STILLRIDGE FARMS at the Harbor Center

I first visited Stillridge Farms way back in the days when I was still living in South Africa and came over on a look-see, probably 16 years ago.  I remembered the recycled wood furniture, the rustic decorations, the exquisite embroidered cushions and beautiful smell of natural soaps, cinnamon and dried orange.  At the back they have a collection of delicious sauces and chutneys, lots of adorable pottery bowls filled with samples to taste.  I was delighted when I returned to find it has survived the years - I stopped by this evening while Christmas shopping in the Harbor Center - that smell of cinnamon is still there.

The storefront from outside

Storefront closeup - so inspiring as always.......

FINALLY GOT MY TREE UP

THE HALLS ARE DECKED, READY FOR THE SEASON.

CLEARWATER

Snow white sand beaches, bright umbrellas, green mermaids, bikinis, bright colors and ocean waves.  A trip on the Jolly Trolley, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill sitting in the beach sand, serving fresh seafood and the famous crab claws.  A fun lunch venue.

Approaching Clearwarer, gorgeous day!!

You leave your boat for a minute, the birds take over and make it home.......

Catch of the day from one of the fishing boats.

Blue skies, white sands, palm trees - what more could you ask for in November?

Clearwater beach, complete with bronzed bodies and black socks in the sand!!!!!!!  Scary stuff.  

The family looking at the black socks!!!

Mermaid - feeling a bit green today!  I think she ate too much fish......

Not sure who this is, stands proud on Clearwater beach, anchor in hand, and THE finger!!!!  It wasn't me.

Seat yourself down at Frenchy's - one of the barstools.

Lots of fun peeps - group of bikers, mom and pop, funky young, beautiful and hungry!!

Need the bathroom girls?  Just follow the fish.

I wasn't exaggerating when I said it's IN the sand.

View from our front table, enjoying a delicious lunch of grouper sandwiches.

Gotta luv the lobster.

Boating home - looking back ashore at Clearwater Beach

Fun day - how to enjoy the Gulf Coast.  

HOMESTEAD at CHRISTMAS

Baubles, jingles and beads, reindeer, glitter and trees, poinsettias, paperwhites and elves, snowmen, cardinals and fairy lights by the gazillion - beautiful decorations - and I remember the reason for the season.  Just 15 minutes from Annapolis on Rt. 214 in Davidsonville, MD - Homestead Gardens is an all-season trip to gawk and stare and desire and want and hyperventilate and shop.  And get inspired to come home and decorate.