Report from the Florida Keys @LucyBurdette

LUCY BURDETTE: Lots of people have asked me how the Florida Keys and Key West are faring after Hurricane Irma roared through. Friday was the first day we were able to see for ourselves. Honestly, it was a bit of a grim ride south, especially the area stretching from Marathon through Big Pine, where the eye blew across the islands. The road is still lined with piles of trash, boats washed ashore, and mind-boggling deposits of appliances and mattresses. I'll show you a little of what we saw...

appliances

mattresses

We saw many trucks loading up the trash and heading north--but it will be a while before things get back to normal. And quite a few people lost their homes in the middle Keys, and are struggling to figure out where and how to find a new home. This of course will have an effect on businesses attempting to open without their full complement of employees. And there is definitely a push and pull between welcoming tourists, which the Keys economy depends on, and allowing the residents to recover from the storm.

Key West, on the other hand, was lucky to avoid Irma's worst wrath. The town lost big trees and vegetation, so it appears lighter and a little more bare than it did. However, this is Fantasy Fest weekend, one of the biggest parties of the year. And the spirit of the Keys is still strong.  These photos from Friday's locals' parade show that Key West residents will not let a hurricane dampen their imagination and playfulness!

I think this is Elvis

Part of a gaggle of "Chers"

Hula-hoop costumes

Who can resist a guy in polka-dots?

Matt and Leigh blast off

The Wizard of Oz gang

And here are just a few shots from the big Saturday night parade--the hurricane theme was very strong...

We're so grateful that the islands and our friends survived...

There's no place like home

Yet One More...Key Lime Pie!

LUCY BURDETTE: You all know by now that I've got a thing for Key Lime pie. And you probably know I'm addicted to Facebook too--you meet the most amazing people! A couple of weeks ago, a Jungle Red friend, Denise Terry, allowed me to post her gorgeous pie on my FB page. And this led to talk about other recipes. And then I heard about one I had to share. I'll let my new friend Judy Waters tell the story of her famous pie and where she got the recipe.

JUDY WATERS: Back in the lates '60's, we would always stop at this little place in Marathon (FL) called Ted & Mary's.  They only served breakfast and lunch, but it was a perfect stopping point on the trip up the Keys to wherever we were going.  Directions for making their Key Lime pie were printed on the paper place mat and I cut it out and have had it all these many years. 



I thought you would get a kick out of the "recipe" I use.  I never worried about salmonella, even without baking the pie.  ( If you have concerns, use organic eggs--there's never a worry about it with them.)  Just mix it all up and put it in the freezer.   Take it out a little ahead of time so you can cut it and top with whipped cream or Redi-Whip.  I usually make my own graham cracker crust.  

I've always thought this was the original, traditional Key Lime Pie.  Before food got fancy.
Enjoy!



(If you can't read the small print, it says 1/2 cup key lime juice, 3 egg yolks, 1 can sweetened condensed milk)

Wasting away in Margaritaville....

ROSEMARY HARRIS: Cross your fingers for good weather in Florida next week because I'll be doing something that I've wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. I'm renting a houseboat.

I haven't seen the movie for years but I think it has something to do with the old Cary Grant, Sophia Loren movie Houseboat. Maybe it was the trips to Amsterdam where the houseboats look like more fun than the hotels.

Or maybe it goes back to the time my coolest friend, Becky, rented one in the Keys and told tales of fishing off the back of the boat, grilling her catch and washing it down with ice cold beers.

Get too warm - just jump over the side. Get hungry - throw in a line. Feel like a little company - just kayak over to that big yacht.

This won't be quite as adventurous as that trip (Becky was single...) but interesting nonetheless.

After the Miami Book Fair, I'll be driving south to the keys. Then, I'll powerboat to a small private island and stay on the houseboat for a few days until the beer and the sunscreen run out. I'm taking a small telescope because the stargazing should be pretty good but during the day I'm going to be sticking to the JR Writers Challenge and working on my word count! For fun I'll dive into one of the books I pick up at the book fair. Hope there's a new Carl Hiaasen to read!

What else should I bring (other than my husband...) What would you bring to a houseboat and private island? Jimmy Buffet cds...margarita mix....

http://www.rentmyhouseboats.com/rent_my_island_-_2br_house_boat_w__private_island_access.htm