Janet and Tom's and Key Largo

In Frederick, Janet and Tom were our friends and neighbors, fellow volleyball players and church members, their girls babysat Holm, and we've visited daughter Erin and family in Amsterdam. They've lived in Coral Gables, FL for 14 years, and tell us we hold the record for being their most frequent visitors (not reeeeal sure that's a good thing). Anyway, they keep inviting us back and have a separate guest cottage, so we come visit when we can.

Their home looks fairly modest from the street...

.......but the backyard is where the living takes place.

Tom designed the pool they added. 

The Love Shack

One of the joys of this visit is a mama cardinal in that green bush right along this path. We peek in on her every time we go by, she almost never leaves, but today I got a photo of the nest while she was away.

I wanted to spend a night in the Keys, so our friends recommended a place right at the entrance to Key Largo. Hurricane Irma damage is still very apparent throughout the Keys, we've been told, and we noticed some leftover damage, large dumpsters full of debris, and brand-new everything at our resort. They must have had to do our room over from scratch, it was that pristine.

Which came first, this shipwreck or Irma?

Drove over to Key Largo proper for happy hour.

And back to our resort for sunset. The folks on the beach with us actually applauded after the sun set, very sweet.

Outside our room

Tempting the fates

Obligatory yes, we-were-there-together selfie.

 Our Gilbert's Resort from the Lake Surprise bridge.

For going back to Coral Gables, we did what we've done before. As soon as we get back to Homestead we head west and zigzag north through the south Florida growing areas. Papaya and avocado orchards, nurseries with all manner of plants one can buy at Costco or Home Depot, giant palm tree nurseries, acres of roses, eggplants, yellow squash and zucchini, there's just so much to see!

And today is our friend Janet's birthday. Tom's suggestion for our birthday gift for her was an orchid, and wow, did we luck out somewhere north of Redland when we found a place that sells nothing but orchids and manzanillas. What beauty!

These are the ones we chose for Janet. The darker one smells like heaven!!