MOTE Aquarium

MOTE Marine Laboratory was on our list of "educational activities" during our recent trip to Florida.  We had driven by the research facility/aquarium many times on our way to Sarasota and finally decided that we should spend the day there (plus, we had to justify an educational absence to our school!).  Usually when we visit Florida, it's very hot, so the temperate weather was a bonus.  We decided to combine our tour of the facilities with a boat tour of the bay, an "eco-tour" is how the brochure described it. 

From what we were able to observe (and read about MOTE), the laboratory is world-class.  They are the only research facility in the US with a congressionally-appointed shark research program. 

first we toured the "aquarium portion of MOTE"

we loved the touch tanks!

Emma's favorite was the stingray pool

we stopped on a small uninhabited island in Sarasota Bay (see how much taller Josh is than me?)

on the boat, our on-board biologist showed us several native species of marine life

many different crabs live in the bay

and urchins

on on-board biologist

this hideous thing was a batfish (he had legs and fins)

We really enjoyed our time at MOTE.  If you have the chance, it's totally worth your time to take a peek at what's lying beneath the surface of the Florida waterways!

At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life.(from their website)

1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 388-4441

Plesscher's Orange Grove

Even though I've been vacationing in the same town in Florida since 1988 (and, no, there will not be any photographical evidence), we try to discover new things with each visit.  This past visit, we left for Bradenton, Florida on December 27, leaving at 4:00 am with my mother and father-in-law.  After a 16-hour drive, we arrived! 

Two of the places we discovered during this last trip were the MOTE Aquarium in Sarasota, and Plesscher's Orange Grove.  We also visited the Lake Manatee State Park, and I'll share some really cool pictures later in the week! 

One of the many special things about visiting Florida in the winter is the abundance of produce.  We also visited a farmer's market and I can't wait to show you some of the pictures!  I tried to read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and while I want to agree with her - I just found myself hungry for fruit throughout the whole first half.  All I know is that produce tastes even better when you're visiting a more temperate climate.  The citrus and tomatoes alone make a 16-hour drive totally necessary. 

But, back to the orange grove.  Plesscher's is located about 40 minutes outside of Bradenton and run by Eugene Plesscher (we deduced that he's 84 years old).  He and his wife bought the property in 1960 and planted citrus trees, finally harvesting three years later. 

We picked 4 bushels of citrus.  Ruby red grapefruits, navel oranges, and tangelos.  A five-gallon bucket cost $8.  And the taste - holy moly, that fruit is to die for. 

The Plesscher's even have an honor system - if they're not home when you get there, just put your money in the slot. 

As the season progresses, they'll be growing honeybells, white grapefruits, and valencias, to name a few.  We had such a great time, and the bonus was that we'll be enjoying our citrus for several weeks!  I just love exploring areas we're already familiar with - especially when it involves food!

Eugene was giving me a lesson in how to pick navels

we stocked up on honey, too! 

If you happen to be in the Bradenton area, go check out Plesscher's -


Phone: 941-322-2030
3350 Highway 675
(County Road 675 East, 1/2 mi south of State Road 64)
Bradenton 34211

Highlights From Christmas

We had a really nice time celebrating Christmas with our families.  The one unfortunate thing about Christmas weekend is that I had a cold, which rarely happens with me.  I lost my voice (Rob called it a Christmas miracle), and lost my appetite.  I've just discovered that when I don't have an appetite (mostly due to being hopped up on cold meds) I can't cook worth a darn.  Like seriously.  Everything I tried to cook turned into a colossal failure.  So, nothing to report on that front.  Sorry. 

We did start a really fun family tradition, though.  This idea is something I borrowed from another blogger.  Every year we buy each of our kids several small presents and then one "big" present.  In the past, Rob made up something silly about "just finding one more present", "Santa must have forgotten to put these under the tree", etc.  So, this year, each of our kids received clues, leading to the next clue, until they finally found their "big present".

Emma was our first participant

then Kate

this picture totally describes their excitement for each other

Josh looking for his last clue, wrapped in a dollar bill

and, success - skis and boots!

Kate with her bitty twins, Wesley and Macy

Emma with her Barbie dollhouse

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Rob's side of the family and Christmas Day with my family.  I'll share some pictures - it was a really special time, and splitting the time up made our holidays even more relaxed and meaningful!

First up - Christmas Eve Day at the in-laws.  Presents, family time, and brunch!

our little fashionista

reading the Christmas story, from the book of Luke

Papa Peter with Wesley and Malachi

Natalie, our fashionista in training

still no voice, but wearing an Emma-approved outfit

cousins!

Nana Putz, Jeremy, and baby Malachi (and Jess hiding in the background)

Travis and Wesley

Jacob!

 Sorry for the less than stellar lighting - unfortunately our camera does not do well in artificial lighting.  Even though all of the previous pictures suggest we all have jaundice... we, in fact, do not! :) 

Christmas Day at my parents house

my sis and the vintage brooch we found for her!

Josh and his new dirtbiking  boots

my mom, the hostess with the mostest

our dinner, beef tenderloin

Emma and "buddy", her baby that loves stuffing balls

our little Kate!

the hit of the day - "just dance 3"

Josh on his "new" hand-me-down laptop

me - smiling at my hubby :)

I hope you were able to celebrate with your family during this holiday season!  I can't wait to share another year with all of you - hopefully there will be lots more good food, family fun, traveling, and getting to know all of you a bit better!  Happy New Year.