Friday Favorites ~ 6/7/2024

 

How can it be almost the second week of June already?  Why does Summer fly by so fast and Winter drag so long?  Maybe I'm meant to live where it is perpetually Summertime.  I think I would miss Fall too much though.  I'm just going to enjoy each day as it comes :)

We had so much happen that I missed blogging about the past two weeks as I was very busy and missed a few posts.  A few of those happenings were:

~Memorial Day and all the fun and relaxation it entailed

~Nate's graduation and party

~Laken's Summer course in POD

~Traveling to Lancaster, PA for the weekend for a soccer tournament and lots of shopping

~Prepping for some big meetings at work that I'm glad are over

~Getting a new-to-us Subaru (so happy to have another Subaru!)

~Developing tendinitis in my Achilles Tendon and getting it treated

~etc, etc, etc (for all my "King and I" fans)

I think that catches us up!  Whew!  I'm ready to slow down a bit...which brings me to...

I'm getting ready to start reading "Living Slower" by Merissa A. Alink.  If I get the time.  I used to read voraciously and now I'm lucky to get 5 books read in a year.  I guess there is a season for everything.  I do hope I can get sucked into this book though and get some ideas to "make time for what matters".

The hubby and I saw this sunflower at Lowe's and it reminded me of my mother-in-law, Carrie.  She loved sunflowers and always had them growing in her garden.  I think of her every time I see one :)

I love taking pictures of paths.  This one in particular is at Shawnee State Park.  There is something about standing back and looking forward that fills me with hope.

This picture was taken on Memorial Day, but we're hoping to fire up the grill again this weekend.  I'm also hoping that we can find some good corn-on-the-cob to go with it.

We had some pretty severe storms this week but there were also beautiful, sunny days.  This evening (Thursday as I type this) we got the best of both worlds and were treated to a faint but beautiful rainbow in the sky.  Look closely and you'll see the sign of God's Promise and the reminder that He is faithful to His children.

Hopefully, I won't let time get away from me and I'll be back with Hello Monday to let you know all about our weekend. I hope you'll stop back!

Here's to enjoying the now and documenting one day at a time :)

Thanks for stopping by :)

Colletta 

10 on the 10th ~ June 2022

Hosted by Leslie and Marsha!

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1.  Are you planning to take a vacation anytime soon?  Please share!

The hubby has the week of July 4th off of work.  We'll be staying close to home with a few day trips and camping for a few nights.

2.  Have you recently gone on vacation?  Tell us all about it!

No.  No vacations here :(

3.  What is your favorite way to travel?

I absolutely LOVE road trips.  Give me a car (or van) and a map (or GPS) and I'm good to go :)  I love that I can stop anytime, anywhere I want and see the sites!

4.  If money were no object, where would you go and why?

I've always wanted to see Ireland, Scotland and England.

5.  Who would be your favorite person (living or dead) to take on vacation?

The hubby, hands down!

6.  What do you absolutely have to pack when you go on vacation?

My meds!

7.  What are your memories of your all time favorite vacation?

For our 10th Anniversary, we took a road trip to Niagara Falls, NY.  We stopped and stayed the night in Erie then drove up the coast of Lake Erie and then Lake Ontario.  We rented a bungalow right on Lake Ontario.  I was a great trip :)

8.  Where would you never ever go on vacation and why?

South America.  It is scary!

9.  What is the worst thing you ever experienced on vacation?

I can't really think of a "worst" thing.  Maybe the downpours while we were at Disney World.

10.  What is the best thing that ever happened to you on vacation?

Watching my girls get to enjoy themselves :)

Colletta

Tea Time ~ 5/5/2022

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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~I hit 4000 posts this week!  I think this post will actually be 4004 :)  I've been blogging since 2009 so it has definitely taken quite a while.  I've been watching the number CREEP up for a few months now and was excited to hit publish on that 4000th post :)

~Laken is going to Virginia Beach this summer with my brother and SIL!  She is so excited but has to keep her mind on the prize of getting through her freshman year of high school first.  Only 3 1/2 weeks to go until her deadline to have all her work done and handed in!  Whew!

~The hubby will be working a fixed shift starting May 31!  He has been on swing shift for right around 22 years so we're hoping that the fixed shift will be permanent like the higher ups say it will be.  I'm looking forward to figuring out a good routine for all of us.  (BTW, the hubby PICKED 3rd shift) :)

~ The Azaleas and Lilacs are blooming!  Lilacs are my all-time favorite :)

~I signed up for the "20 Books of Summer" but have elected to read "10 Books of Summer" :)  You can see my sign up post HERE.

How was your week?  What's new with you?

 

Colletta

Blogging Challenge ~ My Fantasy Vacation ~ 5/26/2021

This week's topic is:  

My Fantasy Vacation:

My ultimate fantasy vacation would be a long, extended trip to Hawaii!  I think the whole summer would suffice. :)  However, that isn't going to happen any time soon.  Maybe one day...

I'd also like to visit Australia someday.  Probably won't ever happen but a girl can dream.

Oh!  And then there's Ireland and Scotland!  Again, I would probably need a whole summer to explore.  Again, probably won't ever happen for this Mid-Atlantic, Pennsylvania girl.

So, for now, I'd just be completely happy with a cabin by a lake :)  Any cabin.  Any lake.

Until then, maybe I can escape reality in a good book.  Any suggestions?

So, what is YOUR fantasy vacation?  

Colletta

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge ~ 5 Best Places I've Visited ~ 1/13/2021

I found this Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews through Lydia and thought I'd give it a go!  The prompts look interesting.  You can check out the weekly prompts at the bottom of this post.

This week's topic is:  5 Best Places I've Visited

The very first place that comes to mind is DISNEY WORLD!  I've been to Disney World twice in my 42 years.  I live in Pennsylvania so it isn't right around the corner for me.  It entails a 2 hours plane ride or a 16 hour drive!  The first time I went was for my honeymoon in 2000 (we flew).  The second time was to take our daughters in 2012 (we drove).  The first was romantic, the second a bit stressful but both were amazing adventures!

Look how little my babies were!

The second place for me would be NIAGARA FALLS.  We drove the six hour drive in our mini-van for our tenth anniversary in 2010.  We took my parents along as well as the girls.  We rented a little bungalow in Olcott, NY (about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls) and spent the week exploring the area.  We had plenty to see and really enjoyed this trip!

Lake Ontario at sunset.

Third for me would be DAYTONA BEACH.  My Aunt Mary and her family live there so I've visited a handful of times even though, once again, it is quite a trek from Pennsylvania.  We have gone to the races, the beach, and visited Ponce de Leon Lighthouse.  Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is one of my favorite memories.

The fourth best place I've visited is GETTYSBURG, PA.  The first time I visited was in the 5th grade with my class.  It was the very first time I was on a charter bus :)  I absolutely LOVE history so I was amazed by the battlefields and the museum.  I've since visited maybe 3 or 4 more times and always learn something new.

I had to really think about a fifth place because for the most part we stick pretty close to home and love to camp and rent cabins in Pennsylvania State Parks.  However, I'm going to go way back to 1996 and VIRGINIA BEACH, VA for my Senior Trip.  It was really my first time away from home and my parents.  I was a rebel and got my second ear piercing.  (My first ear piercing was when I was 5 years old).  We went to Water Country USA, Busch Gardens and the Boardwalk.  It was only a 3 day trip but we had a blast!

So, what are the 5 best places you've visited?  I'd love to know so I can put them on my bucket list :)

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Thankful Thursday ~ 7/11/19

~Hubby's vacation week!  Last week was all about family time.  The number of summer vacation we get to spend with our girls is dwindling as they grow up and that makes me a bit sad but we had a great week :)

~Lake Tobias!  Lake Tobias is a wildlife park in Halifax, PA.  I had never heard of it before Laken went on a field trip to there this past school year.  We made the 3 hour drive to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park so Laken could be our tour guide.  We even went on a safari where the animal came right up to the safari vehicle.  It was amazing to see all the animals and so close :)

~The Meg!  One evening we rented a movie from the Redbox and had a Family Movie night complete with Twizzlers :)  The Meg was a great movie but don't watch it if you already have a fear of sharks!  :)

~Ice Cream!  Of course we hit up our favorite ice cream spot a few times while on vacation.  Sundae's has THE BEST peanut butter sundae I've ever had.  Yummm…  The flavor of the week was Black Raspberry.  It switched over to Cotton Candy on Monday.  Laken is pleading for another ice cream trip as Cotton Candy is her FAVORITE :)

~Camping!  We went tent camping for 3 days and 2 nights at Shawnee State Park here in PA.  We set up two tents and 4 air mattresses in 1.5 hours flat!  It was a good thing we were so quick about it because a rain shower came not long after the last tent peg was pounded into the ground.  We had so much fun camping.  It was a nice relaxing time of fishing, reading, hiking and sitting around the campfire.  I can't wait to go again :)
 
What are you thankful for today?

Colletta

P.S.  I hope you can stop by my ETSY SHOP!

Thankful Thursday ~ 6/27/19

~Kaylee's Party was a success!  I tried not to stress myself out getting ready for Kaylee's 18th Birthday Party.  I made list upon list and managed to keep it organized.  I worried for nothing, because it went off without a hitch!  We had a great afternoon hanging out with family and friends :)

~Church Camp was a success!  Again, a lot of preparation went into the behind the scenes set up of our Church Camp Meeting.  I helped with baking pies, cooking meals and the concession stand.  Others had their own jobs to complete.  We all came together and worked hard so that the campers could have a great time  :)

~Laken has decided to hang up her pompoms! She really wants to play Jr. High Volleyball this Fall and doing v-ball and cheerleading would just be too much along with her school work.  I'm already going to be busy running her back and forth to v-ball practices and games and I don't think I could keep up with cheerleading as well.  Quality over quantity, they say :)

~Kaylee's College Orientation! Monday Kaylee had a orientation for the students that have been admitted to her college.  She will be studying Business Management and classes start on August 19th.  I think it is getting real for her now and she's getting excited for the next chapter of her life!  I'm trying to play it cool :)

~Hubby's Vacation!  I'm excited that the Hubby is on vacation starting Friday morning!  We have some good quality family time planned.  Some of the activities are fishing, camping, movies and baseball games.  I can't wait  :)

 
What are you thankful for today?

Colletta

P.S.  I hope you can stop by my ETSY SHOP!

Wednesday Medley ~ 6/26/19

Come join Terri @ Your Friend From Florida every Wednesday.  She comes up with the questions and we answer them ;)

 

 

 

NATIONAL PARCHMENT DAY – Last Wednesday in June

Celebrate parchment and its many uses by clicking on the image.

NATIONAL PARCHMENT DAY

At the end of June, National Parchment Day arrives to bring innovation and convenience back to the kitchen.

Parchment infuses flavor, locks in moisture and preserves vital nutrients and has long been a part of the traditional French kitchen. Ever versatile, parchment conveniently transitions from skillet to oven and from the grill to table.  Its ability to be elegant as well as useful makes it one of the more effective tools in the kitchen.

Cooking “en papillote” enhances natural flavors, without the synthetic sprays and high-fat oils. Not only does culinary parchment simplify preparation and clean-up, but it’s also a much healthier and environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional cooking techniques. The French have cooked with parchment for centuries, perfecting taste and texture in every dish. It has long served as the secret to preparing wholesome, healthy meals.

With all these added benefits, it’s difficult to ignore what parchment brings to the kitchen and to the table.  Use a variety of parchment products to make composing delicious meals in the home kitchen a culinary success.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Turn your kitchen into a parchment test kitchen. Share your delicious results by using #NationalParchmentDay on social media.

HISTORY

National Parchment Day was submitted by PaperChef and declared by the Registrar of National Day Calendar in June 2016. With local food movements on the rise, PaperChef is encouraging all culinary enthusiasts – from professional chefs to home cooks – to explore foods that mirror the “farm to fork movement,” offering North Americans viable alternatives to their popular but non-compostable and non-recyclable counterparts, refusing to compromise on quality and integrity by manufacturing items that won’t live in landfills for centuries.

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar.

1.  Who knew there was a day to celebrate parchment paper?!  Do you ever use parchment when you bake or cook? Tell us about your favorite way to use it, please

 

I had no idea there was a day to celebrate parchment paper either!  The only time I really use parchment paper is when I bake cookies.  It makes clean up so much easier!

 

2.  When Terri thinks of parchment paper, she usually thinks about special writing or artist papers. She loves using specialty papers for creating cards or other art projects. Tell us about a creative way you have used parchment paper other than to bake with!

Sorry!  I can't think of any creative way I've used parchment paper! 

 

3.  Terri used to be in the cake business and has piped many borders and roses and leaves and letters, etc., etc.  You can make a pastry bag from parchment paper!  Have you ever tried decorating a cake with a pastry bag and specialty tips?  Do you have a picture to share?  Don't be shy, now!

My youngest daughter, Laken, loves baking and asked for baking supplies for Christmas the past few years.  She has pasty bags and all kinds of tips.  She's working on her decorating skills and has definitely improved.  I have pictures but they must be on my phone...

 

4.  Tell us about something you baked or cooked in the past week or so that turned out great, parchment or no parchment.  Will you share the recipe?

At Camp Meeting last week we did so much cooking.  We offered breakfast, lunch and dinner to the campers.  We had baked pork chops one night that were delicious and beef stew another night.  A group of us ladies from Church also spent most of the day the Friday before Camp Meeting making 22 pies for dessert.  They were made of about 7-8 different fillings.  Pumpkin was my favorite!

5.  The last Wednesday in June!!  How can that be? Has your June flown by or have you been able to enjoy each day and make it slow down for you?

June has absolutely flown by!  We've had something going on every week and I've only just been getting back into an "at home" mode and I love it.  Here's to some nice relaxing days in July!

 

6.  Tell us something about your week so far, if you will.

I'm loving finally having some down time to read, crochet and get some walks in.

 

Colletta

 

P.S.  I hope you can stop by my ETSY SHOP!

Thankful Thursday ~ 1/3/19

 

~"singing"  The kids went back to school today!  I love having them home but by the end of break, I'm ready for some normalcy.  Laken and Dex weren't thrilled with getting put early (neither was I) but it had to be done :)


~The hubby went back to work yesterday.  I was off almost 2 weeks and we got so much accomplished!  He built two closets in our bedroom, one for each of us, and rearranged the Family Room.  We organized bins and dressers and I love it!  The Family Room seems so much bigger with the way we have the couches/chair situated :)


~We spent New Year's Eve at home playing games and watching movies.  We were supposed to go to my brother's house for shrimp but he got sick :(  So, Plan B came about.  I ended up taking a nap at 9pm and then getting back up at 11:30pm to finish out the year.  The hubby set off fireworks and we watched the ball drop before heading back to bed.  Oh, and I got my New Year's kiss :)


~New Year's Day was pretty laid back.  We slept in, of course!  Then we went just up the road to my aunt and uncle's house for lunch.  We had the traditional pork and sauerkraut to start the new year off right :)  After that we came back home and hung out.  The hubby and girls played PlayStation and I started reading my First Book of 2019.


~Finally, I'm so excited to once again endeavor to read the Bible from beginning to end this year.  I'll be reading The One Year Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation along with Wendy Pope and the other Read Thru the Word participants.  You can read more about this program at www.wendypope.org .  I hope to stay on track this year :)




What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Thankful Thursday ~ Vacation ~ 7/12/18

 

This week I'm thankful for:

 

~ Freedom!  And I was so happy to celebrate with the rest of the USA over the week of the Fourth of July.  We went to Shawnee State Park to watch the Lights over the Lake and it was beautiful!

 

 

 

~The Hubby has been on vacation since June 30th so we've been spending lots of quality time together.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we rented a cottage at Shawnee State Park and "roughed" it for a few days :)  The cottage had bunk beds and a table.  We had to walk to the bathhouse to use the "facilities".  It was great!

 

 

~We spent some time by the lake fishing, swimming and just enjoying the scenery.  Laken likes to catch the fish but like me, doesn't like to touch them.

 

 

~Kaylee spent her time relaxing.  She relaxes by drawing and writing stories.  She was never far from her sketchbook and writing tablet.  That's my girl!

 

 

 

~Dex came to the Cottage on Tuesday and spent the day with us.  Laken is such a little mama with both Dex and little Damon.  They certainly love one another!

 

 

 

What are you thankful for today?

 

Colletta



Saturday 9 ~ Vacation ~ 5/17/14

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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Vacation 1982

Click HERE to listen to the song.

1) Do you know how to water ski?

Nope.  I've never even tried.  I think I'd be too chicken!

2) Do you have 2014 vacation plans? 

No major plans, but we do hope to go camping a at least a few times this summer.

3) Do you have a passport?

No.  I've never had a reason to get one.

4) If you took a 7-night cruise, could you completely unplug -- no phone calls, no texts, no internet?

No internet?  How would I check my blog?!?

5) Do you own a travel alarm clock?

My watch has an alarm clock but I don't know how to work it.  Right now it goes off at 2pm everyday and I have no idea why.

6) Though the Go-Gos broke up in 1985, they frequently reunite for live performances. What's the last concert you attended?

It has been quite a while since I've been to a concert.  I think the last one was Kenny Chesney and it was AWESOME!!

7) Their first hit was "Our Lips Are Sealed."  Can you be trusted with a secret? 

I'm good at keeping other people's secrets but not my own.  I fess up to everything!

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, the comedy Tootsie was in theaters. What movie makes you laugh?
  

This is horrible, but I can't really think of any movie in particular right now!

9) Sam is chewing on a Tums as she composes these questions. What's the last over-the-counter medication that you took? 

My last over-the-counter med would also have been a Tums.  We had breadsticks with sauce the other night and it gave me heartburn.

Happy Saturday!

I'd love for you to come Like my Facebook Page!  Pretty please?

Monday's Musings ~ Easter Break ~ 4/21/14

As many of you might know, I started working part-time at our local college in January.  The great thing about working at a school is getting holidays off.  I was fortunate to have a long Easter Break.  I got off Thursday at 1pm and didn't have to be back at work until Monday at 9am.  I was really looking forward to this down time.  Well, I was mostly looking forward to sleeping in!

Thursday:

The girls still had school on Thursday but Doug (the hubby) and I were both off.  We snapped up the opportunity to have a "Date Day".  After getting the girls to school, we had a relaxing morning before getting ready and heading to town.  We did some shopping, ate lunch out, ran into some friends and hit the "hair cut store".  It was so nice to not have any specific plans and to just be together.

When the girls got home, we went for a walk/ride as a family.  The girls rode their bikes and Doug and I walked.  It was sunny and just a beautiful day to spend together outside.  After supper, I even spent some time out on my swing with my Bible.  I love reading outside and am so glad to finally be having some Spring weather.

Friday:

Friday we were all off.  The girls slept in so we had a quiet morning.  After they woke up, we had a Easter Egg Hunt for them in the yard.   No matter how old they get, they still love searching for the eggs.  Or maybe they just like those "special eggs" that have money in them.

In the afternoon, we went to Altoona and saw "Rio 2".  It was a sweet movie but I don't think Kaylee was too thrilled.  She's in that in-between stage where she doesn't really appreciate cartoon movies like she used to.  Hopefully, she'll grow to love them again.

We had lunch out at Longhorn Steakhouse where we finally used up some gift cards.  Then we make some stops at K-Mart, Toys-r-Us and of course, Harbor Freight.  Laken and I waited in the van during the Harbor Freight stop.  It just isn't our thing.

Saturday:

In the morning, Laken had T-ball practice.  I love watching the little ones play :)

We colored Easter Eggs in the afternoon and got them all ready for Sunday.  No matter how old the girls get, they love coloring eggs.

Other than that it was a pretty normal Saturday.  It was basically a relaxing, around-the-house kinda day.

Sunday:

Sunday was Easter, of course.  The first thing the girls did was look through their baskets at their goodies.

We went to Sunday School and Church.  After Church we had a fellowship dinner with ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, carrot cake and so much more.  It was delicious!

I usually take a Sunday afternoon nap, but I wasn't tired.  Instead, I took a two lap walk around our neighborhood while the girls played.  I came home and read out on the deck.  I finally finished another book!

In the evening, we went to Youth Group for the girls and then Church.

It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Perfect!

Overview:

We had a great Easter break with a lot of family time and beautiful weather.  I feel well-rested and ready to tackle getting back into our normal routine.

How was your Easter?  Did you do anything fun?  Did you have any time off?  I'd love to know :)

Dreaming of Summer Blog Hop ~ Ends 12/2/12

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Me, My Shelf and I

Even though it is only 30 F here in Pennsylvania, it seems as if summer were just yesterday.  How does the time go by so fast now that I'm an adult?

I guess it IS time to start planning for NEXT Summer's vacation.  The girl's are already asking about it.

The following book is full of Summer travel and seems perfect for this giveaway:

"A Summer in Europe"
 by Marilyn Brant

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me what you did this past summer.  Did you take a vacation?  or  You can tell me what your plans are for Vacation 2013!

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, December 2, 2012.  The winner will be emailed on December 3rd.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

TT ~ Vacation Disasters ~ 11/22/12

THIS WEEK’S topic is:

My biggest vacation disaster?

I really had to think long and hard about this.  I couldn't remember having any disastrous vacations.  Sure there were bits and pieces of vacations that could have been better.  Like, it would have been nice if our 5-year-old hadn't puked for the first 300 miles of our drive to Disney World this Summer.

It also would have been a bit more comfortable to have an air conditioner in our cabin a few years ago when we went to Gifford Pinchot State Park and it hit 103 degrees for at least 3 days straight.  But, it was kinda fun roughing it a bit :)  We survived and had fun and after a few days it cooled off.

Oh, and when we went on our Niagara Falls trip and forgot to take "Blankie" in the van with us on our day trip to Fort Niagara.  THAT was almost a disaster because if we hadn't found a Wal-Mart and bought a faux-Blankie I would have gone insane listening the crying!  (FYI, after that vacation we started the weaning of Blankie.  Blankie no longer leaves home.)

And, of course, there was always the counting of the days on the calendar and hoping that my "friend" would come either before or after our vacation.  It is just NO fun being menstrual on vacation, especially on our "Anniversary Getaways".  Can you say "bummer"?  I find it is VERY nice not having to think about that anymore!  Whoot!

Come to think of it, there was a bit of a vacation disaster the summer after I graduated.  My best friend and I took the train to my aunt's in Daytona Beach, FL.  We were only there a few days when a hurricane was predicted to hit.  My friend's parents spazzed and made us come back home early.  The ironic thing is that the hurricane didn't hit my aunt's area but DID follow us the whole way up the East Coast as we drove home.  It still wasn't all bad and I can say that I traveled on a train and then had a teenage road-trip home.  Ahh... Memories...

I'm really not that particular when it comes to vacations.  I'd be perfectly happy to just get in the car and drive stopping at places along the way that we find intriguing.  There's always something that can be seen or done to make a trip entertaining. 

Maybe I just haven't hit that terrible vacation yet.  Maybe it will be next year's vacation!  Did I just jinx it?!?

I'll have to let you know...

Next week's topic:

Things I've had in my mouth since becoming a parent!  lol

Camera Critters ~ 6/23/12 ~ NELLY

Camera Critters is a Saturday meme hosted by Misty Dawn at Camera Critters  which is all about photos of animals/critters. 

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The first few days of our Florida trip, we spent at my Aunt Mary's in Daytona Beach.  We had 1 day to go to the beach.  I really just wanted my Mom and the girls to see the ocean.  Mission accomplished.

Then we drove the rest of the way down the Ponce Inlet to the Ponce De Leon Lighthouse.  (I had been there before on a previous trip and climbed all 203 steps to the top of the lightouse.  I even walked around on the deck.  It was amazing.  This time I stayed on ground level with Laken while the others climbed.)

We had to get our tickets for the tour by going through the gift shop.  We decided we would look around the shop on our way out.  As we walked out, there was a set of stairs directly to the right.

Lo and behold there was a kitty.  It seems like every vacation we take, we spend the whole time spotting animals.  I think because we miss our own while we are away.

On the way back in, the kitty was relaxing, sprawled out on the steps.

While looking through the gift shop for a few souveniers, you will never guess what I found.  So I'll show you.

 Apparently this cat that I was thought was just ordinary is actually a celebrity with her own book!  Imagine that!

"Nelly, The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Cat" written by Stephanie Szerdy and illustrated by Nathan Szerdy.

The book was beautifully written and the artwork was amazing.  I wish I had bought it.  I might still yet.  You can click on the book or down on the title to go to the Lighthouse shop where you can purchase it.

One kitty, such an awesome memory!

Have a wonderful Camera Critters day!