"Taste Me! Drink Me!"

My friend Joan is so sweet; we really enjoy spending time together.  She and I had a date for this past Tuesday to attend "A Taste of Jensen," an event that is in its 17th year as a holiday tradition from the Chamber of Commerce.  Select restaurants compete in several categories for awards, but the real winners in this street-walking gastronomic delight are those of us who get to sample the wares. 

But first, we met up with her realtor friend to check out their neighborhood Christmas parade.  It was small but fun, and I got to meet a couple of new folks.  We got to her friend's house and I loved her place.  Beautifully decorated and appointed and her kitchen (which she put in new) was perfect and very functional.  I noticed that her yard backed to water on two sides and I asked her if she ever had critter visitors.

"Oh yes, there are a few alligators out there," she replied, rather calmly. 

I "eeped" a little inside, but she said they don't bother her and she doesn't bother them.  

They did have a bobcat visitor once who came right up to the window of their villa; it was caught on film and was beautiful.

Christmas Parade, Florida Style!

We drove over to the parade, which included the woman who built the neighborhood riding in the front car, a few decorated and vintage vehicles, a motorcycle or two, some golf carts, and the best of all, Santa on a bicycle.  That's the way it's done in Florida!

Then we went to eat!!  We passed prepared tables full of food on our way to register and receive our list of participating restaurants and our day-glo orange entry bracelet.  I could imagine their plantive wails.  

"Taste me!"

"Drink me!"

Now I know how Alice in Wonderland must have felt with having to make all those choices!  I got a little fuzzy headed from the drinks, but did not shrink at all with the eats.  Darn it.

Our first stop for a nibble was at Jan's Restaurant's table.  They had "samples" of meatloaf and chicken pot pie, oh my.  And the reason I put quotes above is that the servings were a full 8-ounce cup.  I could have stopped there, but we had to make an effort so that the other restaurants wouldn't feel bad.

(photo borrowed from Jensen Beach Chamber of
Commerce FB page)

We had Buffalo Chicken Dip and hard apple cider at the Castaway's Gastropub; awesome.  Then Asparagus Bisque with Red Pepper Coulis at Grand Oaks Jensen Beach.  Cocktails at Harper's Pub was a creamy concoction topped with Cinnamon Schnapps--wow!  Fried fish nuggets and flatbreads at Mulligan's were a savory kick.  Peter's Steakhouse was serving up their famous apple strudel and appetizers.  11 Maple provided Peanut Butter Pie as a dessert; rich and creamy.  Jaime's Natural Nutrition gave us a Cleanse Detox juice. 

(photo borrowed from Jensen Beach Chamber of
Commerce FB page)

The pies de resistance was at Tony Roma's table which gave us a small platter with Shrimpand Corn Chowder, Seared Ahi Tuna, Mojo Mahi with Pineapple Salsa, Red Velvet Cake, and Tony Roma's Romarita.  Incredible!  We could not eat another bit, though, Peter, of Peter's Famous Apple Strudel, did personally hand deliver another piece of strudel to Joan.

We were in such a food coma that we forgot to vote for our favorites, and to tell you the truth, I don't know that I could have chosen a best because everyone's food was good and the atmosphere friendly and joyful. 

Joan drove me back to the marina and we said an "Until we see each other again" farewell.  She really went out of her way for us in so many ways while we were here, besides letting us enjoy her company, and we are so thankful.  THANK YOU, JOAN!!!

The night before, our fellow Moody owner, Tom (next to whose boat we were buoyed), had flown in from home and Gary picked him up by dinghy after another friend dropped Tom at the marina around 9pm.  So tonight, while I was out with Joan, they were visiting with Tom on his boat.  Tom's boat is almost identical to ours, same year, with a few differences; his mast box in the salon juts out less into the cabin, the seats in his armchairs are not removable to make into extra seating for around the table, and his galley has grey counters (beautiful) instead of white like ours.

When Gary picked me up that night, he rode in on the dinghy standing up straight as an arrow, looking quite like Charleston Heston in "Ben Hur"; just more comfortable and no cape.  He said that Tom was going to host a dinner the next evening and that we were invited and that the crew of Sea Monkey would also be there.  We'd met the crew of Sea Monkey is St. Mary's, GA, at that crazy anchorage.  After we'd been circling in the anchorage of St. Mary's for a while when we visited, we saw them lift anchor and leave, so we sidled into their spot.  We also saw them at Cumberland Island on that wonderful day we'd traversed it, so I was looking forward to reconnecting.