Green Cove Springs, Florida

When mom and I start out for a day out and about we never know where we will end up.  This morning we were heading out to an Estate Sale in Penny Farms, Florida.  We kind of got side tracked and ended up in Green Cove Springs.  I remember visiting here about 15 years ago.  The spring starts from this gated area and fills the adjacent pool.  There is a tinge of sulfur to the water. Years ago the spring was visited for its health properties.  Now I have to imagine ladies in long swim suits and men in trunks taking the waters for ailments from long ago.

The water is crystal clear and so clean you can see to the bottom of the 28ft deep hole. It doesn't photograph very well but take my word for it. I did want to hold onto the railing for some reason.

The water is a steady 78 degrees but the outside temp was 63.  For Floridians that means brrrrrr.  Hahahah.  Sorry.  Just a Maine sense of humor surfacing.   Don't worry mom, summer will be here in about ummmm.......3 months.  I would like to feel a bit of sorry here but it just ain't coming.

Hard to imagine 3000 gallons of water flowing out of that spring every minute every day of every year since it was born.  That is a lot of water.

After the water fills the pool it drains out through this fall.....

down this little creek........

and out into the St. Johns River.  The St. Johns is a northerly flowing river, like the Nile. I kept looking for Manatees, however, the water is a bit chilly and they may have migrated further south. I love the manatees. They are beautiful and graceful. Huge mammals with sweet whiskers.

Trees I miss are the cedar....

and the Live Oak with the moss swaying in the breeze.

Florida homes are unique. Oh, I love this one. Tin roof and all. Can you just imagine the sound it makes in a summer storm? How many hurricanes has this house survived?

I would bet this veranda is cool and inviting in the summertime. Sitting in a rocking chair, drinking lemonade with a palm fan in my hand. I do declare!

I don't remember this tree ever.  Mom said it was a Rain Tree. They're beautiful with pink flowers which will transform into little pink "feather duster" like flowers in a bit.

Then it was to Starbucks for a Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte.  What a way to finish an afternoon of sightseeing. Even the Starbucks here has a "Florida" look to it.

So, no, we never made it to the estate sale.  I'm sure that someone got a great find and thank heavens I don't have to figure out how to fit a dresser into my carry on luggage on the home bound trip. We have been blessed with beautiful weather and great company. Hope you are having the same.

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm and my Mom.

Florida! Mom!

Here I am in Florida again. I came down to visit my Mom for a week.  Her house is so nice, neat, manicured. No goats grazing, eating her flowers or tearing down her tree.  No goat poop on her boots here. I miss my goaties even with their bad behaviors.

Yesterday morning I heard a familiar honking overhead and these sweet Canadian geese landed. Hi guys, where you from?  They are enjoying the warm Florida sunshine.  Making themselves at home in the cul-de-sac.  Does this make them domesticated geese? Are they going to ask for cable next? 

Here there are no puddles.  All the roads are even and no pot holes like our roads in Maine. I guess those snow plows do a real job on our roads. 

No trip to Florida is complete until we make our sojourn to Penzeys Spices.  It is like a candy store for cooks.  Mom had her list in hand and was leaving me behind. I have to catch up!

Oooooo, aaaaaaaaaa.  The smell is so wonderful.  A sight to behold. I'm in heaven. I want one of everything!

One of my very favorite, Pure Vanilla Extract, Double Strength. Oh, I wish I had a smellputer so you could lift that stopper and get a whiff.  Heaven!

So this is my treasure trove that I came back with.  Their soup bases don't have MSG.  There are so many people out there with allergies to this additive that I try to always get MSG free items. Hot pepper flakes and not so hot pepper flakes, horseradish dip mix. Yum. I have to order my vanilla at the Penzey's online store because of the fluid limit when flying.  There is no way that I would throw that stuff away and TSA would try to make me. 

The baking has begun.  My mom is a wonderful cook and she has passed the love of cooking on to me.  The house smells so good.

She has also passed her love of cast iron cookware on to me. I get it honestly. It is in my DNA!

She has a few pieces that she keeps here.  They are old, some passed down to her from her family.

Oops, I think that is enough pictures for now. I know that look! I remember it well from childhood. Love ya Mom! No more pictures for now! 

We are going to an estate sale today. Now how can I get a dresser back to Maine in my suitcase?

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.