We Got POP!

Live Oak Landing
Freeport, FL
December, 15, 2013

That's right...we got pop! A burst of wonderful, much needed, rich color.

We spent endless hours discussing how, when, and with what to brighten up Belle. We love color and there is just not a lot of ways to get a pop of it in a MH.

Check this out...

Before...

 We recovered 5 cornice boards. It took all week-end, but we didn't mind. It rained all day Saturday and Sunday was windy and cold.

After

We took our time stripping the old material off paying close attention to how it was attached. Bought ourselves a staple gun and some Patriot Cherry upholstery material and had a grand time.

We love our new look! It was like so many of the projects we have tackled in the past, that by the time we figure out how to do something well enough to be reasonably efficient we are through.

 

Also this week, Joe replaced the "under the MH" fencing to keep Jack safe. We had an ugly white metal garden edging that didn't collapse easily. We found a black plastic edging that looks so much better and folds into a nice, small stack.

Now our patio looks nice and we don't worry about Jack getting out.





Have you ever had a drawer come flying open as you were driving down the road?

 Joe had to install a new drawer pull. (Ummm... I will do a much better job of checking them before we head out!) 




Wrecks found it necessary to sit close by on the sofa and  supervise his work.

That's Dover getting her nails done...we did nails this week too...all 72 of them! AND Sally got another hair cut. Yep, we let it get waaaay to long. 

 
This was her second cut in the last 2 weeks. She is one happy pup now...and oh how she sashays around the park! 

Yesterday, Millie and Barry came right on over to LOL in the pontoon boat to pick us up for a ride and picnic. The sky was blue, the sun was warm, and we had a nice relaxing time. Its always lots of laughs and a great time with Barry and Millie!

 
 

The water level in the Mitchell River was down about 2 feet.

 

The sky was beautiful...so blue, so clear.







And it cast a nice reflection on the water which is really black. 

The water was as smooth as glass.





 As we were tootling along, I just happened to spot a huge hive. Isn't nature amazing?  It was camouflaged. I'm guessing it is a hornets nest built with chewed up tree bark.

























Let the sun shine through!

 
 
 
 





Joe and I agree a ham sandwich never tasted so good as it does when you are taking a leisurely ride down the river.

This morning we had a walk on the beach. Not very many folks or birds out today.

I really wanted to go exploring around this coastal dune lake. We figured out pretty quick that to get to the lake you have to pay the day fee at Grayton State Park. 








This is the small section where the lake and ocean exchange water.

The lake water is "tea color". It sure makes for a nice photo where the two waters meet.

It's been a really good week here at Live Oak Landing.

 Oh, I almost forgot...I got a really good haircut last Wednesday. Found C'est la Vie Salon in Destin on the internet. Great shampoo and cut and at a reasonable price. Ask for Allen if you are in the area and need help. How do you find salons in your travels?

 Well, until next time...

take care and

enjoy your view!

Just Down Right Sinful!

Live Oak Landing
Freeport, FL
December 12, 2013

 

 We had a special lunch date today. We met David last year when we were here. He is an avid walker and on our morning walks, we often passed each other. He has a home and a dock right on the bay down the street from LOL. We hope to enjoy a sunset on his dock real soon! Anyway, David loves pups! We often walk with our pups...so thanks to the Tan Clan, we got to know each other and were looking forward to seeing him again. We greet him every morning when he walks by, made plans for lunch and today was the day!

Would you agree that the locals usually know the really good places to eat? Well, for Italian, La Famiglia was highly recommended. It's in Destin...about 28 miles from LOL.

The original restaurant (on Hwy 98 at 300 Harbor Blvd) ) opened 4 years ago...it has become so popular that a second location opened last year just down the street. We chose the original spot. I could have easily filled up on the warm home-made bread and dipping oil, but didn't stop there. The eggplant parmesan was scrumptious and I ate every bite. We usually skip desert but had been told about the tarimasu! Tarimasu is a real treat and this was the best ever...just down right sinful!

Well, what do you do after you have totally stuffed on a delicious lunch? David, Joe and I decided a walk at the harbor marina would be nice. Walking in the warm sunshine sure felt good and although, I don't think I walked off any calories, it was lots of fun!



David and I were waiting for Joe.

This Great Blue Heron didn't mind I was in his space at all...I just kept snapping away!















These magnificent birds can grow up to 4 feet tall. I am barely 5 feet tall, so to me that's a BIG bird! Its wing span is nearly 6 feet as an adult.







I did ask Joe if we could have one of these for when we don't want to travel on land anymore...he just laughed!

The barnacles on the dock posts were pretty neat...the barnacle larva swim along in the ocean until they are ready to "stick" around. Then they secrete a glue-like substance and attach head first. 

The Pelicans were sure enjoying the day! They obviously like the marina too.

Pelicans are fascinating. Although they are among the heaviest of flying birds, they are relatively light for their apparent bulk because of air pockets in the skeleton and beneath the skin.

Humm...if I wait long enough, maybe a fish will just plop right in!

I sure enjoyed my photo shoot with them today.

We sure had a wonderful day. No supper for us tonight.

 Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time, take care...

and enjoy your view!