Frozen Footsteps in February

#winter weather#walking poles#myths#lions and lambs

After yesterday's blizzard and the continual freezing temperatures these past few weeks, today's walk under the cover of the bright blue skies and sparkling sunshine was a welcomed reprieve.

We walked just over five kilometers on crunchy snow and ice covered paths and fields...and in some spots it was like walking on a tightrope trying to avoid sinking through the snow.

I received Nordix walking poles as a Christmas gift from my son and daughter in law. 

This past weekend my DIL gave me a quick lesson how to use them ...and I should have taken them with me on today's walk. They would have been the perfect support for trudging along the snow covered paths....next time for sure!

This walk was good practice for my planned walks in Spain on the Caminos.

Surprisingly the water in the stream was flowing!

Tomorrow it is March ... Will it come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? 

Or maybe the blizzard the other day was the lion?           

                    

Ice Sculptures.

#icefog #winterwalking

A morning walk through the ice fog and the ice sculptures that it created in nature.

As today's weather forecast called for milder temperatures and heavy rains, my walking buddy Susie Q and I went out early.

The colours of the sky were constantly changing and there was a quietness as we walked.

Was this the calm before the storm?

The effects of the ice fog on the trees, shrubs and bushes is artistically beautiful!

Slipping and sliding ...

I had hoped the rains would melt and wash away some of the enormous snow piles and the icy patches in the streets and sidewalks with promises that Spring might be travelling to our town soon!

It did rain but first it snowed followed by freezing rain and ice pellets and then the rain came ... but the temperatures did not warm up as much as I had hoped for ... 

Oh how I long to be able to walk outdoors everyday ... without the fear and apprehension of slipping and/or falling on the icy/snowy paths and walkways!

A trail in the Autumn.

A trail in the Summer.

Footnote ... 

It is now the next morning Friday, February 21st, school buses have been cancelled in three counties in our parts of Southwestern Ontario due to icy road conditions.

It is raining and the winds are blowing at speeds of 50 kph plus!

Where Are You SPRING?

Story this morning in the newspaper ...

Spring ... where are you?

                

It is still 31 days until Winter is officially over!

I am hoping it happens sooner. 

This year has been an unusual winter here in the area of Southwestern Ontario that is sometimes referred to as the "Banana Belt" because of it's more temperate weather than the surrounding areas.

It is nothing like the "Banana Belt" of Josephine Baker fame.

I don't have any photos of the actual belt, but it is on display when you tour Chateau des Milandes in the Dordogne region of France.

For more info about the Chateau and Josephine Baker ... check out my other blog 

Http://Postcardsfromthelot.blogsot.ca

                         

                       

But not this year ... winter has treated us as harshly as the rest of the country, with frigid below freezing temperatures and so much snow! Normally, we would have had several thaws by now which would eliminate some of the piles of snow and ice!

It is beautifully bright and sunny this morning but still cold ... with warmer temperatures and meltdowns promised for later this week!

                   

I am hoping for some spring like weather to arrive soon to coax  the spring bulbs to bloom adding splashes of colour here and there.

Have a wonderful day!

Last Footsteps in the Sand

Oh it seems so long ago since we left the warm sunshine of Florida, but it is only just over a week ago!

I traded in the white caps of the Ocean for the white snow covered land of Ontario.

Walking is so much easier for me when it is a bit warmer and I don't have to wear heavy winter boots and many layers of extra clothing to keep my body insulated from the deep freeze temperatures.

Enough wind today for kites!

My friends were waiting to say "Hello"!

So until the next time we get to travel to a warm and sunny destination or when our long, cold winter ends ... whichever comes first, I will just keep warm with my memories of our travels and my heavy red parka!

So for now I have traded in the sand for snow...

And yes the beautiful tanned feet belong to Monsieur Honey! 

Brano's

On our last full day in Cocoa Beach, we experienced a 20 degree change in temperature from the previous day and it was not a day to soak up the sun on the beach.

We chose to have our main meal at lunch today ...

At "Brano's Italian Grill"...a great choice.

We first visited this restaurant on Sunday night with our friends, Susie Q and her hubby who had just returned from a Carribean Cruise ... we enjoyed an evening of good company, delicious tasting food and equally delicious wine!

On our second visit the food was equally as good and delicious!

Msr. Honey chose the Shrimp Scampi  ... A delectable dish served with linguine, fresh basil in a homemade white wine garlic sauce and equally as good as the Osso Buco he had on Sunday.

Msr. Honey was trying to deconstruct the sauce on his shrimp scampi and asked someone he assumed was the owner ...because he seemed to have his eyes and fingers on the pulse of all the activity in restaurant.

He asked this gentleman if he could get the recipe from the chef... that is when we were introduced to and realized that this gentleman was none other than Brano himself, the friendly chef/owner! 

We had a very interesting conversation with Brano who explained he was in early this day to make the sauces and do some schmoozing with the clients.

Brano lived south of Rome before coming to America.

Osso Buco served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes...

Delicious "Tilapia and Shrimp Tuscany" served with fresh tomato and basil, al dente coloured carrots and broccoli, creamy mashed potatoes and a spicy romalade sauce and a crisp salad was my choice and a good one at that!

All entrees are served with yummy garlic rolls!

As a finishing touch, we ordered one slice of key lime pie with two forks perfect for sharing...

You should make "Brano's Italian Grill" a destination when visiting Cocoa Beach, Florida...you won't be  disappointed, the food served is delicious and the atmosphere with soft background music with an Italian ambiance (theme from The Godfather, Volare by Dean Martin, and many more) is the perfect recipe for a pleasant dining experience.

www.branositaliangrill.com

Going home!

It is our last day in Florida ... travelling home from the sunny South to the naughty North, back to winter!

We left this sunrise this morning and over the past two weeks our area in Ontario has been hit with several storms ... so we are not sure if we will be able to find our car and may have to send out for the "search and rescue"!

I still have lots of postcards to share ... stay tuned!

Colours of Cocoa Beach

Tuesday included an early morning beach walk of 6 kilometers, seafood lunch at Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty with views overlooking the Banana River and then a wander thru Historic Cocoa Village and the Riverfront Park on the Indian River.

A perfect perch from where to watch the sunrise...

Fish tacos of haddock, pickled onions and pico gallo and delicious grilled vegetables...

Msr. Honey said it was delicious!

 

Coconut shrimp with mango jalapeño jelly and a delcious salad for me!

Drink of the day was a "Bob Marley" ...made with Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao and  Sierra Mist, very tasty... I am going to try it with lemon-lime seltzer to reduce the sweetness.

                     

After our delicious lunch, we went to explore the Historic Cocoa Village...what an interesting place with many historically designated houses from the 1920's and the main pedestrian square and streets are lined with many specialty boutiques and shoppes catering to the tourists.

The trumpet player serenading the passing visitors in the square...

Do you think this house is haunted?

Next a stroll along the Indian River and the Riverfront Park...

And here are a few shots I took while walking of some beautiful hibiscus to brighten your day!