Christmas in Lisbon, Portugal

Ho ho ho! We were in Lisbon last December, just in time for the holiday season. I've always wanted to go to a Christmas market, so this was extra special. 

While it was very festive and fun, we were disappointed with the food. The sausages were way too salty; the seafood paella had barely any seafood in it and tasted rather bland. Plus it was ridiculously expensive!

Still we had a wonderful time exploring Lisbon and eating all the delicious food in the food courts and restaurants.

Will write more in a future post. Meantime, we wish you a very merry Christmas and the happiest holiday!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

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Goodbye Tennessee Aquarium, Hello Florida Botanical Garden!

For a couple of years, I volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium in the horticulture department. I am grateful for the wonderful experience. We decided to move back to Florida, so I bid farewell to the aquarium last fall. Watering and taking care of the plants behind the Delta Country exhibit and at the greenhouse, I learned a lot about the plants and animals - turtles, ducks, fish. I miss them and miss the lovely Chattanooga waterfront as well.

The Tennessee Aquarium on the riverfront in Chattanooga downtown

Hello Florida Botanical Garden! We love this place and visited often; I've always wanted to volunteer here when I move back.  I use to drive 20 miles to the aquarium once every two weeks, now I drive 3 miles to the garden once a week. It is a welcome change, trafficwise.

One of the reasons we chose to live in Pinellas County is its extensive park system. Hurricanes Helene and Milton did quite a bit of damage to these parks. Some are still closed. The garden, which is also part of the Pinellas County Parks, opened two weeks ago. On the day I started, they had a poinsettia delivery. The volunteers were tasked to move and situate them to their final destination. The poinsettias were absolutely beautiful. Just in time for the holidays! The holiday lights at the Florida Botanical Garden opens on Friday Nov 29 and runs until Saturday Jan 4, 2025. Click on their website link for more details.

some of the lovely poinsettias are anchored here.

Many an artist likes to draw/paint at this scenic spot

great place to sit and relax

Turtles and bird basking in the sun; there's an alligator around somewhere

we trimmed the Norah Grant Ixora so visitors have an unobstructed view of the lake

If you are in the area or on the way to the beach, plan to visit this amazing garden. You'll be glad you did.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Weekend Reflections: Beaches are open!

So happy the beaches are finally open!

These two pictures of Madeira Beach were taken on a nice summer day in July when we took a walk on the beach to see the turtle nests.

A walk on Madeira Beach in July

to see the turtle nest

This next picture was taken a few days after Hurricane Helene passed through. Not only were homes flooded, the storm surge had pushed an incredible amount of sand onto homes, hotel parking lots and over to the streets! For weeks, the county worked on shoveling, cleaning and sifting those sand before  moving them back to the beach.

All that sand sat in the beach parking lot at Madeira Beach

Last week, I was in the St Pete area, and drove along Gulf Blvd, from the southern end at Pass-A-Grille Beach to the northern end at Belleair. I was saddened to see the widespread devastation and the erosion of the area's pride and joy - the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.

map of the Pinellas County beaches

Stuff from flooded homes lined the street at Passe-A-Grille

Three weeks after the duo hurricanes, I was walking the neighborhood in Belleair and was shocked to see several boats sunken or grounded on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp. Guess what is the boat name? 

Did the captain try to run here from Hurricane Milton?

And the boat name is ... drum roll ,,,  Ain't Right. No kidding!

A couple days ago, we took a walk on Indian Rocks beach. This is one of our favorite beaches; it's closest to us and there are lots of parking spaces. Look what the hurricanes have done to it.

Part of the boardwalk to beach was blown apart

Rebuilding continues

Shorebirds are happy

Indian Rocks Beach in July.

Many beaches are opened except for Sunset Beach (Treasure Island),  Madeira Beach, and many county beaches and state parks. Click here to find out the current conditions of the gulf beaches.

The sun is shining. The beaches are being re-nourished and beautified. Businesses are re-opening. Y'all come visit!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Fall colors in Florida and Canada

October was a whirlwind. Just as residents in the Tampa Bay area were cleaning up from the horrible mess caused by Hurricane Helene, another named storm was brewing. Barely two weeks after  Helene,  Hurricane Milton, a category 3 storm, made landfall at Siesta Key, Sarasota Wednesday night (Oct 9). Many towns and cities along the gulf coast suffered yet another blow, this time with more wind damage than storm surge. Milton made it all the way east to Orlando and Daytona Beach, sparking tornadoes that devastated many small towns inland and along the Florida east coast.

We hunkered down at home in Largo, about six miles from the nearest gulf beach. Many neighbors boarded up their windows, and we followed suit. This was our first experience with a major  storm. That evening we lost power. Howling winds tore down branches from an old tree out front and blew them over to our neighbor's yard. It was frightening, but we all survived.

Thankfully the airport opened Friday as we had a flight out to Canada for a happy occasion. The wedding day was a glorious sunny fall day, with temperatures in the 50s. Located in the tranquil countryside, the wedding venue was perfect for some rest and relaxation.

Congratulations to the new couple!

Cheers from our sweet nephews! Shared on Altered Book Lover's T for Tuesday

Lovely wedding venue and beautiful skies

After the wedding we left for Banff National Park. We were looking forward to visit Jasper National Park, but deadly fires had ravaged the park this summer, and the hotel canceled our reservations. Banff was the next choice. We've been several times, just not in the fall. It was gorgeous!

Policeman Creek Trail in Canmore 

Town of Banff

Enjoyed a picnic here until it started raining

Our last visit to Lake Louise was in February seven years ago. The Chateau Lake Louise was undergoing renovations and was opened only to registered guests. Alas, no luck for high tea! The jaw-dropping beauty of Lake Louise and the majestic mountains never fail to amaze us. Every angle seemed to be a good photo op as we meandered around the lake.

Picturesque Lake Louise

Back in town, we walked around and hiked Bow River Trail. An elk was busy munching away, oblivious to bystanders.

View of Cascade Mountain from the Cascade of Time Garden

Bow River Trail

It had snowed in the mountains the night before we went to Johnston Canyon. The trail was about 1.5 miles one way to the Upper Falls, but icy and slippery in many spots. Several in our party of 12 made it all the way. The rest of us returned to the entrance, hoping to sit and warm up in a cafe. Unfortunately, most cafes in the park had already closed for the season. We drove back to Banff town to get our caffeine fix.

Hiking to the lower falls

The gateway to Banff is Calgary, so we got to see some relatives. A huge thank you to Yvonne and Trevor for arranging the get-together and treating us to a sumptuous dim sum lunch! And to our gracious hosts Stephanie and Jonathan; the sushi/sashimi dinner and birthday cake were fabulous. Sweet endings to our getaway!

We left Banff in the nick of time. It snowed the very next day. No doubt snow is beautiful, but what a mess for traveling. We know. We used to live and work in Boston many years ago.

Back in sunny Florida, the cleanup continues. The county and the garbage companies were overwhelmed by all the down trees and debris. Yesterday,  I happened to drive by some of our favorite beaches. Construction trucks and crew are still digging sand or mud from homes and parking lots, trash and debris still lining the streets in Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island and Madeira Beach. It will take some time and effort to restore America's favorite beaches.

This used to be a beautiful beach! (pink Don Cesar hotel in the distance)

Debris and flooded stuff from the home waiting to be picked up

sand blown into street and parking lots in Treasure Island, St Pete 

These two back to back monster hurricanes created so much chaos and  destruction. It is very sad. But we have hope and people are resilient. It will take some time, but the beaches will be restored and lives will return to normal soon. Y'all come visit!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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