Italian Cruise Ships

Italian Cruise Ships

In January of 2009 Jack and I sailed on an Italian cruise ship to the western carribean to visit the following places: Key West, Cozumel, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Grand Bahamas. Since it was winter the majority of passengers of this ship were Europeans escaping the cold temps in Europe for a week. The name of our ship was The Costa Fortuna which was the sister ship to The Costa Concordia that was shipwrecked of the coast of Italy. We enjoyed our cruise but now I don 't think we would take another Costa Cruise. Especially since the recent news that The Costa Allegra ran a ground off the coast of east Africa where there are pirates attacking ships from the coast of Somalia.

What I remember and like so well about this cruise was that a Catholic priest was assigned to the ship and every morning there was the announcement that the priest would be saying mass in the very small but very pretty Catholic chapel aboard the ship.

To learn more about our cruise and the Catholic chapel go to the right and click on the topic 2009

Carribean Cruise. You will see photos of the ship and the chapel.

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo of Share Family At Disney

Sixth Day of Christmas Photo

Tracy Thobe Share and Her Family's Recent Visit To Disneyworld

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Who do you suppose enjoyed the park more? The kids or the parents.

I'm betting my money on the parents.

Kids wear out and then have a little meltdown and hissy fit.

Young parents however, keep on trucking even when worn out.

(Click on photo to see the kids with their Disney characters.)

Sixth Day of Christmas Stocking Stuffer: A Merlot From California's Oak Grove

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On the label it says the rich flavors of blackberries and plum in the wine would go

well with a green peppercorn beef filet. OK, Jack will need to fire up the grill

one evening in Janury. Maybe on his 65'th birthday coming up on January 22'nd.

My World Tuesday February 2, 2009

My World Tuesday

February 2, 2009

My world this Tuesday is a collection of photos from my visit to Key West, Florida last Monday, January 26, on the Costa Fortuna cruise ship. This first photo is of downtown Key West near Mallory Square.

Key West is definitely a Caribbean paradise with lots of lush green vegetation. Love those palms.
Bougainvillea grows very tall in Key West, Florida.

Behind this iron fence lies the Little White House that was made famous by Harry S Truman. This Little White House is now a museum run by a commercial company on land that was part of the Key West Naval Station. The Naval Station is still there and our cruise ship docked at the station but we could not walk on the station. We had to immediately board the free conch trains that took us to Mallory Square in downtown Key West.
Outside of the Naval Station the most famous attraction in Key West is the Ernest Hemingway House which we toured in 2004 so last Monday we decided that we would visit the third most famous attraction in Key West which is the Harry Truman House which is known as the Little White House. This was a very good tour but we were not allowed to take photos inside the home but only in the museum's gift shop. Probably this rule exists today because former presidents as well as the current president can come to the Little White House for a special dinner or diplomatic event. Below is a photo of one of Harry's casual shirts that he wore in Florida while conducting business at the Little White House.
Below you see Harry wearing one of his Florida shirts while meeting with his secretary of defense James Forrestal. (Side note: I took this photo because Jack used to work in the Forrestal Building which is right next door to the Smithsonian Castle on the Washington Mall.

Harry S Truman and Dwight Eisenhower were the first presidents that I remember as a school girl in the fifties. There were a lot of parallels between the two men.

After Jack and I finished visiting the Truman Little White House we went to the second most famous attraction in Key West. You ask what that is? Well, it is the famous watering hole that Ernest Hemingway frequented after a long day of writing prose. It is Sloppy Joes Saloon on Duval Street.

Cruise passengers going there have been known to do the Duval crawl to get back to the cruise ship after one too many tropical drinks there.

There is lots of memorabilia on all the walls of the saloon.

Each year this saloon crowns the new Ernest "Papa" Hemingway look-a-like. Here are photos of some past Papas.

Some of these guys with the grey hair and full beards really do like Hemingway.

Click on the above photo to see all the Papas.

Yes, we did treat ourselves to a libation but we didn't have more than one a piece so we didn't need to do the Duval crawl back to the ship. If you play the video below, you might get a feel for this place. Now go visit some more My World Tuesday blogs by clicking here: http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

We Cruised On Costa Fortuna

We cruised on Costa Fortuna in the Caribbean waters and enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and sunsets
as well as the beaches.

An Italian American group from Delaware arranged for their club to take this Italian cruise ship to Key West, Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island. The gentleman in the blue sport shirt below is the one who made all the arrangements for theItalian group. He is Mr. Ray (Frank) Cilea and he is a retired travel agent. We had met him at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware thru our good friends Jim and Joyce who live in Rehoboth Beach Neither Jack nor I have any Italian blood but we love Italian food, culture, food, music, food, singers, food, so we joined this group and they made us honorary Italians for one week.

This was our pre sailing get together at the Fort Lauderdale pier on deck nine of the Costa Fortuna.
Here Jim and Jack are comparing flights to Fort Lauderdale. Jim and Joyce flew Southwest from the Philadelphia airport while Jack and I flew JetBlue from the Dulles airport outside of Washington D. C.

This was our first dinner aboard ship. We had not even left the pier yet and we were beginning our week long food binge. What do the cruise directors always say? We allow you to walk on board as passengers at the beginning of the cruise but at the end of the cruise we need to roll you off the ship as heavy cargo. So true!

We got to see things below the water too. No, that is not my Jack scuba diving.
Here is the remains of an old ship that met its end in the Caribbean Sea.

Here is yours truly dressed in a toga and having fun with one of the Italian fellas from Rehoboth Beach gang. I had to have my photo taken with Joe because he was most authentic Roman in a toga in our group.

My World Tuesday: Feast of the Three Kings

My World Tuesday Is Still In Christmas Mode

The Last Day of Christmas

January 6, 2009

Feast of the Three Kings

And Here Are The Three Wise Kings

Courtesy of Pinewood Estate at Lake Wales, Florida

They Are Bringing Gold

(Sign of King of Earth),

Frankincense

(Sign of King of Heaven),

Myrrh

(Sign of Christ's Suffering and Death to Come).

Hey, I paid attention at mass on Sunday and this is what the priest discussed. And did you ever wonder where the three kings got their frankincense and myrrh? And did you know that the United Nations has designated the old frankincense and myrrh site a World Heritage Historical site. This site is in the present day Middle East country of Oman. Click here if you want to learn more: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1010y

And here is more info on the gifts the kings brought to the Christ child. I bet you didn't know that today you can order on line frankincense and myrrh from the Sultanate of Oman. And just how appropriate were these gifts for a baby? Click here to learn more: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1300/why-did-the-magi-consider-frankincense-and-myrrh-such-valuable-gifts

Well, we have celebrated all 12 days plus one of Christmas at Pinewood Estate so we can head back down the ceramic tile stairs and out the door...... ........to the beautiful gardens that an interesting 25 year volunteer at this estate gave to us. He was chocked full of interesting knowledge about the house and garden that he was just bursting with enthusiasm to share with us. So off we went following this old gentleman with his sturdy walking cane to learn more and more and more......

Just once this January wouldn't you just love to step out of your house with your morning coffee or tea and view this sumptuous yard.Sumptuous. It rhymes with scrumptious and both are five steps above delicious.
This fountain right outside the front door reminded me of Ernest Hemingway's fountain at his home in Key West, Florida that we visited years ago. We came upon a fountain outside the fancy mansion and learned that Ernest took/stole this men's urinal from one of the famous watering holes on notorious Duvall St. that Hemingway liked to visit after a day spent writing a novel. After learning that the bar owner planned to renovate the bar with new urinals Hemingway declared that he had donated so much bar water to those old urinals that he deserved to take one home and set it up in his yard as a fountain for his six-toed cats that roamed freely about the estate. Hemingway's wife came up with a clever plan to disguise that awful lawn ornament. She imported some Italian ceramic tile and had the urinal placed on its side and turned it into a very sedate and lovely Italian style fountain. So there Ernest. You have your urinal and I have my style still in tact! (Bet you didn't know that you would learn about this in my Christmas story for today. Well, it fits once upon a time and its a true story!)
Now isn't this a lovely path to wander down looking and admiring both house and gardens. The volunteer guide was just beaming when he relayed information on the building of the walls of this home. There was no brick or wood used but instead 24 inch clay tiles made the walls so the walls are two feet thick. Not bad construction for potential hurricane winds.
This is a closeup of a neat and tidy vine that covers some of the walls. Anyone know what this is? I would love to grow it up my one basement wall.
Here is a sculpture of a young mother and young child. Today I will label it Mother Mary and Child Jesus.
Finally this is the fine three car garage Mr. Bethlehem had for his cars and his chauffeur. Every wonder what it would be like to be so rich that you have many fancy cars and a chauffeur to drive them for you.


Love and joy and peace to all of you wherever you are in the world this fresh new year. Now go visit some other My World Tuesday sites by clicking here:http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

Almost the End of the Christmas Days

Tomorrow We Have The Feast of the Three Kings

That's The Baker's Dozen (13)

Here is the music room at Pinewood Estate at Lake Wales, Florida. I admit I like Christmas music so you may hear one or two Christmas songs after tomorrow on my playlist. Have a great almost last day of Christmas. And for all the kids and teachers heading back to school have a terrific day getting back in the saddle. Same goes for all you workers heading off to work today. Good luck and giddyup go!

Skywatch Friday On Ninth Day of Christmas

Skywatch Friday

on

The Ninth Day of Christmas

January 2, 2009

Photos of Bok Tower Sanctuary

in

Lake Wales, Florida

Where

The Bok Carillon

and

The Buck Pinewood Estate Home

Reside Next Door to Each Other

Another sky view of the Bok Tower Carrilon


Bok Tower Grove of Live Oaks With Spanish Moss. This is the highest point in the state of Florida .From here you can see the greater Orlando metro area.You need to walk to the edge of this plateau of live oaks to get a view of Orlando.This is quiet and serene place.
A lake reflecting the sky and the Bok Tower Carrilon

White swans are in the water and the palm trees and sky are in reflection.

The very top of the Bok Tower Carrilon that was designed in art deco style by Mr. Bok who wanted to create this massive carrilon that gets played every day of the year. Jack and I got to listen to Christmas carols being played by the carrilon. Magical and magnificent moment!

Little sky in this photo but I wanted you to see the beautiful gold doors that lead to the inside of the carrilon. Only volunteers get to go inside. Some volunteers do work just to get a glimps of the inside and the view of Orlando from the very top of the tower.

Hope you enjoyed my Bok Tower Tour. If you want more info on the Bok Tower, you can go here with a click: http://boksanctuary.org/

Now go visit other Skywatch Friday blogs: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

December 30 The Sixth Day of Christmas

Look At This.

Look At This.
The Sixth Day of Christmas
Once upon a Time...a Storybook Christmas
at Pinewood Estate in Lake Wales, Florida

Ok, did you figure out the title of the this storybook tale? Have you heard of the baker's daughter who married a prince and is awaiting the birth of her firstborn child. She needs to spin all the straw into gold. There is a crazy little man who lives deep in the medieval forest who says he will do it for her. But he exacts a terrible price for his services. He wants her firstborn child! The baker's daughter can only save herself and her baby if she can rightfully name the crazy little man. What's his name? Is it Jack? Is it Tom, Dick or Harry? Is is George, Leo or Edward? Final guess for you and the baker's daughter. It's Rumpelstiltskin!

Thought for the day: What would you say if your child wanted to name your grandchild Rumpelstiltskin?

Second thought for the day: What would you say if your child wanted to name your grandchild Adolph Hitler? The media has recently reported on this strange and bizarre development somewhere in the world.

Third thought for the day: The middle name that more American male prisoners have than any other is Wayne. Were the parents thinking rugged man like John Wayne when they were naming their son?

December 28 The Fourth Day of Christmas

The Fourth Day of Christmas

December 28

Here We Are In Bedroom 3 At Pinewood Estate

Cinderella's Bedroom

Here is the beautiful white gown that Cinderella is going to wear for her magical evening at the Prince's grand ball. Look below.

Cinderella's mice friends are putting the finishing touches on her gown. They are sewing as fast as their little feet can hold a needle and sew.

Tomorrow's storybook display from Pinewood will also feature someone who sews.

Celebrate For 12 Days Plus One!

The Third Day of Christmas December 27

More photos of Pinewood Estates's Storybook Christmas

Do you know anyone who got a big beautiful rocking horse for Christmas?

I do.

Go down later on my blog roll to to find These Days in French Life.

This will take you to a blog in the south of France where a beautiful little French bebe named Amaya got a rocking horse from Papa Noel and you can see her riding it in the posted video.

Now look below.

Here is Lucy's bedroom on the second floor of Pinewood Estate at Lake Wales, Florida. This decorated scene is called "Twas the Night Before Christmas.....the children were nestled all snug in the beds."

Two girls with long flowing blond locks are dreaming of sugar plums dancing in their heads as a winter wonderland is seen through the the frosted windows in Florida.

Click on picture for a closeup view.

Merry Christmas once again.

Remember there are 12 days of Christmas plus one and we all should make a little holiday activity for each day.

Everyone should celebrate for 12 days plus one straight. Just do it.

Nativity Scene Captured in Ice

Nativity Scene Captured in Ice At Gaylord Palms In Orlando, Florida

Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms

In Orlando, Florida at the Gaylord Palms Resort you can attend an amazing holiday celebration featuring 4.5 acres of Christmas fun and two million pounds of carved ice from November 17 to January 4. You go thru these doors and down a hall where you must don a ski parka because you will then go thru the igloo below to a room that is only at 9 degrees. Brrrrrrrr!
You will appreciate that parka as you marvel at these sculptures carved of ice in many colors. Take a look at this display called Santa's Arctic Blast.

BBrrrrrrrrrrr! It's cold!
Each year Gaylord Palms brings over from Harbin, China of all places 30 workers who carve and assemble this ice display at the Gaylord.
Where in the world is Harbin, China?

And here is Santa Claus sitting in his gingerbread chair.

The polar bears have red scarves.

And the kids can freeze their tushes on a ice slide!

Play video above to see the kids slide down the ice slide.