Slideshow - GCHS Craft Sale

The Gadsden County Humane Society recently hosted its annual Craft Show & Sale on the grounds of the old Nicholson Farmhouse in Havana.  The weather was beautiful and it was wonderful to spend another day with animal lovers.

We're working on another event in November -- details coming soon!

The Latest Political Gaffe: Asian-looking Latinos

I have a love-hate relationship with the election season.  I hate the negative political ads, the finger-pointing, and lack of real solutions.  However, I do love the occasional gaffe that pops up from time to time.

The latest gaffe is Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle tells a group of Hispanic students that some of them "look Asian."

Hmm... Latinos who look Asian? That sounds so strangely familiar.... I've been confused on more than one occasion with being Latino. Filipinos are often caught between the two.

Perhaps, Ms. Angle stumbled upon a crowd inside Jollibee?

Vote For My Nephew The Model!

Gap recently announced its Casting Call Contest for the new face of Gap Kids, and my sister entered my cute nephew in the competition.  Please take a moment and vote here.

GCHS Pet Costume Contest at the Havana Pumpkin Festival

Many of you know that I foster two dogs (Happy Jack & Pearl) for the Gadsden County Humane Society, and I try to volunteer whenever possible to support their animal rescue.  On Saturday, we had a booth at the Pumpkin Festival in Havana and hosted a Pet Costume Contest.  

I had a great time hanging out with animal lovers, and it was fun to see all the animals out and about the town.  Dog-parents can be very, very creative, as you can see the "Hooters girl" to the left.  Check out the slideshow of pics below!

The bake sale was also a success, and I'm happy that my loaves of Pumpkin Cranberry Bread and Dark Chocolate Brownies sold out.  


GCHS is having a Craft Sale next Saturday, 23 October at White Dog Plantation, 200 Coca Cola Avenue in Havana (former Nicholson Farmhouse).  There will be craft vendors as well as fun for the little ones.  There will also be another bake sale. Come out and support this great cause!


In case you didn't know, the Gadsden County Humane Society is entirely run by volunteers and always needs donations to support animal rescue efforts.  We also need foster homes for both dogs and cats!

A Piece of Americana Lost

It was announced today that Barbara Billingsley, known famously for her role as June Cleaver in the 1950s hit, "Leave It To Beaver" has died.

I remember watching re-runs of "Leave It To Beaver" when I was a kid and it's funny how much the picture of the American family has changed a half century later.  The one-income, single-marriage nuclear family is as rare as a honest politician.

But, then again, I wonder just how honest to life the Cleaver family was in American society?  My own personal family history in America is quite limited (my parents having immigrated here in the 1970s) but I can recall some of the stories of my adopted grandparents, my friends' parents and grandparents, and hospice patients I served.  Many of them worked in two-income households and their stories were certainly not like the Cleavers.

This also explains a great shift in television, from the ideal to the real... though, I can honestly lament that today's television has become extreme, sensational reality where the overdramatic grab the attention.

Whatever the case, Ms. Billingsley was a fine actress who helped many Americans escape into a picture perfect world that anything can be accomplished in 30 minutes (and wearing pearls too).  A bit of Americana-though a former reality created by Hollywood--has been truly lost.

My Nephew the Model

My nephew is certainly not camera shy.  He's an active little boy, and unfortunately, he's developed a habit of throwing fits regularly (God, I hope it's just a phase.  Here are the latest pics taken in September:

Running at Woodland Park, Gulf Breeze

Go! Go! Go!

Not too sure about the hat.

Shoreline Park, Gulf Breeze

Duck Man

Temper Tantrum 

So cute.

Model Pose

Pointing at a heli in the sky.

Ready to drive

Changing the tunes.

If he's driving, we all need a prayer!

So cheesy.

Photo Safari at Seaside

Ever since I first discovered it back in high school, I've always had an obsession with Seaside.

Maybe I'm destined to call it home one day. Ever since I studied it in Sociology class in high school, I'd like to call myself an honorary resident since I know about it all too well.  I even created a portfolio of promotional materials on Seaside in a graphics arts design class in college.  

It's a great place to go on a photo safari-- take in pics of the interesting architecture and scenic paths.  The town is constantly changing, and new developments (unfortunate in some ways) are springing up surrounding the community.

My cousins from Houston recently came over to the area for a vacation, and we made our customary trek over to the small beach town in South Walton County.  

This time, however, we could add one more adjective to describe this quaint spot:  sleepy.  With the off season now, the town wasn't as bustling as it typically is during the summer months.  In fact, it was perfect-- bearable warm weather with cool breezes.  


We spent the mid-day on the beach, enjoying the sun and swimming in the Gulf (for those outside of Florida, the beaches are open and oil-free!).  After a lunch of fried grouper sandwiches, fried pickles, and mango daquiris, we walked around town on a photo safari:

Seaside School

Decorative artwork at a merchant shop.

Ruskin Square

Ruskin Square

My cottage :)

Constantly looking up for cool finds.