It started with two guinea pigs. At eight years old, I learned to love, care and be responsible for something outside of my adolescent being. My furry, white animals, Pinky and Purple, received my daily devotion and I cared for them like a mother hen. They lived well into my high school years and my family was convinced they would hold the record for the longest living guinea pigs. Pinky and Purple introduced me to the world of motherhood.

It wasn’t until years later that I became a mother to my own son, James. As most mothers (and fathers) agree, there are few words to describe the gift of a child. Mine was no exception and today, he is 17 years old and almost ready to jump “from the nest” and head off to college. He has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love, patience and acceptance. My mother, in her 80s, gives me that same love each and every day, and as she ages gracefully, she will become the object of my motherly love.

My “other” mother was Florida. When I wasn’t at school, I was a beach kid, leaving home early morning and coming home after dark. Roaming the beaches, swimming in the Gulf, building sandcastles, forts and playing in the mangroves, Florida was like a mother’s womb, safe and comforting.

Reflecting on Mother's Day, I celebrate the love of two mothers and the privilege of being one.

I have often dreamed of owning my own Authentic Florida restaurant. I know exactly what it would look like because I was there as a child. It’s simple: A fish (shack) restaurant on the water with indoor-outdoor seating, old relics on the wall with ceiling fans twirling overhead. Of course, its authenticity would be unmistakable.  Fishermen would drive their boats to the kitchen, drop off the latest catch while pelicans leap for hand outs. Smoke would be billowing from a screened-in porch grill, cooking up delicious Florida BBQ.  Fresh, seasonal greens and vegetables would be delivered by local growers and I would feature homemade Florida dishes, chosen from the best old-time recipes. Did I mention desserts?  Key Lime Pie would be the headliner along with seasonal fruit and citrus specialties. It would be the most talked about place in Florida.  A dream? Probably, but I have a very vivid picture of My Restaurant. But, what I would name it?

Recently, I asked our Authentic Florida readers: If you owned a restaurant, what would you name it? Over 65 entries came in….

I loved the ones that reflected the geography of Florida like the Indian River Fish Company, Miami Blues, Okefe-chobees, Chez Pinellas Park, Ocala Gators, Merritt Island Mamas, Apopka Lips, Tampa Girl’s, The Peninsula, Soylent Green Swamp, Paradise Lutz and Nature Coast Nibbles.

Tropical Florida names streamed in such as Island Girl Café, Blue Moon, Beach Breeze, Nautical Native, Silver Hook Café, Turquoise Haven, Old Salt’s, Marker 7, Sea-See & Seven, Lower Deck and Florida Paradise Roadside Grill.

“Kiss My Grits” made me laugh, and “Limpkin Landing” was one of the true “originals.” Florida Fixins, The Calusa Cat, Pirates Point, Sally’s Shrimp Shack, Sideways Café, A Place by the Road, Florida’s Best Café, Florida, Without the Mouse were pretty darn unique, too.

Readers then voted for their favorite. The top three semi-finalists were: Cracker Shack, Kiss my Grits and Cracker Jacks. Yep, Florida crackers ruled.

And the overall most popular entry was…

[Drum Roll, please] Cracker Shack won the overall votes, nominated by Authentic Florida reader and Florida Cracker gal Kelli Mason Ellis who grew up in a bait house in Englewood, Florida.  Her prize was a Florida State park pass for eight.

When congratulated she said “My outside sandwich board signs will read: Today: Fried mullet & tomato gravy; Yanks welcome; Flip flops & tees required, bras optional.” 

Now, that’s authentic.

Recently, I asked Authentic Florida readers “What do you love most about Florida?”

Not surprisingly, Florida beaches, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, springs, rivers and lakes were headliners. Our spectacular and vibrant Florida sunsets got a “thumbs up” from most everyone, followed by fresh seafood, citrus, strawberries, tomatoes, BBQ and even Tupelo honey.

“Outdoor” Florida was popular with our vast blue skies, authentic state parks, the indescribable Everglades, laid-back Florida Keys, swamps, scrub, pines, palmettos and everything in between.

Of course, the Florida weather was high on the list, especially the mild winters, cool breezes and warm, even hot weather.  It seemed as though many don’t mind the temperature as long as they can be outdoors. Naturally, our fragile Florida wildlife was high on the list, especially the depth and breadth of Florida birding.

The wide diversity of cultures and lifestyles from northern Florida to the southernmost Keys was frequently mentioned. Those from rural areas cited the values of “southern Floridians,” including the proud heritage of the cracker culture.

Our Florida history is a source of great pride, vividly shared by Florida authors, educators and historians. And let us not forget the arts and Florida artists, who interpret and illustrate our continuing story.

A few readers even mentioned spring training and college football. But my favorite comment was simply put, “I don’t even know where to begin. I love everything about living here and that reminds me of how truly fortunate I am.”

The days are longer, Mother Nature’s nursery is busy, birds are preparing for their northern migration, the citrus season is practically over, breezes are keeping temperatures low and windows are open to fresh air and clear blue skies. This month, Authentic Florida readers shared their favorite signs of spring. 

The most popular sign of all is the sweet smell of night jasmine. Add blooming amarillos, orchids, azaleas, dogwoods and roses. Trees of gold, redbuds and granddaddy graybeards burst with exquisite color. Fruit trees are blossoming. Pastel-colored wildflowers blanket open fields.

Most birds including sand hill cranes, bluebirds, chickadees, wrens and woodpeckers are actively attending to their young and frogs are croaking loudly. Horses are shedding their winter coat, baby raccoons and otter families are coming out.

Florida’s lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, corn, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes are coming in daily. Florida’s strawberries are wrapping up and the blueberries are coming in.

And just for fun, baseball and spring training is here, grills are firing up, and neighbors are lingering at the mailbox to say hello.

Authentic Florida reader, Jeff Martin shares his spring mornings, “Thirty minutes before dawn I listen to the dew dropping off the leaves, see the birds drinking, bathing and coming to life. The air seems to change slowly and the earth seems to swell slightly, drawing its first breath. I smell the morning scents of pine, oak and jasmines in bloom. I listen to the early sounds of bees getting their first taste, a mullet splashing across the water. Spring is the time of year when I feel insignificant, yet one with the world around me.”

 It's that magical time of year. Enjoy.

Whether driving through the heart of Florida’s citrus country, taking in the fragrant smell of orange blossoms or peeling a fresh, sweet, juicy orange – you are experiencing one of the pure joys of Florida living.

The best place to find fresh citrus is to visit a U-Pick grove, and luckily there are family owned operations in Florida. An alternative to picking your own is purchasing from a farmer’s market or a nearby farm.

Of course, most grocery stores carry fruit from Florida, but make sure you check the label. That way, you know you are as close to the grove as you can get.

Once you get home with your fresh bag of citrus, your juicer will be whirring away and you’ll be drinking Florida’s Kool-Aid. Incorporating citrus into your daily meals is another way to enjoy Florida’s bounty. New recipes like this month’s Superb Orange Rolls, a Fresh Florida Avocado & Grapefruit Salad or the Florida Carrot, Orange & Ginger soup will bring out the authentic Floridian in you!

Growing your own is easy too. Local plant nurseries will help you identify and how to care for them. Have patience, they take a few years to bear fruit, but what could be more delicious than fresh citrus in your authentic Florida home?

Yep, we drink the Kool-Aid and it’s fresh from Florida.