About Me

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I was motivated to start a blog by reading all the wonderful talented individual's who have blogs out there. So, I want to make this blog about everyone who reads it. My family and God always comes first in my life. I want to share my experiences and in turn, hope to get feedback and ideas from you. I love unique things, I adore anything that sparkles (not over the top though) I love decorating, cooking, gardening, photography and shopping. My number one passion is photography! To me it becomes more than a picture, it can become a piece of art, or a beautiful memory. Decorating, though I am not a professional, and don't claim to be, has been a part of my life since I was very young, and just love searching and shopping for new ideas and incorporate the old, such as Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency with contemporary. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and being of Hispanic heritage, I love cooking Mexican food, and love to share my authentic recipes. Though I live in Florida, my heart is in the desert southwest, and hope that my family and I will return there very soon…keep your fingers crossed that my prayers are answered SOON!!!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Beach at Sunrise.....

What a beautiful day this has been.  My husband and I got up at 5:45 this morning and took off for the beach to await the sunrise.  The temperature was in the mid 60's and NO humidity...couldn't have been more perfect.  We arrived to Sunset Beach, and as the sun rose, the water changed colors from dark blue to beautiful light teal and the sun was just sparkling on each wave that crashed to shore.  There were only two other people on the beach, one woman collecting shells and a man fishing.  We had the whole beach to ourselves...which is very unusual.  After about an hour, we drove off to Pass-a-Grille Beach, and as we approached the beach, we saw about 200 people walking along the shoreline...was a bit surprise, and as I approached the waters edge, I asked someone what was going on.  And they said they were spotters for the people in the water doing a 2.4 mile beach swim.  It was beautiful!!!  At the end of Pass-a-Grille beach, they were all getting out of the water, most were in their late teens and early 20's...had a ceremony of some sort at Hurricane's and having breakfast.  What an inspiration these young people are.  Though the weather couldn't have been more perfect, the waves were a bit large for so early in the morning, so they had some strong currents to swim with.  We walked down as far as we could go and went out onto the point where I got a bucket full of beautiful shells, was totally excited, and noticed the tide coming in and needed to get back to land, not much room left there...So, after about 3 hours on the beach, we headed on down Gulf Blvd. and had breakfast at the Frog Pond.  For anyone that lives in this area, knows this is one of the greatest breakfast areas in town...so good!  I will admit, after coming home, I did clean my home for about 2 hours, and totally fell asleep!  Just a great way to start this Mother's Day weekend.  Though I am totally in love with the desert southwest, living here in Florida, less than 5 minutes from the beach is truly a  blessing, and I don't ever take it for granted.

Hope everyone has a Blessed and Happy Mother's Day!!!



 left click photos to enlarge

"Living on Island Time"   Sunset Beach

St. John's Catholic Church, my daughter played a lot of soccer games here, when in middle school


The Don Cesar Hotel


Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach swimmer off to the right
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach


Gulf Blvd. St. Petersburg, Florida

Sunset Beach

Just as the sun was starting to rise


Swimmers

The spotters walking the 2.4 miles along the shoreline

Sunset Beach



Sunset Beach


Sea Bird - Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach



A little landmark here on Sunset Beach, different wouldn't you say!


Another shot of the "Villa"

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Pass-a-Grille Beach


On the point at Pass-a-Grille Beach


Pass-a-Grille Beach


Waiting for a little treat from the ocean...so cute


So Pretty...



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8 comments:

  1. ShellbelleMay 8, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    What wonderful photos of the Gulf and what a wonderful morning you shared with your hubby! I wish I had been that woman on the beach collecting seashells, our weather has been gorgeous in the mornings. I dread the day we wake up early and walked outside into the Florida oven of our summers.

    Frog Pond? Oh yea, been eating there for years and years. You're absolutely right when you say they have the best breakfast around.

    Happy Mother's Day!!!

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  2. NicolleMay 8, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Oh my word, those beach pictures are fabulous. I love them all. I love the looks of that little shack/gift shop too. How funky and fun!

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  3. JustabeachkatMay 9, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    GORGEOUS photos!!!!Sounds like your day was extra fun.

    btw...thanks so much for your visits and sweet comments. You always make me smile.

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  4. erin's art and gardensMay 10, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    how fun for me to see photos of the beach as my hubby and i will be vacationing at panama city beach, just next week!! i can not wait!

    thanks so much for leaving such a wonderful and heart felt comment about my "sparkly waters" post. it's amazing to think that just a few photos can elicit such an emotional response and conjur up childhood memories....i am so glad you stopped by today.

    erin (dreaming of the beach)

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  5. Apron SenoritaMay 16, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    You have such a wonderful blog. I'm also Hispanic and grew up on the coast. I was raised in deep south Texas by South Padre Island. I completely relate to your posts!! It was a nice visit and hope to drop by soon.

    Yoli
    Apron Senorita

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  6. erin's art and gardensMay 17, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    thanks so much for your lovely words at my bloggy today........we are heading to the beach tomorrow..yippie skippie!!
    erin
    xxoo

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  7. NicolleMay 18, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Joni, just had to come back by and say your comment about my photos really touched me. I SO feel like you, a photographer at heart. And to be honest, I don't want much more out of it. It's fun, I love it, it's a passion. I think when I get too serious about it, the happiness is gone, for me. I'm thrilled that a couple of friends have trusted me to take family photos for them. That makes me happy! :) You are such a kind person!!!! Thank you for always saying such kind, uplifting things!

    ps. Made those raspberries today with the chocolate chips. So simple, so different. LOVE THEM! They are written in my recipe book now, with your name next to them. :)

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  8. Desert DreamingMay 19, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Thank you so much everyone...I am so sorry that it has taken so long to respond to your sweet comments. I was having a lot of difficulty trying to post and/or respond for several days. I even tried from work, and that was even worse.

    Rhonda...hate to admit this, especially since I'm trying to lose some weight before summer, but we went to the Frog Pond again,last weekend..soooo good. :)

    Kat...I tried to write on your page the other day as well, and nothing. I think everything is worked out now. Thank you for the sweet comment. I'm so glad to be able to be back on here.

    Erin...you are probably enjoying the beach right now and not able to read this, but I hope you have a fabulous time, and can't wait to see some of your photos, I'm sure they will be fabulous!


    Yoli...I just love your Blog, as you said, we have a lot in common with our heritage and proud of it. I am very glad that I found you on here, and as with all these wonderful women, look forward to each post.

    God Bless you all.

    Joni

    ReplyDelete

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