Ringling Museum-Sarasota FL

Mr Howard has worked for 40 years creating a mini circus, includes train cars, cast tents, preparation tents, concession areas and of course a 5 ring circus tent. Was amazing to see.

Old circus posters

Circus wagons

Love Banyan trees so strange

Ca d Zan, the winter home to John and Mable Ringling. I visited here in the mid-90's and the home was empty and in poor repair. Today it is furnished and bright and shiny. About 60 acres and sits on Sarasota Bay. There is an extensive museum of priceless art, that we did not have time for, but I visited it the 1st time there. Was kind of sad not this time.

My Tags

1. Clothes Shop - Clothes shopping? What is that? (borrowed from rbennie). I hate it! No, not just dislike! I go to a store have a pre-conceived idea what I am looking for and it is not to be found! I leave empty handed. At least twice a year I try to find pieces to fit into things I already have and it is not fun. Funny thing is I find tons of things I could buy my daughter or son and have to restrain myself. Last item I bought myself was a Penn State hoodie (10/17), does that count? I used to sew most of my clothes for high school (we had to wear dresses/skirts, no pants-that changed the year after I graduated), but out of that habit now. This year the color scheme is jewel tones, I can not wear those, so I am out of luck again. I bought a dress in June for a wedding and that was the first time since 2003. Guess that makes me a slack/capri or short wearer.

2. Furniture Shop - I owned my Mother's home and still have her furniture in place. I did bring a few items from Alabama in 2004 that would fit into what was here. I need to redo some items, but I am considering building a semi-dream home out on the farm and that would be furnished totally different then this home would be.

3. Sweet - Not a huge sweet fan, more of a salty person. Occasionally, I desire some good chocolate or fudge. I would choose pie over cake and a cookie over those.

4. City - Growing up a dairy farm girl, I prefer the country. I enjoy city life for visits and where I live now is set-back from the hussle/bussle of this borough-yes it is a borough. If I had the wealth, my desire would be to travel to world cities and stay for 6 months or so to savor different cultures and explore their histories. London-Paris-Florence-Budapest-Cairo are just a few.

5. Drink - At a casino in the am, I have a bloody mary or two. Then maybe in the afternoon, a scotch and soda. Yuengling beer occasionally. My downfall is when kids come up for a PSU game and we seem to live in one of their old haunts with friends. It is a wild time, pitchers-strangers trying to buy you shots or drinks orf multiple liquors with strange names. I decline those since I have to get home. Unless having an upscale dining experience, I skip the wine and drink water. I guess as a frugal person, a $30+ bottle of wine that can be bought at a shop for maybe $10 burns my butt!

6. Music - CD's I have in my car: Josh Groban-Meatloaf-Bon Jovi-Tina Turner-NSYNC-a Elvis Presley collection ( never was a fan and saw this in Best Buy, thought I would give it a listen, once). Around town I have on the ESPN radio, but like on this last trip I usually do not turn on the radio. Guess I like the noise of the road.

7. TV Series - Reality or why else would I be a fan of Jackie's blog? Can not miss shows would include CSI (+Miami)-House-ANTM-L&O's-NCIS-Criminal Minds or too many to list. I watch two soaps-As The World Turns and Guilding Light, I used to tape Days of Our Life's, but just lost interest.

8. Film - Again a wide variety. I have many on DVD that I watch again and again, I even watch those when they run on TV, if it does not conflict with something else. If I had to pigeon-hole genre, historical and not stupid comedy. Many films I prefer would be because of the actors. I am over the senseless violence to draw in younger audiences.

9. Workout - Mowing the yard-raking leaves-gardening-walking about hits the spot. Sweating in a gym is not for me. All those spandex-perfect or not so perfect bodies (oh my eyes)!

10. Pastries - A "HOT" sign Krispy Creme, plain glazed to die for. Cherry cheese danish and maybe an old-fashioned cream puff (which you can not find anymore) with real ingredient filling not the crappy stuff they make now.

11. Coffee - I bought myself a Keurig and miss it so much when I travel. I use Green Mountain-Extra Bold-Dark Magic with a large mug and it is just right. Starbucks is too over priced and not that great. In the winter, my pleasure in the afternoon is a lovely cup of hot tea.

More Boone Plantation

My Dad

Flowers from Boone Plantation

There were 9 slave cabins. At the peak of the plantation

up to 20 would live in a 10x20 cabin.

Savannah

Homes and scenes of Savannah. Conny is with Jamie and Bobby Deen at Paula Deen's Lady and Sons shop. We did not know they would be there and was shocked because usually you do not see the celebs!!!

My dad's back!

So strange to see ground cover on the stairs, but was stone on step.

Charleston

Homes of Charleston and the Market. The lady is making baskets out of reeds. The price made me choke, like $200 and up for a small one.

Boone Plantation

This is Boone Plantation, at one time it was 4000 acres. They grew cotton, indigo, and later started making bricks. At one time they had the largest pecan tree farm and this allowed them to go through the depression. Today it is about 100 acres. This home was in North and South, Queen and The Notebook (the young girl's home) Unfortunately, the main plantation house was wood (boo) and was torn down in the 1930's and this home was built by a Canadian.

The tree lined lane is kind of famous, it is an image that is fairly well known. Anyone remember Patrick Swayze riding his horse up this to the house, in North and South?

All and all this was kind of disappointing as we were expecting a real plantation home of the 1800's, but there were slave quarters, gardens, house tour (with a docent) and a short farm tour. The only thrill I got was the Notebook and North and South connection.