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{Lately}

     Lately being on the computer has yielded more cons than pros. There is a trend that speaks to the amount of time I spend on the computer indicating the more time I spend on the computer the more irritable I become. You have probably seen the Toyota Venza commercial where the daughter is touting her amazing life through Facebook while her poor parents only have 19 friends. My age group is clearly not the target audience for that particular advertisement, but I had this looming fear of, "Oh God, am I one of those people? Someone who has nothing better to do with their lives, but get on Facebook & other social networking sites 13 times a day?" Turns out, no I am not.

 Lately, I have done my best to steer clear of the keyboard, especially social networking! I have started: Christmas shopping (already!), teaching dance at a studio in Naples, working on my photography skills, crafting, baking and really focusing on spending quality time with my Little (getting bigger) Man! Take a look.

{Hobie strolling through Downtown Alachua}

{Hobie & Jorge outside the Ivy House}

{Fall in North Central Florida}

{One my favorite things to bake--> Alfajores, while these are not the traditional ones, I find the dough easier to work with. I also make my own dulce de leche}

Partenaires dans les Criminalite

{Partners in Crime}

Hobie and I have been exploring Oklahoma City for a week and half now... and we have pretty much exhausted all of the attractions in the area...we have a week and half to go. I think it is safe to say, we are bored. After our second visit to the Oklahoma Science Museum (which, if you have been once or even on their website, you can pretty much check that one off of your list), I decided Hobie and I should have a TV show (I told you we're bored). For the rest of our time here in OKC, Hobie & I am going to show off what we have been doing & eating while Jorge has been working....it should be funny, err at least funny!

Over the past week Hobie and I have explored most of the free + kid friendly attractions here in OKC, here's what we got:

The Oklahoma City National Memorial

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Hobie looking out over the Memorial

 The Memorial Museum, once attached to the Murrah Building

Chair set up according to the blast pattern, in honor of the victims of the OKC Bombing

OKC Route 66

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There seem to be train tracks everywhere in OKC! This particular track runs parallel to Old Route 66

Hobie and I stopped in at this little Route 66 Cafe for Cafe Au Lait & Strawberry Smoothie

{nothing quenches your thirst on a hot day like hot coffee ;)}

Old Route 66 seems to be a sort of hipster district here in Oklahoma City

Automobile Alley -> Made me think of the movie Cars 2

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Management Area

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Hobie carrying his backpack through the mountains {just kidding, it's a hiking backpack for toddler}

Literally Free Range -> They will walk right up to your car!

A view we just don't have in Florida

Hobie & Jorge determined to make it to the top!

It was 108 degrees outside, while we were plenty hydrated the heat definitely wore us out!

I would love to come back here in the spring, I think the scenery might be different

A dried up river bed. The drought OK and TX are currently experiencing is the worst in nearly 40 years! Cattle production and other facets of the agriculture industry have definitely taken a hit, not to mention to producers who serve the industry 

Local Flora

Family picture! This was in the beginning... things went downhill quickly for me

We were lost, but we found this really well worn trail ;)

Local Fauna

I took this picture from the backseat of the truck. At that moment the view from the windshield looked like something I'd only ever seen pictures of.

Again.

Vingt Quatre Heures

twenty four hours...

So it has been some time since my last post...not that it has been missed...but hey we're back :)

Currently Jorge, Hobie and I are on a month long adventure that started in New Smyrna Beach, FL and has taken/will take us to New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Nashville/Memphis (not sure which one yet) and back to Fort Myers.

On the first leg of our journey we had the opportunity to stop in New Orleans...but only for 24 hours! The following will be my attempt at a Lonely Planet Guide to New Orleans if you have a child, a tight budget and only 24 hours:

First things first, do whatever it takes, but get to New Orleans no later than 6 am, I promise it's worth it! Aside from a few half drunken party warriors from the night before the streets are nearly empty. What struck me first about this city is how old it seems (is). You feel as if you are walking the streets of Prague (save the blistering heat). To me New Orleans is a mix of Key West meets, Jacksonville, meets Prague...I really liked it.

The first thing we did was walk to Cafe Du Monde for Cafe Au Lait and Beignets...both were delicious and cheap. If I'd had it, I would have spent the entire day there. Cafe Du Monde is a picturesque open air cafe circa late 1800's, where you expect to see the likes of Ernest Hemmingway or Gertrude Stein walk in and order beignet at any moment. It was both relaxing and stimulating all at the same time, inviting you to take a deep breath and take it all in. Cafe Du Monde is the perfect place to start your 24 hour New Orleans adventure.

Next we went to our hotel to park the truck and unload. We had plenty of time to kill before check in so we took our time and relaxed in the hotel lobby for a bit...well Jorge relaxed while Hobie and I took advantage of the fresh fruit as part of the complimentary breakfast (we hadn't checked in, but we'd already started paying for parking...we were guests)

We left the hotel at about 9 am to begin our walk to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. By now the streets were starting to fill up and the buzz of a New Orleans day already had rhythm...I swear the sound of a jazzy alto sax was everywhere! The aquarium opened at 10, and was the perfect place to mosey (in AC) for a few hours. While it in no way compares to the Shedd in Chicago, it has nice exhibits with an auditorium-like viewing area that is dark and cool. Watching the sharks and rays swim is overwhelmingly relaxing and I can imagine that after a night of fun in the Big Easy, it would be the perfect place to recover.

Following the aquarium we were thankful that our hotel room was ready a few hours early, the 3 of us walked in and promptly passed out for the next 4 hours. When we woke up we were hungry and decided we couldn't leave New Orleans without sampling some Po Boys...We didn't want a smokey, loud bar type atmosphere, but we didn't want to pay more than $40 for a quiet dinner either. The Stanley Restaurant seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

The Stanley is a small, hipster type diner on the west end of Jackson Square. We got Po Boys, french fries and Chartres ice cream for a reasonable price. It was a quiet restaurant where there was no wait and it was kid friendly! The food was great and the ice cream (Hobie's favorite) was out of this world!

As we walked back to our room tarot card readers and artists were out, some more ambitious than others to promote their businesses.  While New Orleans was just starting to rev up for what I am sure would have been a blurry and wild time we were strolling back to our room; tarot card readers and artists were out, some more ambitious than others to promote their businesses. While  we tried to eat the Chartres ice cream before it dripped down our arms, we were winding down and preparing for the next leg of our Journey. The following day (yesterday) it was Oklahoma City or bust! An almost bust!

Va écologique

Going Green, an ode to whole foods, flea markets and the like.


Unless it's for a field trip type activity I rarely shop at Whole Foods...let's be honest, while the intent is good, the price just isn't easy to swallow and if it really were a "whole foods" should there be a microwavable section? Don't get me wrong, I'm pro whole foods, I just don't think eating them should break the bank...So as much as possible we try to visit the farmers' & flea markets in the area. One of my favorites is the Immokalee State Farmers' Market. It may not be labeled "organic" or come in a nice package; in fact that's rarely the case, but often you can find the freshest & ripest of produce (as well as a variety of other items) at a fair price!

This past weekend we took a Fort Myers wide trip that led to Little Lou's Antique & Flea and the Flea Masters Flea Market. Wow! What an adventure, the folks who frequent or work at flea markets really do have their own culture! I thought it was great and just couldn't get enough. You might not think of it this way, but shopping at places like flea markets & Goodwill stores or even garage sales is a great way to green up your life AND discover some unique finds!

There is a group of ladies down here, who have been my saving grace. Literally! I was about to lose my mind! We had been in Fort Myers for 4 months and I hadn't met a soul, when I happened upon this wonderful group and not only have they challenged me to be a better runner, but we also share recipes and other helpful tips. On a recent run we started discussing the Green Smoothie...really healthy, but the sound of it (to me anyway) does not give off a tasty impression. As a recent purchaser of the Jack Lalanne  Power Juicer (I know I know), I juiced my ingredients instead and made muffins out of the pulp! It was a deelish & hearty too!

I find that "Going Green" is a worthwhile effort. Although it may not be practical all day everyday there are little things we an do each day to make our lives and world just a touch healthier.

Here are some other causes I believe to be worthwhile!

Sore Feet Saviors

Patagonia

Goodwill

Classic Favorites

If you Google "Classic Favorites" the first thing that pops up in the search is Amazon advertising for the Andy Griffith Show. For me, this show is not one of my favorites...it's probably not even in the top 10; however this particular show does strike a chord with my Mom. 

Maison

Definition of HOME

1

a : one's place of residence : domicileb : house

2

: the social unit formed by a family living together

3

a : a familiar or usual setting : congenial environment; also: the focus of one's domestic attention <home is where the heart is>b : habitat

4

a : a place of origin <salmon returning to their home to spawn>; also : one's own country <having troubles at homeand abroad>b : headquarters 2 <home of the dance company>

5

: an establishment providing residence and care for people with special needs <homes for the elderly>

6

: the objective in various games; especially : home plate

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On a recent Facebook Post my friend Valerie reminded me how much I love this song and how it melts my heart whenever I hear it (sorry Val it's not the same cute little girl, these Hippies are the original artists):

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My husband and I lived in Gainesville for nearly eight years. It was there where we really did a lot of growing; graduated college, got married, bought our first house and had our son Hobie. Whenever people ask me where I'm from, I proudly say Gainesville! When Jorge got this great job (that has given me the opportunity to stay at home with Hobie) we jumped at the chance to spread our wings!

We have been in Fort Myers just about six months, and while I've made friends and kept busy it's just not the same. I'd always thought that I was more of a traveler...like the Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia. The truth is I'm a homebody, but nonetheless I'd like to think that this growing experience (ideally we'll be moving yearly until we find our "forever home") is making me more of that dirt bagger I've always dreamed of being. Until then...

.... here are a few things making me feel at home this week

--> Afternoon Cuddles with Hobie

--> Ice Pops

--> Solving the World's (and my own) problems with a glass (or 3) of wine and good friends

--> Tasty afternoon snacks <these are homemade potato chips>

--> Wild Spider Lilies from my husband

--> The Smell of an afternoon Florida rainstorm

Neath l'orange et bleu victorieuse

...."Neath the Orange and Blue Victorious!"...

This past weekend Jorge, Hobie and I made the 4 hour trek north to the home of our alma mater, the University of Florida, for the graduation of Hobie's Uncle Joey! Not having been in Gainesville for a few months we'd forgotten the abundance of orange and blue! The weekend started with a short climb at Gainesville Rock Gym, followed by a graduation party in Joey's honor and was wrapped up by the 2011 CALS Commencement Ceremony and lunch at a local favorite, Newberry's Backyard BBQ!

Still missing the Swamp I decided this morning to continue with the orange and blue theme by making a Blueberry & Nectarine Tart (however I replaced the nectarines with peaches).

Watch the Video!