Ready for some sun!

I realize I haven't posted at all in February.  We have had a month of grey, rainy days here on the east coast and I haven't been feeling very "beachy". 

So I'll take a few moments to step back in time to remember the years I lived in Florida and how lovely February was in the southern latitudes.  Spring arrives early in south Florida . . . and seeing all the beautiful red strawberries in the grocery stores reminds me of the fact that they are at their peak in places like Plant City or Homestead.  Most people just think of Homestead as just a "jumping off" point for the Keys, but it's also home to some great little "pick-your-own" berry farms, roadside stands, and all kinds of fresh citrus. 

The hibiscus come into full bloom with a dazzling array of colors as warm breezes start to blow through.  Talk turns to baseball as the teams report to their various spring training cities.  T-shirts and flip-flops are pulled out from the closets in anticipation of warm days on the beach and lazy afternoons at the pool.  I'm ready . . . how about you?  

"Why the Beach Makes Us Happy"

 

Why the Beach Makes Us Happy . . .

If you have a chance to pick up Coastal Living magazine’s February issue, they have an interesting story about “Why the beach makes us happy”.  You may be thinking, “well duh, of course . . . you’re on vacation, you’re off work, you’re with your family, etc.” and all that is true.  But the article also goes into some research about why the beach brings happiness, which is fairly interesting.  For instance, the color blue is shown to produce feelings of security and relaxation.  Research on acoustics finds that humans find most pleasant those sounds that have predictable wave patterns, soft volumes and harmonic frequencies at regular intervals – all characteristics of the ocean’s rhythms.  The article also looks at the importance of tactile senses (sand, salt air) and also the human ability to store memories of happy times, which also brings a sense of satisfaction. 

 It’s pretty fascinating “stuff” from one of my favorite magazines. 

 

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Thanks Santa!  You deserve a break after all that hard work last night! 

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas!

The ultimate natural decoration for me . . .

So . . .  I love tropical things, natural decorations, lemons, and wreaths . . .

This pretty much covers it all!  Next year, I'm making one like this for sure!

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

In one of my previous posts, I wrote about decorating my Christmas tree with sand dollars.  Whenever I would go to the beach in Florida, I would consider myself lucky if I found a sand dollar.

One of the most unusual specimens of marine life; the markings on the shell symbolize the Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. 

On the top side of the shell, in the very center, is a five-pointed star, representing the Star of Bethlehem.  Surrounding the Star is the Easter lily.

On the reverse side of the shell, you will recognize the outline of the Christmas Poinsettia and also the Bell.  When broken, inside the shell are five little birds called the Doves of Peace.  Some say they are the Angels that sang to the Shepherds the First Christmas Morning.
 

Central Virginia Botanical Artists' blog

I occasionally post on other blogs.  Today I have a post on the Central Virginia Botanical Artists' blog about Mark Catesby: artist, naturalist, and explorer of the southeast coast during colonial times.  A show of his work is on display at Wilton House Museum here in Richmond.

 

A link can be found here: http://centralvirginiabotanicalartists.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html