Farmers Market

The Farmers Market at Humiston Park in Vero Beach is a Saturday morning tradition here. As the season progresses there are more vendors, but even now there are plenty of veggies, fruit, fresh citrus juices, meat, fish, flowers, etc. to make the visit interesting.

Here's Nikki in her robin's egg blue ensemble checking out the first vendor.

Lots of fruit and veggies. This is usually the most popular and congested stand.

This is the stand of our favorite citrus market -- Countryside Market. Best orange juice I have ever had, and their tangelo juice is even better!

A little bluegrass music to lift the spirits.

Nana Tootsie's Jelly.......

A late breakfast......

...and the best artisan bread in town!

Smoke From a Distant Fire

Due to a lack of big storms and hurricanes last summer it is dry here in Indian River County, very dry. In spite of more than a half inch of rain last Friday we still have a rainfall deficit of almost 14". Earlier this month there were several brush, swamp, and forest fires just north of us in Brevard County. Due to a north wind we experienced a couple of smoky days, although the sunsets were quite pretty.

Thanksgiving with the Bottsmiths

Nikki and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Brian, Kelly, Henry, Charlie, and Peggy (Kelly's Mom).

Games were played...

Turkey was cooked (Kelly's turkey was about the best we've ever enjoyed!)....



and our family dinner was enjoyed by all!

Dinner with Rebecca and Will

Just before Christmas we had dinner with Rebecca Upham (former Head of The Ellis School) and her hubby, Will Viner, and Will's dad and stepmom at Orchid Island Club. It was a holiday treat to spend some time with Rebecca and Will after so many years and a special treat to get to know the Viners. Their house is on a tributary of the Indian River and their spectacular terrace looks across the water to a mangrove forest. Mr. Viner calls it the "back porch."

Local Critters

South Florida is filled with an array of wonderful wildlife, often just outside your door (we hope).

This pair of Sand Hill Cranes made themselves at home in our front yard.


This little frog found his way, somehow, on to the vacuum hose in our pool.


This bald eagle and his mate live about a half mile south of us.


Somewhat rare White Pelicans gather on the nearby Indian River.

It was really cold this day on the lake behind our house and it looks like these guys are just trying to stay warm. So were we, for that matter.

The Norths Come East

Nikki's cousin Marty Snowdon North and her hubby Mike came for a visit on their way from San Francisco to Boca Grande. They were our first overnight guests in the guest room which had just recently been magically transformed from its earlier status as Main Storage Room. We had a great time touring the sights of Vero Beach and dining at the Ocean Grill with its stunning view and equally stunning interior decor -- eclectic in the extreme! Please see http://www.ocean-grill.com/Favorite-Photos.html. for some pics of the place.