The Christmas Puppy

She's not really a puppy, she will be 5 in January, and we got her the Friday before the big day, but Sasha has brought much joy into our home just when we needed it, so that is what we have been calling her. Just one more similarity with our beloved dog Murphy....we got her at the same time of year and always called her that. When Roy, Sasha's previous owner, was leaving her behind at our house and heading back to Miami, he said 'Your girls will love having a Christmas puppy.' More proof it was just meant to be.

We've been looking at rescue dog sites for months and have made many calls, but nothing worked out. When John found Sasha, it moved quickly and the owners (who were moving and couldn't take her along) offered to drive down and make sure she was going to a good home. After a few hours of looking at the front door, Sasha settled in and it's like she has lived here for years.

The girls and all their class mates met her that Friday after school....Sasha loved the attention. The following Sunday we had guests in for an open house and no one could believe we had just gotten her two days before. Sasha spent part of Christmas day curled up in one of our dinner guest's lap. Everyone just loves her. I think it's that special blend of dachshund and lab that makes Sasha so sweet, just like Murphy was.

She has filled a void that all of us have been feeling after my father passed away one month before Christmas. There has been much joy this holiday season, but it has all been tinged with a sadness that culminated Christmas evening. Lots of phone calls and texts, consoling each other from afar. Everyone has bounced back - we all agree that we were all just trying to get through the holiday and once we did it seemed okay to let the tears flow.

The girls are currently curled up on a sofa with their new Disney Princess and Pokemon comforters (even though it is still way to hot for them.....hoping this record heat goes away soon!). Giggling over Minecraft with Sasha right in the middle. They take turns taking her outside and holding the leash for walks. It's been relaxing and fun. We've got another week to hole up and enjoy each others company before school starts again. And I'm glad for this time together.

Good Grief

I've been hearing these words a lot lately since 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is in heavy rotation at my house. We are gearing up for a wonderful Christmas at home this year. We decorated a big, full tree from MARC House. We've been playing holiday tunes and lighting lots of candles. There are several special events coming up at school and church, and two full weeks of school break to look forward to. Life is good, we are very fortunate. We have plans to help those on the island who aren't so lucky during the holidays. I've always heard that if you want to feel better you should do something nice for someone else.

Two days before Thanksgiving my dad passed away suddenly. I got the call that every person dreads. It was a shock to my entire system and to my whole family. Because Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel time of the year, we couldn't fly out until Friday morning. Those two days at home gave me clarity and although I was upset not to be able to be in Pennsylvania immediately, in hindsight I realize those days were a great gift. I was able to turn my grief from a raw state to a calmer, more reflective one. It has made me think of Charlie Brown's famous line. Maybe there really is a 'good grief.' You are sad and missing the person who passed terribly, but there is so much good to think about, wonderful memories and funny stories, that it is hard to focus only on the end of life.

It is difficult to live so far away from family during times of crisis. And there have certainly been times that I have felt selfish for being 90 miles from Cuba and 1,300ish miles from family. But in the days we have been back in Key West, I realize that this is my home. I'm am a proud Pennsylvania girl and I love my time there, but this is where my family's life is. The kindness that our church and school communities have shown us during this difficult time has been truly amazing. Honestly, I have never experienced anything like it. We are  thankful to be here and grateful for the people who have become part of our lives.

Heavy Metal

We've just celebrated the one year anniversary of my older daughter Mari having braces. She started with a palate spacer last September and on Halloween, just after the costume parade at school, we headed to the orthodontist for top braces. Bad timing, yes, getting braces on the the biggest candy eating day of the year, but we didn't have much choice. In Key West the orthodontists live on the mainland and have satelite offices here. Ours is on island every other Friday and Saturday. Not a lot of room for changing appointments around.

So every six weeks or so it's an ortho weekend. Either Friday after school or Saturday morning (sometimes both), we are sitting in the tiny waiting room on Northside Drive along with what feels like the majority of local kids aged 8 to 13. We see pretty much everyone we know there. And after quick updates on school and latest events, we chat about special ortho dental floss and if they break the rules and eat popcorn and tortilla chips. Important orthodontic topics. It's an island bonding experience.

Mari has done very well on this journey, which has been quite painful at times. After major adjustments, new wires, and adding the bottom braces she lived on children's tylenol, jello, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Her teeth look amazing! The before and after is impressive. And this year, with the girls at their new school with the amazing parent-run Trick or Trunk, Mari got to induldge in what she missed out on last year. I let them eat as much as they wanted for 24 hours and then it went in the trash. No sticky stuff, which can tear those brackets right off, but everything else was fair game. I think Josie made out extra well with all the stuff Mari couldn't eat.

When I was a kid I always wanted braces. I thought it would be so cool! I am blessed with straight teeth and I never needed them. My issue was terrible vision and I got my first pair of glasses when I was in first grade. I would have loved to trade them in for a set of shiny metal braces with the colorful rubber bands that my friends had. Now that I see what my daughter is dealing with, I'm glad I missed out.

Hide & Seek

So as I've mentioned before, Key West has two Publix grocery stores located just blocks from each other on Roosevelt Boulevard. The original is the 'Old Publix' and the newer one, the store that moved into Albertson's space in Key's Plaza, is the 'New Publix.' The chain is working hard to make the 'New Publix' even newer by redesigning the space. They've been at it since mid-summer. It's kinda making me nuts.

We don't have the shopping options of the rest of the state, and I've made my peace with that, but I always found solace in knowing where EVERYTHING I need is located for my quick trips to Publix between other errands or before picking the girls up at school. Yesterday as I wandered around looking for something, noting that the aisle sign was completely wrong, I briefly considered finding the manager to point out the incorrect signage and tell him or her how this whole renovation thing really wasn't working for me. Fortunately, because I live on a small island, I don't actually go through with these plans because I will run into this manager weekly if not daily, at Publix and every other place in Key West.

I was talking to a woman the other day about the renovation at our local K Mart. She was completely exasperrated that everything was someplace different. She went on and on. I hadn't known about that project because I only go to K Mart under duress. But it made me think that maybe my feelings are an island thing....maybe I'm not the only one who has a hard time dealing with change.

While on the topic of shopping, I could write several blogs on Key West's 'Dollar Store.' I'm not sure of it's official name, everyone just calls it that so I do as well. It is a microcosm of island life....a bit chaotic, slow moving, with a dose of crazy most times I go in there. Last weekend the girls and I ventured into the island's new dollar store, called Deals on Flagler Avenue. Josie said, "Wow! This is fancy!" I wouldn't go that far, but it is DEFINITELY a much nicer alternative to the other one. There are many reasons to move to Key West, but shopping isn't one of them.

Tales from the Cafeteria

I started this school year with a big volunteer project, one that I am truly enjoying. I'm the assistant lunch lady at the girls' school. I help the paid staff person prep and serve, and I write the monthly lunch menu and order the food from vendors. This may not sound like a fun gig to most people, but it is perfect for me.

I helped to set up the lunch program at a previous school, and I have a long history of food-related projects. I'm good at shaving food costs and maintaining inventory. But that isn't why I enjoy it so much. It's the diners who make the job so much fun.

At 11:30 the first students arrive in a surprisingly orderly fashion. If you packed your lunch, find a seat with your classmates. If you are purchasing lunch, form a line in front of the serving area. The youngest kids are just adorable, and some of them are really hearty eaters for little people! We had some communication issues in the beginning. It can be loud in the cafeteria with the oven vents on so we have to speak up. But after just a few weeks even the three year olds say 'yes, please' and 'no, thank you.'

Yesterday was a school favorite, chicken strips or chicken nuggets with macaroni and cheese. These kids can eat some macaroni and cheese, let me tell you! Each day brings something funny to the serving line. Sometimes we lunch ladies have to hold back a full-on giggle fit. Yesterday's joke was this:

Me: Would you like strips or nuggets?
Kid: No, thank you. I'll just have chicken.

This conversation happened many, many times over the hour of lunch service.

Each class sits together to eat, joined by their teacher. It is calm and surprisingly quiet. If things get too loud, it is quickly hushed. Tables are wiped, lines re-formed, and the students file out with their friends. They often wave and thank us. These are some polite students. I am impressed by them each day.

It's all over by 12:40 or so. At the end of it I am generally tired, hot, and my feet hurt. But I also feel happy and satisfied to have used my skills to help my daughters' school (by donating my time and experience) and to provide a nice meal to some nice kids.

On the first day of classes this year, on pasta and meatball day, one 5th grader saw the pile of freshly baked garlic bread sticks I added to the usual offerings and said 'This is going to be the best year ever.....we have bread sticks!!' This job reminds me that, yes, it's the little things that make life fun.

Dear Fall...

It is with regret that I must inform you, fall, or autumn, as you are sometimes called, that after a long and passionate relationship I am breaking up with you.

Yes, I'm sure it comes as a shock. I was definitely one of your biggest fans. Remember all those pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin scones from the various Starbucks in Frederick, almost every morning after I dropped the girls at preschool? And all those decorative pumpkins and gourds that I purchased each year to pile high on every fireplace mantle and flat surface large enough to hold them. I know, I know....but sorry, I'm just truly over you.

I blame Facebook for some of it. Since August each morning's news feed has displayed some traditional food item now available in pumpkin spice flavor, and it just started to get to me. Hey, I'm all for pumpkin bread and flavored coffees and all, but pumpkin pie spice just really doesn't belong in every single thing we eat. Seriously, it just doesn't. It's getting creepy.

Also, after living in Key West for a bit over five years now, I'm just not into celebrating a season we don't really have here. Early fall is our rainy season, a time for storm tracking and hurricane parties. And later fall, after Halloween and Fantasy Fest are over, is the beginning of our best weather of the year. Warm days, cool nights, windows open. By Thanksgiving I'm sure we will have a few jack be littles and gourds on the table. By then I'll be ready. It will finally be fall here on the island by then.

It seems like fall has gotten so commercial. We are bombarded with Halloween craft ideas and recipes for a perfect pumpkin patch picnic while the kids are still in the pool and people are at the beach on summer vacation. None of us really need to buy more stuff, do we? Just go outside and enjoy the changes. And if you don't buy a bunch of fall stuff, you won't have to buy those black and orange bins at Target to store it all in. I've got a stack of them in a house in Frederick, filled to the brim with the decorations of autumns past.

So, thank you, fall, or autumn, for the many, many years of cinnamon-scented memories, piles of perfect pumpkins, and wreaths of orange leaves. It's not you. It's me. I'm truly an island girl now.

Photos & Directions

My husband John starts most weekdays the same way. He leaves our home at 7:22 am for 7:30 mass followed by a run. He usually does about 5 miles before heading back. During these runs around Key West he does much more than just stay fit.

I never know what tale he will tell when he comes home. It's usually around 9 am, but sometimes it's almost 11. On those long days, he could have met a team of cyclists visiting Key West from Sweden and stayed to take each one's picture with their bikes. (Yep, that happened.) Or maybe he met a nice couple from Minnesota on the way out of church and gave them a tour of the Stations of the Cross garden, chatting all the way. (That happened, too.)

Sometimes he ends up running with complete strangers he meets and they often become friends. He will say "Remember that architect from Chicago? He'll be back in town in a few weeks and we are going to run!" I can barely keep the list of semi-acquaintances straight, but his enthusiasm is kind of contagious. 

He gives tourists directions and is happy to take their photo when he sees a couple taking individual shots....'Hey, do you want a picture with you both in it?' The answer is always yes. In front of Hemingway House, Customs House, Mallory Square, but most often in front of the Southernmost Point buoy. I would love to know how many times he has done that in the five years we have lived here.

A few days ago, I got a message from one of those people, and she even sent me the photo John took last year. It turns out that this woman, my new friend Miki from Charleston, SC, her husband, and my husband spent 45 minutes chatting about life in Key West, kids, blogs (she has one too), and much, much more. Miki says the conversation stayed with her and she has been following my blog since then. It turns out she is writing a book set partly on the island. I look forward to reading it soon and will make sure to post about it so people can look for it.

While there have definitely been times I have been irritated by John's open-arms approach to strangers ('Hon, you REALLY didn't invite them to come see your studio NOW, did you???') after talking to Miki I see his treks around the island as more of a public service. Palm trees, blue water, and super nice people. It's really what Key West is all about.

Miki and her husband in 2014, photo taken by John.

Happy Anniversary, Peaches

Oh, she's still around. Over the last year she fell into two pieces, so now Mari has 'Big Peaches' and 'Little Peaches.' I still find little bits of fur when I run the vacuum....where even 'big' and 'little' will end up eventually. I've made my peace with her. And as strange as it is, I figure I could have WAY worse problems....pet tarantulas, for example.

In case you haven't been following the Facebook posts over the last year, Peaches is Mari's mink stole. She found it last summer when we were going through storage at one of our houses in Maryland. It was John's grandmother's stole originally, and it was passed to his mother. It probably dates to the 1940s.

Mari was helping us go through boxes and she just squealed with delight when she found it. 'I'll name it Peaches!' And around her neck it went. No matter that it was July. And hot and humid. While most people, especially kids, may be grossed out by the little feet and face on the thing, Mari was not. My older daughter is a compassionate soul, always willing to look past appearances.

So last summer, from July on, just about every photo we took includes Peaches around Mari's neck. Or curled up on a comfy Hampton Inn bed while we made our trek back to Key West. I started posting about the whole thing on Facebook, because really, who wouldn't? It was hysterical. Soon Peaches had a BIG following.

The hashtags were awesome! I started with #goawaypeaches but #teampeaches soon became a real thing. Friends started asking for updates and when I posted something it got a huge response with lots of funny comments. Two friends had an ongoing hashtag contest. We posted photos of anything that looked like Peaches....I think Mari may have been responsible for last fall's fur trend in fashion and home decor.

When school started last August, I'd say about half of the teachers/parents I saw on Back to School day asked how our summer was. The other half asked about Peaches.

Fortunately, Peaches now spends her days at the bottom of Mari's bed along with the ever-changing pile of books and other, more traditional stuffed animals. I've stopped taking photos of her because, well, if you were grossed out by her last summer, as she lost an eye in Frederick and a leg or two in Savannah, you REALLY wouldn't want to see what's left.

So I will end with some photos from last summer, of the old, all-in-one-piece Peaches. It's been a year, so I guess it's an anniversary of sorts. #teampeaches4ever

Bob the Mailman, Part 2

I wrote about our mail carrier Bob previously. He's a good guy, with a great sense of humor. If he sees us outside sometimes he brings the mail up and chats for a minute. If we hear the truck, John or I will walk out to grab the mail and say hello. In our chats we've covered local politics, parenting issues, school choice, shopping for homecoming gowns for his daughter (she graduated from KWHS this past June), and lots more.

Bob knows the girls, of course, and they think he's a celebrity when we run into him at Publix. He truly IS a local celebrity. Just ask any of the customers on the route he delivered for the last 20 or so years, or those he worked with heading up the annual food drive, and probably lots of other things that I don't even know about.

Two weeks ago Bob walked up to hand me the little note I show in the photo. He said 'I can barely talk about it....see you tomorrow.' His recent knee surgery didn't deliver as promised and Bob will be taking on a route 'up the Keys' as we say here, just a few miles out of Key West near Baby's Coffee. Less walking and less climbing in and out of the truck. Much less stress on a painful knee until he can get that straightened out with the orthopedists.

'Everybody tells me there aren't any people up the Keys. You'll only see them on Saturday,' said Bob. I told him he will be chatting up the iguanas sunning themselves along the roads, and he probably will. I'm hoping what's good for Bob's knee won't be too hard on his soul since he is the true definition of a 'people person.'

On Friday afternoon, I told the girls it was Bob the Mailman's last day so they needed to come out and say something to him. I didn't tell them what to say or coach them in any way. I think he got a little teary when he saw all four of us standing by the mail box, but I know he appreciated it. Mari said 'You're the best! Good luck!' and Josie summed it up perfectly with 'You are an EPIC mailman!'

So good luck to Bob on his new route. I'll bet it isn't too long until the iguanas start gathering when they hear the mail truck's distinctive rumble, just like we did. See you at Publix.

Weekend in Miami

This past weekend was the first time we stayed in the city of Miami, heading north from Key West for some shopping and off-island fun. We usually head to Broward County for retail therapy....Aventura, Hallandale, or Fort Lauderdale. All those stores we miss from home, in suburban areas that really could be in Maryland or any place else, except for the palm trees. This weekend gave me a little taste of the 'glitz' I often miss from traveling to large cities. We all enjoyed it.

We stayed at the Conrad hotel in Miami's financial district, a sea of high rises surrounded by Biscayne Bay. The view from our suite on the 22nd floor was amazing! It reminded me of our stay at the Conrad in Battery Park in Manhattan a few summers ago....replace the Biscayne Bay with the Hudson River, switch Goldman Sach's with Chase.

In Battery Park, there are many families living in the neighborhood high rises, so the waterfront park and local restaurants are dotted with kids. On Brickell Avenue (our address in Miami), things were definitely geared to well-heeled adults. And soccer fans. We watched Peru v Venezuela while we ate some delicious Mexican food near the hotel. On our walk back, the girls posed in front of the many 'step and repeats' (those backdrops listing sponsors of special events) in front of restaurants and bars we passed. I saw the highest heels ever on some gorgeous Latinas.....how do you walk in those things? And the valet parking (something I will never understand about South Florida) was in full swing, with the best cars placed curbside for all to see. I'm talking Rolls Royce and Maclaren.

The staff at the Conrad may have looked like the staff in New York in uniform and grace, but this hotel had a Latin flair that befits a luxury hotel in the city called 'the gateway to South America.' My girls became instant celebrities upon check in. Everyone assumes they speak Spanish (they don't.....yet!) but after the first conversation the staff was enchanted. Lots of special treatment, which they completely loved. At check out Mari told the concierge 'You did a great job and this is a WONDERFUL hotel. 'Bye!'

High rises and Biscayne Bay. That is the causeway to Key Biscayne in the background.

Square One

I never dined at Square One under the previous owners, so I can't compare the 'new' restaurant with the 'old.'  Regardless, I have become a big fan of what they are doing there right now. 

The setting is nice, to start. Square One is located in Duval Square, between Simonton and Duval streets. It is quiet, definitely away from the crowds, but with just enough bustle to feel special. Origami and New York Pasta Garden are neighbors, and all three establishments have generous outdoor seating. The inside of Square One is quite striking, but I love to dine al fresco whenever possible.

Every Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am until 3 pm is brunch. You'll find the best of both breakfast and lunch, of course, from tried-and-true favorites to some things to make your meal extra special. I'd say starting the day with a flight of crafted Bloody Mary's is pretty special. At Square One you get four - The Red (zesty with horseradish and Sriracha), The Green (tangy with tomatillo, kiwi and wasabi), The Orange (made with carrot, beet, and orange juices), and The Fisherman (clam juice, Old Bay, and white peppercorn-infused vodka).  Ending your brunch with their Coffee and Donuts dessert is just downright decadent. Dunking housemade donut holes into rich mocha pudding and whipped cream? Yes, please.

Crafted cocktails are important at Square One, so definitely spend some time with the drink menu before placing your order. Then check out the dinner menu with its unique mix of plates large and small, appetizers and entrees, a little Asian (pot stickers), French (tartines), and Italian (carpaccios). The restaurant is now under the same ownership as Banana Cafe and The Cafe, so you will see symbols identifying their classic dishes including several vegan and vegetarian choices.

Recently I celebrated my birthday there with my husband. We started with Banana Cafe's delicious French onion soup and The Cafe's outstanding  Cream of Tomato with cheddar croutons.  Next up, pork pot stickers in pineapple-hoisin sauce and the wild mushroom tartine, with a pile of delicious wild mushrooms, braised cipollini onions, fresh herbs, and fontina cheese on thick toasted bread. Next came one of the evening's small plate specials - roasted prawns in a sauce of lime juice, smoked paprika, and cherry tomatoes. Probably one of the most delicious dishes I've had in Key West. For the entree, we shared the grouper special. Impeccably fresh fish with mascarpone polenta and a flavorful sauce...just wonderful. 

No room for dessert that night, but I did want to try the house red sangria before heading home. So glad I did! The best I've ever tasted, with tiny chunks of watermelon and orange.  I look forward to going back to Square One, for more sangria and to try the rest of the interesting menu.

The roasted prawns special....so good!

Nine days and counting...

We've got nine days of school left here in KW. This year it completely snuck up on me. Switching schools in mid-March made everything seem new again and eliminated that awful 'end of year mom' syndrome that has fueled many a humorous blog post. You've seen them - a photo of the perfectly dressed child with every possible school supply and a healthy, nutritious lunch in hand in late August vs the kid with bed head and a bag of microwave popcorn in the first week of June.


I'm glad we skipped that syndrome this year, because not only does it send the wrong message to the girls, it always left me feeling guilty. I could have done better, even if I didn't really feel like it. And the last thing we moms need is something else to feel guilty about, right?

So after a flurry of end of year events and activities, we will have that 'school's out!' joy, but in all honesty, that is when the real work begins. No, I don't have to make sure we have clean uniforms and snacks/homework/permission slips/filled water bottles in each backpack every morning, but I do have to make sure the girls don't turn into 'summer zombies' by doing nothing but watching television and playing electronics all day.

I am very thankful that the girls' school has summer camp every week through mid-August. We have lived here just long enough that neither of them was looking forward to the day camps we have done previously. And not only will they get out of the house and stay on a routine, they will both receive tutoring to get ready for the next school year.

Of course, summer does need some of those lazy, hazy, crazy days that the old song talks about, so we won't be at camp EVERY week. We have made a list of things they want to do here on the island, and they are already excited for our annual trek up north.

Summer is one of our favorite times of year here in Key West because it is quiet, very quiet. Yes, it's hot, but the quiet wins out. There is a tropical feeling in the air that makes me smile. And smiling is always good.

The Cupcakes

Last week I asked the girls what they wanted to do for Mother's Day on Sunday. Josie didn't have a preference. Mari wanted to cook something special together, so I let her pull some of my cookbooks off the shelf and search for the perfect thing. She found it - Dr. Pepper cupcakes from one of the Pioneer Woman's books.

Mari LOVES Dr. Pepper. She is only allowed to have it if we dine out, so I think part of the reason she chose the recipe was that a bottle of her favorite soda was in the list of ingredients. But as we sat down to make a shopping list, I started wondering how much she would really like these cupcakes. Prunes and dried cherries? Ginger, allspice, and cardamom?

Mari's mind was set, so off to Publix we went. Who knew a jar of Spice Islands Cardamom is $10 bucks? Island life. I set everything on the counter near my key lime green Kitchen Aid mixer to wait for our baking adventure.

At maybe 6:30 Sunday morning, Mari burst in my bedroom with 'HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY CAN WE MAKE THE DR PEPPER CUPCAKES NOW????" No, after some breakfast and church, sweetie.

To make a very long story short (or at least shorter) these cupcakes were one of the most labor intensive recipes I've made in a long while, and Mari took one bite of the finished product and suggested we share them 'with others.' John said he liked them, but I notice there are still 17 of the 18 made in the refrigerator. I thought they were fine....more like a British gingerbread or steamed pudding. Or something.

Maybe the whole situation was really a metaphor for life as a mother. We do a lot of things for the joy of our children, and that is what matters, even if we would like to be doing just about anything else at that moment. Baking (or cleaning or crafting or painting etc) with kids is so much messier than doing it yourself, but resisting the urge to say 'let me pour it' is worth getting the mop out later. And finally, it isn't about the end result. It's about the time spent doing something together. Which is what kids really want the most sometimes.

So. Who wants a Dr. Pepper cupcake? Only 17 left. :)

Maryland Ties. And Chickens.

I lived in Maryland for more than 20 years before moving to Key West. It was hard for me to watch the recent events in Baltimore. I've never seen rioting and unrest that close to a place I have lived. It made me feel vulnerable, even though I am living in a very different place, because the roots of such tumult aren't limited to 'certain' cities. It could happen in any place. Any town or city with a division of any kind.

I reached out to a few friends who live in and around Baltimore and asked for their thoughts on recent events. I got a few tirades that surprised me. It is definitely difficult to talk about without getting political. I also got some thoughtful responses that showed me just how deeply every citizen of Charm City was affected.

After some thought, I told a friend there that my blog post couldn't do justice to such a complicated, politically charged string of events, and I joked that most of my readers would probably prefer a post on 'chickens and island life' instead of a novice attempt at social commentary. His response also surprised me. 'I think we could all use some posts about chickens. Seriously.'

So here goes. A little slice of island life. With lots of love for my friends in Baltimore behind it.

It's warm and lovely on the island of Key West on this May morning. I saw bouganvillea of every shade while driving the girls the short distance to school. We did our 'dog count' - we saw 6 dogs being walked in a few blocks, not counting the guy who walks 4 corgis....he is separate for some reason Josie maintains. On the way home I saw the vendors setting up the Green Market in Bayview Park, getting ready for the 9 am opening. Looking forward to heading over there this morning myself. The array of tropical fruits always makes me smile, even though I wouldn't know what to do with most of them. I also saw the blue waters of the Bight before I turned onto George Street. I didn't get far before I had to stop for a mama chicken and four or five 'nuggets' (as they are called here) to cross the street in front of me. And when I parked my Jeep in front of the house I saw my nemesis Big Daddy, the large colorful rooster who frequently brings love dates to my front yard. He was watching over things from the safety of a neighbor's yard. And I'm glad, since I'd prefer another cup of coffee before having to chase him with the broom this morning. I think I'll go have that right now. Happy Thursday.

You Are Here

When you visit a large office complex, shopping mall, or amusement park for the first time it's always helpful to find that big map with the 'YOU ARE HERE' dot to get your bearings. This is where you are RIGHT NOW. Now how can you get to the doctor, store, or ride you are looking for?

I was thinking about that 'YOU ARE HERE' dot the other day while I was driving around the island running errands. Some groceries from Publix, a deposit at the bank, and some fresh herb plants from the nursery at Home Depot. Loading the car and then unloading it in front of my house, just like everyone does, in every city and town all over the country. But why do I feel differently doing those things here, in Key West, than I did when I ran the same errands in Maryland? It hit me that I am happiest when I remember where I AM.

I get to see the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico, palm trees, blue skies and sunshine while I am out and about doing those things that we all need to do to run a household. When I drop the girls off at school the scent of the gardenia blooms from the bushes at the entrance really just amazes me....heady and tropical, with flowers as big as my fist. Charming Conch houses and cottages line the streets as I cut through mid-town back home each morning. I love not leaving 'town' to get the girls to and from school. It has made me appreciate the island in a new way. If I want a coffee, it's Sandy's not Dunkin' Donuts....why would I drive the whole way out there?

The photos below show the Florida Keys. Separate from mainland Florida in more ways than one, small land masses connected by many bridges. After driving those bridges for three hours you get to Key West. We are far away from the mainland. Closer to Cuba than Miami. A small island surrounded by the bluest waters. Just being here is a gift, in my opinion. It's not perfect (no place is perfect) but it is unique and beautiful. It's where I AM. RIGHT NOW.

Abbondanza

When the sun goes down, Abbondanza restaurant on Simonton Street literally glows. The combination of the yellow exterior and warm lighting from inside is welcoming. You'll notice the music right away....all those old Italian songs from 'GoodFellas' and 'Married to the Mob.' It's like someone's nonna is inviting you in for dinner.....'come, eat!' as she puts  'Hey, Mambo' or 'That's Amore' on the stereo.

Abbondanza is open nightly from 5 to 10:30. And depending on the season, it's usually pretty busy, with a mix of locals and visitors staying at the hotels at that end of Key West. You can eat at the bar or in one of several dining rooms. The space is much bigger than it looks from outside.

Your meal will start with some really good crusty bread, perfect for sopping up the olive oil/balsamic vinegar combo your server will provide. All pasta entrees come with a small house salad dressed lightly in the house vinaigrette. The salad is the last thing you will see that can be described as small....portions are large and perfect for sharing. You will probably leave with a few to-go containers as well.

Abbondanza is part of the restaurant group that operates Duffy's, Pieces, and The Commodore. Fresh seafood is a major focus of the menu at each. 

Linguine al Pesto con Gamberetti is a local favorite, arriving in the restaurant's signature white bowls brimming with pasta, pesto sauce and fresh shrimp. If you prefer red sauce with your seafood, go for Linguine Pescatore with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and fish in the house marinara. And you can never go wrong with linguine in clam sauce, available with red or white sauce, of course.

There are filled pastas, including cannelloni stuffed with ground veal and ricotta and topped with tomato cream sauce, and manicotti with ricotta and spinach, topped with marinara. Veal , chicken, or eggplant parmigiana with a side of spaghetti? Check. Lasagna with meat sauce? Of course. Classic stuff, done well. 

One of the most popular items, and the one that we order the most, is the Spaghetti Abbondanza. Basically a big bowl of spaghetti with marinara, meatballs, and fresh basil. It's enough for my family of four to share, plus an extra side of meatballs so everyone gets their own. When we  are really hungry we start with the restaurant's generous Antipasti platter to eat with that crusty bread. Italian meats, cheeses, olives, pickled vegetables....fuhgetaboutit.

Antipasti Abbondanza

Spaghetti Abbondanza

Local Sources

For a small island, we have some great resources for locally made foods, fresh produce, and specialty items. In the last year or so, Key West's non-restaurant food scene has really taken off.

When I first moved here, Annie's Buying Club (www.anniesbuyingclub.com) was the first thing I found. For a really reasonable price (especially compared to how much something like this would have cost in Maryland) you can choose from the various boxes of organic produce (fruit only, paleo, whole or half share, etc) for weekly pick up at sites around the island.

Next I discovered Help Yourself (www.helpyourselffoods.com) on Fleming Street. This natural-food restaurant and shop has really expanded since then, with the retail space now offering a selection of fresh organic produce daily. Plus I can find many of the things I used to purchase at my beloved food co-op in Frederick, The Common Market, like organic vitamins, teas, cleaning products, etc. And their smoothies and juices rock.

Sugar Apple (www.sugarapplekeywest.com) on Simonton Street has been in Key West the longest, and it's a place I need to explore more, especially the tiny cafe/juice bar attached. They offer every type of supplement/vitamin/herbal remedy you can think of and the staff is very knowledgeable.

The entire island was thrilled last year when the Restaurant Store started filling their large parking lot area with food purveyors, vendors, and crafters on the first Sunday of the month. This Key West Artisan Market (look them up on Facebook) is like a little party, and I just love it. Taste some wine and cheese, shop the local crafters (Kdub Designz, Guilded Peach, SALT Provisions, etc), and have some lunch. There are several vendors each month selling food to eat there or take home, including some really great barbecue from Tennessee Steve's, tacos from Death by Tako, and special soups and sandwiches from Cole's Peace.

The fresh produce has really expanded at this event (they drive up to the markets in Homestead and Plant City for pick up), and the flower vendors make it feel like a big-city market to me. I never leave without some flowers for the table, some killer mozzarella from my friend Mozzarella Mark, fresh-made pasta from Pasta Pailloux, pantry items from the Pickle Baron, and whatever else strikes my fancy.My husband's friend Mundy the Pirate sells  local shrimp and fish and if he's got the big red shrimp, I always get some.

When I first heard about the Key West Green Market (look them up on Facebook) last spring, coming to Bayview Park every other Thursday, my first concern was for the Artisan Market....oh no, can little KW support two similar markets? Well the answer is a resounding YES to that - locals love them both and have supported them so well that both have grown and expanded.

Key West Green Market has become so popular that is is now open EVERY Thursday from 9 to 2. Bring some shopping bags for fresh Florida produce, the basics plus some unusual Caribbean stuff. And bring an appetite for Indian, Greek, Conch Ceviche, Gumbo, Pulled Pork and much, much more. The Empanada Lady's empanadas are outstanding, with the blue cheese/caramelized onion/walnut version our personal favorite. The new Italian cheese/meat/olive vendor has some great stuff too. It's all great stuff, really. Served up with a smile and a hug for the regulars in true Key West style.

Spring Breaks

In January and February the island is busy with part-time residents (I've heard 'snowbird' isn't really a nice term). There is definitely more traffic on the roads and the grocery store is more crowded, but this is a very civilized group of visitors. Polite, well dressed. We tend to get to church earlier on Sunday morning so we get a seat, and we rarely go to dinner in Old Town....reservations only during this busy time of year.

In March, we get the college students. Oh my. They take over Smathers Beach during the day and Duval Street at night. I saw large groups walking all over the island, coolers in tow, heading for the beach from their hotels. I also saw them at Publix....more of them than I wanted to, to be honest. This year there was a big contingent of 'let's go to the store with our bums hanging out' folks. Never good. They do sell bathing suit cover-ups at many local stores, just sayin'.

The third week of March is spring break for us locals. No school for an entire week. If my news feed on Facebook is any indication, the majority of local families head to Disney and Universal. Lots of camping and shopping on the mainland as well. We headed north to an area new to us, Aventura/Hallandale Beach, but one that we will definitely return to.

After five years of shopping excursions, I finally found my perfect source of all those those things we can't get in Key West. The Hampton Inn there is sparkly nice and quite posh for a hotel at that price range. Less than a half-mile up the road sits a huge Target (next to a Whole Foods Market, no less) and a large, clean Michael's craft store. Aventura Mall is the next right, with a ton of high-end stores and a Nordstrom that makes the big one in Tyson Corner, VA (my old stomping grounds) look like small potatoes.

Leave the hotel and head a short distance in the other direction and you'll see the Village at Gulfstream, upscale shopping and dining next to Gulfstream racetrack. West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, and my personal fave, The Container Store. I was in shopping heaven for sure. It was fun, and I filled the back of the truck with stuff I've needed (ok....wanted), but all that consumerism had a downside.

Before we headed back to Key West, I insisted on a stop at Williams-Sonoma for Easter supplies. My girls, who had been just delightful during our short trip, kind of lost it. As they were grabbing fancy marshmallows, gourmet jellybeans, and expensive chocolate bunnies, Josie started crying. She wanted to eat them NOW, not wait until Easter. And then Mari joined in. I realized that they were completely overstimulated and just ready to head home, so we put everything back and found Route 1. I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we left the mainland. And we were all happy to hit Key West three hours later.

Yes, you can definitely have too much of a good thing. And jelly beans and chocolate bunnies from Publix will be just fine.

Rusty Anchor

When we first moved here in 2010, I would often hear older people talk about eating at the Rusty Anchor, so for a while I assumed it was too old-school for me. But it has become one of my favorite lunch spots, with the kids or without. Yes, the decor and ambiance are definitely a throwback to seafood houses of the past (the same family has owned and operated it since 1983). But go more than a few times and the waitress will bring you your favorite beverage without you saying a word. The fish and shellfish is super fresh and prepared well, and the daily specials can seriously rock. So maybe I'm a bit more old school than I thought. And I'm not the only one - I see the same diners every time we go in there....young, old, and from every walk of life.

One of the first things that got me hooked (excuse the fishing pun) was the White Conch Chowder. It's served every Friday, and on Saturday if they happen to have any left. Seriously good stuff, made with a flavorful creamy base, tender chunks of potato, and lots of conch meat, cut small so that you get the flavor and not the chewiness. I enjoy ordering this soup at several restaurants in the lower Keys, but I think  Rusty Anchor's version just may be my favorite.

I love the women who serve lunch there, and the way they serve it. You don't just get an iced tea, you get a pitcher in case you need a refill. All seafood orders come with chilled squeeze bottles of both tartar sauce and cocktail sauce so you can use as much, or as little, as you prefer. Extra napkins, 'to go' boxes, and inquiries about the family are delivered without request. Food is served quickly. Maybe that is why it's so popular with large groups of local businessmen and the staff of the Sheriff's office?

Rusty's Fish Sandwich is served on Cuban bread with lettuce, tomato, and onion. I prefer the yellowtail snapper if they have it, fried, but you can also get your choice of the day's catches grilled, blackened, or lemon peppered. The Fish Reuben is really good, as is the Cuban Mix, dressed with mustard as it should be. If they have Pulled Pork as a daily special, order it! One sandwich is enough for two people, easily.

Along with fresh fish and local shrimp, the dinner menu offers spiny lobster, conch steak, and fresh tuna steak seared with sesame seeds, served with wasabi and soy sauce. They cut the Delmonico steak in house. That and baby back ribs make sure that the non-seafood eaters won't be hungry. Every Wednesday is 'Prime Rib Night.' I hear it's very popular. And kind of old school. At the Rusty Anchor, that's a good thing.

White Conch Chowder at Rusty Anchor