Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Florida Break

Phew! Hello everyone.

I thought I would be back yesterday but life conspired to take me to the grocery store, the laundry room, the post office, Jack's school...

We just returned from Spring Break in Florida visiting my father for Easter. This year my sister, brother-in-law and niece joined us for the weekend which was a wonderful change of pace...


Even though there are some routines that are consistent in our yearly visit, I almost always seem to be inspired by something new.


This time I think my head must have still been stuck on trees and wood...because when I looked at my pictures, I noticed that wood kept showing up...


And this osprey nest was down by the beach...I loved how it was perched out in the crook of that weathered tree...It has such great lines...


I tried to get a pic of the osprey when he was there but again, I didn't have the camera at the right moment. It's a shame too because there were lots of fish being brought to the babies in that nest.

I did love the close up of this giant nest...


I noticed that the palette of so many of my pictures this trip matched the palette of my January Reflections piece. Isn't it funny how our filters work that way.

Our walk through the mangroves to get to the beach provided us with lots to look at...


And this Golden-silk orb weaver (or banana spider) kept showing up everywhere I looked. Don't worry, they're harmless...


I think I have to stitch him. You can't quite see it in this pic, but his abdomen is gold and tends to sparkle in the sun.

I've come home inspired and needing to hit the ground running, as is so often the case after being away.

But it's the shells...


The shells that Jimmy searches for every single day...


That's because he knows that there's no predicting what the waves will wash ashore...it's best just to show up everyday to see. This year, we noticed how the inches of shells tinkled as the surf tossed them in the changing tide.

And so it's the shells that will be the focus of my next crazy quilt journal project.

I hope to piece the block today and share the beginning with you next time.

I'll be around as soon as I can to see what you've been up to while I've been gone.

Happy Spring everyone!

22 comments:

bubbygigi said...

Hi Sue,welcome home! It looks like you and your family had a great Spring Break. I can't wait to see your next block. I spent the week in North Jersey with my grandchildren, son and daughter-inlaw and had lots of fun, did some knitting and dreamed about what I'm going to do next.
Happy stitching. Gita

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a great break, and you're returning inspired - what could be better?

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Some things never change. I remember you talking about the Shell Search when I first met you.

Your Dad looks great. Glad you got to visit.

I look forward to seeing your perception on shells in QC. I'm sure it will be one that no one else has ever thought of.
xx, Carol

Linda H said...

Welcome Home Susan! I've missed you! What a great family shot you got- color-coordinated and all!! Such a handsome bunch!
You got some great shots, as always. Can't wait to see your shell-inspired piece...

Nana said...

Wonderful pictures and I am honest: they inspire me alot. I am always looking for good motives to make a quilt out of it or search for great quilting patterns.... great pics.

Nana

Wendy said...

Welcome back from your trip! Love the pics of the wood and that nest is just awesome! Your family photo was just wonderful, how nice to be able to spend time with family like that.

MeganH said...

Your hair has gotten long! :-)
Looking forward muchly to seeing the spider, and a project inspired by the shells....

Createology said...

Spring Break in Florida with Family sounds wonderful. Your photos show a lot of inspirations. I am certain your creative wheels are spinning...

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a nice picture of your family and it looks and sounds like you had a great time, and came home inspired.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

FlowerLady

Suztats said...

Glad you had a nice time away. I'm looking forward to see what you come up with next! Happy stitching.

Judy S. said...

Welcome home, Susan! What a great looking family you have. Aren't those ospreys messy nest builders? I'd love to see them carrying all that stuff to those heights. Can't wait to see what you create with your shells......

Gerry Krueger said...

Oh my goodness how tall Jack has gotten... the men look so GREAT in ties... Men in ties and women in hats.... Love the nest shot..we have magpies building nests now and they are messy builders of large nests and enter their nests from the bottom side... Ger

Lisa said...

Looks like you all had a great time! Happy Blogoversary btw!

Cari said...

My personal favorite....the pic of your wonderful family. Perfection....perfection !!

WandarArt.Stitch said...

Hi Susan,
At last you are, already missed very much, I think the other person too.
sure you have lots of wonderful impressions, rested and yet look at the world differently.
I will now probably rather watch your Latest inspirations from many fields, it is very nice, the tree is beautiful, has something in himself,
greetings :)))

Karen said...

I didn't realize how much I look forward to reading and looking at your blog-until you take an e-break!

I loved the family picture-was everyone wearing your Mom's favorite color by accident or on purpose?

Welcome home from Florida.

allie aller said...

I especially love the picture of your husband walking along the edge of the surf....sounds like you had a great trip and welcome home. ;-)

Ingrid Mida said...

Dear Susan,
I love your family vacation posts. I can just feel the love in your photos. And you have such a wonderful eye for detail in the world around you. I cannot wait to see what you will come up with next.
Best wishes!

Miriam said...

A wonderful family photograph.

I used to love collecting shells from the beach. There don't seem to be anywhere near as many shells on our beaches nowadays.

Happy Spring Susan!

Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful family picture!!! So glad that you had such a nice visit ! Love your wonderful pictures. the shells dangling off the tree branches is so cool!! But that shell beach makes me swoon!!!! Sanibel island is on my bucket list- I would be absorbed for hours and would definitely have to be covered with sun protection from head to toe but I would be in collectors heaven!!!

Catherine said...

Fabulous pictures as always! Love the one of the shells caught in the piece of wood/tree. Did you all color coordinate your clothes on purpose, or did it just happen? It's a beautiful portrait! Looking forward to the next journey you will be taking us on!

coral-seas said...

Looks like you have had a lovely time. Great pics as usual. I especially like the family portraite which aslo seems to match the colours of your January Reflections and has a good splash of Grammy Aqua.

I love the sound of a shell or shingle beach as the waves shuffle through it.

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