Photo clean out

I have tons of photos I have not looked at in awhile but switching everything to iphoto is bringing them up again.

I even went to Puerto Rico in March and never posted a single photo or word about it (soon to come I would hope)

First few photos are from my house next few are from the gulf coast of FLA

Flattery gets you everywhere

Poor Mary Ann, my blogging neighbor, left Florida for Michigan a little early and ended up back just in time for an April snow storm! I am sure in August though she will be glad to be in Michigan and not in Florida's hot hot humid heat.

We are still enjoying a spring here in North Florida and while it is inching towards Summer in the sun, I am stretching this weather as long as I can and soaking up every minute I can on the porch or out exploring.

Buying it

This is a really cool video on hand block printing by West Elm decor store.

Slow Food

One of my favorite parts of St. Augustine is the Saturday Farmer's Market and since moving here I buy almost all my produce and meat exclusively from the market. It is one of my favorite errands to run as I feel like I have gotten to know some of the vendors fairly well and it makes me feel more and more like a local.

This event was a great opportunity to go visit my new farmer friends, see where they live, and essentially see "where my food comes from"

The tour consisted of 19 stops you could make that were laid out by area, and we picked a couple of key farms to visit that I buy stuff from on a regular basis, which were easy to get to in the 4 hour period.

We went to Fresh Start Hydroponic farm, which does not go to the market but they had a local chef making salad with his vinaigrettes and french bread.

Terk's Acres, which produced amazing goat cheeses, milk, and yogurt, and Cartwheel Ranch, which is run by two of my favorite people at the Market.

It seemed as if it was a great success for the Slow Food First Coast Chapter as every farm I went to was crowded and mostly sold out of food by 2pm. My favorite stop of the day was Cartwheel Ranch which was no surprise as it felt like a family BBQ and was the least crowded probably due to the location and time of day we stopped by. Plus they were serving up burgers and chips, which happened to be grilled by my other new friends from GAS Full Service Restaurant a new restaurant in St. Aug which serves local accessible gourmet food ( think stuffed burgers with Cartwheel beef, basil, feta and sun dried tomatoes served with homemade tater tots...YUM)

I know there is a huge emphasis on local and/or Organic products right now and I think rightfully so. We save money, buy higher quality ingredients, eat seasonably and eat less meat which has kept us much leaner this year. Plus I really enjoy the relationships I have formed with these people which is not always available at the grocery store.

Fresh Start Hydroponics:

Terk's Acres:

Cartwheel Ranch and GAS Restaurant

This is what Michael wore in hopes of fitting in at the farms.

(Just kidding he has been fishing a ton lately and I like his outfit and the light in this picture)

Lake

We have the luxury of being able to escape town whenever we feel the need to get away from it all out into the woods. Here is the beginning of lake season:

Good Morning

I recently bought two new camera lenses and have been trying to make an effort to use my camera every day. My friend Katy (who is a talented photographer) says practice makes perfect.

Here are my pictures from today, all shot with my new 50mm f/1.8:

Spring

Not to rub it in to anyone not residing in Florida but god this weather we have been having lately has been heaven. Everything is in bloom and, as of Sunday, it stays light until 7:30 pm so I can't think of a place I would rather be right now.

Cody making friends.

This is the most amazing scent ever. Meyer lemon blossoms!!