Kissing Sailor

During my exploration of Sarasota I came across this is statue depicting a sailor kissing a nurse in celebration of the end of World War II. Did a quick google of the statue and found that at the end of WWII, photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt snapped a now famous photo of a sailor kissing a young nurse in New York’s Times Square. In 2005, when artist J. Seward Johnson was invited to participate in the annual exhibition of large scale sculptures displayed along the Bayfront in Sarasota, Florida, he decided to recreate the photo in a 26-foot high Styrofoam sculpture. The piece, named “Unconditional Surrender” by Seward, was so popular that local residents attempted to keep it in Sarasota permanently, but they were unable to find enough donors to pay for the sculpture. Recently, a new aluminum version returned to Sarasota. It is currently on display at Marina Jack in Sarasota, FL.

Happy Birthday Sis!

On this special day, what I really want to tell you is how much I appreciate you. You are the best friend I’ve ever had.
We’ve laughed until we cried and we’ve made each other mad but if you weren’t my sister, life would be so sad.
When we are not together, our bond is just as strong. Because we are sisters we know when something is wrong.
We've whispered our deepest secrets only sisters could share. So whether we are together or we are far apart, you're my sister, my friend and forever in my heart.
I hope you enjoy your birthday and all the pleasures it has in store! Love you.

Meatless Monday on Mollie's Porch

Mollie made an incredible homemade tomato soup, grilled cheese and salad lunch, followed by white chocolate mousse with fresh berries for desert. What a fun time!

Dolpins at sunset

Another gorgeous sunset on Anna Maria Island and even the dolphins thought so. They came out to play right in front of the sun going down!

Blue Heron

This huge heron landed on the roof yesterday and was eyeing the dogs rather hungrily so we kept a close eye on it because it could easily swoop down and have lunch. According to wikipedia "The primary food for Great Blue Heron is small fish, though it is also known to opportunistically feed on a wide range of shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, other small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and small birds. Herons locate their food by sight and usually swallow it whole. Herons have been known to choke on prey that is too large."

Cortez Fishing Festival

Today was another gorgeous warm sunny day on the Gulf coast so we headed to the Cortez Fishing Festival. The two-day 29th annual Cortez festival, said to attract more than 20,000 people, offers a little bit of everything that people associate with old Florida. There are almost 100 historic structures, including the newest addition: the 60-year-old Monroe Cottage, transplanted to Cortez from Bradenton Beach in January. Outside Cortez's Maritime Museum sit a variety of vessels meaningful to Florida history, including a collection of fishing vessels used by Florida settlers from the Bahamas; the Sallie Adams, a 21-foot skipjack named after the first settler to be born in Cortez and mullet boats representative of those used by settlers from North Carolina. Vendors offer a host of seafood, and arts and crafts and live music fills the air.

Bath time

Look at this sweet girl having her bath! Tilly in all her glory!