A Promise

"...So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see it could be a scent - perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.

~

"Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away."

~

Anonymous, "The Teacher"

Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Low temps and high winds have had islanders scurrying for extra blankets, coats and scarves. We're not used to these three-dog nights. (For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the number of dogs it takes to keep you warm at night when the temperature plummets!)

Winds have been gusting 20 - 25 mph out of the north for the past couple of days. They've whipped Santa Rosa Sound into a froth of white caps and flatten waves on the Gulf of Mexico.

This weekend will be full of Mardi Gras parades and events, so keep your fingers crossed that the winds die down and the temperature rises.

Mark your calendars:

February 16: Krewe Of Lafitte Mardi Gras Parade and Ball (8:00 p.m. - Downtown Pensacola)

February 17: Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade (2:00 p.m. - Downtown Pensacola)

February 18: Krewe of Wrecks Parade (2:00 p.m. on Pensacola Beach -- but please note that the main road will be closed down for the parade from 1 p.m. until approximately 5 p.m.)

February 19: Red Beans and Rice at Casino Beach! (Noon on Pensacola Beach)

Balance

"Nature, like a loving mother, is ever trying to keep land and sea, mountain and valley, each in its place, to hush the angry winds and waves, balance the extremes of heat and cold, of rain and drought, that peace, harmony and beauty may reign supreme. "

~~ Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 - 1902)

Dune Sunflowers

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."

~~ Helen Keller

Pensacola Beach Kritter Krawl 2007

The 9th annual Kritter Krawl was held at Casino Beach on Saturday, February 10. If you didn't attend, this is a taste of what you missed!


"Dude! Is that a monkey on your back?"



"Oh yeah. That's definitely a monkey."


"People let me tell you 'bout my best friend.
He's a one boy cuddly toy,
My up, my down, my pride and joy"

~~ Harry Nilsson


You can't mess with perfection.


"These beads weigh more than me!"



"Don't make me come out dressed like this, mom! I'm a manly dawg!"



Purple reigns, Purple reigns. {{{apologies to the artist formerly known as the artist formerly know as Prince}}}



Wow! That noble Scottish profile ought to be on a dollar bill or something!


"Ahoy, matey! Shouldn't that be a parrot you're carrying?"


A father and son reunion.


"Yeah, all I have to do is take off the collar and put on my shamrock hat. Then I'm ready for St. Paddy's Day!"


"My future's so bright, I have to wear shades..."



"Mom, can we please go home now and herd the cows?"


Wow, it's a rare Mer-dog sighting!



Bunny de Baltazar!


"Darn, ma! I thought you said it was a Christmas Party!"


"I go for the understated look, a simple strand of beads, nothing flashy."


Do you know how hard it is to get a good shot of a black dog on a white beach when it's Hula dancing?


Hey, the Pom Prom Princesses from Barktoberfest are in attendance! They're always true fashionistas!


The Bench Warmer!

!
"You....my brown-eyed girl."
~~ Van Morrison

Krewe of Kids 2007

"Shiver your timbers, lady!"


"Is it time to throw beads yet?"


A patriotic pirate!


Happiness is...


Never too young for Mardi Gras on the beach!


Little Wisp'er



"Capt'n, you know that bird just parrots everything you say!"


All boa'd up and places to go!



Looking back...this pirate will have lots of good memories


Sandals, tennis shoes or boots! Everything works at the beach, especially during Mardi Gras! I loved these little fashionistas!

Baby's first Krewe of Kid's parade! (Don't worry, mom was keeping a close eye on those beads.)

Handing out beads to toss during the parade.

Let the parade begin!

"Mmmmmm....I love mini moon pies! Wait! You mean I have to throw them?"

Wow! Good throw!

Untangling.

Fun in the sun!

Krewe of Kids 15th annual parade

Countin' beads.

What a great day. What a great view. What a great event.

Good crowd.

WEAR-TV in attendance to capture the festivities!

Paradise -- 50 % - 70% off

Venus in Paradise, that is. Sale continues until sunset tomorrow! Now if only I could diet from size 8 to size 6 in 24 hours.


If I stopped smiling all the time, would I look this cool? Whether in dead of winter, spring break, or sultry summer, these girls never break a sweat and ALWAYS make me smile!


Ooooooh, cute sandals!


One of the fun parts of living on the east end of the island is driving past Venus in Paradise every day. This is a tiny, unique boutique with the cutest, current styles. The buyer travels to Los Angeles to shop and then brings her fashionista-finds home to Paradise.



Stylin' on the island!



Gearin' (Boa'd) up for Mardi Gras!