Alicenoneland

 Coming back to Florida was an experience after hurricane Ian. We thought we had seen enough water in our backyard but it turned out other things were planned for us, three days after getting back we had hurricane Nicole. Charlie had to dig a big ditch from the backyard to the front running out into the street. We actually had running water for a week into the street. It was so much overflow from retention ponds surrounding us, but now we’re getting back to normal and it’s drying up.  I am in sourdough bread production mode having so much fun, baking sourdough bread from my Vivian starter. She really does good down here. I don’t know what the difference is, but I get such a good rise and she grows really well.  I can put her to sleep in the refrigerator for two or three days wake her up and poof I have bread.  I finished washing the he two fleeces up north that were given to me by a friend and brought down two pillowcases full. Now I am in the process of working through it slowly combi

This is the last post of the winter season, hope to see you in the fall. Everything is wrapped up here in Florida so we are ready t “migrate” north for the summer.  I’ve enjoyed chatting with you and will miss our times together.  So long for now. Have a wonderful summer.                       Www.alicenoneland.com 

Ooh, look at those tomatoes and I've eaten a bunch of them already!  In salads, in Tacos for salad garnishes...But, not in a sandwich. So, I'm sure you know where this is going. Yup! My first tomato sandwich this year.  Yes! You have to use Wonder bread and Hellman's mayonnaise, salt and pepper are optional. This is the taste of summer if you ask me and my-O-my is it ever good.  I was surprised at how much just one of these tomatoes cover, they turned out to be a pretty good substitute for a regular sandwich tomato.  I can't begin to describe to you the soft yummy-ness of a tomato sandwich all warm and tangy. (tomato has to be sunny warm) As we speak my Giant sandwich tomato seedlings are growing in there little seed trays outside, getting ready for the big transplant and trip to their northern destination.  I dream of future gardens.  OK, OK, I admit the two pictures of the sandwich are actually pictures of the SECOND sandwich!

A few weekends ago Charlie and I visited the Marine Science Center not far from us, it has been on our to-do list since we moved here. I thought it was expensive to visit and my cheep-ie-ness kept us from going.  Surprise! It was only about $4.50 to go in, a nominal fee to supplement the care of the animals housed and rehabilitate in the facility.  Look what a sweet statue greeted us. Here we are, getting ready to enter. Charlie enjoyed the petting tank. They had a bunch of sting rays swimming around in there, very kid friendly. We enjoyed looking at the "reef in the works" aquarium. This display reminded us of our vacation to the keys and the scuba adventures we had.  Here is the overlook into the "turtle hospital" area. They take care of a half dozen or more sick or wounded sea turtles. Its a really nice friendly facility, with explanations of the wounds or illnesses each turtle has. Below is my all time favorit

WOW!  This is what I saw today from the parking lot at Walmart on the way to my car.  It's the time of year where we need to be really careful about burning and all the old "Smokey the Bear" warnings.  Because of the way water does not stay in the soil, (mostly sand) it gets crazy dry on top where all the leaves and brush are.  Two years ago right were I'm standing taking this photo there was a huge fire, all the woods burnt, and we could smell the smoldering trees for quite awhile afterwords.  It was quite scary because this is only about a quarter mile as the bird (ember) flies from our home.  After I took these photos the smoke from the fire got even bigger, but I was in my car heading home, I could see it in the rear view mirror.  These fires happen about every other week within our viewing distance. They lose acres and acres of vegetation, but it seems to grow back pretty quickly. Everyone just prays it stays away from homes and businesses. 

Here is my tomato plant, sadly it is at the peek and end of its production. I believe that what I see is all I will get this year, but it has been a very good year for being an experiment that I thought would not work.  I have had to bring the fruit in as it begins to start to turn color. If I leave the tomatoes on the plant to mature they are getting bottom rot. UGH, a very sad sight that is. The whole bottom third of the fruit turns black and rotten. I'm not sure what is exactly causing it but, I do know that by bringing it in to ripen on the window sill they stay fresh and not a sign of rot.  Here's the proof, look at this beauty! I feel so proud, like I gave birth to it myself LOL!  I'm not crazy for Roma tomato's, but after tasting it, I don't feel they'er are as bad as I had remembered, certainly not a sandwich tomato but very good just the same.  I actually just planted the seeds for the tomatoes that I will be planting