Spring In Central Florida

Spring brings with it a variety of different sights, sounds, and smells to central Florida. While most of the United States is still caught in winter wonderland, Florida is beginning so show signs that the groundhog might have been right about an early spring. This time of year brings many festivals, fairs, and shows. I attended just such a sight last week. It was called Pioneer Park Days located in Zolfo Springs, Florida. It is a big flea market basically with old tractors, vendors, a recreated civil army camp, and old cracker homes. Here are a few sights from that day.

(This tractor was from the antique tractor parade. It amazes me that many of this tractor still run let alone can be driven from place to place.)

(I've heard of overhauling up your truck but never your lawn mower.)

(This has to be the world's oldest lawn mower.)

These next set of pictures, I thought my sister, Audrey might like or anyone who sews. They are all old sewing machines.

This next picture gave me a good laugh.

(The sign reads WANTED: GOOD WOMAN Cook, Sew and Care for six children. Must have John Deere Tractor. Please send picture of tractor)

Another great thing about Florida in the spring time is the blossoming of the fruit trees. The fragrance from the orange trees feels the air.

(Below is the blossoms of the Anna apple tree that we just planted in our backyard.)

Spring time also means harvesting the last of the winter garden and planting the spring one.

(Strawberries)

(Tomatoes)



Crazy Weather

When you live in central Florida your wardrobe consists of shorts, swimsuits, and sandels not pants, jackets, sweaters, gloves, and scarfs which is what we have needed for about the last week. We have had temperatures in the mid-20s at night this week and they are saying we could even see a little bit of snow this weekend. SNOW, didn't I leave that out west??? It hasn't snowed in Florida since the late 1970s. My sister, brother-in-law, and niece are flying in from Utah tomorrow they must have sent the weather on ahead of them. HAHAHA.



This picture is currently what it looks like outside in the "Sunshine State." Not so sunny is it. There really isn't anything left green unless its the top of a tree or it was covered up by something, as in this picture.
Normally, this pasture is lush and green but not anymore.

Christmas 2009

This Christmas has been one of the best ones I have ever had not just because of all the cool gifts I received but because of all the family time. This Christmas season started on Wednesday, December 23rd, going to my Papa and Granny Murphy's home. We had finger foods, a short program to help us remember the real reason for the season, opened gifts and played board games. We stayed there so late and really enjoyed spending time with cousins, grandparents, siblings and parents.
Thursday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) I went to my Grandpa and Grandma Brownell's home. We had our traditional potato soup or chicken noodle soup and open gifts then enjoyed all the snacks that my grandma made for us.
Today, Friday, December 25th Christmas Day my siblings and I opened our stockings; which is what we can't wait to open. We then opened the gifts from each other and then from Santa. We skyped with our brother-in-law, sister and niece to watch my niece open presents on her very first Christmas. We then had our traditional Christmas breakfast. The only bummer to this day was the weather which was very humid and muggy. Can't wait for next year.

Lexi's First Horseback Ride

Lexi loved riding the horse so much she almost refused to be taken off.

Lexi's New Toys

It has been about a month since my sister, Audrey and my niece, Lexi visited us in Florida. When they were here last time Lexi was just starting to learn how to crawl. She has changed so much in one short month. The first night she was here she found some new toys to play with and on. Trying to climb up the stairs out of the living room has become a new game for Lexi. She hasn't been able to get up them which is good, but she does love to pull up and slap the tile to create her own music.

Lexi is so smart. I bought her this block set and she figured out how to pull the lid off so quickly. She loves crawling around the living room with the blocks.

She also thinks the her diapers are a fun thing to play with.

Pioneer Day Celebration

Every year the Sebring Ward plans a pioneer celebration at Highlands Hammock State Park. I have never attended this celebration before but I decided that I would give it a try this year. Some years the children dress up like pioneers and pull and push handcarts but this year the theme seemed to be food. Each person seemed to bring more than one dish. I made baked beans. The adults spent the morning catching up on each other's lives and discussing children, politics, and the economy. Children spent their time playing on the playground equipment, making paper airplanes, tug-a-war, and playing in a pool of bubbles.

I Spy Crimson

I Spy Crimson is a two-year gelding that my grandparents own. When Crimson was a colt I halter broke him and taught him how to lead. He was just broke to ride, so my mom has been working with him every morning. He is doing really well. I can't wait til I get to ride him.