Tropical Gardening

 

 

It's been a bit of a learning curve, figuring out what to plant and keeping alive what I have planted. There were some annuals that I recognized at the plant store, but I had no idea how they would do in the heat. I did plant some salvia, because I know it can take the sun and also some New Guinea Impatiens in a shady spot on the porch. I have been watering them every day, but just keeping the soil moist, rather than soaked.

I'm having better luck and less to worry about with the tropical plants. They definately can take the heat and also can stand a heavy rain shower without becoming saturated. My favorite is the hibiscus and I definitely want to get a few more. And, I planted a palm tree in a big pot which was a little surreal for this Michigan girl. The landscaping is coming in nicely and we plan on adding a palm tree to the front of the house. Every Florida house should have a tall palm tree with its fronds gently waving in the breeze, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's all getting there and starting to feel like home. Melissa flew in last night, Megan flies in today and tomorrow is my birthday. It's going to be a great one!

P.S. A bit of blog housekeeping this morning - I changed my domain to lifeinmyemptynest.com and if you have been so kind to list my blog on your sidebar as a favorite, you will need to update the url in your list in order to receive new posts. It's easy - just delete the old url lifeinmyemptynest@blogspot.com and then add lifeinmyemptynest.com. Thanks so much!

Happy Thursday!

 

Yoga on the Beach

 

 

 

 

One of the things I was most excited about when we chose where we wanted to live in Florida was that every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset, our new city had a free yoga class on the beach. But, the idea of being able to wake up and head to the beach and practice yoga whenever I felt like it seemed very far away and slightly unreal, especially during all those cold winter days as we prepared to move.

Yesterday, I was up and out of the house, early for me, but excited to finally take another step toward the lifestyle I had dreamed of. When I arrived at Venice Beach, there was a yoga instructor inside a circle of seashells with about 100 people of all ages circled around her. You spread your towel or mat on the sand and could either face the instructor or face the water. The sun was warm, the surf sounds were relaxing and it really was a beautiful spot for yoga.

It wasn't the most challenging practice, but a good workout is not really the reason I will go. It's about being outside, feeling the sun on my face, the gulf breeze behind me and experiencing and being present in the fact that I am very lucky and blessed that I can start my mornings this way.

Namaste and Happy Tuesday!

 

Summer Reading List

 

 

It's always a difficult choice. Do I love to read in the summer when on the beach or at the pool? Or do I really prefer winter reading, with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea. Both have their charms and since I am now living in Florida with nice weather all the time, I need to have a book list that will be perfect pool side reading all year long. My summer reading list is filled with some new authors, but many are some of my favorites as well. There is a new book by Lisa See, a follow up to an author who's first book I enjoyed (The Widow), historical fiction (My Name Is Resolute) and several new crime series offerings ( Sue Grafton!) with characters who are old friends at this point.

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

 

 

DC Maeve Kerrigan Series

 

PI Sharon McCone Series

 

PI Kinsey Milhone Series

 

Police Chief Kate Burkholder Series

 

British Special Agent Maggie Hope Series