Table-to-Pier Dining

We’ve all heard of farm-to-table dining, but my gaggle of girls visiting Stock Island enjoyed a table-to-farm err...table-to-pier experience Wednesday evening. A quick trolley ride to the pier and we were immersed in the main attraction of our reunion: a celebration of local food and chefs organized by a group called Outstanding in the Field (OITH). Ninety plates were set at the table, presenting a dramatic scene on the historic Bama Shrimp Dock. It was an incredibly delicious day, filled with interesting presentations, conversations and nature...the origin of our food.

Pre-Dinner Reception

The Perry Hotel has a great restaurant. We enjoyed our second breakfast on the patio before heading out for a power walk around the neighborhood. After showers, we departed for Stock Island Lobster Company at 1pm where we listened to presentations about sea life, fishing and locally grown produce. Delicious hor d'oeuvres and fine wine were passed among the crowd while everyone enjoyed the boatyard scenery. The sponsors, OITH, provided a brief orientation of their work in gathering people around the dinner table and introduced all the folks and chefs that participated in the dinner:

Host Fisherman: Peter Bacle, Stock Island Lobster Company, Stock Island 

Guest Chefs: Martin Liz & Layla Barr, Lost Kitchen Supper Club, Stock Island 

Jose Izquierdo, Hogfish Bar & Grill, Stock Island 

Jose 'Angel' Castro, Roostica, Key West 

Ryan Shapiro, Thirsty Mermaid, Key West

Latitudes

After the spectacular sunset Tuesday, we boarded a 6:45pm boat from Mallory Square to the small private island of Sunset Key for dinner at Latitudes. It was a special treat with the freshest seafood and sweetest romantic setting. We serenaded Tara for her 2/2 birthday.

Mallory Square Sunset

We made it back to the Perry Hotel in time to rest a bit and shower. A Lyft car dropped us at the crazy scene brewing in Mallory Square for sunset Tuesday night. It felt like every visitor in Key West was lined up next to the sea wall, taking in the colorful show over the horizon. Jugglers, fire-throwers, skateboarders, dogs, crooners and photographers were anticipating the elusive green flash. It was a spectacular sunset.

The Sun!

It seemed like a long stretch, but the sun finally poked its happy face on us today. All the girls were happy, especially the NJ babes. We're loving the Perry Hotel. After breakfast on the patio, we hopped on rental bikes and did some exploring around Stock Island and Key West. It's all about eating as usual. Mangoes on Duval was the spot for margaritas and fish sandwiches. Stopped to see some sites and walk before heading back for showers and dinner.

Lapland Girls Reunited in Florida

Those chilly temps are warming up with friendship. Six of the eight Lapland girls gathered together Monday on Stock Island, near Key West. We all arrived with open hearts and gifts of joy. It has been almost a year since our magical journey to Finland. Patty Ann surprised us with the very special Laplandia vodka. We'll have a few days of fun in the Keys and perhaps work on planning our next adventure.

Chilly Days in Florida, Too!

With bitter cold temps freezing over much of the country, Florida is experiencing chilly, damp temps and dreary, grey skies reminiscent of the season we left up north. Our home doesn't really have a furnace. So, these days are perfect for cleaning the ovens and seasoning the cast-iron cookware. Stay warm, friends. Take care of yourself and your pans!

Great Decisions Discussion Group

2019 Briefing Book Cover

The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) has a 100-year history of encouraging citizens to participate in the foreign policy process. Its Great Decisions program has gained widespread popularity among formal and informal groups interested in considering different viewpoints and sharing opinions on important issues facing the US today. Similar to a nation-wide book club, each member of the local group reads about the current topic from an annual briefing book. A short documentary on topic is played before the group discussion begins. There are eight topics in the 2019 Briefing Book:

• Refugees and Global Migration
• The Middle East: Regional Disorder
• Nuclear Negotiations: Back to the Future?
• The Rise of Populism in Europe
• Decoding U.S.-China Trade
• Cyber Conflicts and Geopolitics
• The United States and Mexico: Partnership Tested
• State of the State Department and Diplomacy

Anyone can organize and moderate a Great Decisions group. Find more information from the FPA here.

The Video Game Industry is Huge

As a young mother, I received all sorts of parenting advice from well-intended family and friends. The best and most memorable was from my sister, a mother to three pre-teen boys at the time. Donna said, "Hold out as long as you can before introducing video games to your son. Once he starts, you will lose him forever." Haha. It sounds dramatic, but I found in some ways that statement to be true. That was in the late 1990s. In 2018, video games brought in $43.4 billion in revenue. H/T The Morning Brew

Profanity FTW

Apparently, profanity is no longer considered socially offensive language. It's everywhere. This departure from once revered tenets of communication seems to be gaining popularity among politicians, celebrities and media platforms. A sure tactic for gaining public notoriety, undignified language, submits to the old adage of "bad publicity is better than no publicity." While curse words may have a shock value to some, others may embrace the pop culture trend of vulgarity as an insignificant and meaningful emphasis on point. As society evolves so does decorum; so it seems. FTW or WTF, it's here to stay.

Medicinal Gifts from Mother Nature

It has taken a couple of years, but I am officially off coffee. Now, I'm venturing into the complex world of tea. With an origin thousands of years ago, tea carries such an aura of mystery and intrigue. There are so many profiles and varietals of tea, most proclaiming medicinal benefits across the spectrum of physical and mental health. It's no wonder I find myself comparing teas with essential oils. Both historically significant gifts from Mother Nature to mankind. Here's a list of the top 100 tea blogs and the top essential oil blogs...who knew?

The Power of Sisu

Lauren, one of my eight fellow Finnish Lapland travellers and NJ friend, surprised me Thursday with a gift book in the mail: The Finnish Way. Finland was such a magical trip in so many ways. Perhaps Sisu, a concept that many unknowingly embrace, was one of the reasons our journey to the Arctic Circle was so inspiring. Another explanation could be that we were surrounded by the happiest people on earth. Either way, it will be intriguing to read what makes this place and people tick. Inside the cover:

• Pronounced "see-su"
• A Finnish concept that dates back to the 1500s
• A unique type of fortitude, of resilience, of not giving up in the face of a challenge, big or small, that anyone can develop

Parks Project: People with Passion

Dogs are God's best idea and National Parks are America's best idea. Due to the present government shutdown, be sure to check local facilities before visiting a park.  Services during this "lapse in funding" period may be interrupted. Check out the work being done at Parks Project, a non-profit group committed to funding, advocacy and support for American's 84 million acres of natural beauty through a network of volunteers and the sale of merchandise.

More Time for Writing, Less Time for Facebook

Back in the day, I used to be a fairly active writer. Time and inclination changed my writing activity to a focus primarily related to travel on The Blogagerie. I'd like to rekindle my joy for writing and communication. So, from time to time, I will curate my blog to include a little more than travel adventures. And, now that I have weened myself from Facebook, the extra time available can be put to better use: reading and writing. Speaking of Facebook, here's an article that makes me so happy to be a former Facebook addict user:

I Mentored Mark Zuckerberg. I Loved Facebook. But I Can't Stay Silent About What's Happening.

New Red Lipstick for Valentine's Day

Lipstick enthusiasts, or almost every woman that is, will be happy to know about a new perfect shade of red on the market. It's called Red for Me. From the NY Post:

"Maybelline’s lead makeup artist, Grace Lee, used the product on more than 50 models — including Candice Huffine and Winnie Harlow, who has vitiligo — at the Cushnie runway show.

“I swear it’s like witchcraft cuz it really does look incredible on every skin tone,” Lee wrote on Instagram."

Great City Fix

We woke to a bright, sunny Saturday morning on Biscayne Bay. Café Bastille was a short walk from the hotel and offered a lovely assortment of French breakfast options. After a leisurely meal, we checked out of the JW Marriott and found our way to the Wynwood Walls. What an intriguing and inspiring outdoor art installation in a regentrafied Miami neighborhood. So fun! The crowds afforded some great people watching, too.

Cute little shops and markets entertained us for a few hours before heading back to Marco. Great city fix and quick getaway to celebrate Bill.

Birthday Date Night

We got all dolled up for our celebration dinner at Zuma Japanese Restaurant. A couple of selfies were on order. The restaurant was every bit as good as our first meal at Zuma in NYC.

Upon our return to our room, we were greeted with more birthday wishes: champagne and cake compliments of the JW Marriott on Biscayne Blvd. A good 1/11/19.

January 11, 2019

I've been terribly remiss in keeping current on my travel blog. Even our quick little jaunts are worthy of posting. My long hiatus from the Beechcraft Bonanza is over. We flew to Ponte Vedra on a Santa's flight the week before Christmas and then again on Christmas Day. A beautiful and quick trip to Key West took place in late December with Stephanie and DeWayne.

Today is Bill's birthday. I made a ham and cheese strada for breakfast with a special cake. The butter-pecan Danish kringle with maple glaze would have made Bill's mom proud. Will joined us for the goodies and then we played nine holes before heading to Miami.

A quick ride from Marco and we found ourselves in another world. Friday evening we are celebrating Bill's birthday at Zuma Japanese Restaurant in Miami.