a day full of dogs

'Twas a day full of dogs. I noticed the brownish dog sitting in the window as I headed back to work from my lunch break. The sun was hitting him so nicely. Just in case the paper wanted to use it, I knocked on the door to get the dog's name. Sebastian it was. The other dog you may recognize as Bales.

P.S. I discovered a little cupcake/sweet shop/art gallery today that was muy deliciosa. It's called SweetArt. May I recommend the red velvet cupcake?

my family is coming to town

That's a lot of groceries. I can't remember the last time my back seat was FULL of grocery bags. But there's a good reason! My family is staying with me for Christmas this year. These butter cookies are one of the many family Christmas traditions we have. I've been cooking and cleaning for a week, and now I'm ready for the fun. It's time to cross my fingers that everyone can get out of their snowy airports. Happy holidays!

st. pete's christmas house

When I was in Florida two weeks ago, I visited a place called the Christmas House. I think since there is rarely a white Christmas in Florida, they overcompensate with crazy displays like this. It's been featured on the Today Show, People magazine and HGTV. Walking through it you can't comprehend the number of lights and displays. Photos don't do it justice, but maybe they'll peak your curiosity and you'll make a stop in St. Pete.

fun in the city

1) City Museum
2) Mississippi Mudd
3) Maryland House at Brennan's

ankles on fire!

I'm missing Florida's climate, but I am not missing the fire ants that simultaneously attacked me. The got my fingers, toes, legs and ankles pretty darn good. Want a good education on these creatures? Check this out. I like this excerpt:

There are more than five million Americans every year who suffer from fire ant stings. A person who gets stung by a fire ant will feel a sharp pain and intense burning similar to being burned by fire. Stepping on a mound means you will receive a lot of stings at once. Each sting will turn into an itchy blister by the next day.

florida jasmine

This dog is beautiful, so is the home she lives in. Here's to the pooch and her pals!

ode to righties

Two weekends ago an old friend from high school stopped in St. Louis for the night. Back in the days of high school she was "righty," and I was "lefty." She was always right. I was always left. As we walked to dinner, we came across a collection of All Stars downtown. I made a quick frame with my camera. She saw a better picture, climbed up onto the barricade and made another. Then we noticed the shoes were all righties. Guess it was her shot to get. ;-)

bales turns 2

Turns out that my old birthday hat works for dogs too! And she liked her birthday gift ;-)

birds of a feather

Fly, fly away.

citrus

My friends in Venice have citrus trees in their backyard. Grapefruits, Fuzzy Navels, Valencias and tangerines. What luck.

a venice glimpse

1) Cougarwear for sale in downtown Venice. Arrr!
2) Quincy the King rides at the bow of the old Boston Whaler.
3) This is an interesting place. It sells perfume, make up, pie and wine. Hmmm ... identity crisis?

fly away