We just got back from our annual spring break trip to Sarasota, FL. As some of you may know, we used to have a house there but sold it when Mikayla had to be in school all winter for some stupid reason. Now we stay with our good friends, Joe and Kristen, who are kind enough to lend us their beyond fabulous beach house. Unfortunately they were away– skiing, of all things– for their spring break, so we only got to visit them for the one day that we crossed paths. We were worried that Mikayla would be bored and lonesome without her friends Tess and Jack, but it turned out to be one of our best trips ever! (Although, let’s face it– how bad could it be?? All our trips there are wonderful.)
The first day or two always seem to be spent running to our favorite restaurants and stores and picking up things we forgot to bring at Target and the drugstore and so on. But then we realize that we’re here:
looking out at this:
and we finally start to relax and remember we don’t have to be anywhere or do anything except swim, take walks, and look for shells and revolting dead sea creatures that wash up on shore. Mikayla records all such finds with her trusty camera.
One afternoon we went to the Mote Marine, Sarasota’s amazing aquarium and marine research center.
We went on a Sea Life Encounter Cruise, where a marine biologist is on board explaining everything you see. The boat takes you to an island in the middle of Sarasota Bay where you get to take a little trail walk past mangrove trees and couples who thought they had found the most remote spot ever to have a romantic beach picnic. Then back on board, our guides throw a net overboard and bring up all kinds of amazing things that they pass around to all the children– sea urchins, starfish, regular old fish, and even a seahorse on this trip!
Of course Mikayla caught it all on film and made me promise to show it on my blog.
I always bring a few art supplies with me on trips, just in case, but I very rarely use them. The ideas usually start coming to me on the drive home and I know they’ll eventually make it into a drawing someday. I think the first one I’m going to do when I get back to work is of a blissful little girl with a seahorse, much like her parents, wrapped around her little finger.
~Mary
Editor’s Note: All photos used in this blog were taken by Mikayla!
Love your Seahorse illustration!
cheers Sandra
Very nice vacation house and view—happy that you got away and enjoyed your family a bit.
Mary, i have beeb a fan of yours a long time; I received home companion many yrs. and miss it. I LOVE fla. and i love that area. We usually stay in longboat key; it is wonderful. We will be going in june. I am so happy for you to have a grandaughter. Mine is 10 also; she goes to N.C. beach with us and it is great. I did not know you lost a son, I am so sorry.That must be the worst pain in the world. Veronica from N.C.
i love it that you love florida so much!!! my family-all ten of us- are going in Aug.! your pics help me get even more excited!!! if i had a beach house, i would fill it w/ your artwork!!! i miss your magazine!!!! love,.. a fellow Fla. lover..glenda
What lovely pictures!
It makes me long for our trip to the OBX in August!
I just love all these pictures the seahorse is so cute. thanks for sharing.
Dear Mary,
Does National Geographic hire 10 year old photographers? They will now! I have fond memories of trips to Sanibel and Seaside!!! I am sure Mikayla will remember these trips with you for the rest of her life.
Your pal in China,
Linda
Dear Mary,
The piece I sent you a year or more ago, about my father’s rhubarb patch, has morphed into a real book, “Swedish Cleaning: Reminiscences with Recipes.” I’d like to send you a copy, but I’m not sure how to get it to you. Please let me know where you would like to have me mail it.
All good wishes to you and your family,
Ned Bayrd
We love Sarasota too! Our oldest daughter just had her wedding there last month, we’ve been taking her there since she was 6 months old. Lots of wonderful memories and boxes of shells in the garage from our vacations there.
Oh I love the photos so much! It makes me impatient for my yearly trip to the Oregon Coast. Tell Mikayla, good job! I love the one with all the shells. I can’t believe that many wash up on the beach for the taking. On the Oregon Coast, they are few and far between. Have a lovely Spring!
Funny you should mention your house in Florida Mary, I love the way you decorated that house and for about 6 months I have been carrying that magazine around with me and trying to find things similar to decorate my house with. So far not alot of luck, apparently not much Florida stuff in Kansas
I was wondering though where you got the picture in the dining room above the wicker buffet? I love story book pictures, but can’t seem to find any. Thanks
Well who does not love Florida.
I have to say one of the greatest places ever.
Little peice of heven surround by water.
Love the the sunshine.
Instantly warms your heart.
Soft warm breeze rolls in off the ocean.
Gladly go anytime.
Absolutley wonderful
Yearn to go.
Mary Engelbreit is the best, best, best love
her style. Look foward to more blogs. Best
wishes.
Mary, I’m one of the lucky ones that lives in Paradise, Sarasota! Glad you love it too! You may want to go to TECO next year. Mikayla can get up close and personal to manatees. Also the Tampa Aquarium has an indoor area where she (and you) can walk up to birds and get great photos!