Christmas in January...Oh My!

I know I have been away, and was shocked to discover just how long (since October). I started a new adventure: doing a podcast and was surprised how much time had been sucked up getting the project going. It was suppose to be so simple, 10 to 12 minute segments. how much time could it take. boy was I wrong.

Just before Christmas I decided to wander around St Augustine to take photos because there are always wonderful sights in the square during that time of the year. Somehow due to the events of the season I forgot taking them. So here I am in January discovering the photos that were so pleasant I decided to go ahead and post them anyway. As usual click each photo for a better view. 

The little podium that sits in the middle of the Square was all decked out. With just a few items they were able to transform it into the spirit of the season.

Just behind the podium was this wonderful Christmas tree that several kids stopped by to shake the presents. Despite being out in the open, it almost felt like you were in someone's living room and Santa had made an early stop.

A close up of one of the ornaments was a great treat. It sat on the podium and you can just make out the poinsettia behind it and the Christmas lights just below it. 

I ran into this flower on a side street as I wandered around the city and could not resist taking a photo. I never seem to get over my wonder coming from a cold climate that in the middle of winter in Florida flowers still bloom.

City Hall was part of the light show. It always holds good memories for me because the Lightner Museum, one of my favorite places, is in the upper levels and government offices occupy the lower section. There were several people like me waiting for the sun to go down to take photos. I was even asked to take a picture of someone with his camera. Imagine that!

But the event we were all waiting for did not disappoint. As the sun slowly went down, the entire square lit up with what seemed like a million Christmas lights that lined the trees, the street, and every inch of greenery. I never grow tired of the spectacle of it all each year. 

So you see why I couldn't bring myself to file these photos away. January, is still a great time to experience a little wonder.

Bringing in the New Year!!

I decided to bring in the New Year in of all places, St. Augustine! The City was having a "Beach Bash" and it seemed a fitting end to the year: Watching fireworks on the beach. As usual, click each photo for a better view.

A good number of people felt the same way as the St. Augustine Beach pier was packed with a well rounded group of young people out for a good time, families enjoying an evening out, and of course shutter bugs like me looking for pictures. The event did not disappoint!

There were several bands that were surprisingly good. This group played a medley of 80's tuned that filled the night and brought back warm memories.

The real surprise of the evening was this young group who were well versed in tunes from "The Doors" and "Pink Floyd". I really liked this shot of one of the band members.

Coming from Denver I am always having to make the mental recalculation of how the winter is spent. Here we are in the middle of December, waiting to bring in the New Year while watching fireworks, and a family is laying a blanket on the beach.

And now the stage is set... to let the fireworks begin! I told Alex that some of the explosions looked like stars or constellations. You be the judge.

NASA has nothing on this display. I sort of imagined myself in a space ship floating out through space, enjoying the sights.

And on to the next collection of stars that brighten up the night!

The changes in colors was magnificent and at times I shifted between being in space and somewhere deep under the ocean.

Diamonds anyone?

And finally, my favorite. It was hard to decide if this was two stars or two sea urchins. Either way it makes for a beautiful sight.

No matter how you spent the evening as we slowly walked into a new year, I wish you all the best that comes with re-setting the clock for all the hopes and possibilities you can imagine. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A House That Put It's Arms Around A Family

Another St. Augustine adventure and one with a sentimental note. I read a little about the Pena-Peck house and was surprised by my reaction seeing it in all it's glory. The house has stood through several generations, watching families come and go and reminds me of the Joyce Kilmer poem: "The House With Nobody In It"

But a house that has done what a house should do,
a house that has sheltered life,
That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife,
A house that has echoed a baby's laugh and held up his stumbling feet,
Is the saddest sight, when it's left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.

The Pena-Peck house has wrapped its arms around generations of families almost 300 years. And, it is the embodiment of the shift from Spanish to English, and back again to Spanish control for the St Augustine area.

The Pena-Peck House was constructed by order of the King of Spain in 1740 to be the residence of his royal Treasurer, Juan Esteban de Pena. The house served as the Government House for the region until the official Government House was later constructed to house the colonial governors of Florida.

During the British Period (1763-1784) the home was leased to the aristocratic Dr. John Moultrie of Charleston, South Carolina, as his town house. Moultrie later became Lt. Governor of Florida,

Spain regained Florida as a reward for helping the Americans gain their independence from Britain. In 1821, the United States purchased Florida from Spain and opened the territory to American settlers. In 1834 Dr. Seth Peck purchased the property and found the house in disrepair. He began the process of restoring it and decided to add a second level.


The guide toured us through the first floor of the house and picture taking, but photos of the second level were not permitted. This view of the front dining room though is fairly representative of the rest of the house. The Pecks were from Connecticut and used the house as their winter residence to get away from the harsh northern winters.





The Doctor was also a wealthy businessman and established an office in the lower level near the courtyard garden. I can imagine this provided a moment of quiet reflection after a busy day.

The doctor's office particularly highlights the coquina stone construction of the house and explains why it survives to this day.

As the guide explained the layout of the doctor's office and the implements on his desk. I was particularly struck by the clock sitting on top.

Dr. Peck died during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1841 and is buried in the Protestant Cemetery north of the St Augustine City Gate. The house passed through subsequent generations until the final descendant, Anna Burt- Peck, who never married and had no other relatives died in 1931 and willed it to the City of St Augustine.

As you read through the names that have occupied the residence you come away with a feeling that the house really did wrap it's arms around a number of families but now sadly stands empty.

The Sacred Acre

While neither Alex nor I am Catholic,we read a little about this historic shrine in our favorite place, St Augustine, and thought it would make for a great afternoon of picture taking.

The Nombre de Dios Mission is said to be one of the oldest churches in the new world. And, recently discovered artifacts only added to it's allure. As usual, click each photo for a better view.

You walk across the bridge above and your eyes are drawn like magnets to a cross that fills the sky, and a statue of a monk who seems to be pointing the way. It is really powerful stuff!

Alex was surprised to encounter this little shrine with what appeared to be a Russian Orthodox cross. We both tried to get a close up of the painting housed inside but the afternoon sun would not cooperate and glare prevented our taking anything meaningful.

I was fascinated by this map that detailed the Florida Missions of the first Spanish period from 1565 - 1763. It was really interesting to view the different locations throughout the State and their names from that time.

This grave site holds the remains of six nuns from the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph who came to St Augustine after the Civil War to educate freed slaves. They hold a special place near the famous chapel at the shrine.

the Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche is the fourth building on this site. Erected first in 1615, the others were destroyed by war, pirates, and storms. Construction for the present building was begun in 1915. It possesses an almost mystical quality as the stature of the Madonna seems to give off it's own gentle light. It sits in the middle of the grounds and you slowly work your way toward it.

And finally, the rustic altar which celebrated the first Catholic mass at the mission in 1565. The Diocesan priest, the fleet Chaplin, and the newly discovered Timucuan Indians who had long inhabited the area gathered around it in prayer. Looking at it now it seems so simple and yet was the beginning of all the things that were to follow.

There is more to see like the Coquina rock stations of the cross and various other religious artifacts, I simply could not include them all. So if you are ever in St Augustine and want to spend a soothing afternoon, it is well worth a visit.

Doors are the Windows of the World

Alex and I have called a truce realizing that there are no bad feeling between us, just an inability at this point to maintain a deeper relationship. That said we realized we still enjoyed going on little adventures together. And of course the most natural place to go on an adventure was... St. Augustine! We decided to get off the usual track and venture out to see what was on some of the side streets of the historic district.

Doing this I somehow fell into taking pictures of doors. Recently I attended an art show and there was a presenter who took some mysteriously engaging photos of doors from all over the world. Each one caused you to marvel at it's beauty and set you wondering what was behind each portal. Once I downloaded my pictures, I realized just how interesting doors can be. As usual, click each photo for a better view.

The first door we encountered was the Villa Zorayda which was the winter home of a millionaire built in 1883 as a replica of a wing of the Alhambra Palace in Spain. A door and entrance this ornate does make you wonder what he decided to put inside.

Next came the Bed and Breakfast door. Alex said it looked ordinary but to me it looked like a doll house. And, given the history of St. Augustine who knows how many affairs have been carried on in just such an innocent looking place?

I have to say we both debated taking this shot, but looking at it now reminds me of the French Quarter in New Orleans before the hurricane. Many houses there had/have courtyards that lead to the front door. The door is hidden away down this long courtyard.

And now to the very popular door that I call "the friendly door" to the right that Ana liked so much. I gave her a preview and she quickly free-handed a drawing that is both interesting and whimsical. It looks almost like a watercolor rather than free hand drawing.

As I told her, I like the hand in the picture because it gives a perspective that you are looking over her shoulder while she draws. So it is a drawing and a photo rolled into one! I liked it so much I have made it a permanent logo for the gallery.

And then one of my favorites. I call this door "The Secret garden" because the entrance is through this lush growth of plants and flowers. Is it a kindly old lady who lives here or a young couple who enjoys the privacy that the garden provides?

This next door was hard to place because in my mind it says "strength" and I call it "The Rough Door" Somehow this door says to me the design is to keep people out so it is strong and sturdy. But, you never know, there could be a lush garden behind it just like above... we just can't see it.

And finally, the "Palm Door". I loved this house because every board and plank is faded and weather-beaten. It shouts mystery! And then the palm on the door. Is it from Palm Sunday and just had not been taken down? Or, is it a permanent fixture, weather-beaten like the house?

A Taste of St. Augustine

My visit two weekends ago to the Flower and Garden Expo also netted me tickets to "A Taste of St Augustine." The event was suppose feature a number of offerings from restaurants in St Augustine. As usual click each photo for a better view.

I arrived at the grounds full of anticipation because there are some really wonderful restaurants in St. Augustine and there should be all kinds of delights for me to sample. I arrived later in the day and as I approached the amphitheater where the event was held, it seemed to almost float up in the distance like an oasis. All kinds of exotic smells drifted through the air and I knew I was in for a treat.

There was a great band that only added to the festive atmosphere. They played one popular tune after another and there was plenty of dancing in the aisles.

The place was packed and people were having a great time going from one great tasting booth to another.

In fact the food was so great and I learned so much that I have decided to do a series where I can talk about the different restaurants and feature pictures of the very eye pleasing food they provided.

So check back in the next few days to find out why so many people crossed the Lion Bridge for A Taste of St. Augustine...

April Flowers

I love this time of the year in Florida because everyone is gearing up to work in their yards , there are all kinds of gardening events, the sun is not yet oppressive, and the weather is perfect.

As some of you know, I love visiting St Augustine and the Annual St Augustine Flower and Garden Expo provided the perfect excuse to wander around. As usual, click each photo for a better view.

I took a wide angle shot to give an idea of the size of the area that is the St. Johns County Agricultural Center. The Center surrounds this little lake and is a great place to just walk around and enjoy all the foliage they cultivate.

I was not alone in my desire to enjoy the sun and the view. Many people arrived with little wagons to buy plants and some just wanted to get ideas for the growing season.

While there were a number of vendors, two in particular caught my eye:

First, there was the Aroma Affair soap lady (soapqueen@bellsouth.net), which had a number of decorative and heavenly smelling glycerin soaps.

and Garden Strokes, with painted windows that had the look of Italy right here in Florida!

I particularly liked this one, and thought of using this approach for French doors I want to lead out to the pergola.

And now on to the flowers... I came looking for good subjects to photograph and was rewarded with a flower design competition. There were numerous categories, but I decided to focus on the most exciting areas: multi-media (flowers and objects) and pure flower design (the entire design made out of plants).

Multi-media: Best in Show

the design on the left took first place, the one on the right second place...

and center piece here had a bit of whimsy with an Asian theme, which took third. All three look more like sculptures don't you think? I'll leave it to someone like Chrissy to come up with the names of the flowers. If you know be sure to let me know!

Plant Designs: Best in Show

These I found really magnificent. Again, you have the concept of living sculptures in that every part of the piece is made out of some form of greenery.













the design on the lower left took first place and I can understand why. It is a testament to creative design and construction. Enlarge each photo so you can see the flowers or plants that were used. I was really amazed at the creative use of both.

And there you have it... I got some wonderful pictures, bought some plants for my yard, and had a wonderful time in St Augustine... What more could anyone ask?