When You Have To…Make it An Adventure

When you have to go to Fl for a memorial, stay in a place you’ve never been but want to explore.

When you have to go, but a hurricane is barreling in, drive on down to The Keys and stay a night in comfort, away from the howling wind.

We he original Mrs. Mac’s, on Key Largo, has the most amazing key lime pie!

When it’s raining in paradise, make a drive to a fun dive and remember the sunset from yesterday.

When the dockside you want isn’t open and other places are too full or the hours are funky, just stop searching and try to enjoy the mediocre food you find at a cool dive.

Skippers food is decent,
but this blonde sundae is to die for!!
The key lime wasn’t so great.

When you get burned from the less than desired cuisine, have a do-over at the hotel convenience … sit out on the balcony and enjoy good food, good service, and sweet conversations with both the waitress and your love.

Gus’s Grille at the
Marriott in Key Largo is great!
The apple pie is delicious!
The key lime pie is scrumptious!

Feels like island time already.

When you have to plan for the days ahead and make some decisions, sit out by the island waters, under a tiki hut, in a bamboo chair swing, and let the coastal breeze wash all over you.

When you can’t bring your boys with you, and they made because they missed the adventure, you stop by a favorite to bring our home to them…and enjoy a slice yourself in the beautiful garden out back.

The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory has the absolute best key lime in the Keys!
Their expanded garden is a wonderful place to sit and take a breather,
and of course, to enjoy your slice!

When you have a free place, save a little money and head back to your original destination after the storm has blown through.

But take the long way through the swamps. It’s a prettier, more laid back experience.

Remember, you’re here for the adventure.

When you find your place to be amazing, but the beach town to be a little less than, go exploring nearby.

Remember, you’re here to make a memory.

When the days have been upside down and the busyness of life is taking a toll, take a little stroll along the seashore…or maybe two or three.

Along the way, stop and smell the roses, or take in the sight of the massive, gigantic trees, as it were.

The pictures just don’t quite do it justice.
The dimensions of this tree are mind-blowing!

When you see that the feasts prepared are good, but maybe not great, find the one suggested and let it remind you why you make a meal an event.

Matanza’s By the Bay is absolutely amazing!!
Be sure to get the salted caramel cheesecake and the pb pie…OH. MY!!

Amazing food, beautiful scenery, and fun conversations can bring the two of you back to younger days, deeper love and a stronger friendship.

When you have to go to a memorial, to be there for a friend, make it an adventure along the way.

Remember, it’s not always about the destination. Sometimes, it’s more about the time spent together and dreams fulfilled.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that
take our breath away.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Tuesday’s Treats #115

The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory

Location: Tavenier Key, Fl

THIS PLACE HAS THE MOST AMAZING KEY LIME PIE!!!!

They have great coffee, limeades and other drinks as well, but the key lime pie is my absolute favorite in all the Keys! You can choose from meringue key lime or non-meringue, chocolate drizzled and frozen. You can buy it by the slice or a whole pie. They have a variety of gift items and candies from which to choose as well. On their website, they sell most items; unfortunately, due to meringue issues, they no longer ship the key lime pie. 😩 That makes me so sad, as I crave this pie now!!

They always include a yummy little key lime cookie with your coffee or warm beverage choice. It is scrumptious!. Oops! I took a bite before I remembered to take the pic. 😂

Oh, and they have their own key lime trees right out the side door where you can also walk to a little outdoor sitting area under the palm trees. It was a little too hot in mid June for us to enjoy the sanctuary, but maybe next time.

Tuesday’s Treats #114

Lazy Days

Location: Islamorada Key, Fl

The atmosphere here is definitely worth taking the time to sit back and enjoy, even if the staff seems a little put out when you come in with your party of eight on a Saturday lunch. We weren’t real sure what that was all about, but we just chose to ignore it and enjoy our lunch.

The bread basket that is brought before the meal is scrumptious. The pic I’ve included has a few biscuits missing, as our party was a bit like scavengers that day. Lol. The sweet loaf bread was divine!

Several in our party tried the coconut fried batter on our grouper and mahi, and although it was tasty, I do believe I’ll opt for the regular fried or blackened grouper next time. My husband’s blackened red fish was delicious, and our son’s steak was yummy; although, the fries could have been just a bit more plentiful.

The desserts were amazing; however, I’m partial to the key lime pie at another location. All in all, this place was good, and we’ll probably revisit when we’re back in the Keys.

Tuesday’s Treats #112

The Fish House

Location: Key Largo, Fl

The atmosphere here is really cool. You feel like you’ve just entered a dockside restaurant; even thought, you’re right in the middle of Key Largo. The menu is pretty extensive on fish items, and everything we had was delicious.

Our party ordered red fish, hog fish, blackened Mahi, chicken fingers and fries. The tea isn’t sweetened, as is usual in the Keys; so, just go ahead and order water with lemon or a coke. All the fish tastes fresh, and the wait staff are pretty friendly. We encountered one who was not so much, but she only seated us; so, we got beyond it pretty quick. We dis have their key lime pie for dessert, but I’ve had better elsewhere.

If we’re ever back in the Keys, this will probably be in our top 10 restaurants from which to choose. Here’s the website.

Tuesday’s Treats #107

Midway Cafe

Location: Islamorada Key, Florida

Midway is a great little Coffeeshop located midway between Miami and Key West.

Tuesday’s Treats #97

Ma’s Fish Camp

Islamorada, Fl

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

If you’re from the South like I am, one of the first things you’ll notice while in the Keys, THEY DON’T HAVE SWEET TEA! 😳 I have to say, that took some adjustment, but we did it! 😂 However, Ma’s Fish Camp will treat you right, because they’re trying to serve you genuine sweet tea. It’s not totally sweet, Southern style, but it’s pretty close. It’s strong and almost sweet, sweet but stops just short of syrup. 😉 It’s definitely worth trying.

Mind you, the goodness doesn’t stop at the sweet tea! That’s just where it begins. 😉 The atmosphere is comfy cozy, like home, and the staff is friendly, even when they get crazy busy on Sunday afternoons. Every bit of the food is absolutely delicious!! We didn’t have one thing that wasn’t scrumptious; although, the Caesar salad was a little different, it was still yummy.

One thing Ma’s Fish Camp does very different than any other place we found in the Keys: key lime pie. They offer a regular type, with a “mile high meringue,” and a deep dish that is frozen served with hot strawberry compote. It’s a novel idea, really; however, our party was really wishing for a slice of the regular after we had it. If you’re not desiring traditional key lime pie, or you like your pie more of the “ice cream” consistency, you’ll love this, because it’s like a great key lime pie ice cream sundae, complete with graham cracker crust, strawberry compote and homemade whip cream. Yet, if you’re longing for the traditional key lime pie, you better opt for the regular style. It looked delicious on others’ plates, we were just too full and too spent to try it. … Next time! 😉 Get there early, too. She draws a crowd fast at lunchtime!

Check them out here.

Tuesday’s Treats #96

Jersey Boardwalk Pizza

Location: Key Largo, Fl

If you’re looking for good pizza in Key Largo, Jersey Boardwalk Pizza is the place to go! The pizza is delicious, and they have other options as well. Our son got wings one night, and we shared a calzone and chicken Caesar salad another. It was all good; however, our favorite was the pizza! YUM!

They have a few booths inside, and they have plenty of patio seating outside. Take your pick, and go get you a slice! 😉 They actually have 3 locations to choose. Check them them out here.

Tuesday’s Treats #94

The Pilot House Restaurant

Location: Key Largo, Fl

We found this restaurant as we were leaving Key Largo on our last day of vacation, and we were so glad we did! It was amazing. The view was perfect. It was cool to watch the boats come in and out of the marina, and the atmosphere was very cool. The wait staff were very hospitable and kind, and the food was amazing. We decided it was one of the best meals we had all week, and we put it on our “return list” for the next time we came.

Tuesday’s Treats #91

Morada Bay

Location: Islamorada, FL


This place has an amazing, paradise-like atmosphere. We sat under the covered patio, the ceiling fans and large wall fans were oscillating, the birds were singing and the sun was shining. It was absolutely beautiful!





The food is just as deightful. The fish tacos, fresh catch fish BLT, fries and the jerk Mahi wrap were delicious. The coconut rice was phenomenal. The key lime pie was just okay. It tasted pretty good with the berries, but it was a little too sweet for my preference.


Update: my apologies for not posting their website!

Tuesday’s Treats #90

Square Grouper

Location: Mile Marker 29, Cudjoe Key, FL

This place has amazing atmosphere and an amazing grouper tater tot and chocolate peanut butter pie! Honestly, that’s about where I’d pause on my “raving” reviews. The rest of what our part had was good but not great. This restaurant is ranked #2 on the Trip Advisor reviews for best restaurants in the FL Keys; however, after a couple of weeks of vacationing there, my listing would just be a little different.

That being said, let me brag on the three things I loved the most:

The key lime pie was ok, but it was a little too sweet and not tart enough for my preference. The brownie sundae “thing” was amazing with the Heath bar crumbles on top, and the homemade lemonade was really good until you get to the last 10% of the glass when it tastes more like water.  💦

<<<<<<<<
heeseburger was great. It was served on a Chabayta bread, and the beef was thick and juicy. The fries were tasty, and the pickle was sour just as it's suppose to be.

The square grouper sandwich was definitely different and unique, but it was just kind of okay. I’m not sure if it was the build up for it (from TA reviews and the waitress’ recommendation) or the actuality of the food, but either way, we were let down. The skirt steak salad looked delicious, but our son said it was a sweeter tasting steak than he expected or desired. He also said the goat cheese was pretty heavy, and you have to really like goat cheese to enjoy it. <<<<<<<<
we enjoyed our meal with comfortable seats, decent food and enjoyable company. I guess I'd just have to say, considering it was ranked #2 in all of The Keys, and comparing it to a few other places we ate, we all left feeling kind of "meh." 😒 It really wasn't bad; it’s just if I’m going to pay $200+ for a party of seven at lunch, it might need to be a little better than this.  Evidently, it’s a local favorite despite our opinion, because as we were finishing our meal, the waitress mentioned that we had come at  just the right time. There was, now, an hour and a half long wait. This was about 3:00pm, and it was lunch time! … They do have a really cool lounge area that doubles as the waiting area (last pic), and they’ve got a neat aquarium in the center of the restaurant with genuine “square grouper.” 😉 So, be sure to check them out here, and you can decide for yourself if you like your Grouper a little more square. 😜