Splendid

grand

(using the Studio Calico So Cal kit...love.)

the glades

Yesterday we spent the day in the everglades for Father's Day.  The girls thought it would be a fun outing with their dad to do the whole airboat thing and see an alligator show. We've lived in south Florida for a year now and haven't ever been on an airboat or seen an alligator show, so it sounded like a good thing for dear ol' dad. The everglades are huge, and as beautiful as it is, it is also very dangerous. 

The weather was beautiful, not as hot as it usually is in June, and the captain of our airboat gave us a great tour of the beautiful everglades. We saw 3 alligators and many different species of wildlife. He explained about the exotic vegetation that grows there (most of it is dangerous), the insects that live there (most of them are dangerous) and to never put any body parts over the edge of the boat or in the water (also extremely dangerous). The alligator show was interesting, although it's not a career I'd fancy,it was pretty cool. The show on Animal Planet Gator Boys is shot there and our gator show entertainer J-Mart is on the show. We held a small baby alligator, and while it used my hand as a diaper, the little gator dude was pretty neat, too.  It's crazy to think all of this is literally in our backyard, like our house was the everglades at one day long ago. We often have gators found in residential areas, and it's not strange to hear about people finding gators in the small lakes behind their homes or even in their swimming pools. One thing is for sure, the everglades are beautiful, mysterious, and for sure someplace you do not want to get lost. (or run out of hand santizer). 

follow your dreams

I love this Studio Calico kit So Cal.  I think it has a great color combo and some fun elements. I like it. 

remember, go back

I found these pictures the other day from when we were in Bodega Bay, California.  I don't know why, if it was because it was our big summer break from Mexico or what, but I love this summer's pictures.  We came back to the States for like 5 weeks and 12 of those days were spent seaside camping in my parent's RV.  It was a great summer full of really wonderful memories, so when I look back at these pictures, it makes me feel sorta sad and wistful. Life here in Florida has been good, but not like these days in these photos. I want to go back. 

Luckily we're going to California and Lake Tahoe for 3 weeks this summer.  2 weeks at my parents, 1 week in San Francisco and then Bear and I have a week in Monaco and Nice, France! Hopefully make some new, lovely memories!

( btw, I used the Studio Calico So Cal kit.)

my girl.

I got the new Studio Calico So Cal kit last week and made this yesterday.  This picture is from our week seaside camping last year in Bodega Bay, Cali. I loved this picture of big sister between some huge rocks on the beach.  This picture mirrors her personality, too, sorta deep, thoughtful, sensitive, sometimes dark and stormy. (especially in these tween years), yikes...

 

bon iver, bon.

We went to see the Bon Iver concert last night at the Fillmore Jackie Gleason theatre, omg.  I have no words, so better than better.  I was blown away.  He's already one of my favorite performers, but it seriously made me smile from ear to ear. Just beautiful, magical, seriously. 

The Jackie Gleason theatre was so cool, too.  I love the art deco style of that part of Miami Beach/South Beach, and this retro theatre was so lovely. Bon Iver played many of his more popular songs, and some less popular, but each was amazing. His fluent, elastic lyrics are weaved so beautifully with all the different instruments. 

 

I am tired, by the time we got out of there, through the traffic and construction and the 14 miles home it was midnight.  Then I had to help Bear pack for his trip to Argentina this morning at 5:00 am and I had to did the last Book Exchange room this morning at 7:00 at my youngest's school. The night before the girls and I went to The Lion King in downtown Miami, too, thank god it's summer vacation starting tomorrow!

Do you have any summer vacation plans?