Tiny Home Tuesday ~ National Oyster Day and More

Tiny homes. There are those in our tribe who may think they are the gems of architecture, in their own niche, and rightly so for many of them. But, as in all things, there are tiny homes and then there are tiny homes. Some lust worthy, some not so much. But there are also natural, really natural tiny homes, that are gems. Pearls to be exact, though probably a pearl isn't really a gem. Work with me here. I'm very distracted.

credit: Le Jambon

Today is National Oyster Day. Even in the United Kingdom, so that's not really national unless the UK is your nation and I've never eaten oysters there so I can only cheer the sharing of a culinary joy across the waters.

(Oh, those lumpy bumpy sharpish shells, mightily tightly closed, no window views, very attached to the neighbors, complete with filtration system. Room for one. No renters welcome.)

Being as I am living in a place where oysters aren't really on the menu (yes, we have mangrove oysters but if you've ever ordered oysters and gotten little tiny ones, they are giants compared to mangrove oysters), I can only relive past pleasures and future delights on this day. Unless someone brought in oysters today and wants to share. I'll be there.

Growing up in Florida, we almost literally had oysters out our front door and my Dad started us in young, both catching and eating them. Maybe feeding raw oysters to your toddlers seems odd, but we loved them then and love them still. I have to say my favorite Florida oyster is the Apalachicola oyster. Big, meaty, briny - everything that makes me drool just thinking about them. The first time I ever actually ate them in the town of Apalachicola was in a funky hotel where you didn't order by the dozen, you just ordered a plate of oysters. I counted at least 25 and I think it cost about 7 dollars. With iced tea. One of those unforgettable times I have probably mentioned here before.

I've eaten oysters across the US, one memorable time in Maine, where the oysters were huge and delicious and comparable to my old Florida favorite. Maybe better. But better than Martha's Vineyard? Or Port Townsend, Washington? Better than California where my son and I sampled them from San Francisco to the end of coastal highway? Each time I think they are the best but this time I at least got photos.

If you recall, I hoped to wax lyrical about these oysters but it probably came off more like describing a ravishing sex scene in a bodice ripper. Even setting up the photos - the top one I tried to make somewhat rustically elegant. But the lust was too strong, Hence the bottom photo, which was supposed to be all of them set out with a charming little bowl of sauce and a lovely glass of wine. Instead, it looks like exactly what it was, the litter of oyster debris in the wake of a screeching halt between hacking open oysters sans proper oyster shucking knife and oh damn, I've got to take a photo of these before we have slurped down each and every one. If I close my eyes and sniff deeply, I might stop crying with longing. Thought I'd say, almost taste them? Not a chance.

Yes. My name is MJ and I am an oyster tiny home wrecker. Sue me. Happy National Oyster Day!  And please, if you must post or send photos of you enjoying oysters on the half shell (I know there are other ways, many other ways to eat them but this is my favorite and this is my blog, so there! I say in a mature, adult like fashion) please don't. Unless you are here and have oysters to share. Did I mention that already?

Here is the 'more'. And it's not a tiny house or a tiny price. But it's on a tiny island, and it's a place that does the heart good, plus, I love the people who are selling it. As much as I love having them here, one thing I've learned in a couple decades in the islands, people go. As they usually go to something their hearts are desiring, as friends we wish them well and wave adios, with fond hopes of seeing them again.

So here is Pam and Chuck's home. You can read all the details and see the slideshow with more photos here. I can't tell you a lot more than that but what I can tell you is that they are two of the most meticulous, loving and giving people I've ever known, and their home shows it on all levels. Plus awesome views.

It's not tiny but it still has that cozy feeling

Um, this is the work room. Did I mention meticulous? Pam makes beautiful and fun mosaics and tiled pieces of furniture here.

And that's that about that. Find your pearl maker.

Have a tasty Tuesday. Do something titillating.