Stilltsville…

some colorful history off the coast of Miami…

There stands a group of seven unique houses… on stilts in the Biscayne Bay

they happen to have a bawdy, raucous

and all out mischievous history. isn't that the best kind?

Now built on concrete pilings…these stilt homes,

some around since the thirties

have seen their share of hurricanes…

But doesn’t seem to dampen their party spirit at all!

The first one was built by“Crawfish” Walker, who had a bait-and-beer shack for passing fisherman during the prohibition era.

…and apparently made a famous crawfish chowder from crawfish caught beneath the shack!

Soon several more shacks sprung up,

some built by prominent Miami businessmen.

These little wooden structures had a colorful history of" “ boozers, gamblers and flashy women.” ha…love it

In the 1940′s the Quarterdeck opened, featuring electricity, a bar, dining room and gaming tables it was featured in Life Magazine in 1941.

Soon, other clubs on stilts with an “anything goes” atmosphere opened up –

police raids began in the 50′s to stop prostitution and illegal gambling.

In the 60′s someone grounded a 150′ yacht on the flats and named it the Bikini Club.

women in bikinis were served drinks free…live music day and night

gotta love the 60’s…no?

This bawdy little bit of history on stilts was recently saved from demolition

with the help of a group of conservationists… An agreement was reached to preserve the structures under the Stiltsville Trust

Let the party go on!

Stiltsville....learn more here

Post Title → Stilltsville…

Jewel of a garden…

There is a hidden jewel in the deep of Florida

actually Florida has more jewels than I ever thought imaginable…

Landlocked in the city of Lake Wales…

and claiming the the title of the singing tower Gardens…

Bok Tower Gardens is a veritable paradise of acres and acres of

tropical

flora and fauna.

Mixed with the sweet sounds of a bell Carillion playing throughout the day.

Built in the 1920’s by the once editor of Ladies Home Journal

It is now open to the public...

along with a beautiful span/med homestead of the era

Pinewood Estate

stunning in it’s natural beauty…and Florida vibe

old florida vibe…

I am hoping to use several of the ideas

in our casa and casita.

yes I am!

If you live in Florida…or visit…make the time

to experience Bok Tower Gardens

You will not be sorry.

True inspiration at every turn.

Anyone know where I can get a pair of

lovely swans?

Uhh…

Nevermind on that last thought.

Post Title → Jewel of a garden…

Buenaventura and Paloma do fall…

Sadly…

This is fall in our casa.

all of it.

...and yeah I name my paintings...don't you?

Yep…

Happy fall…from Florida.

sigh

Wanna see real fall? Click here

Post Title → Buenaventura and Paloma do fall…

Summer moves in with ego in Florida…

Not shy…

more like a pusher… it’s rising barometer

daring us to inhale it.

Smirking at times.

And yeah… we push back

in the beginning.

Because we think this may be the one that saunters in slowly…in our time. Not it’s.

This is the year we’ll get everything done so we can enjoy.

go ahead...laugh away.

But we can never push it back…It comes, and seeps in cracks…and warms everything

to hot. To scalding...even.

Old tired pools beckon…plead

…even beg.

Work never ends…it slows…

In the heat.

But never ends…

Tireless comrades remain faithful…

albeit hot under black fur.

even though they do have cute white sneakers.

but...Pleading all the same.

Then… evening rolls in

in pink and purple and Gray

cool colors

calming colors

healing colors

And we beckon another day.

gratefully.

"In summer, the song sings itself."

~William Carlos Williams

Post Title → Summer moves in with ego in Florida…

Stealing peace…

For just a tiny moment.

...during a morning walk on a salty beach.

Fall gently and quietly rolls in to Florida.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves
that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

An inspiring day to all.

Find more outdoor inspiration here

Post Title → Stealing peace…

Fall in Florida…well… fall in my camera…

You know how great it is when you find money in an old coat pocket?

A gift

Well as I try to…ahem…set up this new hard drive

I unloaded some pics from my trusty camera

That I didn’t really know were in there

and so I share…

And apparently…a certain 14 year old who is enjoying her music theory classes had my camera in her possession for awhile

experimenting with the lens

as did her friends

as they enjoyed their first homecoming dance…

Oy…say’s the mother

I happen to love the bruised knees…from climbing trees

but season’s change…

Fall casually and quietly sneaks it’s way into the usually bright glow

which is the Florida I know…

You learn to see and appreciate the subtleties of natures changes

I do anyway

It is certainly not the plunge of orange fringed harvest hues our northern neighbors are gifted with…

but is a gift all the same

But looking through the shots…

I find some gifts

…are better left in the camera

Just sayin’

Post Title → Fall in Florida…well… fall in my camera…

In celebration…

… of my favorite Mom’s 80th birthday this Sunday…

okay, okay ONLY Mom...but still favorite

My brother completely surprised us by flying down from NYC, and we all

headed further south to the Sundy house and Taru Gardens

in Delray Beach.

We had an amazing brunch among the tropical flora and fauna

Cool Mimosas and bloody Mary's flowed freely

Never left to get below half of a glass

After several courses of lovely delectables like smoked salmon and curried pasta...

florentine eggs benedict and Crepes bananas foster…

Mahi mahi and wood smoked pork

Oh....it just went on and on and on...

We took a break to stroll through the secret gardens

Where we stopped at the natural rock bottomed pool,

and dipped our toes in amongst the colorful small fish

dancing in the crisp water…

With Mimosas in hand we continued to wander through the acre garden…

...Back at our table for another round of tropical smogasboard...

Oy...I’m still full.

The food was spread out through many different parts of the historic Inn

Can’t think of a better place to celebrate 80 amazing years…

To many, many more….

and we’ll keep the mimosas flying!

okey dokey?

Post Title → In celebration…