Theory or Razor-tivity

It's fall. In Colorado

that means you start layering, wearing jeans, maybe throwing on a sweater in the evenings. Your wardrobe begins to show off rich fall colors, gem tones and if you are civilized, you put away or flip flops until next summer.

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You venture outside, breath in the cool, crisp air and watch the golden leaves fall from the trees. Then you remember, besides Starbucks bringing back your favorite pumpkin latte, you have one other fall bonus, you can take a few days off shaving your legs. I mean, you won't be showing them off as much.

It's fall. In Florida

that means you continue wearing your Jack Rogers, maybe opting for a slightly richer color like platinum instead of the darling pink of summer. You look longingly into the bright sky and wonder when the days will come when the mercury will dip below 75 degrees. You know these days are payment for all the love the coast will give back during the mid-winter glory.

Right now, though, you pine for the life of a mountain girl who can just cover her legs with cute pants, maybe jeans even and actually stop shaving her legs. I mean, no one ever sees their legs anyway.

In a way, I've lived both lives and that's how I formulated the theory of "razor-tivity".

Undoubtedly you've heard of the theory of relativity...something about time and space folding in on itself blah-de-blah, black hole, yada, yada...watch the Big Bang Theory if you don't know what I'm talking about.

So, here goes, Eli's Theory or Razortivity

Every razor is designed to only cut a certain length of hair. That is the constant. What is relative is the number of times it cuts to get to that total length...but let me tell you, when it is done (and it knows) it starts pulling your hair.

Here's how this works.

In Colorado, during the cold months when mountain women don't shave (I've met a few), the razor cuts long pieces of hair infrequently, when the total length of the average strand cut is equal to three inches...the razor starts to pull and it must be replaced. So you get maybe 8 shaves over the winter and it's time for a new one.

In Florida, however, winter months are filled with showing off legs (darned it). So getting to the three inches takes the same time but nearly 45 shaves before it starts pulling.

I really would have thought you could use the razor 45 times in either place but NOT SO! 

Stupid thing is smarter than it looks.

Mountain Meanings and Nautical Nuances

I have now lived in Palm Beach for a year. I noticed some words that are used differently in the salty life than in the snowy life. I have put together a small list of terms to help anyone transitioning between the two environments. Just remember, this is all in fun and is taken from my own perceptions and certainly not from Webster's.

	Mountain Definition	Beach Definition
Berm	A pile of snow	A pile of sand
Coast	To drift on a bicycle, without pedaling, down a mountain pass at high speeds	Where the ocean meets the land
Clutch	A really cute purse	80-120 sea turtle eggs laid in a hole by a mama turtle in the middle of the night
Feeder Bands	Catering companies working with musical touring groups	The outer most rings of nasty weather from tropical storms. These babies can dump lots of rain and I guess, they feed the storms
Glory Hole	A reference to a place in a river in which the fish of a lifetime can be caught by fly fishing	A box in the boat, hinged to open on top, where ropes and tools are kept
Ground Scatter	The stuff on trees that turns brown in autumn and then falls to the ground	Images on a boat’s radar that are meaningless
Guarded Beach	Security Guards on Beaches? What?	Life Guards keep beach goers safe from marine life, rip currents and hopefully their own dumb selves
Heave	What happens when you drink too much alcohol at high altitude	The vertical  rise and fall of a wave
Slip	Made of silk, it is a piece of clothing worn under a dress so the static electricity doesn’t make the skirt cling and people don’t see your underwear	Made of wood, it is where you park your boat so people can get on and off and so it doesn’t drift off into the ocean
Spaghetti Models	Super thin fashion models OR The plates of display pasta you see at the Eat-a-Lot Corral	Lines shown on the Ocean’s map to attempt to predict a storm’s track
Storm Surge	The mass exodus to the mountains before a big winter storm hits the mountains OR the propensity to call in sick when the ski conditions are perfect	The advancing winds and water levels of a tropical storm or hurricane. Strongest in high tide and is often the most dangerous part of the storm
Wax	A substance placed on the bottom of skis to make them faster on the snow	(I had to look this one up) A substance placed on the top of a surfboard so the surfer doesn't fall off

I'm sure I missed a few. If you have a classic one (or one you just made up today) leave a comment...I'd love to hear it. See you soon, Eli

For more information check out The Nautical Dictionary, The Glossary of Rock, Ice and Mountain Climbing and for a really different set of vocabulary, a list of Snowboarder Tricks.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Jack-in-the-box!

Ever seen one of these? Of course you have. If you grew up some time in the 70's or 80's you might even remember this exact one. Funny thing about Jack-in-the-Box is that: Some people love'em. Some people hate'em.

You know, you turn the handle, it plays a little tune and at some point, the scary little clown comes popping up sending an adrenaline rush through your entire body.

Well, in Colorado, at altitude, we don't need no stinkin' Jack-in-the-Boxes, 'cause we got PILLSBURY!!

Those impossible cans of yumminess. Ok, so just like a Jack, you hold on to the paper handle, turn the can and although there may not be any music, the scary little biscuits come popping out with a mini explosion, sending an adrenaline rush through your entire body.

Guess what? That has not once happened to me at Sea Level. I'm waiting. I'm waiting, and NO POP!

I've had to take matters into my own hands. Looks something like this:

After you hold the foil-icious paper and twist the can, lay it on the cutting board and give the seam a whack with a wooden spoon...problem solved with control.

Next time you are out west, go to the mountains and go big with your adrenaline rushes: Pillsbury!

13 Year Ice Cream Cake

Well, my daughter just turned 13 and I know she loves ice cream cakes. She let me know "especially ones from DQ!" I couldn't just let that lie...let DQ show me up. This cake was 13 years in the making.

I spent an hour on Pinterest looking for inspiration and found some inspiring ice cream concoctions. You can look here if you want to see my "yummy" board.

In then end, though, I winged it! I thought you might enjoy checking out the process. First, I knew it needed to be peanut butter and caramel for the feature flavors.

Crust (I love how this turned out...a bit soft...even when frozen...easy to eat that way.)
2 Cups mini oreos
1/4 Cup peanut butter
1/3 stick of butter, chilled
Add Oreos to a food processor and turn to crumbs. Add 1/4 Cup peanut butter and chilled butter and process until combined. It will be fairly soft. Throw it in a spring form pan that you've sprayed with a bit of food release such as Pam.

Layer 1

Add 1/2 Quart of Dulce de Leche ice cream or similar flavor to the cake. I like to use a rectangular ice cream and "slice" it with my spade to get thin pieces to add to the layers.
Chop 30 small caramel filled chocolates and add to the cake.

Freeze for 2 hours

Layer 2
Add 1/2 Quart vanilla ice cream.
Add peanut butter onto top (I used a no-stir, natural peanut butter that was at room temperature).

Spread the peanut butter. It may mix with the ice cream, which is ok...

Chop 25 small peanut butter cups and add them to layer.

Freeze for 2 hours

Layer 3
Add the final layer of vanilla ice cream and pour caramel sauce on top.
Freeze for 2 hours or more.

Before you serve it, remove from the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Place the cake on a serving plate and take off the spring form side. Depending on how thick the caramel is, it will run down the sides...yummy.

Cover with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel. ENJOY! We sure did!!!

Ingredients
2 Cups mini oreos
1/2 Cup peanut butter
1/3 stick of butter, chilled
1/2 Quart of Dolce de Leche ice cream
1 Quart vanilla ice cream
30 small caramel filled chocolates
25 small peanut butter cups
Small jar of caramel sauce
Whipped Cream 

Some Beach Time

What a blast! Over President's Day weekend, we had some friends visit from Colorado. It was wonderful showing them snippets of the Island, sharing our favorite restaurants and just catching up. But the tour de force was beach time!!! We took our buds over to the Breakers Beach.

The kids had a blast frolicking in the water while we had ice cold margaritas! The photos seem to ring of what I "classically" imagine as crowded upscale commercial beach...and evidence of a holiday weekend. Do enjoy the tour. If you come visit, maybe we'll go there too!!

 

 

  

Hope you have a great day and "don't forget the sunscreen."

A pink-cheeked sun-drenched girl.

Goodbye, old friend

There is an over one hundred year old Coral tree that stands between the Rectory and The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach. It is a stunning old anchor that separates the two places and marks the entrance to the lovely Cluett Memorial Gardens just north of the Rectory. We are saying good-bye to it over the next three days.

as viewed from my craft room, through the screen

 It's hard to express my feelings about this loss. It is a necessity at this point as the tree is diseased and damaged and could come down in any kind of storm. But it seems such a sheltering presence that even though we've only been under its branches since June, it is affecting my profoundly. So I wanted to share a few images of it with you and share some of its delight and astounding stature. Enjoy!

 

 

Good night, dear friend!

To read more about this remarkable tree, click here!

Palm Beach Bucket List

 Here are a few things that I have done here, that I would not do in Colorado

Played in the surf, had dinner outside in January, not "scraped a car" all winter, watched flowers bloom all year, ate lunch at the Breakers, dined on the beach as the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean, worshiped at one of the most beautiful Gothic churches on the East Coast: Bethesda-by-the-Sea, witnessed shaped topiaries outside of Disney or Vegas, gone to charity balls, met celebrities, ate an entirely shelled lobster that rested on an ice block sculpture, fed coy fish in the church garden, walked on the beach any time many times, purchased great stuff at the best consignment store in the world the Church Mouse, visited the Norton Museum of Art, valeted at the grocery store {ok, I never really did that, but I could if I wanted to...} 

My Palm Beach Bucket List

Visit Flagler museum, eat a mango fresh from the tree, dance under the stars at the Everglades Club, wear a Lilly, make an astonishing key lime pie, meet more celebrities, find the best burger around, go to Zumba, walk over the middle bridge, take photos at the Four Arts sculpture garden, ride the Diva Duck, take an art class at the Armory, witness nesting mama turtles and hatching babies, write an article for The Palm Beacher or other regional publication, get a good picture in the Shiny Sheet and I'm sure there are more...

 

But more than anything I always want to be real and be thankful!! 

See you soon, Eli

On Transitions

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Transitions! 

I'm not talking those cool eyeglasses

that turn darker to meet the

sunshine-in-your-eyes needs...

Nope, I'm talking moving, 

making new friends, 

worshiping in a new church,

starting at a new school,

finding a job, 

buying a car,

getting the dog settled...

...are you tired yet? I am. 

Sure we are doing it in 

paradise but it is still exhausting.

Moving from Colorado was only cross-country but sometimes it feels like a foreign country. Let me show you what I mean:

·         People dress differently. "Palm Beach Casual" is not like any casual I've ever experienced but I'm figuring it out.

Cropped pants and tunics.  Perfect. 
Add some pink and green and you are really on it.
Check out that cutie on the right.

·         It's expensive to eat, shop and entertain, yourself or others. 

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·     You can walk almost anywhere. (Not that people actually do it here, but you can.)

·         The language is a bit different. Raise your hand if you know what these are: Jack Rogers, feeder bands, clutch, spaghetti model.
Raise the other one if you know the difference between Sequin and Sprinkles.

I borrowed a little quote from a blogger (found here) who recently moved from the US to the UK. Do you think these phases are accurate?

Honeymoon Phase – “Everything is new and interesting.”

Rejection Phase – “Everything is new and sucks.”

Regression Phase – “Everything back home was wonderful & much better than this.”

Recovery Phase - “Everything is going to be okay and I am content.”

{It sounds very similar to stages of grief...}

I don't think I could say I'm in one specific phase but each day brings adventures and a variety of feelings. Most days I lounge around in "Recovery" but occasionally I need to visit one of the previous phases.

Isn't that just the way life is...

See you soon, Eli

Island Thoughts Deux

Meeting People

Meeting someone means never having to say, "Nice to meet you." Instead you say, "Nice to see you." I'm sure glad for this because it can be a bit embarrassing when you say, "Nice to meet you," and the person you're "meeting" says, "Oh, we've already met." (eyebrows raised like you should remember.) Let me tell you...I the few short months I've been here, I've met a thousand-billion fabulous people and it's really hard to keep track.

Questionable?

People in Palm Beach have led very diverse lives with varying occupations, just don't ever ask what someone does for a living. 'Cause maybe they don't really need to work and we don't want to make them say, "Nothing." Try this question when you are at a cocktail party: "Come here often?" (OK, just kidding) Ask about recent books read, favorite local haunts and favorite places traveled! Usually safe subjects.

Island Flair

If you haven't noticed yet. Island colors are bright, fun and bold, just like the plants and animals...how about some nice pink and green to go on that Lilly Pulitzer shift dress!!

Thanks for sharing another great day! See you around~
Eli

Palm Beach Island Thoughts

It is an Island

When we first announced to friends from Denver that we were moving to Palm Beach, they would often respond, "Oh, I know West Palm Beach." They didn't know there about the actual island. I'd say, "Actually, it's just Palm Beach. It's an Island." To which I received a puzzled stare.

But it's no wonder that people wouldn't know about it since there are no signs (ANYWHERE) announcing its presence. Plenty of signage for West Palm Beach, Downtown and a few for the scenic A1A. I've even seen a sign for "the beaches"... but no mention of Palm Beach {If you live here, did you ever notice?}
Check out a bit of the A1A in Palm Beach:


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Geography

Palm Beach Islanders have a variety of sayings. My favorite has to deal with geography: things are either "on island" or "off island". Let me share some examples of how this might be used:

• Nearly all summer, grocery shoppers use any number of Publix grocery stores "off island," but now, we have a bright, shiny new one "on island" to replace an older one. (I love it!)
• There is one Starbucks "on island" {It took me 2 months to find because it is hidden} and probably billions "off island."
• HB goes "on island" to Palm Beach Day Academy. {Called the Day School, if you're old school.}
• There are only a few people who grew up "on island" and still live here. Somehow I've met them all.

 

Boar's Head Visited

The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea

presents the 35th Annual

Boar's Head and 
Yule Log Festival

Sunday, January 8 at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m

Come celebrate the triumph of good vs. evil, light over dark, the victory of the Christ Child over sin.
This spectacular drama features over 150 members of the church working together to bring the legend of the boar's head to life through music and drama.

So what IS the legend of the boar's head? It seems a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle in the forest one day when suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his book down the throat of the animal causing his death. "That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing in honor of the King of bliss." [source]

Since before we arrived at Bethesda, members of the church and community extolled the spectacle of the festival and regaled us with stories and history of the pageant.

Today was my first peak into the "behind-the-scenes" preparations, and finally, after months of anticipation, participating as a guest to witness the ceremony and tradition. I thought I'd share a few images of what it takes to put it all together, hoping that you might be swayed to come witness it for yourself.

The Walk Through!

 

Chef prepares to feed the cast and crew. YUMMY!

Costumes, hair and make up. Come see it all!