Many Moons

In all fairness the time is flying by and the weather here is a roller coaster.  This brings good and bad things to the surface outdoors.  My tropical plants enjoy a nice warm winter inside the shed.   They sit under T5 (fluorescent) lights that are perfect to add a bit of heat and plenty of lumen (light) whilst the weather is unfavorable outdoors.  When the freezing stops then the exodus begins back to their comfy outside homes.  This year I felt like a Yo-Yo since the evening forecasts where inconsistent to say the least.  Despite a close watch on the weather from various (local/non-local) outlets I was in constant flux.  Just two days ago I made the executive decision to leave them outside.  Unfortunately a quick trip into the low 40's last night was eminent but lucky for me it is bright and warm out.  Hopefully the current forecast will hold. 

     Seafood is on my mind and I cannot stop thinking about shrimp, oysters and craw-fish.  Add the wild halibut season and I am in heaven.  Sea Breeze Seafood Market http://www.seabreezefish.com
is where I get fresh catch options that rival any larger market in the vicinity.  When I make my way back south from the eastern coastal waters of Cape Cod it's a bitter sweet arrival of great meats and farm fresh foods but the loss of salt water bounty is hard and heavy.  Cape Cod is such a joy to explore with rich food and rustic charms.  So many choices of seafood in raw, fresh catch form and the beaches are spectacular (especially when the sun rises).

It proves to be more trouble than expected to get truly fresh, high quality seafood which boggles the mind since the metroplex is so 'BIG'.  Indeed there are a few 'markets' here and there and yes the large Asian markets are an option but I have past experience with all and they are small time in the knowledge/service department.  Of course you can try ordering wholesale (Sysco or boutique-type distributor) but you may encounter bulk order issues and the service/knowledge is still going to be non existent.  If I ask a question about an item in your display case you will not retain my patronage I you have to 'ask' someone else.  These are not obscure questions...I need information about an item sitting right there in your display case.  This is so troublesome to me it brings a tear to my eye.  Not really but seriously folks, if you work with food and furthermore if that foodstuff/product is raw or in an otherwise uncooked for PLEASE inform yourself on its origins, uses and content (fat, protein, flavor etc.).  These small tid-bits of information WILL sell your products.  Many great entrepreneurs before have tested these simple tactics of involvement and informative interaction.