Countdown: 29 Days

T: It is officially less than a month until Thanksgiving, and Corrine and I could not be more excited to see everyone! The menu is coming together nicely (thanks to a huge amount of assistance from everyone) and the turkey platter is safe and sound, while being guarded round-the-clock by a team of trained professionals. Provided my local tailor comes through with my skin-tight, custom-fitted "Kiss the Cook"chef's apron we should be all set...

We will get another 'update' e-mail out to everyone in a few days so that we can finalize the menu, and open some discussions related to all the other fun things to do in the area when you are in town. I foresee no shortage of beach time, and will also make myself fully available for any ideas associated with other local site seeing ventures. There will be plenty to do and see when you are here, and we cannot wait to see you all! Take care, and THANK YOU again for all of your help with the wonderful food! Very exciting!

A Whole New World

T: After several months of 90-plus degree weather, I am pleased to report that the temperatures in the greater Tampa-Saint Petersburg metro market PLUNGED into the 60's over the weekend. Corrine and I were ecstatic to engage in certain of the following crazy activities: i) open our windows and let actual fresh air into the house, ii) wear shirts with sleeves on them, iii) fire up the crock pot to make an enormous batch of pulled pork. I know it sounds crazy, but we went for it. We even acted in reckless fashion by throwing an extra blanket on the bed the last two nights. It was a good time. It was a simpler time....

But like all good things, this recent 'cold snap' must come to an end. Temperatures are back in the 70's today, and will revert to the mid-80's for the remainder of the week. It was great to have a sneak peak at this "winter's" coming attractions...and I also want to reassure all the Minnesota resident who might read this post that we should have a healthy dollop of warm sunny weather when you are in town next month for Thanksgiving....

Farmer's Market

So, here in the south, the harvest season is a little different. On Oct 3, when most of the markets up north are shutting down for the year, ours just opened up. Yup, yesterday was the first day of Saturday market in St. Petersburg. We bought a ton of fresh produce and sampled one of the local treats: a mini key lime pie.

We also learned that the end of October is the time to plant tomatoes and start your garden. Huh. Who knew. There is also a farm share outside of Tampa that we might join...

pretty excited!