Matlacha Island

Two weeks ago we visited my parents down in south Florida. We visited Matlacha, a beautiful little fishing village about 20 minutes away from my parents' house. I love visiting this island because while it is so close to my parents, it feels like you have been transported to a completely different place. The clock seems to slow down as you drive over the bridge and enter "island time". Quaint little shops splashed with vivid colors. Shell driveways. Fisherman perched on the many bridges hoping to bring home a fresh catch for dinner. We toured a few galleries to view the work of the many local artists. When it came time for lunch we stopped in at a local fresh seafood market and ordered the absolute best lunch--oyster, shrimp, and scallop po-boy sandwiches. I had these native New Orleans' sandwiches all the time when we lived in the Big Easy...but these were amazing! The outing was a feast for my camera. I couldn't resist but snap some shots of the colorful island shops and scenery. Enjoy!

A typical Matlacha shop.

My beautiful sister thinking deep thoughts at breakfast.

Mom introducing Karis to the north coast of Pine Island.

Enjoying...

...a lazy Sunday afternoon on the dock, my favorite crocs, a cup of hot coffee, munching on a cookie delivered by the welcome committee from the church we visited this morning, and meditating with these prayers while the other three adults and babe in the house snooze. Mmmm, alone time.

Daddy's protege

This is the scene I found on the sofa last night, in the quiet of the evening, by the glow of the computer light. Dad was searching the web and Karis was simultaneously checking her email or perhaps her daytrade stocks. Either way, Daddy's got a new little pupil, and with the way technology is today, Karis will likely pass me up in her techy knowledge by age 3. In fact, her first few words may be something like "email" or "internet" or "world wide web" (ok, that last one is a little far-fetched). Anyhow, I thought this cute father-daughter moment must be shared on said web.
P.S. Sorry for the lame-o, short posts recently. I promise to give you a meatier post soon. It is proving challenging to post these days, as life is full of changes and a lack of schedule. Until then...

We're raising a hillbilly...

She's only has two teeth, she babbles on without making any sense, lives in the backwoods of Florida, and loves the music of Allison Krauss...a hillbilly, maybe? Nope. Just our 6 month old daughter. We've discovered that our kiddo is a bluegrass lover at heart. Whenever she is fussing and ready for bed, we put on the "magic music" of Krauss and the Union Station band, and almost instantly Karis is quiet. Whether she is mesmerized by the strumming banjo, the melody of the mandolin, or the sweet vocals, our little one knows the sound of good bluegrass music when she hears it. Now I just can't wait for her to fit into these adorable boots that were given to her. (Have no fear, folks. Funky hot pink boots and Allison Krauss are about as hillbilly as I'll let her stray!)