Spring Vacation pt 1 "Flowers Galore"

By:Skeeter

I have been out of the Blogging circuit for a while now while enjoying a nice extended Spring Vacation. First we took a quick trip to Tennessee to attend a family dinner celebrating my parents 50th Anniversary. Then back to Georgia for a few days of yard work. Then off to Gulf Shores Alabama to continue with the celebration in the form of a family vacation of sorts. We stayed on the water in this beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom cabin at the State Park. This was an awesome place to stay and we felt so at home that I did not want to leave there!

We had lots of yummy seafood at some fun places such as LuLu's which is Jimmy Buffets sisters place.

My dad made a new friend while we were waiting for a boat ride. Animals seem to find us no matter where we go. I am not sure if he was looking for the free ice cream they were serving to all awaiting guest for the boat ride or he just knew a good rub when he found one as we opt out of the free ice cream due to a recent meal and full tummy's.

While on the boat ride, we spotted dolphins in the bay. They were very difficult to capture on film and this was the best I could do. Sigh, I think they have been taking lessons from butterflies where the camera is concerned. :-)

Of course we spotted lots of water fowl on the beach. I love the way these little guys scamper along the waters edge.

The weather was not so pleasant during our stay as there was lots of rain and really windy conditions. But we had fun all the same. Mom and I spent some time at the "Pottery Barn" picking out some silk flowers for me to have some future fun.

The Saint spotted an owl in a tree in the middle of the day! I was so excited that I stopped the car and ran to snap a picture of him or her.

Lighting conditions were not the greatest but you can tell it was indeed an owl. I was thrilled as I have never seen an owl such as this in the wild before and just sitting there posing for me too! He soon flew to the ground for what I assume was a meal.

We were home only a few days when I took off on my own for yet another Tennessee visit. That big old mountain was not so scary climbing alone. While home this go round, was for two reasons. One was to meet Lola in person as she was to be at a luncheon that Tina had set up. We already talked about Meeting Lola with a previous posting. While home, I was not just goofing but working a bit as well. I was making some new floral arrangements for my parents house. Remember the time mom and I spent at Pottery Barn, well now you know why.

I picked out the flowers to work with while mom picked up the tab. Ah, my kind of shopping!

I set up my work station in front of the glass house windows while dad entertained me with a marathon of cowboy movies! I love a good cowboy movie and really did enjoy the movies and working, (okay, playing) all at the same time.

I was paid for my efforts in the form of pizza and other fun meals each day. Ah, I will work for Pizza any time!

I had a lot of fun creating new arrangements for my parents and was happy to give them yet one more little anniversary gift from me.

The sun was bright giving me a wonderful working spot by the glass doors.

I even made one arrangement with my dad and our Lady Bug Game in mind. I worked off and on with the flower arranging for 3 days and believe I made around 20 items. It was fun but my fingers had little holes in them from all the wire cutting and wrapping! I drove back to Georgia with Bandages on my fingers.

Two days home were just long enough to wash laundry and tend to some garden chores then we were off to spend Easter in Virginia with the Saints family. The Saints sister gave Mom B these beautiful "Real" tulips for Easter. They looked great on the coffee table with the bunny's. A male Swan (Pete) was building a nest in their backyard. The Swan have nested here for about 4 years now if not longer. Poor Pete lost his mate last year so he has no mate but he was still busy building a nest. I felt so sorry for him as he wants a family so badly but not going to happen no matter how nice a nest he builds. There are no female Swans available on the lake for the poor lonesome guy. Sigh, Nature can be so cruel to witness at times such as this...

We took a stroll in downtown Fredericksburg and found some beautiful spring colors every where we turned!

Tulips, Daffy's and Pansies dominated the front of this house.They were so beautiful that I had to move in for a closer look. The tulips and Daffy's were long gone in my Georgia garden by this time so it was a treat to enjoy some more of the spring pretties.

Red and White Tulips surrounding a tree with a perfect green grass frame. And look how the neighbors maple tree compliments the colors so well.

The Dogwood trees were not quite open as of yet but the double cherry trees were oh so beautiful as were other fruit trees and the abundance of Redbud.

All this area is missing is a bench for me to sit a spell.

The Grape Hyacinth were so lush with color and just popped against a Green backdrop!

I know the picture was not so clear but I was captured by the beauty of these tulips.

Ah, Purple and Gold, my High School colors!

Not to be outdone by the Saints High School colors of Purple and White!

This yard was full of Purple and White and oh so pretty...

Purple, White, Pink and Yellow make for a pretty combination as well.

I like to peek over walls as you never know what you might see. Manicured Ivy happens to be this yards feature.

More beautiful color combinations.

Even the bushes creeping over the wall add to the decor.

A peek over this wall revealed a garden ready for planting with spring tulips bordering.

I was in awe of this beautiful twig planter!

This artificial wreath looked real amongst all the spring pretties in the area.

This was a beautiful canopy of trees to stroll under.

I have seen Redbud all my life,

But I have never seen Whitebud before. Have you?

The same for Lilac. I have seen the pretty pale purple,

But never this deep Purple color before. Have you?

Poor Saint had a little surprise when he walked under one of the trees. Oops, darn bird, couldn't you wait until after he walked past you? Sigh, Mom B to the rescue with tissue in pocket! He is going to get me for posting this one. Tee hee...

This was a wonderful stroll along the old city sidewalks of Fredericksburg, VA and a wonderful way to help Mom B celebrate her birthday as well as Easter weekend! We spotted some things we could not Identify but I will save those for next week with a guessing game...

I sure enjoyed SPRING VACATION part 1, In the Garden...

Stay tuned to tomorrow's post for part 2 of my extended Spring Vacation. I have a story that should be saved for Halloweeen but I cant wait that long to share my fun with you all....