In this insightful guide, we share innovative strategies for maximizing your Gardyn hydroponic system, particularly by reusing the yCubes that many might consider single-use.
Our Siesta Key Watersports Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar Tour Review
We recently spent a Sunday afternoon on the Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar tour with Siesta Key Watersports in Sarasota. Although the dolphins decided not to join us, we still had a great time cruising the local waterways, hearing stories about the wildlife and waterfront homes, and getting off the boat to explore a sandbar.
Asian Tramp Snails in Florida: Cute but Definitely Not Native
The author fondly recalls their childhood habit of creating homes for tiny snails but recently discovered the invasive Asian tramp snail in Florida. This species, originating from Asia, thrives in warm, humid conditions and can harm gardens. Residents are advised against relocating them, as they spread easily and can damage plants.
SmartWings Motorized Honeycomb Shade Review: A Major Upgrade for Our Hallway Window
I recently replaced the old blinds in our large hallway window with a custom motorized shade from SmartWings, and I absolutely love the upgrade! I went with a SmartWings honeycomb cellular shade with light-filtering fabric in Slate Blue. I chose an inside mount so it would sit neatly within the window frame, just like our previous blinds.
Visiting TESO Life in Jacksonville, Florida: What to Expect
Our first visit to TESO Life Jacksonville included aisles of blind boxes, imported snacks, skincare, wooden puzzles and unusual drinks. We explored the massive Asian lifestyle store and discovered a fun mix of collectibles, beauty products, home goods, frozen treats and unique items you will not find in most Jacksonville stores.
Alex Trendler Reads Your Mind- A Unique Night at the Blue Jay Listening Room
When a friend invited me to go with her to "Alex Trendler Reads Your Mind" at the Blue Jay Listening Room, I didn't know what exactly we'd be seeing, but it looked interesting, so I decided to go along.
Are Locusts and Cicadas the Same Thing? Here’s the Difference
I was talking to a friend recently who commented, "Locusts, cicadas...same thing right?" I did not think that sounded right and was pretty sure they were NOT the same thing. So of course, I had to go home and do a little digging to find out the answer.
Homeaglow Review: My Honest Experience with Homeaglow’s Booking Process and Cleaning Service
Finding a reliable house cleaner can be overwhelming with all the research, getting quotes, and meeting for in-home consultations. It can take a lot of your time! That's why I decided to try Homeaglow, which offers a simpler, more flexible approach to booking cleaning services.
Capybara Café St. Augustine: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
Wondering if the Capybara Café in St. Augustine is worth a visit? I spent time feeding and interacting with the world's largest rodents and met some adorable animal friends along the way. Here's my honest review, what to expect, and a few surprises that made the experience memorable.
What Are These Small Bananas on My Florida Banana Tree?
After trying a fresh banana off the banana trees in our Florida yard, I wondered why it looked and tasted different than the grocery store bananas. And it had seeds!
What is that Giant Brown Moth?
I saw what looked like a small bird flapping on the outdoor table, and on closer inspection, discovered it was a giant brown moth with two black circles on its back like eyes. A quick Google search let me know this was a Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) and it is one of the largest moths … Continue reading What is that Giant Brown Moth?
A Visit to the Mayport Garden Club Tiki Speakeasy
The newest and swankiest place to grab a drink in the Jacksonville area is located next to Reve Brewery in Mayport, where you'll enter a side door that opens into a garden corridor that leads you to the tiki themed Mayport Garden Club (MGC).
Barred Owls in Our Florida Neighborhood
I had never seen Barred Owls in my yard until moving to Atlantic Beach, FL, where our neighborhood has a beautiful, lush canopy of large Live Oak trees. In the evenings we can hear them hooting and making some rather strange noises to communicate with each other.
What Actually are Florida Sand Fleas?
If you grew up in Florida, then you've probably spent some time catching those little burrowing creatures at the beach we usually call sand fleas. If you've held them in your hands, you know that they don't bite like fleas, but will instead try and burrow between your fingers.
Caring for Your Money Tree Plant
This Valentine's Day my son and husband got me a Money Tree plant. I've been telling them for a while that I'd prefer live plants to cut flowers, so I was pretty excited about it. I've never had a Money Tree plant before, so I had to look up how to care for it and will be sharing that here on the blog!
Attack of the Papaya Hornworms
One day my papaya tree was fine, and the next it was infested with giant brown and green caterpillars with voracious appetites. We found at least 50 Papaya Hornworms and had to hand pick them off the tree. Some of them did not want to leave!
Why Do Sand Dollars Turn Your Hands Yellow?
We explored a sandbar today that was home to a lot of live sand dollars. After handling them, my son's fingers were stained yellow, which made me remember that happening to me when I was a kid hunting sand dollars.