Home with Marjorie

The second day I was home in Florida my parents and I drove up to see Marjorie's haven at Cross Creek. It was more incredible than words can explain. Reading her novel, Cross Creek, I felt such a connection to Marjorie. She was a worker and not a player, she was hard headed, she was wise, she was driven and she loved her adopted home state. She is still an inspiration. She made me miss my homeland like never before. Something passed over me and opened my eyes up to see what I was missing. When I left home 7 years ago, I don't think I had one nice thing to say about Florida, but as soon as I was away and people started to assume that I grew up on a beach in a condo, I remembered what was so wonderful about my native Florida. No, I didn't grow up in a giant development on a beach or in a condo. I grew up in the middle of lush Florida. Not so far from the west coast waters. I grew up somewhere between big city, Tampa and big country, Plant City. I grew up canoeing down rivers and playing in the woods. Sneaking past strawberry fields and running through pastures. It is true that slowly Florida is becoming one big development, and I think watching things change before my eyes helped me to dislike home back when I left. Well now I realize to stop the sprawl from getting any closer to the countryside that still exists in Florida, it's going to take some real love. Some appreciation and some Florida state pride! Thanks to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings I remember how wonderful a place Florida can be. I can see why my ancestors decided it was the place to go so many generations back. We are the Sunshine State. We have more than beaches (though we do have the best beaches). And we are a beautiful natural state when you look deeper than our overpopulated coastline!

You may be wondering why I said "we" as though I am a part of FL, and I live in Brooklyn, Ny. But as of two weeks ago, I have decided to return to my sunland! I will be heading back down south sometime this Fall. I just decided while I was home that I miss my family too much, and with times being tough- I need them and I like to think that they need me too. So many things have changed since I left and I can't bare to miss anymore. Ny, I hope you understand. My decision was a tough one, but I feel it in my heart and it's the right one. I am so happy I have been here to live and explore for the past year (and for the next few months), but it's time and I know you will always be here when I need you again.

xoxo

Micanopy and back roads, Florida

On my latest Florida tour, I made a point to drive to north Florida to visit Marjorie Kinnan Rawling's Cross Creek, and along the way we made a few pit stops to check out the local communities... We found a few adorable fish camps and then of course we passed through Micanopy, a most charming little town right outside of Gainesville, Fl. It was really a rather scenic drive. So beautiful and green everywhere we looked. Next post, I promise to share the beautiful Cross Creek again, this time from my own perspective! I can't wait to share it with you...

xo

HI-HO THE DADDY-O

This spring, my dad really put his best foot forward and got to gardening! With his busy work schedule and family to tend to, it's a feat for him to get a garden growing each year in Florida. This year, he is making it happen come hell or highwater...

He is tending to his garden early in the morning before he is tied up in work and late into the evening (once he has finally makes it home from the office), I am so proud of him. I could tell when I was home that he was extra happy about life and I know it's his crops and knowing that he can provide for his family in this way that's feeding his heart with extra pride, love and energy this season! It is so wonderful because the entire family is benefitting from the garden- when I was home, we had glorious veggies and we got to spend good quality time as a family plucking peas, squash and melons from their vines. My nieces and nephew especially enjoy helping, it's something they aren't familiar with and it's so exciting for them to visit "mema & papa's farm" on Sundays to monitor the changes and the swelling in the peas and melons, to pick the vegetables, and then to cook & eat them at supper. I can't wait for the day that I have my very own vegetable garden and when my good ole' dad can show me the ropes...

xoxo

In Brint's garden:

(with seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)
fordhook acorn squash, metki melon, black diamond watermelon, boule D'or (golden perfection melon), banana melons, wando garden peas, old Kentucky string beans, rainbow Inca sweet corn & heirloom tomatoes
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY

Kipper Millsap

It was about five and a half years ago when one evening after work I walked into Shop SCAD in Savannah with no intentions of shopping, just to browse, and when I left there that night, I left with one of the greatest finds of my life- a friend, named Kyle P. Millsap, also known as Kipper. Somehow he knew right away that we would make great friends, so he just came right out and said so, " we should be friends", and I agreed (I had seen him about the place before and I could tell from his sweet smile and his dandy style, that I'd like to have him around). The following weekend we went junking together with my sister, Afton, and then for the next 3 years we frolicked around Savannah together and soaked in all the southern charm we could handle (K.P. is still there soaking, and I often wish I was too) and now the three of us are friends for life. It's just that simple!

You have got to check out Kipper's new blog, A Dandy Man's Guide to Duds, Decor, & The Great Outdoors...

Kyle is wildly talented and has more style in one bow-tie than I could fit into a duffel bag! Be sure to follow him for fantastic DIY projects and decorator tips. Also, take note that Kyle illustrates all the wonderful little details on Kipper Millsap. I have noticed that he puts a whole lot of time and care into the place- a dedicated blogger indeed! I like that a whole lot.

xoxo

ORANGE YOU GLAD?

After I left Orlando, my parents and I headed up to see Cross Creek (the homestead of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings) and along the way we found this treasure parked off to the side of a rural Florida highway on a small lot of land. As we passed it I yelled out for my dad to stop the car and turn around. Reluctantly he did so and was very happy that he did once he saw what I saw... I am in love with this little orange-ball structure and I can't help but imagine all the wonderful things that I could do with it. Perhaps a little snack stand, selling fresh squeezed Florida o.j., fresh fruit, coffee & homemade donuts!?? Perhaps a little curiosity shoppe for the snowbirds to take back some Florida treasures to their Northern homeland? Or maybe I would combine the two? You can see from the layers of peeling paint that this little stand has its own history, selling citrus and juices to selling flowers, and I'm sure there's more- I would love to know the full story! I'm so glad we took the back roads to Cross Creek. This orange made my whole week, I'm not even kidding you.

xo

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

My first day home I spent cruising around beautiful Orlando (yes, I said beautiful) with one of my best friends, Chelsey! I was so surprised by Orlando's quaintness and it's old school charm. It's a really big place, but some areas are just too sweet for words- something I didn't know existed in the land of Mickey. Growing up in Tampa, just southwest of Orlando, I never heard much good about our neighboring metropolis, yet I found them to be not so different in many ways. Here you can see our "ride" for the day, a baby blue vintage Oldsmobile Ninety- Eight. It was sweet, with bench seat and all- nothing like an old boat to drive around town in. Thank you Chels for sharing with me your lovely Florida home and friends, I had a wonderful time and can't wait for my next visit...