Flood Day

School was closed for the Boogedy this morning due to weather conditions throughout the islands. The temperature was about 81 degrees and only lightly raining after days of downpour and nights of lightning shows. So we hopped on our bikes and went across town to check out the flood.  Here are Zach and the Chibberty at the intersection of Frances and Eaton streets:

(Oh yeah, that is the swimsuit Zach was wearing when he got kicked out of the water park in Utah this summer).

Here we are in the middle of Simonton and Front streets:

The Chibberty enjoys a floating take-out meal.

Dog and boy agreed that this is the Best. Day. Ever.

 

Late July Adventures

I checked out this awesome book from the library,  because Zach is going through a ‘no-white-flour’ kick. It’s the first cookbook I’ve ever read that truly addressed the challenges of cooking with whole grains, and not just substituting 1/2  a cup of whole wheat flour but still making essentially fluffy white breads.

Thanks to this YouTube video, I now know how to make a 6-braid challah! I also know now that I don’t really care for poppy seeds on top of bread.

Here is the poor Chibberty in my shirt, which I had heard can calm a dog down in a thunderstorm. I don’t believe he was calmed by our laughter or this photoshoot.

In our little town, the moving of this house from its place by the cemetery, across the busiest intersection in town, and into the lot next door to the cupcake shop, was big news and a spectator event.

Hee Hee. A modification of the Fleming Street sign downtown where the road begins.

I bet my Walgreens is cooler than yours. Formerly the Strand Theater. The place where I spend buckets of money on athletic tape for my poor, injured footie.

As a reward for learning to swim, the Boogedy received Perplexus. Possibly the coolest toy ever invented. We are all addicted to this game. As Zach says “there’s no better reward for a physical workout than a toy that will put you on your butt for hours”.

Mid-January

Holy Cow!! I’m knitting lace! I’ve been attempting lace for years, but am just now experiencing success.

Mosca and Weasel

This is how we get our laundry to the laundromat around the corner. Yes, we wear our helmets.

The incredibly cool Island  Bike Shop loaned us this balance bike for a week for the Boogedy to try out. He’s getting better, after biffing it a few times.

The coolest Key West rooster I’ve ever seen. The main post office seems to host the prettiest breeds.

Some giant (18-30-inch-tall) colored glass bottles at ROSS. I wish the purple one would withstand the 3000 mile shipment to my sister in Salt Lake.

First Day of Preschool

Yesterday I dropped the Boogedy off for his first full day of preschool. He was so excited! Zach and I rode our bikes to the Southernmost Beach Cafe for our first breakfast alone together since….um…since….well, I don’t know when the last time was.

Their sign:

Interior (I love the paint colors!):

The view from our table. (All this and the food was good, too!):

Later I rode my bike over to the KnitWits yarn shop, without man or boy to distract me or hurry me up. YES! There is a yarn shop in Key West, and it carries gorgeous yarn!!

After picking the Boogedy up from school, we headed to the dog beach with a tennis ball and a bag of sand toys for diggin!

The dog hasn’t been this happy since we left Hollywood and he stopped getting his daily walks in Griffith Park.

Once in bed for the night, it took the Boogedy a full hour to wind down, stop talking to himself, and go to sleep after the big day.

Family Weekend

On Wednesday, the Boogedy was babysat and we walked to our beach for a lovely sunset

And went to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse, where they cook the food on the grill at your table. I did not photograph the chef, but will show you the fountain outside.

On Thursday, we found a listless frog on our porch. He allowed his head to be pet, and I picked him up and placed him under the bushes. He wasn’t there on Friday.

On Friday I took Zach a picnic lunch at work. It was pouring rain, so we asked permission to sit at one of the tables outside the coffee shop, under the eaves.

On Saturday, we rode our bikes hard for 8 miles, then stopped at Thomas’ Donut Shop across the street from the beach.

And tried something I’ve never seen in donut form, Red Velvet.

We bought an umbrella because the rain has started to be just a little chilly, and it looked like it wouldn’t stop.

While we were at the farmer’s market picking up raw milk, the Boogedy rolled down the grassy slope in the rain, getting completely soaked.

There was some puddle twirling and jumping.

And we grabbed Pizza at Brunos, which has the most wonderful garden/swamp in the back of the building.

To finish the day, the dog was wrapped in blankets and piled with pillows.

And dad was forced to take his own medicine: The Bravery Test.

Scenery and Skill building

A glorious sunset:

Followed by a surreptitious drink of water:

And round and round game:

The next morning, paddling in the crystal clear water. Getting better at this. I did get a sunburn in the shape of Florida on my butt, from wearing a skimpier than usual bikini and burning my tender whiteness!

Last week, a trip to the local marine park, where a sea turtle swam back and forth in front of our window and stared at us.

A Youthful Perspective

When I was little, I spent so much time laying on the ground staring up at the sky.

The other day I reminded myself to do that.

Chibby’s Mantle of Responsibility

I like this photo because it makes my fellow look like a tired old crone. I hope this stole looks better on me.

I bought this gorgeous Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn in December in San Francisco and fretted for a long time about the perfect project. I settled on this ladder stitch design that was a great mindless knit for the bus commute. It seems that it will get plenty large once I block it.

Pre-unravelling:

Mid-ravelling:

P.S. Here’s the view from my kitchen skylight today: