good-times-rollin

Thursday, December 12, 2013

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!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Dead Heads?

Live Oak Landing
Freeport, FL
December 8, 2013

One of the first things I did when we arrived at LOL was plant a pot of violas. I love violas! All the pretty colors sitting on our picnic table just put a smile on my face.

Today, as I was pulling off the "dead heads" ( I am not sure why I call them that!), I noticed these tiny, and I do mean teeny, tiny seed pods.

What a wonder nature is...these tiny little seeds can make such a sweet little flower.

This is Resurrection plant. The live oak trees here have this plant growing all over them.

According to what I read, it evolved long before flowering plants. During drought it becomes dry, turns brown, and rolls inward to survive.

It can remain dormant for decades looking dead! The picture below shows what it looked like when we arrived.

After a rain, it absorbs water, restores chlorophyll to its leaves, and grows rapidly. We have had lots of rain...the trees are full of this beautiful fern-like plant. Thanks Mother Nature!

We had ourselves a walk on the beach this past Friday...spent the morning walking and breathing in some salt air. Oh the sweet smell of the ocean!

Blue Mountain Beach is one of 16 beach communities in South Walton. It is the highest elevation found on Florida's Gulf Coast. Locals say early sailors christened it Blue Mountain after seeing its high sand dunes covered in Blue Lupine.