Tales of the Goat Dog and 5 other things

Happy Friday, Homies!

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  It was tough to settle back in after 5 days of family time (despite a sad reason) and the Florida sunshine. I'm a sucker for green grass (or, make that grass), the potential for tan lines in February, and quality time with the people that know me better than anyone. 

Awaiting for me when I returned was this:

Yep, Darcy the goat dog officially moved into my spot on the bed, and Mike further solidified himself as #1 human in my absence.  I'm hoping to reclaim my spot and gain some points in the human ranking when Mike travels for a week in April. Sigh. The plus: this 40lb dog compacts herself into a steering wheel sized pretzel for sleepy time, so she doesn't take up the whole side. Just the top near my pillow and my boyfriend. :)

Her goat like tendancies have been dormant the last week+ as we've been more careful with leaving our things around.  Although, we've now come to realize that this leggy little sweetheart has a mean streak for squeeky toys and will stop at nothing to tear their squeakers, heart, stuffing, and anything else attached completely apart in one sitting.  I'm talking less than 10 minutes to terminal destruction, people. I'll provide photo, or perhaps video, evidence when she gets her next softsided victim. 

On to the Other Things...

I've contemplated 5 things over the past few days that seem to play on repeat in my mind.  I figured I'd share them with you too, so maybe they can become 'our' ponderances. 

1)  I HEART spinning.  Don't get me wrong... I'm CrossFit all the way, and that's my #1 fitness passion, but as a non-runner, I must admit, spinning is amazing.  I didnt' believe the folks who've tried to convince me in the past.  I'm thankful for taking up a friend's invitation to check it out back in November and I haven't looked back.  I think it's proof that you can have great cardio without having to feel guilty about hating running. Take that, runners!  And, to prove my love, I recently purchased spin shoes. Yep. I'm IN!

2)  I have such a cool kid sister.  Given the 1,300+ miles between us, I'm not a part of the day-to-day, but that doesn't mean I'm not blown away by her cool, talented, him almost-13-year-old-self!  Here she is at swim practice last week while I was home. 

She swims for my old swim team, with one small exception... she's incredible and so gets the benefit of being coached by Randy Reese!!!  If you're asking yourself who the heck he is, shame on you, and read more here.  This little lady is on her way to big things, and that makes a big sister so happy!

3)  I've come to realize that I'm slightly obsessed with NPR, but in the best way possible.  I'm enthralled and totally tuned in when I'm listening.  I listen in the car before work, immediately tune in at my desk online, and then my whole car ride home.  Occasionally, I will silence a phone call so that I can continue to listen to the rest of a story.  It's my barometer for news stories... not as roses and sunshine as NBC, but not as hellfire and brimstone as FOX.  NPR, I heart you!

4) I have a tendancy to rationalize stopping at 2 or more stores to complete a shopping list- whether it be groceries or household items- I simply can not do a one-stop-shop.  I find that I prefer certain Trader Joe's items, Target items, and Stop-and-Shop items.  Although all three stores carry everything I need (almost), I have a preference and find that I will completely convince myself that it's better to get certain things from all three than all from one.  Now, from this perch at my desk, I can see that this is crazy thinking, but once my wheels are set in motion and I'm ready to check the list off, I know in my mind that I will not be satisfied unless I can get those specific items from each store.  Some of it is quality driven, and some cost driven.  I guess I'm crazy.

5)  Pinterest- I don't know its real purpose, and I think I might have accidently harrassed all of my FB friends by inadvertantly sending a 'follow me' message (is that what happens?!), but I love that site.  For me, it's like makebelieve and dress up for adults.  I just click away on the things I like with wreckless abandon.  Likely, I will never make the recipes, I will never buy the clothes, I will fail at the hair and make-up attempts, I will never actually DIY anything, but I have SO MUCH FUN pretending like I will.

And, that is all.  Have a wonderful weekend.

-whitney

Key Lime Pie...

I was at home in Florida this past weekend to lay to rest two very special people.  While the trip was a sad one, there were a few bright moments during the trip.  Sadly, I don't have pictures for all of them, but I'll do my best to describe them.

Friday was tough.  We had my Mema's service in the morning and I was a mess (so was everyone else).  Following that, we had my Uncle Tommy's service.  It was a somber day filled with memories and reflections and love.  I've said it before, but it's funny to me how so many emotions can be wrapped up in an instant when it comes to family and those you love.  At the same time that we were crying, we were also laughing and filled with warmth as we talked about them, the time we had with them, the wonderful memories.  So while it was sad, I actually felt better being with my family to celebrate Mema and Tommy.  And, when we drove home after a steaming hot day, smelling of sweat, BBQ, and salt tears, a double rainbow appeared.  My Sister-in-law and I looked over from the back seat of the car and there it was.  And both rainbows were complete from side to side.  I wish I could have captured a photo of them, but I think that even a photo couldn't match how beautiful they are in  my memory.  I'd say it was a good ending to a hard day.

On a lighter topic- I also took advantage of this quick trip home to nab some of the world's best key lime pie.  I know, the first thought through your head was probably..."Oh, I've had the best key lime pie" or like Mike says "Hooters has THE BEST key lime pie!"  In all seriousness, I'm sure your key lime pie is nice and all, but I know it's not the best.  Why, you might ask?  Because the best key lime pie comes from JJGandy's in Palm Harbor, FL.  It's been prooven.  And you know you can't fight science.  Seriously, you can't.  It's science.

JJ Gandy's has been around since I was a wee little lassie growing up in Palm Harbor (Just north of Clearwater).  They make their pies for most of the local eateries in town, including many of my favorite seafood joints.  They have a little shop in an industrial park that you'd never notice if you weren't looking for it, but you'd be missing out if that actually happened. 

There are a few key points I want to mention about real key lime pie for you non-Floridians:

1. Key Lime Pie should be yellow, NOT green.  If someone serves you green key lime pie, kindly decline their offer. I'm not sure what they've served you.
2. Key lime pie is made with real lime juice from real key limes- not your margarita limes from the grocery store. If you're going to go with a bottled lime juice, http://keylimejuice.com/, this is the ONLY acceptable kind ot use.  Nellie and Joe's is the best, and the recipe is on the back of the bottle. Always prepare a day ahead of when you want to eat it.
3. Key lime pie is set on a graham cracker crust- not chocolate grahams, not another kind of cookie, and not a flaky pie crust.  Again, if you are served any of these, DO NOT EAT!
4. Key lime pie is not fluffy.  Some people mistakenly ad egg whites to 'give it a little something,' this is WRONG!  It should be dense and creamy. No fluff!!!!!  Beware.
5. Key lime pie has real whipped cream on top- not CoolWhip or Ready Whip.  Real whipped cream.

And the best part about JJ Gandy's?  If you call ahead by a day, they will flash freeze a pie (or several) for you, pack it up in icy gel packs, and make it plane-ready.  Yep. I took home a 10in. pie on the plane and train yesterday.  I packed away all of the 'go to' items one might need in their carry-on to make room for this:

This bag made it safely, and still frozen from Palm Harbor to Tampa Airport, Tampa Airport to Newark Airport aboard a Continental flight (more on that tomorrow), from Newark airport to Penn Station train station aboard Amtrak, and from Penn Station to New Haven Station, and on to Milford where we ate it immediately.

Gel packs on top and bottom- the center was still frozen when we ate it.

Yep- this is the place

Something this perfect is begging for a fork!



So, I know you thought the key lime pie you had last week, or the one your mom gave you a recipe for was good... but I'm sorry to tell you it's not this good.  You'll have to visit Palm Harbor to see for yourself.  Or, if you're lucky and live nearby, I might invite you over for a taste. 

PS- for all my crossfitting friends, this is NOT Paleo, but it's soooooo worth it!

Yours in key lime dreams,
Whitney

The Sunshine State-of-mind

As you know by now, Mike and I returned late last week from my beloved Florida.  We had a wonderful week of adventure and sightseeing.  The time spent with my family was definitely my favorite part, but it was also great to show Mike around Florida and to see his expression and reaction to a place so different than his sweet Connecticut. 

I've debated about the best way to deliver this recap and have decided that the pictures really tell the story so I'll keep the written details brief and load you up with photos. 

To start, we left out of Hartford on a Delta flight (reminder, avoid Delta in the future).  The flight was 100% filled and unfortunately there was not enough room for people's luggage or their bodies in the very small plane.  I was awarded the coveted middle seat with a very large man on my left who did not have enough room to put the arm rest down.  We were literally smooshed together, so much so, that when I got off the plane I had imprints of the contents of his pocket impressed into the skin in my thigh. If you know me, you know I'm not big on contact by strangers... I don't want your bed bugs, your head lice, or anything else living on your person. Bleh! 
Alas, we finally made it to Tampa and headed straight to dinner with my Dad and Zsuzsa (step-mom).  Frenchy's Rockaway!!!  My single most favorite seafood restaurant in Florida.  This place has the best grouper sandwich and conch fritters in the state.. and possibly anywhere. Hands down. the best.  They also have ice cold Yuengling, which I miss so dearly in CT.  After dinner, a nice sunset walk on Clearwater beach... it's ok, you can be jealous. I would be too.

sunset

Clearwater beach

We met my brother, Evan, and wonderful S.I.L., Alexis, at a sweet little place called Palm Harbor House of Beer. The selection was extensive and Tara, the bartender, baked the customers chocolate stout cupcakes... just because. This was our kind of place.

beer menu boards

cheers!

Mike eating the cupcake

Afterward we were heading home to see my Momma.  Now a little backhistory- Mike jokes everytime he watches 'Swamp People' on TV that it must be like Palm Harbor... rednecks and gators everywhere and people getting around by air boat instead of cars.  I'm not sure if part of him actually thought he might see this. It's been a running joke for a while.  So, upon our arrival to my mom's house, we literally met with a gator face to face at the front door:

The following day, we took Mike to Ybor city for some cigar shopping, sangria drinking, and history seeking.  We also introduced him to JJ Gandy's... the best key lime pie you will ever have.  http://jjgandys.com/home  Note to non-Floridians: if you're eating Key Lime pie and it's green... stop eating it. It's not real K.L.P.  The real deal should be yellow, tart, and have just a bit of real whip cream on the edges.  Avoid knockoffs at all cost!

Next stop- South Beach!  I'll try to keep this brief and let the pics do the talking.

We stopped in Little Havana on our way to the beach. Great lunch at El Cristo Restaurant, a visit to the old men playing dominos in a local park, a cafe cubano for a pep in our step, and a stop at the Bay of Pigs monument.

Finally, South Beach!  Mike's long awaited dream.  He said Miami was the last major city in the US that he hadn't seen. Bienvenidos, Miguel!  Our hotel had reserved umbrellas and chairs on the beach so we dropped our bags and hit the sand and sea.

Circa 39- our hotel

Drinks at The Raleigh

Drinks at Lowes

 







And that wraps up the beginning of the Florida adventure.  We beached. We ate. We drank. We walked until our feet were covered in blisters (ouch!).  Tomorrow I'll write more about the Art Deco area, which Mike loved.  If you haven't been to Florida recently, you're missing out. 

Yours in sunshine memories,

Whitney