Tied and Quartered

While the oven is heating the pig is brought downstairs and wire tied
into the rack that will deliver and turn him throughout the day over
the fire.

Firestarter

The fire is started to heat the oven and get ready to cook.

Good Morning, Key Largo

When I get up in the Keys, I first like to step out onto the porch and smell the air and feel the breeze. This morning, the wind was blowing and the back porch was spectacular. The accompanying video and the wind chimes should give you an idea of how the air is moving.

Under Wraps

The pig is marinating and will be unveiled in the morning after the charcoal is good and hot for his trip to the oven. Abuela could tell you the exact proportions of naranja agria and criolla that goes into the marinade but then somebody will have to kill you.

The Night Before

When you arrive after dark on the 23rd, you miss some of the preparations that go into getting ready for Noche Buena. What you can't see in the photo here is that the block oven that we will use to cook the pig is already constructed and the tables for dinner are already set.

We meet and greet with all the assembled family at two different houses and receive others as they arrive. The truck is unloaded and we settle in for the holiday.

SW 8th Hit the Brakes

I will try to share a Christmas in the Keys with those of you following.

Step 1 - Florida Turnpike South until it ends and then a little further. While you drive through Miami, if you think that everyone is driving too fast and aggressively, then you are part of the problem. If you get to MM 99.5, give us a call.

Dare to be Fair, Chairman Rangel, and Schedule a Hearing on the FairTax!

The Congressional Committee that considers and writes federal tax laws is the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by New York Representative Charlie Rangel. We're joining together across the country to demand a fair and open hearing on the merits of the FairTax by the Ways and Means Committee. This is where FairTax legislation should first be heard and debated. And yet, there have been no hearings devoted just to the FairTax over the last 15 years! Not even a hearing! Join us now to demand a hearing on the FairTax the true measure of fairness for a new tax system that can repair the economy, replace a corrupted tax system with one that is fair and transparent and one that gives the American people the ability to see and control unchecked government spending.

Are you ready to get the FairTax moving? Go to http://www.fairtax.org/hearing to send your message to Chairman Rangel on why the FairTax deserves a Congressional hearing. Hundreds of thousands of active FairTaxers and millions more Americans who believe in the promise of the FairTax must raise their voice together into a powerful force for positive change. It falls to the American people to correct the corruption of tax policy and the damage the mind-numbing, unfair and expensive tax system is doing to the American economy and the peace of mind of every taxpayer.

Now is the time for FairTax members to roar. Our voices must become so loud, persistent and reasoned that Washington can no longer ignore doing the right thing--the American FairTax revolution has begun. Let's get going!