Mediterranean Miss

Archive for June, 2010

Kalinihta ya’ll ;D

How are my lovely readers doing? How were your Fridays? How were your -weeks-? I’m happy to report that I’ve had the best two days I can remember in a long, long time. Thursday morning was a bit of a rough start (hello, 4:00am wakeup call and a 2-hr layover in the Atlanta airport (home of about 2349580235 Popeyes, it was remarkable).

Seeing my mom here in Florida, where she grew up, is wonderful. Actually, everything about this place is wonderful. I practically felt my body stretch out in thanks for the sweet moisture in the air. I felt so energized immediately after stepping off of the plane that we decided to make a full day of my first afternoon in Florida, beginning with two very necessary stops: Target, and Publix, and ending with some lovely relaxing time in our beautiful courtyard:

This place is paradise <3

Target is one of my absolute favorite stores in the whole world. If there were Targets up north Walmart would  run, scared, and then just give up, haha. The deals Target puts on, too! My gosh. I bought a beautiful dress, a really cute bowl (the breakfast blogger in me, I’m sure all of you can relate) and about 5 pairs of really cute, REALLY cheap flip-flops and sandals. You just can’t get them like this back home!

These flipflops came to about $60. I can't get over the prices here.

The "tweetest" breakfast bowl ;3

Publix was great, too. I finally got my hands on some Chobani because I’ve been wondering what the big blogfuss was about. I had some for breakfast and was immediately, absolutely entirely hooked. Chobani is by far the best yogurt I’ve ever tried. I’m going to see if I can’t get some ordered to Toronto! In addition to Chobani, we bought some Peanut Butter Puffins that I may just have to break for right this second because even thinking about them gives me such a craving.

My first ever chobani experience. I had this again for dinner!! Bahaha

I just can’t get over the freshness and sweetness of the produce here. The Florida sunshine works wonders.

Even the berries are happier here. I've never seen a blackberry this size up north.

We also went to the Flea Market yesterday, a maze-like series of stalls that apparently stretches for over 3 miles. It’s filled with tacky tshirts and jewerly, wonderful, discounted artwork, purses, sunglasses, etc, oh, and the most beautiful produce and juices in Florida. My favorite thing about the flea market vendors is the pride that they have in their fruits and vegetables. Every one of them had a story that they wanted to share.

One lady, Julie, told us about how she had always been involved in her family’s produce business – down to her very early years, where as a baby she would sleep cuddled up in a box of bananas (!!!) while her parents sold their goods at the market. She showed us how to pick the best tomatoes, explaining that you want one that is firm with a bit of give, and of even coloration. With her help, we picked a winner:

The vendor helped us pick the biggest, juiciest tomatoes. Look how huge this one is

I put this to immediate use at lunchtime:

The tomato made my lunch, a wonderful kale salad with basil.

I also picked up an adorable new wallet. I love the flea market for wallets because you can find great deals on quality leather and such, and Florida purchases are always so unique when I bring them back home to Canada! I loved the straw/wicker on this new wallet, and the heart is very cute ^~

My all-American wallet Love it!

I also picked up the standard shell-flower bracelet. I’ve been doing this since I was a little girl and I still can’t get enough of them. Sometimes it’s fine to give gifts to your inner mermaid princess:

My pretty shell blossom. Just call me Ariel ^~

On our way out we found this stall that had all of the TV order products you could think of: sham-wow, slap-chop, the magic bullet, etc etc etc, all for discounted prices. We gave it a quick look through, grabbed some “streak-free glass towels” and as we were just leaving, I happened to notice a half-hidden box with the word “dehydrator” just peeking through. To my unmeasurable delight, I moved the other products out of the way to reveal a FOOD DEHYDRATOR for no less than $19.99!!! I am so excited about this purchase. I can’t wait to go to town.

The loft is getting ready to become a dehydration station ^~

I’m definitely going to be making:

• dried fruit, especially dried peaches, berries and MANGO (askdgjadslk;)
• surprise jars of dried tomatoes – Andrew’s Nono has tons of tomatoes every summer and I’d love to do something special with them and give them back as gifts <3
• perhaps some homemade jerky for the boy and his friends.
• Questions: What do YOU do with your food dehydrator? What should I make? Any tips and tricks?

After the flea market, we visited with my Aunt and her daughter, my beautiful cousin, who just recently got married. We all decided to take a long walk on the beach together, which is one of my favorite things to do. I took to the water immediately, of course, and then it was a mad rush of photos and stories and good times.

I love the beach so much. The sound of the waves, the power of the tide, the birds, the large, sweaty tourists. *sigh* Bliss.

We took so many pictures! This was by far my favorite. I love my mama - isn't she a beautiful girl?

We will always remember that special day on our favorite beach.

I think that’s all I’ll leave you with for now – I am just getting ready to go on a midnight bike ride with my mother. I’ll update soon with some fun Florida recipes and hopefully more photos to share! Before I go, though, can’t forget one last picture for the boy who is sitting back home in Toronto and reading my little blog.

My favorite kind of love note for the boy back home.

I hope that all of you are preparing for wonderful weekends with the ones that you love the most. I’m so happy down here with my Mama. We’re off for that bike ride now, but I’ll be back soon!

Love you all,

Over and out ;D