Florida

Me on the beach in Fort Lauderdale - full moon!

Although I am back in more northerly climes it's humid and warm here today - so not much of an adjustment from Florida.

Around the hotel were lots of flora, in particular the heady scent of night blooming jasmine. Intoxicating.


We started out in Orlando, where hubby had a business conference. I enjoyed walking around the area - there's a shopping mall nearby called The Pointe and taking in the famous "duck march" at the Peabody Hotel. It happens every day at 11 a.m. - the ducks spend the day in the fountain - I did takes pictures but they are kind of a blur..because it happens so fast!

After leaving the Rosen Centre - which connects to a big conference centre - it is enormous! We headed for the coast - stopping to check out the famous Coco Beach - of "I Dream of Jeannie" fame - yes there is even a lane named for the show which Barbara Eden came down to inaugurate.

This was our retro motel in Fort Pierce...there were tiny lizards running about hanging on the outside of the walls.

We checked out the downtown area which had a number of historic buildings and the visitor centre with the Manatee Viewing Area next door - alas they were shy on that morning. It was also getting to the end of their "season" - they like to come up from the ocean during the cooler months.

Our next stop was Fort Lauderdale - where we planned on dining at the famous vegan restaurant "Sublime" later..and we did. We also found a cool retro motel called the "Ocean Breeze" - lovely and spacious. We had also found a Whole Foods on our travels so were able to stock up on essentials.

We had driven down the coast admiring all the palm trees, beaches and colourful houses and condos..a good number of which were for sale....

The interior of Sublime

A divine mushroom ravioli - pasta made in house!

Mushroom Risotto and Green Beans

Rooster - perhaps escaped from Key West? More on that later...

Our waiter James was wonderful steering us to delicious selections in both food and wine. We even had Coconut Cake for dessert. The owner also came over to chat with us...nice!

 En route to the Keys we stopped in at Flamingo Gardens, filled with many lovely plants, birds and other wildlife including flamingoes..hmmm..wonder where the flamingo photos are?

Yet another beach - this one in Miami...it never gets old I can tell you. The sand on the beach here was a little "chunkier" than those further north - more sea shells.

Next installment - the Keys!

My friend Ailsa

Although spring is a long time coming these days...there was a glimpse of it in my advance copy of my dear friend Ailsa McCreary's upcoming release. It's fantastic! I'm listening as I type. Musicians such as Mark Kieswetter, Ross McIntyre, Rod West, Adrean Farrugia and singers Coleman Tinsley, Sophia Perlman and Beverly Taft are featured. Ailsa does a charming duet with Coleman on Hoagy Carmichael's "Two Sleepy People" and a sultry version of "Lulu's Back in Town" and that's just a sampling

The sound is crisp and clean but warm and inviting like a being wrapped in a cozy blanket of song.

You will have to celebrate on June 4th at the Jazz Bistro - that's the CD launch. See you there.

Congratulations Miss Ailsa!!