Living in Northern Florida, we see more of a change in seasons than our neighbors further south. As I am writing this blog, the temperature is about 80 degrees F and the relative humidity is low. It's a gorgeous Spring day and I love this weather but it doesn't last very long. Spring and Fall are very short seasons. Winter varies, this year we had some cold weather but it was consistently cold and no real extreme freezes. Last year, we had about a week of hard freezes so we had to do something to protect our navel orange tree.
The citrus trees can survive right at freezing. It's when the temperature goes below freezing for four or more hours that we have a hard freeze - that will kill the citrus. So we insulate them with ice! It's the same idea as an igloo. The ice keeps the tree and the fruit from damage. The problem is, citrus trees aren't built for the weight of the ice. We lost a major branch last year when it broke from the ice.
North Florida is considered a sub-tropical climate. Sometimes it feels like we live in a rain forest!
It rained for about one week straight when I took this photo.
Then of course there are hurricanes! 2004 was the year we experienced more than our fair share of the monster storms. Although they were technically Tropical Storms by the time they reached us, we were still without power for one week with each storm......and there were three. Charley, Frances and Jeanne came calling and they were very unwelcome guests. I had just started scrapping and thought I would spend the down time with my new hobby. I printed photos and prepared journaling cards using the computer before the power went out. I was so smug thinking I had found a way to relieve the boredom when the power went out. Unfortunately, it was so humid I couldn't work with the paper. It wouldn't cut right because of the humidity!
And then there is Summer........although it's very hot for those seven months.........it does have its perks!
I did this layout a few years ago. This photo is of my nieces on a beautiful Summer morning on Sanibel Island. The journaling reads: Take Millions of gallons of Gulf of Mexico water Add: 2 handfuls of sisterly love, 10 toes happily squishing sand, A dash of anticipation to find the perfect sea shell. Mix well and bake under a brilliant Florida sun. Yield: 1 perfect morning on Sanibel Island.
Have a great weekend!
Posts
I have to tell you that I adore the journaling on that last page! Soooo creative! This whole post made me smile because we have identical weather. I am so enjoying our foray into the higher 70's and low 80's. My kids are asking for a swimming pool! LOL
ReplyDeleteI did not know that about citrus!!! here, they tell everyone to cover their citrus trees with sheets etc when we have freeze nights.. how interesting!! I loveeeeeeeee the photos and love love love that LO!! I loveeeeeeeeeee the photo and journaling! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! I haven't spent much time in N. Florida (a week with my friend in Jacksonville a few years ago) and don't know that much about your weather. The ice insulation is very interesting! We throw a blanket over our orange tree once every other year or so when our temps dip below freezing.
ReplyDeleteHey, that layout looks familiar... :) I wish we had an orange tree - great photo jujubee!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos remind me of the orange blossoms I just started smelling a couple of days ago in Central Florida! It's nature's air freshener!
ReplyDelete