Sick in South Florida

So yesterday I got kicked out of work, actually escorted out. No, I didn't get fired, no worries there! I had a little cough, congestion and they knew that El Hombre has had flu for the past several days. At first I thought it was funny until it started to hit, and I mean it hit. Fever, chills, congestion, exhaustion, the whole nine yards.

So what did I do? Duh! Chicken soup. All my friends know that I love soup, I can eat it at any point of the day, no matter how hot or cold it is. And I am a big believer that chicken soup is the best thing when you are sick, partially because it's comfort food, and partially because it has protein and veggies and you get fluids at the same time. So what does this have to do with anything? Well, for years I have been extolling my love for Cuban chicken soup. As soon as I don't feel well, you can usually bet that I'm going to whatever Cuban restaurant that's closest to get it.

But now things have changed. There's a restaurant on Sunset and 102nd Ave called Don Burrito. It's a Mexican restaurant (NOT Tex Mex) and their soup is delicious, hearty and comforting. Unlike Cuban chicken soup, it doesn't have noodles, and the broth is more clear and less salty. It's got huge pieces of chicken, mixed with carrots, diced tomato and onion and big chunks of avocado. It's served alongside a small bowl of rice with diced mixed veggies, which I usually dump straight into the soup to add to the texture. And of course it comes with a side of lime to squeeze into it.

The service is usually a bit slow, but it's totally worth it. So if you find yourself hit with a nasty cold or flu, or you just are a little obsessed with soup, OR you just want to find a new Mexican restaurant you should check it out!

Happy October South Fla!

One of my favorite times of year :) I hear there is something spooky happening at Vizcaya towards the end of the month. I am going to check it out.

Jimbo's - Miami's Own Circus

So I meant to write about Jimbo's eons ago. And I just happened to come across a picture that reminded me of it. It's such a weird/cool/un-Miami-like of a place, it doesn't feel like it belongs here. And so close to South Beach, it's sort of ironic. It's really close to where I live, yet I always forget it's there. The combination of the house boats, rundown school buses, the woods, Veterans, cats, smoked fish, cans of beer, bocce ball, the music, fish-hungry cats, hippies and non-hippies....it's definitely one of the more unique places I've been in Miami. I have a couple of friends who are working on a documentary about Jimbo's. I would not suggest going in the middle of summer as I have before (the bug's will git ya!) but maybe now, once it cools down a bit, may be the time. I need to make a visit soon.

A day of moving hell

I normally don't write about personal stuff here, but today is different. Those who know me know that I move like a gypsy. Well, over the past week I have been moving from the non-glamorous side of South Miami to Westchester/Kendall area. It's not really far, and I don't have alot of large furniture, but it's been a pain because I have been working then moving then whatever the rest of my schedule has entailed.

Today I finally finished, but whatever higher power that exists definitely tried to make it damned near impossible. I didn't have to rent a uhaul from scary brujeros, but at least that would have been entertaining. Instead I woke up, sliced the hell out of my foot on a part of broken mirror (thanks to my bigger, more evil cat) and had to stay off it for an hour or so. Meanwhile, El Hombre has a bad cold and doesn't feel better. So the idea of getting a truck and moving my bed and sofa was not appealing. However it was more appealing than waiting to do it after work tomorrow. So we persevered.

After all was done, and I made multiple trips to Publix to get a steam cleaner (and switch out the one that decided to vomit water all over the place.. apparently it has the flu or something), I elected to pick up medicine and chocolate for El Hombre at Target. And all I have to say is, you know you are in South West Miami when your cashier's name is Misleidy. At least it made me laugh.

Fall in South Florida

It's been almost imperceptible, but it's been happening. Slowly the nights are getting longer and the weather slightly cooler. School has started, the roads are busier and while it's still hot, it's not quite so sweltering. Football season is here, and the 'Canes are off to a great start (#9 baby! Movin' on up!)

I love fall. It's my favorite season. I love the spookiness that comes with Halloween, the excitement of football games (unless, of course, you are going for the Carolina Panthers, then you just stick to college) and rush of new things starting. I don't know about everyone else, but I always feel like there's a new beginning in fall. Maybe because that's when the school semester starts and I am so regulated by the years of elementary, middle, high, undergrad and graduate school years. Maybe because my job runs along with the school year now. Maybe it's because I was a fall baby, but things for me start in the fall.

I also love the richness of the changing season. You don't see it here, and I confess that's what I miss most about living in the Carolinas, but the colors of the leaves, reflected in the colors in fall fashions are my favorites. Yellows, oranges, reds, matched with deep baritone-rich browns, purples and olive greens are so much more interesting and pretty than the pastels of spring.

So happy first day of fall everyone! Lets hope the tensions surrounding us (ie the sudden surge of violence in schools) starts to melt away. I, for one, am excited to see where life takes me! Cheers!

Christina

Buttercream Cupcakes and Coffee

I have often mentioned my love for the Buttercream Cupcakes & Coffee location in South Miami. However, my friend Rose really knows how to put into words the deliciousness of Buttercream.

In addition to being delicious, the location also has a neat vibe and excellent customer service. I totally recommend it to anyone passing through!

Best Picnic Spot in Miami?

A few months back we were flipping through the "Best of" issue of the Miami New Times and El Hombre clipped some of the things we wanted to check out. One of which was the recommendation for the "Best Picnic Spot in Miami." MNT reported this spot to be Black Point Park down in Homestead, so we went to check it out. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad spot, but I would never go so far as to call it the best in Miami.

We drove in and found some parking. We kept looking for the picnic area, and all we saw were some tables around the water. What was kind of cool about the spots is that you can see the boats coming in and out from the marina, but really that's not such a unique site if you camp out by the water.

What was nice was the little path we took all the way out into the bay. Alot of people were there fishing, boating, etc. We ended up sitting down on the ground and watching the boats and eating our sandwiches. It was a nice day and we did have partial shade but our view was somewhat marred by Turkey Point, and there wasn't a soft spot, we had to sit on a gravelly ground.

I won't complain about mosquitos because this is Miami and it is summer, but when you are writing up a recommendation spot for picnics, things to consider would be availability of soft ground, shaded picnic tables and the proximity to the water.

What I would recommend the spot for is fishing, boating and kayaking and canoeing (if you like ocean kayaking that is.) They also had bike trails, but I suspect the ones at Oleta are better.

But I did snap some pictures:





(That's some serious litter, and yes I did pick up and throw away a few people's litter)