paint

Lately I have been painting. The more I paint the more I see, take for example this Rainbow Eucalyptus tree that we encountered on our walk through the botanical gardens,

 or this view looking towards the ocean,

 or these bananas.

My sister got me artist trading cards which I have been meaning to start paining, but somehow something else needs to be finished first. Like these asparagus I painted for my Dad's 65th Birthday (check out the blue frame W made!).

I 'll post the cards as they are finished...

happy new year!

It seems as if time has been slipping by, it feels as if it was only yesterday that I was packing up the car to come down to Miami. It is a New Year and with the New Year comes change. This year promises to be spicy and full of good food. Maybe this year I’ll make the time to check in here more often…

I wanted to share one of my favorite things about my new home, the fact that it is January and our little pepper plant is still going full force. 

Don’t let their size fool you they pack a big punch!

family and fun

There is a fine line between delicious and explosive, that is, when it comes to roasting chestnuts. 

Who knew you are supposed to crack them before roasting? A lesson my sister and I learned yesterday. The little devils exploded and we found bits and pieces of them all over the kitchen, including all over ourselves… 

My sister came down to see W and me. Between the three of us, we turned out a lovely feast, complete with stuffing, cranberry sauce (also explosive), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts with maple syrup, the non-exploded chestnuts and bacon (which Em made- they were very good and I am not a big Brussels sprout eater), green beans and turkey cranberry sausage instead of a whole bird. I got up while everyone was sleeping and started two pies, apple and pumpkin. 

We went and sat by the pool while the pies where baking, where else but Miami is that possible? 

Here is to good food and family!

tropical lifestyle

It has been far too long, but between moving across the country and starting a new job the world seems to be whizzing by and all the sudden it is mid September. The weather down here is HOT and it has rained every day. The growing seasons are completely different and it is a steep learning curve, seeing how I'm supposed to teach 5 classes about gardening. Looks like its time to get my hands dirty. 
First day of school welcome back chalk drawing to go with special story

Our first day of school, short day

We have a small jungle outside our classrooms

The little creature that I tried to pet, but Jen and W decided it was a bad idea. In my defense he was only about a foot long.

This is why: