Joe, also known as “Joey Coconuts,” and I are spending Christmas week in South Florida. When I tell that to people, their reactions usually fall into one of two categories. First, there are those who would like to jump into my luggage. Sure! Then, there are those who wonder if a South Florida Christmas can even feel like Christmas. It does, only it’s warmer.
The only moment when both groups are in agreement is when they stare, speechless, after I explain that Joe and I are going to Florida to do yard work. Yes, that’s the perfect vacation — and since there isn’t too much time to write, I thought I would share some photos.
A smiling snowman — smiling, no doubt, because he’s not melting in the Florida heat.
The rust-colored “fur” on the sheath of a Teddy Bear Palm.
A close-up of Poinsettia — Christmas red growing outside.
Here we have an Ibis — a brazen Ibis who had no fear of a human with a camera.
Cordyline, or Ti plant, is not one of my favorites because it tends to get leggy and woody —
but the colorful foliage can’t be beat.
Some Florida Christmas humor.
Our neighbor’s Sanseveria trifasciata sent shoots into our yard. If left unchecked, the plant can take over.
By the way, the more common names are Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant or Snake Plant.
The eyes of a Bougainvillea.
A simple and elegant entryway.
We arrived in time to see the Adonidia Palm, also known as the Christmas Palm, produce seeds.
Joey Coconuts’ work paid off — behold the fruits of his labor.
It’s amazing to see a blade of green slice through the tough coconut shell as if it were soft butter.
Christmas lights reflected in a canal.
Our neighbor’s front yard is like a blank slate.
What better way to spend Christmas than sharing some of our sprouts with the neighbor.
The babies — two Coconut Palms and one Sunshine Palm — just need to be watered.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
Merry Christmas Kevin and Joe! I hope you enjoy your stay in Florida. I love it down there, any time of year. We just had our first snow storm and it was quite exciting to have a white Christmas for a change. Travel safe.
Mario, great to hear from you. Hope the holiday season has been good to you — and how nice to have a white Christmas, and some moisture added to your soil. 🙂 Be well and all the best for the New Year.
Hey There, I grew up going to FL as a kid! I live in Seattle now…I prefer Hawaii these days. But I do have wonderful memories..YOU all have tons of fun and keep the photos coming..love them. Alesia
Alesia, glad you’re liking the photos. Seattle and Hawaii are two places on my bucket list — someday, I’ll make it west again. Be well and all the best in 2013!
Back at ya!
Enjoy your Florida “holiday” but don’t work too hard ! Whish I was there ! Here it is cold, dark and wet ! yuck !
Brrrr. I have to chuckle, though. The forecasters here are lamenting about a cold front. I now have to wear a sweatshirt with my shorts. They should only know what cold is. Stay warm!
a sweatshirt and a short ! then it must be cold there (lol) !
I don’t go out unless I have to, it is nice and cosy inside and I have a bit of a holiday but when I look at all those blogs from warm countries I am very envious !
Enjoy the last days of the year !
Glad you got spend Christmas in the warm sunshine. Here is Dallas, we were actually treated to a bit of the white stuff which, of course, turns everyone in my fair city into maniacs.
Great pictures.
Hi Peggy. The same thing happens on Long Island, as well. A prediction of three inches means milk and bread are gobbled up at the supermarket, and the forecasters carry on like it’s an impending Ice Age. Be safe out there.
Hi Kevin, I would definitely be in the category ‘would like to jump into the luggage’ – I would even offer to help with the garden work, anything to get to a place I could wear shorts and T-shirt right now! Here in London we have had a mild period, no white Christmas, but at 10-12 degrees Celsius and strong, cold winds it is winter coats and scarf weather.
Hoper you have a lovely time, all the best for 2013.
Take care, Helene.
Hi Helene. I’m home now and catching up on blog business — and right now, I’d like to be in some luggage heading south again. It’s cold and gray and snowy. Happy New Year!
Gardening for Christmas – perfection! I don’t mind the cold weather here too much but I miss getting outside in the yard. Those are seriously, a lot, of coconuts. and they’re big too. They must grow fast. Glad you had someone to share with.
Marguerite — Happy New Year. Wish I was back there right now. It’s brrrrrr outside. 🙂
It does seem weird to just see coconuts sprouting! But it must make landscaping easier. Enjoy your warmth before it’s back to the grind. I’m hoping for lots of snow days this year. 🙂 Happy holidays!
Yes, they are a very large seed — and it’s amazing to watch the process. Who knew green could be so strong? Enjoy the New Year!
I can imagine warmth, sun, and outdoor gardening makes for a really nice Christmas after the last couple of months with storms and a full dose of winter. It’s nice to see your Florida home and enjoy photos sharing personal touches in your landscaping. I hope the new year gives you even more reasons to be warm and happy in all that you do! I have enjoyed getting to know you through all that you share!
Debra!! I feel much the same way — and congratulations! According to the WordPress elves, you were the number 1 commenter on the this site. 🙂
Over here in Blighty we can only get Mother-in-laws tongue & coconut palms to grow as houseplants and even then the palms are usually short-lived. So, lovely to see them growing as they should, except in the case of the MILT…NOT in your back yard!
Tiz miserable, raining & grey over here so basking in your sunny photos. Happy New Year to you both x
Jane! I’m home on Long Island, where it’s also cold and gray. And thanks for the Tweets — it makes me feel like we are neighbors rather than on different continents. 🙂
I only saw on movies how Christmas looks like in places like Florida and I always asked myself whether they really feel Christmas in that heat. So I fall in the second category. But meanwhile I can truly understand why ou spend your holidays there: you not only have your second home there, but that is a project for the future and I find it very charming (even though moving to Florida after retirement is a rather common thought, isn’t it?).
We could ask the snowman, since it looks ready to make an important speech with all those microphones in front of him….
Hi Alberto. I thought they were microphones as well, but they’re all a bunch of solar yard lights. Don’t ask. Have a wonderful New Year in your part of the world.
Hoping you and Joe had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy a new year ahead full of joy! ~ Kat
Kat, I wish the same for you and your family. I’m home on Long Island now — the only good thing is the amount of seed catalogs that arrived while I was away. A great way to spend a gray and cold afternoon. 🙂
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Kevin. Happy new year to both of you. Bring back some sun! — K
Happy and healthy wishes to you, as well. I wish I could have packed up some sun — I’m feeling the chill.
Best wishes to you for 2013. Great pics!
Bridget x
Thanks. Hope all is well with you.
Dear Kevin, How kind of you to post such warm and tropical photos on the day I picked to come visit your blog after a year’s absence! We have spent a lot of time, this past year, in Florida and are going back in March to look for a small house, perhaps near you and Joey Coconuts. We will be looking near the Space Coast, is that near you, dear?
Your blog has flourished beautifully, I love your photos and will not stay away so long, this time!
Sis
Sissy! Glad that you’re back and that — hopefully — you have time to catch up on blog stuff. Yes, things have been busy around here. How exciting that you’ll be moving south. Joey Coconuts and I are further south — or will be at some point. And when that time comes, I’m looking forward to a whole lot of inspiration for posts. :). Be well. Enjoy the Super Bowl.