THE SUNSHINE STATE

Snapped this Photo on my daily walkabout

Driving down to Florida we passed first through Indiana. Interesting to see what slogans are on state license plates. I was surprised that IN GOD WE TRUST is on Indiana's. My friend from Indiana jokes that they should use STOP CONFUSING US WITH ILLINOIS. I think Illinois should use THE 'S' IS SILENT. You can tell a tourist because they pronounce the 'S'.

Moving on over to Ohio , Birthplace of Aviation. Well that's confusing cause North Carolina has First in Flight on its plate. Onward to Tennessee where Follow me to Tennessee is the slogan. Huh? Wouldn't "Jack Daniels : 'Nuff Said " be more fitting ?

Then on to Georgia who uses, what else, Georgia on my Mind, also their state song but who knows more than the first line ? Then , finally, Florida, The Sunshine State which a comedian joked should read ASK US ABOUT OUR GRANDKIDS.

My home state Alabama is no longer " The Heart of Dixie ." It's now " The Stars fell on Alabama ". I think that YES WE HAVE ELECTRICITY would be better ! Just kidding.

SWEET HOME AND GARDEN CHICAGO IS A YEAR OLD FEB. 1

Rainy Day at Rocky Top, Tennessee

One year ago today I started my blog, SWEET HOME AND GARDEN CHICAGO. At the time, I had no idea that I would meet so many people as crazy as I am about gardening . So many different personalities in the garden blogging world and each give fresh views on blogging and gardening .

I've also written 267 blogs out of the 365 days in the year, pretty consistent , although I did take weekends off.

If blogging was my only job I'm sure I would do it much better than I have. The fact is that I have to struggle to write almost every day because I have so many other things on my plate
( yeah, just like you, I know !) .

So, to the dear bloggers that I've got to know and admire in the past year : I thank you for your encouragement and support, without which I surely wouldn't have come as far as I did.

GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY

Painting I did from my kitchen window:
February 1997 - BIG Snow



Why What's the matter

that you have such a February face,

So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness ?




-William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing

Actually, my February face is quite cheerful right now in the beautiful Florida sunshine. It was 80 degrees today.

I'm so overwhelmed by the beautiful Florida flora and fauna that is so unfamiliar to me. I can only dream of living in a place where I could grow something year round !

On the way here I stopped in a little "Whistlestop" cafe and had a mess of fried green tomatoes. SO yummy ! Passing through Tennessee and viewing the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and Cumberlap Gap renewed my appreciation of the scenery. Kentucky and Georgia are also beautiful with tall hills and horse farms. I was happy to see that Georgia finally had rain for several days and I was happy to see standing water in fields.

Come join the poetry circle and post a poem on your blog then let me know when it's up. I look forward to your participation.