New and Old Treasures

The Swiss Chalet jewelry box on the right in this picture is over 50 years old and was given to me when I was a little girl by some friends of my grandmother. They bought this one and one for my sister while they were traveling in Switzerland. I visited Switzerland last fall and when I was in a shop in Lucerne, I saw the one on the left. Of course I had to buy it because it reminded me so much of the one I have cherished for so many years. A leg is missing on the old one and at some point one of the window shutters must have fallen off, so it got taped back on, but I think it's in pretty good shape for its age. Look how similar they are, right down to the little pebbles on the roof! Oh and my new one is also a music box.

Linking to Tuesday's Treasures.

Swamp

This swampy area is located not too far from my house. I took the photo while walking on an elevated boardwalk next to the side of the road. I always enjoy seeing cypress trees growing in the water. This being Florida though, I don't even want to think about what else might be lurking down there.

A little poser

This cute little anole appeared to be posing for me, but also giving me a wary look as I was crossing one of the footbridges on the trail at the Okeeheepkee Prairie Park. It scampered off right after I took this picture. This anole is brown, but has the ability to change to a green color depending on where it is in order to blend in and avoid predators.

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

Winter sky

I took this photo while walking on the trail at the Okeeheepkee Prairie Park.

Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Spanish moss

I liked the way the late afternoon sun was shining through the Spanish moss hanging on the branches of this oak tree in the park near my house.

Walker-Martin House

Before my computer woes last week I was showing a series of beautiful old homes in the Park Avenue Historic District near downtown. This is the Walker-Martin House which was built in 1896 for Newell Anders Walker and given as a wedding present from her husband Stanley May Walker, a local dry goods store owner. It later became the residence of Mr. and Mrs. George I. Martin. Mrs. Martin was the daughter of Stanley and Newell Walker. Today it is the home of a local law firm.

May Oak

This is all that is left of the beloved old May Oak located in Lewis Park downtown after it split down the middle and fell into the street in August 1986. The Tallahassee May Day Festival, one of the oldest annual celebrations in Florida, was held here until 1974. May Queens were crowned beneath its branches for more than 100 years. I remember the tree and I remember when it fell. It was a big deal for a city that cherishes its trees. You can see what it looked like in 1952 here. Another picture showing the May king and queen with their court under the tree in 1947 can be seen here.

Linking to Tuesday's Treasures.

Oranges

My neighbor's orange tree still has fruit on it, even though, as you can see, most of the surrounding trees are brown and have lost their leaves. There is also a lemon tree in my neighborhood, but all of the lemons are gone.

Great Egret

While on a walk at the Okeeheepkee Prairie Park, I spotted this Great Egret wading in the marsh. I had to zoom in from pretty far away, but then it flew off right after I took this one picture after getting spooked by someone's dog.

Linking to Saturday' Critters and the Bird D'Pot.

By the way, after a week of trying to revive my old MacBook Pro with no luck at all, I decided to solve the problem by buying a new one. Fortunately most of my photos were backed up on an external hard drive. I'm still getting used the new one, which is the newest version of the MacBook Pro. So far I like it, but that new touch bar is taking some getting used to.

A break

Unfortunately I am having some issues with my computer and will need to take a break until I can get it sorted out. I hope to be back soon!

The Knott House

I hope you are not tired of seeing historic old houses, because here is another one. The Knott House sits on the same street as the houses I showed last week in the Park Avenue Historic District and is probably my favorite. I have been inside, but not this time. You can see a few interior shots here. Just look at those columns! I certainly wouldn't mind having my morning coffee in that pretty sunroom there on the east side of the house.

The Chittenden House

The Chittenden House is was built between 1837 and 1839 and is another beautifully restored building located in the Park Avenue Historic District near downtown. The most recent restoration was in 2015 when it was reopened as The Park Avenue Inn. You can read about the fascinating history of the Chittenden House and see a few pictures of its interior here. It was a little challenging to get good photos of this house because it is located so close to the street and also because of all the beautiful landscaping. I took the third picture from the park across the street. I'm not sure what kind of plant that is in the last picture, but I'm sure one of my readers can identify it for me. It was growing in one of the planters near the front steps.

The Park Avenue Inn

The historic Chittenden House next door to the Murphy House that I showed earlier this week is now known as The Park Avenue Inn. More pictures of that house tomorrow. Aren't those winter blooms just beautiful?

Linking to signs, signs.

The Wood House

The Wood House sits next door to the Murphy House which I showed yesterday. Also a part of the Park Avenue Historic District near downtown, the house dates back to 1902 and was used as a winter residence for the Wood family from Ohio who came south to enjoy the warmer climate. From 1924 to 1946 the house served as a manse (the minister's home) for the First Presbyterian Church. It is now used as law offices. I took these pictures just a few minutes apart and the sky really was that blue. It got a little washed out in the first photo because I was standing in the shade and the sun was directly behind the roof. I made sure to get some of the Spanish moss hanging from the tree branches in the second shot to give it that "southern" feel.

The Murphy House

The Murphy House sits behind the charming little gate I showed in yesterday's post. The house is part of the Park Avenue Historic District near downtown and dates from around 1836. Built in the Gothic Revival style, prominent early residents included Susan Branch Hopkins, daughter of Florida’s last Territorial Governor, and Dr. George W. Betton, an important early physician in the city. During the post Civil War federal occupation of Tallahassee, Union troops quartered in the house and stabled their horses in the basement. The house has been owned by the Murphy family since 1928. The chimney you see to the right next door belongs to the Wood House, which I will show tomorrow.

Gate shadow

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this beautiful little gate and its shadow while on a walk this past weekend. It sits in front of the Murphy House located in the Park Avenue Historic District near downtown Tallahassee. I will show a few pictures of the house tomorrow.

Sandhill cranes on the golf course

I spent some of the holidays visiting my daughter and two oldest grandchildren and had a wonderful time. My daughter's house is located in a planned community south of Orlando which includes a golf course. I took these photos late one afternoon while driving through her neighborhood. Can you see the golf balls on the ground in some of the photos?

Linking to Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and the Bird D'Pot.

January 2017 Theme Day: Photo of the Year

It was a hard decision, but after going through all of my posts for 2016, I decided this one of two ibises standing on my neighbor's fence was my favorite. I still think they look like they are having some sort of discussion.

The first day of the month is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community and as always on the first day of the new year, we get to pick our favorite photos from the past year. Visit the CDP Theme Day gallery here to see other members' favorite photos.