Back from Florida and Computer Crashes

Home sweet home...well I'm back from a long blog break. (My computer crashed over the holidays)  I also spent two weeks in Florida visiting my Mom prior to Christmas and was able to see my son Ryan perform in his college Christmas program.  

 He attends the Baptist College of Florida and will  graduate in May with a degree in Contemporary Worship Music.   He is singing a solo in this picture and he is a gifted songwriter and pianist.   I am so proud he has devoted his gifts and talents to serve our Lord.

   

 It was unusually cold there but I still had a great time seeing my Mom, Ryan  and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico with it's sugar white beaches I grew up with...even though it was most often from the warmth of  the car or the condo!   

 I saw no evidence of the oil slick so please don't hesitate to vacation along the gulf coast if you are considering a trip...they really still do need the business!! 

I took my Mom to enjoy some getaway time in Panama City.  We enjoyed great shopping at the Pier Park Mall across from the beautiful white sandy beach.   

 We loved the condo we stayed at right on St. Andrews Bay.  Spacious 2 bedroom units with a fully equipped kitchen.  I loved the granite counter tops and mosaic backsplash!

The units have been recently redecorated and  the coordinating fabrics of blues and greens were so pretty mixed with the textures of the furnishings.      The dining banquet was roomy and very comfortable for six or more.  

 Even though it was cold outside we enjoyed our "tropical" oasis indoors!  Mom is not as mobile as she would like to be so our unit was handicapped
accessible as well.

We loved the screened-in porch every morning as we started our day with views of the pool and tropical plants that hadn't froze quite yet!

  
We tried several restaurants and the charming exteriors of the restaurants drew us in as well

as the reviews of good food.

One of our favorites was Ernie's in the historic district of St. Andrews (adjacent to Panama City)  This historical home was converted into a restaurant.  The view of the St. Andrews Bay was beautiful and the memorabilia that lined the walls made it an interesting place to visit. 

Very nautical seaside decor. 

 

 

I love this picket fence that had dolphins carved in the fence boards...too cute!

The porch swing and Christmas decorations were so inviting as we approached the entrance.  

I absolutely loved the porch!

 (Taken at Seaside, Florida...another fun place we love to spend time)

Good to be back and hopefully my computer is armed with an even better anti-virus program!

I'll be gone again for a week with my hubbie to his home state of California to see his family and our friends.  I'll be anxious to share pictures from San Francisco, Carmel and Napa and will check out a few places that Cindy from Cindy's Romantic Home has shared with us on her blog.
 Hope you have a lovely week!
 

(Pebble Beach)