BREAKFAST AND THE ARTS

Sundays and special breakfasts just seem to go together, whether at home or out ... this Sunday was "out"! Coconut Grove, a lovely suburb with lots going on all the time, has an annual art festival and that's where we headed. First, however, breakfast!



When we had been in this area before, we always saw the outdoor patio of this corner-resaurant crowded with people. Other spots near it had open seating and no apparent waiting. Could only mean one or two things ... good food, reasonable prices. We decided to try, even if we had to wait.



The Green Street Cafe has mostly outdoor dining. Situated on a corner, one side is for waiting convenience and having having a beverage of choice. The other longer side has many tables stretched over what seems to be half a city block. We arrived at a very good time, but still had to wait. This "waiting" spot was so different from typical Florida restaurants ... Louis XIV-style velvet, tufted love seats with little end tables topped in imitation marble ... the outside streets were festooned with many types colorful tropic flowers ... made the environment feel more like a courtesan garden than a restaurant patio.

We were called, seated at a small round table "around the corner" and given our menus. I liked the fact that it was not an extensive menu; basic breakfasts very well prepared. We were very hungry and devoured omelets filled with cheddar and various goodies, eggs benedict florentine and whole wheat toast one-inch thick ... a little mimosa and excellent coffee ... we were ready for the day!!

Seems more time is spent in describing food than our excursions ... eating outside in the sunshine is just so delightful, especially at this time of year. (Sorry, Midwesterners!) We were so lucky ... we turned down the street to the Green Cafe and pulled right into a parking space at the end of the block. That's unbelievable since last year we were late in going to this fest and had to return home because we couldn't even navigate down the streets to look for parking. We walked a few blocks and entered this huge exhibit with all types of art, a few culinary places in lobbies of the downtown buildings or on the lawns. Everything is in the center of downtown Coconut Grove and is their biggest annual affair. Artwork is beautiful for the most part, but is large and expensive ... jewelry and clay art and even smaller items are expensive. However, the one thing that was tempting to me were the Humpty Dumpty sculptures - large cookie jar sizes down to smaller versions - metal, humorous, different, well done. They were to adorn shelves or similar spots ... had one lying on the ground with an unhappy face and partially broken shell, the egg oozing out ... titled "Scrambled Egg" ... very cute! (Guess you had to be there!)

Took pictures next to various works ... I insisted on mine being taken by a big, red, metal bull ... all the better to honor my Chicago Bulls! Paul & Larry were interested in a few things ... they had their front room entry area with the two-story ceiling in mind, especially one large wall. Larry inquired about one huge piece and when the artist told him it was $10,000, we hurriedly moved on and purchased some roasted cinnamon nuts. A little more within our price range, to say the least.

We roamed around, saw many interesting but, for us, unattainable works of art. We did talk to an artist in one booth where they sold old, used lobster traps,repaired, refinished and made into frames for paintings of different fish. Jen & Jason had purchased a similar item last week when they were in Key Largo. The fellow, a Hemingway look-alike, told us that his main office and home was in Key Largo and that they probably purchased their art at his studio. We looked at the metal plate attached to each one and I do believe he was right ... should have asked for his autograph so the J's could have had one more vote of authenticity. Oh, well ...

And that was our Sunday ... got rather hot ... drank some coolers when we got home ... sat outside and watched Paul barbeque ... got three DVDs from the gals across the yard ... Oscar nominated films that are not in stores yet ... need we say more ?

Regional executives are at Doral this week, so Paul's days run into nights.
Pool is up and running (looks gorgeous) but we can't go in until the chemicals mix ... two or three more days ... and some of the paver tiles have shifted and the guys are supposed to come today to fix that. Am sure photos will abound when everything is ready to go. Thinking of you all. Hope the two Jens are liking their new jobs. Carry on! Easter is just around the corner ...

Marma of the Everglades