MB "Downtown" or "City Center"

OK, quirky quilting friends in London asked to see what my "downtown" looks like - I think they are hoping for 1950's beach charm - what is known here as "Old Florida" but often means beachy version of slightly run down American wild west.

Here's our new modern city hall building and 'downtown' Madeira Beach (click for map) - don't blink and don't get too excited! We also have a new fire station, small library, chemist (AE=drugstore) and grocery store within walking distance.

Very quiet and breezy on Thanksgiving Day at a'chilly/damp' 73 F (22 C).

Madeira Way

Periodic Craft Market on Madeira Way

here's our beach 'Snack Shak' at Archibald Beach Park

1.5 miles down the road is out 'tourist shopping area' known as Johns Pass (in 1848 a hurricane blew through and separated MB from Treasure Island creating a break in the sandy barrier island first noticed by fisherman John and hence known as Johns Pass - so hence the 'fishing village' tourist area is known as Johns Pass).

That's it folks! But keep reading for my holiday 'taking a break' blog post below.

2x Happy Holidays

We have returned from the 1st Annual Sea Turtle Trackers End of Season Celebration Cruise (a record year for sea turtle nesting here in Florida) to Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico and now ...

... it is what mini me calls the 'Silly Season' here in the USA with Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the run-up to Thanksgiving (always the 4th Thursday in November with Friday as a day off as well) and Christmas. Two major family holidays so close together means it is hard to get most anything done other than conspicuous consumption of food and material goods!!

For my UK friends: Since Thanksgivig is the only 4 day holiday in the USA (where 1 in 4 move home long-distance in any given year), it is also the busiest travel weekend as many people have family get-togethers for this holiday. Each year some American asks me if Thanksgiving is celebrated in the UK and I gently remind them of the origins of the holiday.

So mini me has been busy crafting charity pillows (only 100 this year) and gifts. Now is the time for taking a blogging hiatus/rest!  Happy Holidays and all the best for 2018!!

Table topper /hot pad

wine bottle cozy

Beach Finds

our shimmering sands

After last Sunday's rough seas (with high surf advisory on the 29th October), we had a bit of debris on the beach.

stone crab pot washed ashore

so many sponges we thought of a new business . . . 

stone crab fisherman
they take only 1 claw
picture through my new 'scope'

 

new local 'tram' - but boarding with a shopping trolly???

Dune Restoration under state permit 

But some dunes grow on their own - anywhere
including over the sea wall and into the condo block!

And this weekend was the 'King of the Beach' fishing tournament and general town outing. You can see the event for yourself - notice the full moon.

why do bands always start late?

Good for hurricane flood waters?

And for those who like sunsets-those are pelicans on the wing

PS Tuesday the 7th November saw a rescue of a pelican with broken wing just in front of our condo; s/he has gone to rehab . . (bird in arms of man in green on left)