A Box of Florida

This box arrived in the mail today! The fragrance in the house is heavenly.
 I always get a craving for citrus when the weather turns cold. The old Florida folk say that you need a cold snap to produce the sweetest fruit. One of my fondest childhood memories of Christmas is bundling up to go orange picking on a clear crisp December day. We'd go all the way to Lutz, which is practically in the center of town nowadays. We'd take "croaker" sacks and pick our way through the grove , then take a seat near a bonfire burning in a clearing and eat some of the oranges we'd  picked, throwing the peels into the fire. Ever since, the feeling of cool December air, the tangy scent of citrus and the sweet-smelling orange wood smoke would mean Christmas to me.
On the down side of the crisp Florida Christmas, it is almost traditional that there be a threat of freeze over the holidays. I seem o remember several Christmas dinners interrupted by all of the guests having to get up from the table, take said croaker sacks and pick the host's oranges before they froze. Good times.
Onto Christmas things. I think that this post is the closest I got to having any Christmas spirit. I've been looking at this scene for a few days now: the Christmas tree in its sarcophagus. It's annoying me with its presence, and I may just have to succumb to the season's non-negotiable social conventions.

I do happen to have a tip for you.

I don't think it will go away.

If you are like me and your enthusiasm is waning but you need to decorate anyway,
just get some centerpieces and throw them around. It's what I call "non-invasive" decorating. You don't have to do any major construction for the effect.


This looks like I might have actually decorated.

Another Florida Thanksgiving - Is There Any Other Kind?

I love Florida Thanksgiving. I might have mentioned that before.
This year's trip was abbreviated by about seven days. I didn't think it would make much difference but I was really sad to leave so soon. Usually we stay another week and Thanksgiving Saturday is spent watching the Seminoles and the Gators take a turn at going belly up for each other. Ever notice how no team seems to actually win? It always seems like one of the teams just let themselves get beat! The Gators had little chance this year against undefeated FSU. I even have some friends that are Seminoles - so congrats, Tallahassee Lassies!



I want to showcase the results of our gracious host Harley`s hobby, collecting and cultivating tropical plants. Collecting began on a small scale for Harley, who was looking for an activity to channel stress. The modest collection  grew to its present state.

Gathering after dinner at the fire pit.

 Thanks for reading!