Seagrape Jelly

Seagrapes are in season these days! Everywhere mom and I walk we see these plants bursting with fruit. I always thought they were merely ornamental, but apprently you can make a good jam from these island delights. I've taken this recipe from "Gourmet Bahamian Cooking" by Marie Mendelson & Marguerite Sawyer:

1 quart seagrape juice
5T lemon or lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 package powdered pectin
5 c sugar

To make the juice, wash the grapes and place in a large pan with half as much water. Bring to a boil, mashing often with a potato masher. Continue boiling until fruit is reduced to a soft pulp, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain through several layers of cheesecloth. Place 1 quart of the juice in a large saucepan, adding remaining ingredients. Bring to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. Pour into hot, sterilized jars and immediately seal lids.

Lisa Sharrow, This is for You!

Visitor and friend Lisa Sharrow wanted to know the name of this lovely tree blooming abundantly at the corner of Marina Drive and Key Royale Drive. I contacted another dear friend, Sandy Moses, owner of Sandy's Lawn Service, and she did quite a bit of research to discover that this tree is a lovely example of a Mexican Poincianna. No wonder the foliage looks so much like that of the Royal Poincianna! Thanks, Sandy!

Key Royale Golf Course at Sunrise

These kind of views make us wish we played golf!

Contented Cat

We found this happy cat gazing out over the Key Royale Golf Club.

Oak Grove at Anna Maria Elementary

Last time we walked right by AME, not wanting to violate any laws about being on school grounds during the school year. However, yesterday we decided we were dying to get right in and see the campus after driving by countless times and admiring it from Gulf Drive.

Of course, the school is closed for the summer, but if I were a student I'd be eager to return to this wonderful spot as soon as the doors re-open. This beautiful stand of live oaks shading picnic benches is just one example of truly idyllic surroundings.

Another Favorite

We spied this wonderful new pool through an open fence at a construction site near Publix. Around the corner is more pool fed by a spa and a waterfall tumbling down over four rock steps. The old rectangular job at home will never look the same!

Early Morning at the Manatee Public Beach

Mom and I took our walk yesterday morning accompanied by ominous rumblings of thunder and dark clouds over the Gulf.

Curious Osprey

One thing we're always amazed by is the number of birds of prey here on the island. This osprey was supposed to give me a grand profile, but instead he carefully followed me wherever I went.

Yesterday mom and I spotted two Red Tail Hawks sitting by the pool at West Bay Moorings!

This is How Pomegranates Grow

Who knew? Mom and I were amazed to stumble across this tree in a yard on Key Royale.

View from the Key Royale Bridge

We never tire of the views of water, water everywhere!

Fourth of July and Beyond

In spite of the fact that I've been behind in postings, mom and I have been busy working our way south through Holmes Beach to the intersection of Gulf Drive and Marina. Right now we're finishing up Key Royale, which will take us four days in and of itself.

We had a huge rain delay over 4th of July weekend. I felt horrible for all of the guests who checked into our properties for a big holiday weekend in the sun, only to find heavy skies, heavy rain, and heavy seas all the way through Monday evening. Thankfully, the weather cleared up long enough for Anna Maria Island's annual 4th of July Parade, which I photographed as it passed my office on Pine Avenue. The skies also cooperated for fireworks all 3 nights...Friday at MarVista on Longboat Key, Saturday at The Beach House in Bradenton Beach, and Sunday at The Sandbar in Anna Maria. What a treat, in spite of inclement weather!

But as for walking early in the morning, my alarm went off every day at 5:30, accompanied by the sound of a steady downpour. After four days I was beginning to forget what my mother looked like, and one more day of rain may have found us unable to remember how to walk. Happily, we were able to resume our explorations by Wednesday morning (a 7am periodontist appointment on Tuesday ruined our normal schedule), and found beautiful blue skies and surprisingly cool temperatures!

So now we're back on schedule, having fun discovering all the delights of this lovely island!

Look Closely for Something Amazing!

A careful look at this tree will reveal one of our favorite Island wonders, the strangler fig in all its amazingness! Notice that the green, leafy "tree" doesn't really have a trunk...it's sharing a trunk with the neighboring palm. We love these things!

Anna Maria's Favorite Citizen Readies for the Parade!

Greta Holland, our favorite Anna Maria cutie-pie, was ready to roll when the 4th of July Parade made its way past my office on Pine Avenue. The parade, an annual tradition attracting locals and visitors alike, started at the south end of the Island at Coquina Beach.

Holmes Beach Canal at Dawn

The streets running perpendicular to Marina Drive are each backed by a canal allowing unimpeded access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beyond. I love to imagine that someone could hop aboard one of these boats docked in this little Holmes Beach canal, and from there travel around the entire world!

The Lush Florida Landscape

This magnificent tree spreads its branches over the entirety of a Holmes Beach residence.

What's Really Going On Inside Your Head

We love the fun array of succulents riotously poking out of this very controlled head...a good reminder that even people who appear to have everything together have a chaos of thoughts and emotions stuffed inside, ready to poke their way out without warning!

Morning Geckos

Mom and I liked these two geckos enjoying the morning sunshine.

The Last Day of June, 2010

A fabulous sunrise to begin the very last day of June. We've had some great sunrises this week, but this one was by far the most spectacular. As for the "red sky in the morning" warning, it proved accurate. We had an enormous storm late yesterday afternoon, and Vinnie and I were without power for almost 3 hours.