The Key Thing Is: Key Lime Pie

Diving in John Pennekamp State Park, 1987.
I apologize for the poor quality of these photos from
my Florida Keys trip.  These photos were taken before
we had digital cameras and they're scanned copies.

I remember the first time I went to the Keys in Florida.  It was in the late 80’s and while I was in college at Florida State University in Tallahassee.  I planned the trip with my college boyfriend of three years, whom I met on a cruise when he was one of the Dive Instructors on the ship.  He had left his job on the cruise ship, but we always talked about how much I enjoyed snorkeling when I was on the cruise with my girlfriends.   He really loved SCUBA diving and thought I would enjoy it too.  Both of us wanted to visit the Keys and he was surprised I had never been since I had lived in Florida from the time I was in the sixth grade.   So I decided to get certified for SCUBA and we started to plan our first diving trip!

Sunset in Key West, FL 1987

As I do any time I go on a vacation somewhere I had never been, I like to “do and see” all the typical touristy things the destination is known for.  Most people who plan diving trips will dive John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo because the coral reefs are beautiful, which of course we did, along with some other diving on Marathon Key and in Key West.  If you go to Islamorada, the trip isn’t complete unless you go to Woody’s to see the band “Big 'Richard' and the Extenders”.   (The lead singer actually goes by the "nickname" of Richard, but I didn't want to offend my conservative Christian friends.)  The band is a little raunchy with their humor, but they're FANTASTIC!  Not exactly a “family” activity, however, I was in my 20’s when I saw them and I hear they’re still going strong!  Then when you’re in Key West, it’s a must to watch the sunset at the southern most point and have a drink while listening to a band at the famous Sloppy Joe’s Bar, visit Ernest Hemingway’s House, and pet a 6-toed cat (which, has come to be known as a Hemingway Cat).  

But for me, a big part of any travel experience I go on always involves FOOD!  So when planning our trip to the Keys, some of the things on my agenda were: Florida lobster, conch fritters, and of course - KEY LIME PIE!   And this is when I can honestly say I fell in love with this rich, but light and refreshingly tasty dessert!  I often ordered key lime pie for dessert when dining out, but can you believe after living in Florida for over 30 years I’ve never actually made my own until NOW?!?!  

Last year, I was trying to figure out what to get my husband for his birthday.  He’s always so hard to find gifts for because he’s the kind of person who just gets what he wants for himself.  He doesn’t have a lot of hobbies except for watching University of Kentucky basketball games and golfing, but if you saw his closet you’d know he doesn’t need another UK-blue shirt or anymore golf balls!  Well, a couple of years ago when my dear mother-in-law, Betty Sue passed away, some very thoughtful friends sent us a nectarine tree and had it planted in our yard yard in her memory.  First of all, I can’t tell you what a great gift that was because it was so therapeutic for my husband to go outside to water the tree as he grieved.  But when we got our first actual nectarines, it was like a sign from Betty Sue that she was watching over us and she was okay.  Fast forward to my dilemma over what to get my husband for his birthday...  I contacted the same company that came out to plant the nectarine tree and ordered a key lime and mango tree for my husband, which he loved and we just got our first harvest of key limes! 

Our first key limes from our tree!  October 2012

So it was finally time for me to make my first recipe using key limes!  I searched the web for recipes and of course a pie was first on the agenda!  I was actually surprised how incredibly easy this was to make - I think it took more time for me to search for recipes than it did to actually make the pie!  

My delicious Key Lime Pie!

You’ll be happy to know my key lime pie is just a delicious as any I’ve had at a restaurant!  To see the recipe I used, follow this link to my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/pin/215680269625887416/   Let me know what you think if you decide to make one yourself!  According to the Book of Donna, if you like Key Lime Pie - you’ll LOVE this recipe!