FAMILY FUN!

Thursday, February 14, 2013—Happy Valentine’s Day
Estero, Florida/some rain/70s
On our way to Estero on Wednesday, we stopped in Punta Gorda to see Tim’s niece, Kathleen. After a quick stop there, we proceeded on to Tom and Carol’s and arrived about 6 p.m. After dinner including fabulous Carol-made strawberry pie, we played Trivial Pursuit, a Koenig favorite. The game is challenging, but it is fun for all. We did learn that airbeds are not infallible.

Since it was Valentine’s Day the “girls” chose a trip to Miramar Outlet Mall. There were very good sales and we spent about 3 hours shopping. We enjoyed a late lunch at Miller’s Ale House in the area, fish and chips, burgers, snow crab legs, and shrimp. Very nice celebration for Valentine’s Day!

Back at Tom’s we played another round of Trivial Pursuit and after key lime pie, we watched the cruise ship drama unfold on TV. The Carnival Destiny arrived in Mobile, Alabama about midnight. Passengers were truly relieved to leave nightmare behind, but many acknowledged that despite horrific conditions, the situation was not a tragedy. There are stories of lawyers passing out business cards as passengers disembarked.  We have personally experienced 32 cruises and we will continue to cruise—it is the best value for traveling and we have been to so many countries and exotic places for a lifetime of great memories.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Estero to Dade City, Florida/sunny/70F
We left Tom’s at 9 a.m. and headed for Ft. Myers and the Fleamaster Flea Market. I will take 1 ½ hours of this flea market anytime vs. not stopping at all. I zipped around as fast as I could and even saw an area I had not seen before. One section had a live dance band made up of older men—at least 6 saxophones, plus other horns, a drummer, a viola, etc. playing music from the World War II era and many couples were dancing. I bought reading glasses and Tim bought glasses, a shirt, and a golf ball marker. I do wonder why older people need to take their dogs everywhere they go, including a flea market????  This huge market has women’s clothing made in the U.S.A., tools, Avon, Mary Kay, Fuller Brush, jewelry, hand bags, golf items, hats, scarves, patio furniture, wigs, books, and so much more. On a regular visit it takes me 3 hours to do the market justice.

We decided to eat at River City Grill in Punta Gorda, a very nice choice. Hearty burgers, porta bello and Cuban sandwiches were prepared just for us. The restaurant is very charming in a quaint downtown area---and it became quite crowded by the time we were leaving.

We were back on the highway to Dade City/TRR when Mary Lou said there was a nice mall in Brandon, Westfield Mall. Tim and I really have a handle on quality malls, and this one was a winner with Dillard’s, Macy’s, Chico’s, Penney’s Sears, an Apple Store, a Pandora store, a Tervis kiosk, and many more stores, metal sculptures of aquatic animals like turtles and frogs, Panera Bread inside the mall, and Cheesecake Factory outside. With an hour limit, I had to zip quickly from one end to the other, but mission accomplished. Tim got a great deal on a pair of Ecco golf shoes.

Then, of course, we hit the Tampa traffic on I-75, but Tim skillfully made a path and we got home to TRR safely.

The little family trip was fun and important!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Dade City to Mt. Dora, Florida/sunny, mid 60s
Even though it was a little chilly in the morning, this was a perfect day for wandering around Renninger’s Antiques and Collectibles Extravaganza with Mary Lou and Scorchy. Mt. Dora is an hour and a half drive from Dade City. This extravaganza is held 3 times a year with almost 1400 vendors from across the U.S. After paying the admission of $6/per person, Tim and I headed for the food area for an “arepa,” something I sure do look forward to each year. It is a grilled thick pancake-like corn bread filled with melted mozzarella cheese.  It is a South American specialty.

We allotted ourselves three hours to enjoy antiquing. I am sure it is not as big as Brimfield in Massachusetts, but the Extravaganza covers several acres with all sorts of vendors selling buttons (2 vendors); Coca Cola items; garden urns/baskets/pots, etc.; lamps from Tiffany to  Hubley and everything in between;  fine pottery; Fiesta new and old; architectural items (fixtures, stained glass windows and doors; ephemera (old first edition books, post cards, magazines, newspapers, letters); glassware from Tiffany to Fostoria, Depression, cut glass, etc.; old toys; linens; baskets; maritime collectibles; copper items; iron items; furniture from primitive to Shaker and more; kitchen collectibles; silver items; basically anything imaginable. There are also about 20 permanent vendors in darling cottages on the premises, as well as a large antique mall with permanent vendors. It is fun to see such a variety of items in one place, especially on a nice day. It was a little windy though and we could hear glass items breaking every once in awhile. I mused again about people who insist on bringing their dogs—a brace of Russian Borzois, bassets, labs, golden retrievers, and a variety of small dogs in dog strollers. Amazing.

I bought a 19 inch Franciscan Apple platter. I saw the same platter and vendor at the Webster Flea Market last Monday, but I passed it over then. I thought maybe the same vendor would be at Renninger’s and we made a good deal. I am very pleased to have the large platter—I have never seen the 19 inch size and it was in fine condition with an American back stamp from the 50s. Ham and turkey will taste better served on this platter!

The drive to and from Mt. Dora was enjoyable too. Spring is emerging with many trees fully leaved and others budding, azaleas all over.  We saw many horse and cow pastures, lakes, and wetlands, with small quaint towns in between.

When we got back to Dade City, we did not communicate very well and ended up at a new Mexican restaurant, Del Carmen, for dinner. We did not like the food, although the place was very clean and attractive. The food was not warm, for one thing.  We don’t have to go there again!