Oct 18 2012

On display in Florida.


Ailsa’s travel theme, “On Display,” was still in my mind, when we went out and about yesterday. I had been busy unpacking our cases for most of the morning, trying to find space for all the ‘stuff’ we’d carted with us. One of the items, was a little Lladro fairy bell, which is the other half of a pair. I’d brought the boy pixie over the last time we came, and he’s had to wait six months to see his girlfriend again, as I only had one custom-made box to put him in. Anyway, they’re reunited at last, on display in my bedroom, so I can stop feeling guilty. 🙂

On our travels, we stopped in at ‘Whole Foods’ to get some groceries. Love this store, as everything looks so fresh and healthy.

One thing I really enjoy about being here, is that I can buy fresh berries all the time, and in nice big boxes, too. This is something I really miss when we go back to South Africa, as we don’t get many blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, and when we do, they’re in tiny little 125g packs, which are eaten in no time at all.

Outside, was a very cute pumpkin display for Halloween.

Home Depot was our next stop, to look for ideas for our kitchen revamp. A really helpful lady by the name of Jamesetta, gave us loads of literature, and arranged for someone to visit next week to discuss the design. I’m very excited about this, as it will mean all new appliances, and it will be great to have an oven that actually works. 🙂 The one that came with the house, is original, and I think the thermostat stopped functioning years ago, which makes it impossible for me to even bake one of my cheesecakes. 😦

On the way out, we went to have a look for an orchid, but although there were a myriad to choose from,

We didn’t buy one, as they were all fully in flower, and I prefer buds which will come out over time.

Also on display were these gorgeous little red cacti.

On the drive home, the sky displayed signs of imminent rain, which we had overnight, together with thunder and lightning.

One of our neighbours told us that it has rained every day since we left here in April. No wonder the grass is so green.

Today we have to drop off the rental car at Palm Beach International airport, which means that I have to follow on behind in our car. This will be my first time driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road since we arrived. Wish me luck, 🙂

To see more “on display” posts, just click here.

85 comments on “On display in Florida.”

  2. hope the driving on the @wrong@ side of the road went well! oooh pumpkin galore – are you into the whole Halloween mood, yet? And any decisions re the kitchen?

    • I’m getting quite adept at driving on the right. I just follow everyone else. 🙂 No, Halloween isn’t a big deal in my book. 🙂 The kitchen is still “up in the air,” but I’m sure we’ll make up our minds very soon. Then the fun begins, 😯

  12. I love fresh berries. We have a bluberry bush in the yard and I couldn’t imagine having to buy packets of them :(. Best of luck with the driving – how confusing to have to drive on the ‘other side’. You’re braver than me 🙂

  14. Just love the look of those berries. In SA blackberries and raspberries always seem to be too few and far between 😦

  15. Love all the displays. I expect switching driving patterns will be like getting on a bicycle after a long absence…one doesn’t forget. Good luck with the kitchen remodeling. Good old Home Depot!

  16. How brave and fearless of you. I can’t imagine switching to driving on the “wrong” side of the road. I’m sure I would have thought nothing of it some years back, but now… not so much. Wishing you luck in getting settled and I bet you’ll enjoy your kitchen remodel – though the interim can be a bit tiresome.

    • Well it went okay. Hubby says I was absolutely perfect. 🙂 I did start to wonder how long I could keep it, driving down the 98 in all the traffic, but a gal just does what she has to do…….Right? I’m so used to house renovations, that a mere new kitchen will be a breeze. 🙂

  17. I’m embarrassed and shamed by the fact that we take for granted so readily how easily we get berries here…we always try and keep strawberries,for eg,in the fridge for the kids (for some reason,I only find locally grown fresh strawberries palatable,myself),and often times they go bad before they get eaten and thrown away…good post,made me smile,and blush 😛

    • Thanks, Steve. No need to feel embarrassed at all. How were you to know that we South Africans can die for lack of blackberries and blueberries, and when they so appear, we are prepared to kill one another in the store, to get to them before they’re all gone? 😆

      • I hate to waste ANY food,knowing that SOMEwhere there’s someone hingry for what I’d be trashing,it actually sickens me to think about others being hungry (I have been in my time)…but I digress,LOL,that’s a big mood killer,especially for a lovely post 🙂

  18. I’m glad I’m on the “West” coast of Florida….you dangerous drivers need to stay on your side of the state……AND we have plenty of confused drivers here as it is, LOL!!!

  23. The berries look lovely – I miss larger punnets as well, here in southern Spain – though we do have strawberries in abundance – available in huge boxes 🙂

    I´m so glad your little Lladro lovebirds are reunited 🙂

  30. I love Whole Foods, where everything is always displayed in the most enticing manner. And love that pumpkin display, as well as the red cacti! Now that you’re in Florida, you’re going to make me really homesick!! 🙂

  31. I love the sound of those berries. I buy them every week but in 200 or 250g packs and they’re expensive here. The one good thing about driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road in the US Sylvia is there is plenty of room so a fair margin for error I found 😉 and very straightforward intersections, not the nightmarish roundabouts that our road designers come up with. You’ll have no trouble at all. 🙂

  33. Aaaaahmeeehriiicaaa!!! – Just a song I know from the movie Team America, World Police 😉
    America, land of plenty – hope you have loads of fun AD 😉

    • On the way over, I had my iPod on random, and that Neil Diamond song from “The Jazz Singer,” was playing. I used to play that tape all the time in my car when our son was little. I wonder if it had anything to do with him landing up in New York. 🙂 What with that, and the fact that we named him “Jefferson,” I think it was probably a foregone conclusion.

  35. Next time you must take the Dutch couple to Florida! They also like to travel 😉
    We had a terrible storm last night, blowing off roof tiles etc.

    • Oh dear, I hope our roof tiles are still intact. I will gradually take more of my ornaments over with me, but I don’t want to leave the Umhlanga house looking too bare. The Dutch couple really like it there, amongst all the other Dutch bells. 🙂

    • Yes, that palm tree is on a table lamp base. I also have palm trees on my bed linen, and on some cushions in the lounge. Florida is all about palms. 😆

  37. Love it! I am looking @ quotes now for my son to celebrate his 21st in Orlando, Disney World (2 Jan 2013) Seeing that you are the seasoned traveler, your advise would be greatly appreciated!

    • Hi, Zelia. What a lovely treat for your son. We did Orlando Disney about 14 years ago. There is so much to see and do there. I’m sure he’ll have a Ball. 🙂

    • Thanks, bdt. I promise that I will concentrate very hard, so that I don’t end up on the wrong side. I’ll stick to hubby’s bumper, like glue. 🙂

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