Antigua

I haven't visited Antigua in 10 years, so I was truly excited to be there.  Shannon and Andre were getting married and we had to be there.  A very different wedding.  Boats, sun, sea, swimsuits, love.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Four days before the wedding, the ladies hosted a shower for Shannon at this glorious house on the water.  The theme was Hawaiian/Polynesian and we were asked to rock our floral tops, shorts, dresses, skirts....whatever.
After Shannon opened her gifts which were all wonderful items to fill her kitchen, her sister and friends performed a hula dance for her.  We ended up doing a congo line around the pool and naturally some of us ended up in the pool.

I also met up with some friends that I have not seen in a very long time, I'll start with them.

This is Lindsey.  We have not seen each other in about 20 years. 

This is Gregory, I see him every so often.....not often enough.  The smut talk and laughs we have are always memorable!

This is so random, but how wonderful!

Giselle looking out onto a sea of gold. 

At the bridal shower with Jess and a bunch of other wonderful women.

Shannon surprised about something.  Actually I think it was the remark from India who didn't want Heather throwing out the gift bag she had her gift to Shannon in.  So Heather is rummaging though the garbage bag for it.  LOL

Shannon in the middle of the hula dancers after their performance.  Brilliant performance, ladies!

and....they're in!!

My dear friend, Martha whom I have not seen in close to 10 years!  She shows up to pick me up wearing a white wig.  Nutter!  So we stopped for a mini photo shoot wearing the bag of wigs in her van.  Sweet!

Not even together for 10 minutes and we are up to silliness.  Everything is so easy and fun with Martha.

I DO's in paradise

Live music as the bride and groom walk down the sandy aisle.

Blessings

It's official now!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Andre Philip

The reception aboard Wadadli Cats. 

Bridal shoot like no other.

Reception on the beach.

Emma, Jess and I.  Cheers!

Who's this awesome dude rocking the unicorn?

hmmm....looks like someone got hold of my camera.  

Muh new friend, Heather!  She wotless!!

See what rum does!

Mmmmm the cakes.

Stevie, Dre and Dereck #tonalife

Emma tending the bar.

One of the best weddings ever!  So casual, but meaningful.  Fun and serious at the same time.  No ties, jackets, high heels.....none of that.  Just love.  Exactly how it's meant to be.
Click on the link below to see a short video that summed up the wedding and the day after.
#SHANDRE2017

Barbados

When I found out my aunt, uncle and cousins were going to be in Barbados, I had to go.  They live in England and New Jersey and what a great place to meet up with them, so I made plans.  I hadn't been to Barbados in just over 2 years, so it was really good to be back.  I had to balance my time between family and friends.  I think I did quite well.
Lots of photos in this post.

Family.  L to R.  Simon, Deborah, Wendy, Timothy, Woody, Gwyn and me

The blood relatives.  2nd Cousin Deborah, Aunty Wendy, 1st Cousin Timothy, Grandfather Woody and me.

How sweet that she actually stood still long enough for a photo.

LOL, she had enough.

Possibly the ugliest cake in the world and I made it for Simon.  Happy birthday Simon!

Khloe, Ava and Simon blowing out Simon's birthday candles.

Barbados is just beautiful.  I can never get enough of her beauty.

Visiting Earthworks.  Click on the link to check out what they make. A great place to buy local pottery. 

Deborah found these fun glasses in her condo. 

It might be too late for Christmas, but it's never too late for fun!

This network of roots is quite amazing.  The trees are alive and well yet the roots are exposed from the years of wind and sea and all that nourishes the trees are rain, sun and air and a bit of sand.

These girls.....I miss them so much.  Ava and Khloe.

A new brew in town.  Different beers named after popular locations around the island.  For those of you who love IPAs and strong hoppy beer, this is for you.  Personally, I'll leave it.  Yuck.

Beautiful Barbados.  No filter.  None needed.

My dear friend, Natasha.

Gwyn and Deborah at Port St. Charles.

Manny and I at Animal Flower Cave.  This is owned and run by Manny.  Related by marriage.

Barbados black belly sheep being herded down the road.  They knew where they were going.

Bathsheba

Bathsheba

A small cave under some rocks at Bathsheba

Glorious Sunflowers

I recieved a link in a text from a friend.  The link took me to Palm Beach Sunflowers.  Please follow them if you live in the area.  When I had a closer look, I only had 3 days left to visit them before the flowers were no longer pretty.....they begin to wilt, dry and drop seeds.  These particular sunflowers are grown for making sunflower oil.  This was their first experiment growing the flowers as an attraction to the public and it was wildly successful.  Good for them!  I was so impressed, I went twice.  You can also pick the flowers at $1 a flower, I think if you have a few tiny ones they'll give them to you for free. 
Friday February 17th is the day I went with my son and his friend, Frank and I went the next day, and Sunday was their last day.  So by following them, they will announce when they plant the seeds and 45 days after that, they will open the field of sunflowers to the public.  The flowers only bloom for 2 weeks, so don't miss it next year!  It's worth it.

The flowers are dying...but still so pretty.

Back lit beauty

Majestic against the blue sky

My American boy

LOL....looks like he's got fumes coming out of his ears.

Always a willing subject.

One of my favorite shots

My all time favorite shot

LOL, he's got a sunny personality.

LOL

My other son, Frank. 

I can't find my macro lens!!

The next day, I joined the girls and a random stranger took this photo for us.

Jenn, Dawn and Monica

Don't forget their backs....also beautiful.