we liked it so much we went back

My dad has a name for it. He calls it, "The Keys Disease". I have it bad. I wrote the message below in the sand and at the time I wasn't sure if I was speaking it to my husband or to that sweet, salt air and soft sand.





We went back with my sister and her husband. We arrived just in time for sunset and it was beautiful.










Each day we hung out on the beach and in the sand bar. Each night we played games and watched the beginnings of Shark Week {which seemed appropriate, but not at the same time given our surroundings during the day}.

I learned that my brother-in-law could do this...



and that my sister has the teeniest bit of a mean streak...




One morning we went to this adorable place called the Midway Cafe for breakfast. Midway because while you dine or shop you will be 80 miles from Miami and 80 miles from Key West. It was delicious, and the ambiance was fabulous. I wanted to go there {still want to} every single day for breakfast. If you find yourself near Mile Marker 80 you should definitely check it out.



Kellie tried their coffee and thought it was delish. They roast their own beans!











Did I also mention that I wanted every single thing I saw in the gift shop including the art on the walls!?  And this sweet, little sign...

On our way down to the house we passed a used bookstore and I was dying to go in! So we took a few minutes to meander through the shelves and shelves of old books. I found quite the treasure! A teen romance novel from 1948. Jean Craig Finds Romance. I cannot wait to read it and see how the times have changed! I'll have to post a picture of the book. 

We then went back to the house and got out to the water where we spent the rest of the day. The guys threw the Frisbee around for a bit while Kellie and I read.



We found several hermit crabs and I just loved checking them out. I am sure it was not a shared affection. I made sure they were put right back where I found them.




Then we found this guy...



and I screamed a bit and laughed at myself a lot.



He was really quite beautiful, and I instantly regretted that one time I ate crab legs and vowed never to do it again.



The next morning was perfection. Serene, gorgeous bliss. Andrew and I enjoyed the quiet company as we sat out there together with our books. I don't think anything could make me more happy or content then to be on the beach with a book.



That particular morning happened to be Kellie's birthday so we wrote a message for her in the sand.








Then while she and Jorge enjoyed the quiet morning, Andrew and I went inside to whip up a batch of birthday cinnamon rolls.







We had a wonderful weekend. I am so sad we aren't there right now. Keys Disease indeed!

back from the keys

With a view like that you can imagine how hard it was for us to leave! Andrew's family allowed us to stay at their home in the Keys for the weekend and it was the perfect get away! We had an awesome time with our friends!

The first night we were there we all cooked dinner together. Julie and I played it safe and followed a recipe for stuffed peppers that was D-to-the-licious. The boys on the other hand decided to play Bobby Flay and worked up their own concoction for their chicken. It all worked out splendidly and we ate to our hearts content and had left overs.






We also caught the sunset that night and it was beautiful! The sun literally set right in front of us on our own private beach. Incredible!









Friday morning we got up and headed south. We stopped at Bahia Honda State Park and did a little sight seeing and snorkeling. I am pretty certain Julie and I are the only individuals on the entire planet who could make friends with fish and become emotionally attached to them; therefore, it was entirely perfect that we were together making friends with our fish while the boys snorkeled into deeper waters that we were certain were shark infested deep waters. {At one point a family nearby saw a blue crab and started yelling to each other about it. Julie and I nearly had cardiac arrest because we thought they were yelling about a shark sighting and the guys were two little dots somewhere along the horizon. Oh my!}

After a morning at Bahia Honda, we headed down to Key West. I had never been and was so excited to go and see what the hype was all about. We had plans to spend all afternoon and into the night there. However, we had not accounted for the heat index spiking to over 100 degrees! We walked around quite a bit. Ate lunch. Checked out Peter Lik's art gallery. I got a picture at the Southern Most Point of the Continental U.S.A. {Something I've always wanted to do.} Ate some frozen chocolate covered key lime pie. Sweated more than I ever have in my life. Then called it a day because we were all so darn hot and uncomfortable. Next time we will go back down there in the Fall or Winter so that we can enjoy it more.



That night we enjoyed a Leo movie. Julie and I share a "love" for Leo that goes all the way back to his Growing Pains days. {Thank you to our dear sweet husbands who are confident in our love for them and allow us to watch our Leo and talk about him. We appreciate that. And we love you for it.}

The next day we just hung out on our beach and in the water for the entire day and it was wonderful!



Andrew deserved and needed this, and I was happy to look over and see him relaxing.







Vic and Andrew had a lot of time for catching up and talking while Julie and I had a lot of time for girl talk and getting to know each other better.



There was a lot of this over the weekend...






On our last night we played some Taboo and Scategories. Guys vs. the Girls. We shook on it and the playful competitive banter commenced. The guys won Taboo, but we totally creamed them in Scategories so we are even.



We had a great time and we made some great memories! Lyn Family, thank you for opening your home to us and allowing us to have such a good time in such a beautiful place. We can't express how much we appreciate it!

it's one of my favorite places

It's a quaint street with a lot of character and I adore it. Years ago I came here with my family while I was in college and made up my mind to find work in one of the boutiques along the street. The very next day I was hired and one could find me enjoying my lunches on a park bench just across the street from the shop I worked in shortly after that.

I come back here every chance I can get to do so. I love hanging out in the park, lingering in the rose garden, walking along the street, going into the shops, and eating at the restaurants. It's a place where I can go and instantly feel content and happy. I like that. 

There's a train station on the other side of the park and it stood directly in front of the shop across the avenue and the park. The trains that pass through are both freight and passenger trains. When I worked here there would be some slow days. I'd end up standing outside the doors of the shop and when I heard the train whistle blow I'd wait in anticipation of the thundering locomotive to round the bend and I'd begin counting cars. I counted 88 cars on a freight train one day. 88! But my favorite would be when the passenger trains came through and stopped at the station. You'd see families and friends saying goodbye or greeting one another and it always made me happy to see people embrace one another for both reasons.

This is a favorite breakfast spot for friends and I. It's become a tradition and now I cannot go to Orlando without stopping in! The Briarpatch is a must on Park Ave!

Yesterday I got to sit here while my Mister was in a meeting nearby. It was the perfect afternoon. Perfect.

 

And this little lady came over for a visit.

If you ever find yourself in Winter Park, a treausre of a suburb in Orlando, you really ought to take the time to enjoy Park Avenue. You'll thank me for it. I promise.