Flagler Beach

On our way home from Eufala, Country Boy and I met up with our friends Mama Shutta'Bug and Medic Man at Flagler Beach.  We stayed at the lovely White Orchid Inn & Spa for two nights enjoying the sun, sand and surf!

I woke up early one morning, partly from sleeping on another strange bed and partly because I wanted to take some pictures of the sunrise.  I was about thirty minutes early so I had time to find a good location and swat many mosquitoes.  I also realized that I needed my tripod, that was still locked in the truck.  So, I went back to our room, woke Country Boy up to ask where the truck keys were, then managed to set off the truck alarm.  Twice.  Thankfully, I don't think it woke anyone up since Country Boy said he never heard it go off.  Whew!  I mean it wasn't even 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning... oops!

The mosquitoes finally disappeared, my camera was on my tripod and I had a front row seat to one of God's magnificent splendors!

God is quite the artist!  It was so peaceful and relaxing!  I stayed out for quite awhile longer since breakfast wasn't served until 8:30.  Here are some other shots of the beach that morning...

While I was taking this photo, a couple driving by stopped to tell me that a fishing boat had run ashore during the night.  They thought I might be interested in taking some photos.  The other end of the beach was still hazy but I could barely see an outline of a boat at the shoreline.  I started to head that way thinking it was maybe only a mile down the beach.  The further I walked, I realized that it was quite a ways down the beach and I probably wouldn't make it back in time for breakfast!  And coffee *smile & laugh*!  (I laugh because I drink decaf!!!)  So, I turned around and headed back to the Inn.  Country Boy was still asleep so I climbed back into bed with a book and read until it was time to go eat!

Photo credit: cfnews13

Apparently, the captain fell asleep and the boat ran aground early Sunday morning.  The boat was floated out Sunday afternoon during high tide.  Thankfully, there were no injuries or damages to the boat or beach.

Next up will be photos and stories about our day on the beach (after breakfast and coffee!).  Funny story about me and coffee.  I never drank the stuff until I got married.  I'm a hopeless romantic and I always thought it would be lovely to sit on the porch in the mornings with my hubby and have a cup of coffee.  Well, in order to do that, I had to drink coffee!  I tried drinking some of his coffee but he likes it really strong.  Ew, nothing like learning to like coffee when it was strong and dark!  So, he started adding anything he could find in the house to make it taste better!  Stuff like chocolate and marshmallows and lots of milk.  None of it helped except the milk.  We eventually got a 4 cup coffee pot so that I could make my own coffee... much weaker than his!  I gradually decreased the ratio of milk to coffee and now I'm drinking it black.  Yea, go figure!  I do enjoy my coffee now and especially iced coffee on a hot summer afternoon but I still can't drink it as strong as he does!  A common question from people who visit our house for the first time is "Why do you have two coffee pots?"!!!  We laugh and then tell them this story!  Country Boy and I do have our coffee on our front porch every morning he's home!  It's one of my favorite things!

I hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

Till next time,

Eufala, Alabama II

The house we stayed in was situated on several hundred acres.  Country Boy and I took the four-wheeler's out one evening to check out the property.  Not too far from the house was this little fixer-upper...

I'm not sure when this was built but the foundation was built on large sections of tree trunks!  I guess there were no building codes back then!

And yes, in case you're wondering, Country Boy and I got on this porch to have a look inside!  (We love old houses and are nosy curious!)  The place has been empty for some time.  The carpet was red and there was trash everywhere.

There was also a small barn near the house...

It's in pretty rough shape!

We rode further on and came upon this lovely view...

Nice rolling hills!

We had a great time on the four-wheeler's!  Country Boy had a little TOO much fun on them one morning... he ran up on a ditch, flipped the four-wheeler and ended up landing on his head in a pile of rocks leaving a rather large indention in them *sigh*.  He hurt his wrist, had some cuts on his head and a huge bruise on the inside and back of his thigh.  We're thankful to God that he was not seriously injured because as EMT's,  he and I both know it could have been SO much worse!

My sister-in-law and I took a 3 mile walk one day on a trail that was formerly an old railway.  We walked from Alabama to Georgia.  OK, so it was just across the river but it sounds good, huh?!

I love how the roots are spilling over the brick structure!

In Alabama looking across the river into Georgia.

A few more photos from our walk downtown...

And finally, back to my favorite spot...

I hope you enjoyed a romp around Eufala, Alabama!  

Till next time,

Back From Vacation

Country Boy and I arrived home yesterday evening after a week of hanging out with his family in a cabin in Eufala, Alabama for the week and then ending it with a couple of days at the beach with our friends Mama Shutta'Bug and her husband and Country Boy's working partner, Medic Man.  We spent the rest of the evening unpacking, showering and nursing our sun-burned bodies and then were in bed by 8:30!  I guess our vacation wore us out!

We left Sunday afternoon, stuffed and miserable, after a wonderful Homecoming service and potluck at church! Great service, great music and great food!  It's about a six hour trip from our place to Eufala so we were arriving in the early evening.  The clouds were gorgeous!

Country Boy did some hunting, fishing, four-wheelin', movie watching, game playing and just relaxing!  

I spent my time visiting with family, reading, taking pictures, cross-stitching and relaxing on the front porch with a tall glass of iced coffee enjoying the beauty of the hibiscus! 

My sister-in-law and I went to town one day and walked around.  There are many grand homes on the main street.

Shorter Mansion completed in 1906 after a renovation project of a one story home originally built in 1884.

Russell-Kellogg 1905, constructed of stucco with pebbles and wood.  The style is Neoclassical Revival.  (I love the wrap-around porch and the balcony on top!  What a great place to view a parade!)

I don't have the history on this house but it is one of my personal favorites!  I could see myself living in a house like this on lots of acreage in the country!

The following house had been in disrepair since the first time we visited Eufala over seven years ago.

Copeland-French 1886, built by Dr. W. P. Copeland.  Three generations of the Copeland family have occupied the house.  It is an irregular three-story plan built of clapboard construction with a brick foundation. The home was the site of lavish entertaining and four daughters were married here.

There are stories about a ghost that plays with toys in the children's room in the upper tower.

It looks like the perfect haunted house to me!  I hope one day it can be restored to its former glory before it's too late.

I have a lot more to show and tell you but I'm pooping out this evening so I'll save them for another post (or two!).

I hope you all had a great week!  I missed you!

Till next time,

Sneak Peak & Recipe

I thought I would show you a sneak peak of my outfit for tomorrow's Homecoming at our church.  Our pastor encouraged us to dress in the time period of the 1870's when the church was founded.  After browsing the local thrift store and not finding any suitable clothing BUT finding a perfect pattern for a quarter AND two very long days of sewing...

While I know how to do a straight stitch on a sewing machine I am no seamstress, that's for sure!  Thankfully, my neighbor offered to help me.  Whew!  Because after looking at the pattern, it was still Greek to me!

 But, between the two of us, I do believe we managed to produce a mighty fine outfit!

Bonnet included!

My contribution to the dinner on the grounds are deviled eggs and a Chocolate Eclair Desert.  The desert is a yummy, easy recipe that I got from my sister-in-law.  I thought I would share it with you...

Chocolate Eclair Desert

2 small boxes instant French Vanilla pudding

3 cups milk

8 oz. Cool Whip

1  1/2 packages graham crackers

1 can milk chocolate frosting

Mix pudding and milk. Let thicken.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Cover 13x9 pan with graham crackers.  Pour 1/2 of pudding over crackers.  Top with another layer of graham crackers.  Pour remaining pudding on top.  Heat frosting in microwave 45 seconds or until melted.  Pour over top.  Chill over night.

That's all there is to it!  Easy peasy!

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!

Have a great weekend!

Till next time,