Backyard, Spring 2008 -- Wall Decor

Here is a link to a slide show with photos of the sunfaces and other artworks in our backyard right now.

Flora-Bama Lounge

Known generally around here as just the "the Bama", sometimes you see its whole name in print -- Flora-Bama Lounge, Package, Oyster Bar & Grill. It's located on Perdido Key at the western-most tip of Pensacola, Florida, just inches from the Alabama line. Right on the beach.



The owner calls it, "The Last Great American Road House." Playboy Magazine, among others, has voted Flora-Bama the best beach bar in the world. It offers multiple bars and music venues with a huge deck where you can eat, drink and listen to live music while having a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.

It was badly damaged by Huricane Ivan and other storms in 2004 and 2005. Rebuilding was delayed by the difficulties getting all the necessary permits for coastal construction. We went there several months ago and the rebuilding was about to begin. We will return soon and I will have updated photos so we can see the progress they've made.

Each year the Flora-Bama sponsors a variety of musical and athletic events. All are great fun and raise a lot of money for local charities. Probably the most famous of these festivities is the Annual Interstate Mullet Toss. Individuals compete on the beach throwing a mullet from a 10 foot circle in Alabama across the state line into Florida. This is on the last weekend of April every year.

Here's a link to the Flora-Bama's Wiki article.

Happy Earth Day! Please don't litter!

There's littering and then there's felony littering.



Here's a story about our local environment reported in today's Pensacola News Journal.

A contractor charged with dumping an entire home on another man's property received a suspended sentence Monday, and the victim isn't happy with the outcome.

Otis Jerome English, 57, originally charged with felony littering, pleaded to a lesser, misdemeanor offense and charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace. English faced up to five years in state prison if convicted of the original felony charge. His trial was scheduled to begin this week. Geeker also ordered English to pay $1,100 in restitution to property owner Jonathan Owens, co-owner of the Alexakos & Owens construction company.

For the complete story go to the Pensacola News Journal's site.

New in Pensacola -- Varona's Cuban Restaurant

PLEASE NOTE: Varona's Cuban Restaurant closed on December 7, 2008.

Here's what Jack had to say about our meal at Varona's --

Tonight, we had dinner at the new Varona's Cuban Restaurant on 12th Avenue. It was superb. The only restaurant space in Pensacola that's equally elegant is Jackson's. Yet Varona's is quite casual and reasonably priced. Both our meals were well and carefully prepared. We also shared a garlic shrimp appetizer that was delicious. Happy to say that even at an early hour (we got there around 5:30) they were doing great business. It's a sensational addition to the town's restaurant scene and should be a great success.

To read all about the restaurant, owner Robert de Varona, Executive Chef Victor Garcia and to see the menu click here.

From Varona's web site: "Owner Robert de Varona grew up in Cuba in the 40s and 50s and wanted to create a destination dining experience similar to the restaurants and nightclubs of that era. Varona's features authentic Cuban dishes with a dash of American and Continental favorites. Appetizers are available in the bar, as well as complete meals, and our signature beverage is the mojito!"

PLEASE NOTE: Internet searchers need to know that the restaurant's name is spelled Varona's, not Verona's.

Good Food at Emeril's in Gulfport, Mississippi

Last month, the Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa, part of the Harrah's group, offered us some free nights at their very flashy hotel on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. So, a couple weeks ago we decided to spend a night there.

We drove over early in the day and stopped for lunch, just west of Biloxi, at Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House, in Gulfport.

As we expected when dining at an Emeril Lagasse restaurant, the food, service, ambience and location was the very best, plus the view of the Gulf of Mexico from our table was splendid. And the prices were quite reasonable. The restaurant is in Gulfport's only gaming establishment -- the classy Island View Casino Resort. It was a wonderful experience and we must go back for another meal there. Soon.

Click [BAM], for the links to all of Emeril's restaurants -- ten so far, in four states.

After lunch we proceeded to our hotel, the Grand Biloxi. We got a great room with a view of the Gulf and the huge construction site of Harrah's upcoming tribute to Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville Casino & Resort, due to open in 2010.

Broken Deck Chair

A bolt in one of our favorite deck chairs snapped off the other day. The chair may still be under warranty and the good folks at Pinch-A-Penny Pool, Patio & Spa, where we bought it, need to see a photo of the chair and the problem.

Here are some pictures of the broken chair. The red circle in the bottom photo shows the location of the broken bolt.

These Are the Best Gingersnaps in the World (Tribute)

From the tiny town of Nyåkers in northern Sweden come the bright red tins from Nyåkers Pepparkakor Bakery. It is the only factory in the town and each year they ship millions of their spicy cookies to 45 countries around the world.

Pepparkakor is Swedish for "spicy ginger cookie."

In the U.S. these used to be available only at Christmastime and only at a small chain of stores -- World Market. But a few years ago there were some heart-shaped ones for sale around St. Valentine's Day. And this year, for Easter, I spotted them in bright new tins of blue with springtime colors. Still, the only places you can buy them in the U.S. are at World Market stores. There are also some mail order companies that sell them but at twice the price, plus you have to pay for the shipping and handling.

Thank you World Market -- give us Nyåkers Pepparkakors all year long.

Herb Garden 2008

The whisky barrel herb garden is already planted and it's not even April yet.

The herb garden is planted in half a Kentucky whisky barrel. I bought it at the K-Mart on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. It's branded on the bottom that it is from Maker's Mark Distillery of Loretto, Kentucky and it's dated March 1996. This is the third year we've had it and have planted herbs in it.

The inside diameter is 23 inches so the plantable area is almost 2.9 square feet. Or somewhat less than one ten-thousandth (1/10,0000) of an acre.

Here is a key to what's planted.
1. Greek Oregano, still growing from last year
2. Peppermint
3. Thyme
4. Dill
5. Mint
6. Chives, growing from last summer
7. Cayenne Pepper
8. Sweet Basil
9. Summer Savory
10. Taragon

There are also pots of Lavender and Rosemary growing by themselves.

Here's a link to another post about the herb garden -- from April, 2006.

Next Cruise

We have been reading the cruise ship brochures again and like the idea of a spring cruise of the Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Glory.

The seven night cruise begins and ends at Port Canaveral. It's on the Atlantic east of Orlando and just north of Cocoa Beach. It is the world's second busiest cruise ship port after Miami.

There are stops in:
Saint Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands; Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; and Nassau, Bahamas.

OTHER EASTERN CARIBBEAN LINKS
• Shopping at the port in Charlotte Amalie -- Havensight Mall.
• Interactive maps, one of Downtown Nassau showing Prince George Wharf, Rawson Square, Government Buildings and other sights and another map showing Nassau and Paradise Island.
• The Port of St. Maarten link.
• St. Maarten/St. Martin's chain of big supermarkets -- Le Grand Marché.
• On the Dutch side of St. Maarten take the water taxi for lunch at The Greenhouse Restaurant, part of Bobby's Marina.

Maggie the New Cat

Maggie, on the right, has just been adopted from the Humane Society of Pensacola's shelter. She is one year old.

Susie, on the left, is 13 and is sitting in the "meatloaf" position because she isn't sure we need another cat. But she's coming around. And in a week or two they will be buddies.