a great time family...they have the sand sculpture contest..

...of this is an amiture one just for fun, but I liked it...also see my post on the sand-snowman, and sand pig,

...it has the softest, whitest sand anywhere!



...many beach walks for charity and I even had one of my bridal showers here...

...and church picnics and baptisms are held here...

many weddings and birthdays are celebrated here...not pics of the brides though...



come visit anytime...

...there is lots of beach to see...

lots and lots...

lots of room and lots of sand...

even yoga.... get here early...

...getting ready to start the day...

we usually like to go early before the crowds arrive...

...looks like this summer we'll have to go even earlier...

...or later..

hope you enjoyed a little piece of My World

Weekend Reflections

standing alone...

...on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico...

...a few clouds on the horizon...blocking the sunset...

Just hanging around at sunset enjoying my surroundings....what could be better...


I am adding this to this weeks Weekend Reflections
and hop on over for a Relax and Surf Sunday

SkyWatch Friday

This has always been a favorite photo of how our summer storms come in from the east. The contrast between the white sand of Siesta Beach and the black clouds are startling.

This is more like the springtime in Florida, not much rain this time of year...


This is my edition of Sky Watch Friday season 4, episode 43! Check it out for more skies around the world!!