Happy Easter to all who celebrate.
And this year, the Holiday falls on a date that is perfect to remember the English tradition/superstition which says (no fooling):
"a person should say or repeat the word 'rabbit' or 'white rabbit' three times upon waking on the first day of every month, because doing so will ensure good luck for the duration of the month." (from Wikipedia)
In the interest of honesty (and not fooling anyone even on April 1) the rabbit pictures and tradition appeared in slightly different form on the first of a different month in a different and earlier year. But this month's timing is too perfect not to repeat them. The pictures in the rest of the post are more current.
In March we spent a couple of days exploring Florida's Tropical Trail (around the towns of Redland, Homestead, and Florida City). This trip was also when we visited the orchid nursery/farm shown in last week's post.
We learned about and sampled all kinds of tropical fruits at a park called The Herb and Spice Farm and at a locally famous farm store called Robert is Here. Both places were interesting and the fruits we sampled were delicious. But the couple of kinds we bought to take home didn't quite taste the same. I don't think we have the knack of choosing these unfamiliar fruits. I'm sure we'd get better with more practice (but it's a bit too far to travel for that. Mangoes are the only ones we see in the stores here).
It wasn't a birding trip this time, but I couldn't resist making portraits of the sweet purple martins at Robert is Here. They seemed to love their southern home!
Grateful that there are new things to see and learn and that we are able to get out and find them. Thankful too for the hosts of the following sharing opportunities and for all of you who visit -- and especially for those who take the time to comment.
Linking this week to: SATURDAY CRITTERS; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; ALL SEASONS; MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; Wednesday AROUND THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY and RATHER B' BIRDING
I really like those purple mountain houses...very cool...I stopped there at Robert's they cut up a nice papaya for me, it was awesome!
Posted by: Sondra | April 07, 2018 at 04:27 PM
I do like that rabbit. Well, I like rabbits in general - but they are a pest here so have to be carful who I tell!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | April 06, 2018 at 11:35 PM
I don't know whether the rabbit is lucky, but it sure is adorable.
Amalia
xo
Posted by: handmade by amalia | April 06, 2018 at 09:13 PM
Precious! Happy Spring!
Posted by: Kelleyn Rothaermel | April 06, 2018 at 01:57 PM
Oh, Sallie, I seem to be later and later in catching your posts. As someone who routinely utters "Rabbit Rabbit" on the first of each month, I enjoyed your take on this wish and the bit of history that accompanied the rabbits. :) As to Robert is Here - yum.
Posted by: Penny | April 06, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Hello My Friend, I have thoroughly enjoyed these delightful photos. So good to be visiting again. I read your comment and it spurred me on to get posting again, so I am here to thank you and to let you know how much I appreciated your sweet comments. I am back :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | April 06, 2018 at 10:31 AM
I wasn't expecting bunnies! Mine was ceramic. I was going to guess grackles on the birds until I saw the bird house. Happy Spring!
Posted by: Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES | April 05, 2018 at 04:50 PM
Those melons sure look yummy Sally and I adore Purple Martins...they look so much like Swallows and I love all of them that also eat insects...such good, smart, sweet birds doing their best to keep me happy ;) I hope that you have enjoyed the week. I seem to always run until Thursday to check blogs~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | April 05, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Happy Easter Sally...hugs..Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Banks | April 05, 2018 at 11:54 AM
I didn't know about saying rabbit three times. That is quite a superstition. Thanks for linking up today!
Posted by: Michelle | April 05, 2018 at 11:51 AM
Excellent post---covering many bases.
MB
Posted by: MaryBeth Schwartz | April 04, 2018 at 11:27 PM
I love the purple martins! As always wonderful photos and very uplifting to come to see your blog. Thanks so much for being a friend to me and my blog and thanks for your comments on my blog. I try to do a few comments back each day but I am far behind!
Posted by: islandrambles | April 04, 2018 at 06:12 PM
Those are some pretty cute little rabbits.
Posted by: a spirit of simplicity | April 04, 2018 at 03:45 PM
...lots of places to see.
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | April 04, 2018 at 02:25 PM
Lovely signs, but the Capri Restaurant is 2.2 miles away. Taxi, Taxi!!
Posted by: Taken For Granted | April 04, 2018 at 02:13 PM
One would really need to know their directions if following that Redland sign post!
Posted by: Lesley | April 04, 2018 at 01:07 PM
Quite a signpost.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | April 04, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Cute bunny! A ranch down the road has a martin house, so I assume they are around here, but haven't seen one so far. Enjoyed your post.
Posted by: Betty Crow | April 04, 2018 at 04:47 AM
We had martins visit our cabin once. They were chasing the swallows nesting in boxes at our cabin. Fortunately they were too big to get inside at the babies, but they sure dove at the adult birds. - Margy
Posted by: Margy | April 03, 2018 at 09:07 PM
Hello Sallie!:) Lovely post, starting with the bunnies. I have an English friend who always sends me an email on the 1st of March, reading "White Rabbits." She also told me it brings good luck. All those tropical fruits look so tempting, but I wouldn't know how to choose when they were at their best, (ripe,) or the correct way to eat them. Love your sweet Purple Martins photos, and their houses. Your weather is perfect for outdoor pursuits, and I'm sending you best wishes for continued good health to enjoy it. All the best!:)
Posted by: Breathtaking | April 03, 2018 at 12:38 PM
I like going to markets and sampling the local fruits when I travel.
Posted by: Photo Cache | April 03, 2018 at 12:13 PM
A wonderful variety of photos!
Posted by: Marleen | April 03, 2018 at 09:03 AM
Great photos! Love the signs!
Posted by: Lea @ Lea's Menagerie | April 03, 2018 at 03:46 AM
I'm not much good at choosing the tropical fruits either - mind you give me a crunchy apple any day :)
Posted by: Little Wandering Wren | April 03, 2018 at 02:49 AM
I've never heard of that superstition but the bunny looks like he'd be forgiving! I love your photos and the cool things that you find to photograph. Yes, I think practice is the key for picking fruits, especially if you're not familiar with them.
Posted by: betty - NZ | April 03, 2018 at 01:10 AM
The Purple Martin on the bottom right looks like his name ought to be Bob. "Bob's my name," he said, bobbing his head to the song "when the red, red, robin goes bob, bob, bobbing, along..." :-)
What I hunger for is a papaya. Sigh. I don't buy them at the market because I don't want to be disappointed by the sad taste of them.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | April 02, 2018 at 06:53 PM
When in tropical climates, I always find I can't go wrong with a mango or a papaya...as long as they are ripe! Like bananas, they just don't taste the same when unripe.
Thanks for the cute rabbit pictures. I can't resist rabbits.
Kay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay L. Davies | April 02, 2018 at 03:21 PM
Guanabana? New one on me. Love tropical fruits.
Posted by: Fun60 | April 02, 2018 at 01:31 PM
very cute bunny but the best of the lot is all that tropical fruit! Lovely that you got the chance to try it all.
Posted by: mick | April 02, 2018 at 12:45 PM
Love the bunnies & p. Martins!! Easter was special this year for our family as well. Apr. 1st is my daughter's birthday.
Posted by: Hootin' anni | April 02, 2018 at 12:16 PM
Nice photos, I recognize the paw paws, we have them here, they are so yum.
Posted by: Amy | April 02, 2018 at 12:11 PM
Cute bunnies. Robert is here is a unique name for a store that looks fun to explore. There are so many different tropical fruits that we never see here. Purple martins are common here in the summer and I enjoy their glossy coats.
Posted by: Lorrie | April 02, 2018 at 11:53 AM
Sweet post!
We've rabbits here. No swallows.
That is an amazing spot to visit. Lots going on.
Posted by: Jennifer Jilks | April 02, 2018 at 06:43 AM
I agree...it's very nice to still have new things to learn and see and we live in a wonderful state to do just that. I would love to try some of these tropical fruits! How interesting! Hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | April 02, 2018 at 05:43 AM
Happy Easter; Happy Mosaic Monday.
Yes i've heard about that superstition from my mother
much love...
Posted by: gillena | April 02, 2018 at 05:30 AM
I always say rabbit rabbit, twice not thrice, to bring good luck during the rest of the month, it's seems to be working so far, fingers crossed.
Roberts fruit farm looks interesting but I think I'd need educating before buying
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Happy MM.
Posted by: Maggie | April 02, 2018 at 03:53 AM
That's a very cute bunny !!
Posted by: Gattina | April 02, 2018 at 02:25 AM
Sweet rabbit pic and I love those tropical fruits. As Easter Sunday and our annual Easter egg hunt fell on April Fool's Day, I wrapped up some satsumas to look like Easter eggs and then sent the kids out into the garden to look for them! They have a great sense of humour so thought it was pretty funny. (They did also then hunt for their real Easter eggs..)
Posted by: Lady Fi | April 02, 2018 at 01:44 AM
nice post ! thanks for sharing n keep it up !
Posted by: lavit gupta | April 02, 2018 at 01:21 AM
I didn't know this superstition ! In eastern part of France (like in Germany) it's a wild rabbit who brings chocolates (eggs, bells, hens...) to children. Elsewhere it's the bells of the Churches, back from Rome. Have you this tradition in USA ? Have a nice week, Sallie !
Posted by: Annie | April 02, 2018 at 12:18 AM
Cute bunnies! I love tropical fruits!
Posted by: nancy chan | April 01, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Hope you got to celebrate Easter with your kids, or?
Haha, I didn't know that superstition about the bunny:) - the middle green and orange bottom looks like papaya - taste is similar to mango. What I don't see here, is dragon fruit, our son introduce it to use in China - red on outside, and white with black speckles on inside,a nice sweet taste. Prickly pear (reminds me a porcupine) smells horribly, but I've been told tastes delicious.
I finish my comment before it becomes a book, lol! Thank you for sharing your adventure with tropical fruit with All Seasons, and have a beautiful Week - - and thank you for your Easter wish!
Posted by: jesh StG | April 01, 2018 at 08:12 PM
It looks like a fun excursion. If only life were as simple as those magical superstitions would have it be!
Posted by: Al | April 01, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Sweet rabbits and gorgeous purple martins! I hope you are having a wonderful Easter!
Posted by: Marie-OR | April 01, 2018 at 08:15 AM
i see people write "rabbit, rabbit" on Facebook, i never knew what that meant!!!
the trip around Florida's Tropical Trail sounds fun, awesome pictures to represent it!!
you got some really great captures of the purple martin, i have always loved the "design" of their homes!!
happy easter sallie, wishing you a wonderful day today (we celebrated yesterday)!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | April 01, 2018 at 07:45 AM
Looking at that notice board I think I would be heading towards the winery. That got me thinking as to why we only see Californian wine here - perhaps the climate of Florida does not make for the best wine?
I love mango but never buy one whole as I have failed to master the art of peeling, slicing and cutting one. In Sri Lanka we stopped at a roadside stall where the chap did the whole job in about 15 seconds and handed over a plate of the most delicious ripe mango I ever tasted.
Posted by: phil | April 01, 2018 at 06:00 AM
Happy Easter! Rabbit rabbit rabbit!
Posted by: Linja in Virginia | March 31, 2018 at 10:26 PM
This tropical trail sounds like it has a lot to offer. Such interesting tropical fruits and herbs. Love the purple martins.
A very happy Easter to you and yours!
Posted by: ellen b | March 31, 2018 at 08:55 PM
Son Logan brought up the irony of Easter being on the same day as April Fools Day this year. Had to frown at him, but smile at the same time.
Posted by: Yogi | March 31, 2018 at 06:11 PM
Love those tropical fruits especially the red paw paw or papaya whatever they are called over there. Happy Easter no bunny photos from here, they are prohibited due to them ruining farm country.
Posted by: diane | March 31, 2018 at 06:03 PM
Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits! Happy Easter
Posted by: Carol | March 31, 2018 at 05:05 PM
I would have been in heaven to try new tropical fruits ... when we lived near St. Petersburg, Florida in my youth, we had a mango tree in the yard and we never got tired of its sumptuous fruit! Happy Easter to you!
Posted by: Angie | March 31, 2018 at 04:56 PM
the bunnies are as cute as can be :) Love to see the Martins too.
Hope your Easter is great with fine weather too.
Posted by: NatureFootstep PhotoArt | March 31, 2018 at 03:27 PM
Happy Easter to you ~ What sweet and adorable bunny photos!
Happy Days to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | March 31, 2018 at 02:17 PM
Happy bunny day Sallie.
Posted by: Bob Bushell | March 31, 2018 at 01:39 PM
The bunnies are cute. Happy Easter to you and your family!
Posted by: bill burke | March 31, 2018 at 01:25 PM
Love those Bunny photos! Happy Easter and SPRING!!!
Posted by: Linda Brown | March 31, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Hello, Sallie! Cute bunny, could be a relative of the Easter Bunny?
The Purple Martins are pretty birds. The fruits look delicious. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. I appreciate your visit and comment. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. Happy Easter to you and your family.
Posted by: Eileen | March 31, 2018 at 12:29 PM
I love your bunnies, Sallie! Happy Easter!
Posted by: RedPat | March 31, 2018 at 12:18 PM
The purple martins are quite cute!
I spent time yesterday in the company of rabbits and other critters at our agriculture museum, which doubles as a working farm.
Happy Easter!
Posted by: William Kendall | March 31, 2018 at 11:42 AM
And a very Happy Eastertime! I made up that word. Just because someone doesn't follow the religious beliefs doesn't mean they can't enjoy the season, especially the bunnies and the fruit and the purple martins. A fun post, Sallie. And very cool photos. When we lived in Pembroke Pines (back in the 1980s), our neighbor had a huge mango tree and he was always giving us mangoes. I never did develop a taste for them. Don't know why. I like other fleshy fruits. Maybe my taster is just stubborn?
Hope all goes well. So nice to hear from you and see your post. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Lowell | March 31, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Hi Sallie-
The Bunny is very cute and the tropical fruits make me hungry for some. Happy Easter to y'all!
Have a Happy WE!
Peace :)
Posted by: GreenComotion | March 31, 2018 at 10:09 AM