According to Mr. Rogers, it was another nice day in the neighbourhood.
Our first destination today was Brownwood Square in The Villages, FL. Brownwood (former cattle area) is the newest "Town Square" in The Villages. Along with the Barnstorm Theatre there are a few business and restaurants with another large restaurant under construction. Like "The Villages", it is growing steadily.
Today is Farmers Market day in the square.
As usual, we found a number of items we didn't know we needed. We purchased "Tangerine Honey" (not to be confused with a "Honey Tangerine") which is made by adding Tangerine oil to honey. Unlike "Raw" honey it may crystallize if it gets too cold. (microwaving brings it back to liquid).
If you are wondering - its (not your ordinary) Manhole Cover - one of nearly 8000 in The Villages.
There were several booths with fresh veggies, after all, this is a Farmers Market. We bought tomatoes, green peppers, snow peas, romaine lettuce and avocados at different stalls.
Note to the Wise: At certain veggie stalls the prices get dramatically better as it gets closer to closing time. Some items were purchased at half price. We didn't intentionally go late - we just arrived that way. The market closes at 2 pm; however, many veggie stalls like to sell out early and reduce the prices accordingly.
We "sampled" at several booths. Olives, Dip Mixes and other tasty treats.
Charlotte wanted "Boiled Peanuts". The nice folks at "Love's Boiled Peanuts" gave us our first experience tasting "Deep Fried Peanuts". Deep Frying results in a snack food that can be eaten in its entirety, both shell and nut. They were great! The deep-frying process does not change the flavor or texture of the nutmeats, but changes the texture and flavor of the shells especially if seasonings are added. The most common seasonings applied to the shell after deep frying include: Salted, Barbecue, Cajun, Garlic, Hot Pepper, Salt & Vinegar & Carmel. We like "Salted" best (The Love's use Sea Salt). Charlotte passed on the boiled peanuts and purchased 2 packs of the deep fried peanuts instead.
As we approached The Villages we caught a glimpse of a highway billboard the was advertising the "Florida Blueberry Festival" this weekend. We did not catch where this was happening. As we picked up "The Villages April Events" flyer ($0.25) from The Villages Daily Sun (the local newspaper) booth we asked if they knew where the Blueberry Festival was happening. It was in Brooksville, FL.
Back in the car I set "Mable" (our GPS) for Brooksville, FL and we were on our way.
In less than an hour we arrived in Brooksville. Signs along the road guided the way to the "Event Parking". Local business near the event that were closed on the weekend allowed their parking lots to be used by visitors. We arrived just as a "Volunteer" was dropping off passengers. When we inquired if there was a "Handicapped Parking" area he replied he wasn't sure and promptly offered us a ride.
We gratefully accepted as it was a long uphill walk to the event area a few blocks away. Community minded volunteers are the lifeblood of so many activities. We really appreciated the ride. (Doubly so on the return trip. The same kart driver arrived just as we were leaving (exhausted) and he shuttled us back to the car). Nice people sure make our day!
We first visited "The Monster Transmission (sponsor) Car Show that was on the street just before the festival entrance. It was on both sides of the street and ran for 2 blocks. My "Hindsight" was "20-20" when viewing these cars. There were several similar to ones I had owned in the past.
There was a '30 Ford 4-door. I had a '31 Ford 2 door - Gold in colour w/white canvas top - running a Corvette V-8 w/three 2 barrel carbs and a Hurst 4-on-the-Floor.
There was also a "Dune Buggy". I had one of the first original "Meyers Manx" Dune Buggies in our end of Ontario (eastern). I was asked to enter it in the Montreal, QC Auto Show in '68 (which I did). It was the same red colour; however, I still haven't seen one with as much chrome as mine. (Courtesy of a local Chrome Plating Shop worker on the night shift - $20 and I could drop "anything" in the tank - there was a lot of "Tin" on an old air-cooled VW motor).
There was even an "Old Bug" there. I never had one this colour; although I did own 17 in one year when I co-owned Cornwall European Car Service. Can you guess what we specialize in repairing (grin).
There were lots or other neat cars covering several brands, styles and decades. It was a nice show.
We paid our admission ($5 each) then checked the "Map" and headed off to explore the array of vendors.
There were several cute "Blue" folks in the area. At first I thought they were "Smurfs" (grin).
Charlotte met the "Blue(s) Brothers"! Blue and Berry (grin, again). I am sure they are on "a mission from God" like Jake and Elwood were. Their mission: to promote eating plenty of healthy blueberries, Eh!.
Hey! These guys even have their own official cartoon and jingle on the Florida Blueberry Festival Website!
In their support we bought some fresh blueberries. We were tempted; but, passed on the Blueberry Pies. It may not seem like it; but, we are trying "to be good".
This was a neat festival with something for everyone. There was a "Carnival Area" with rides for kids. Plenty of parking and Port-a-Potties. Hundreds of booths with crafts and other items covered both sides of the street along several blocks. There were also a large number of food vendors with a wide variety of food.
"Gran Arepa" reminded me of our visits to Mexico. One of the many Mexican street vendor treats we were introduced to by our friends (Diane and Alberto) included fresh sweet corn eaten with mayo and other spices and/or hot sauce which was really yummy. (Friends are great!)
As we headed for home we hoped to stop at the Florida Cracker Kitchen to eat. It was packed when we passed on the way in to the festival. The "Shrimp and Grits" sounded interesting. Ooops! We didn't realized it closes at 2:30 pm. We may have to return (earlier).
Disappointed we continued onward. About a half hour, or so, down the road we saw roadside signs for "Honey Bells". While at The Villages Farmers Market we overheard a veggie vendor mention to another customer that his favourite was the "Honey Bell". We didn't have a clue; but, we figured it was some type of citrus fruit. Curiosity got the best of us.
We stopped; we tried; we bought!
They were truly delicious!
What is a Florida Honeybell (Minneola Tangelos)? Actually, HoneyBells are not oranges at all. It is a unique, very rare, hybrid.that is very tasty and extremely juicy. They're so rare, in fact, that less than one person in 3,000 has ever been lucky enough to taste this delicious fruit. There's only a handful of special groves along the Indian River that can grow a honeybell. HoneyBells are available only for a few short weeks each year.
HoneyBells are an extraordinary hybrid of a Dancy Tangerine and a Duncan Grapefruit, both seeded fruit. But mysteriously, HoneyBells usually are seedless. Despite the fact that HoneyBells are grafted to a sour orange root stock, HoneyBells are naturally sweeter than any orange grown. HoneyBells have a rare bell shape - Thus: Sweet (like Honey) + Bell Shape = (you guessed it) Honeybell! We were glad we stopped!
We continued on. As we passed through Tavares, FL we decided to head to Mt. Dora for supper. We took the "Old Hwy 441" route which is slower; but, very scenic as it runs along Lake Dora. Once in Mt. Dora, we parked in the main part of downtown.
Charlotte wanted to make a return visit to the Mt. Dora Olive Oil Company. The variety of "Oil Tastings" at The Villages Farmers Market triggered a need to pick up a few more bottles of flavoured balsamic vinegars.
After sampling several kinds six choices weremade. They quickly filled the bottles and once again we were on our way to supper. I returned the "6 Pack" (grin) to the car while Charlotte waited at the corner (just across the street from the car).
To get to our "Super Supper" (I always wanted to say that) destination - The Frog and Monkey Restaurant and (British?) Pub - involved a bit of intrigue (grin). In our best "Spy Craft" mode (like Bond; ...James Bond); we walked stealthfully up N Donnelly street; ducked quickly into an indoor mall walkway; proceeded hurriedly almost to the end, made a quick left and slipped down the stairs; rapidly turned right - left - right; and were promptly seated at a table (in the corner - facing the door). Whew! We made it!
Actually, coming in the "Back Way" from Dora Drawdy Lane, requires you only walk down a few steps from the street!
The name of the premises may suggest "Bar Food"; however, it is anything but! After all, this is Mt. Dora, and that would certainly not do!
Charlotte ordered the "Cheese Plate". She decided on Provolone, Blue and Brie as her three choices (nice touch, to be able to choose) . She really enjoyed her meal (and took half home). I ordered the "Philly Cheesesteak Panini w/Fries". It, too, was fantastic. The meat was the tastiest I have had in this type of sandwich - bar (restaurant) none. The fries were perfectly cooked and nice and hot (great for salting). The service was quick and friendly. My soda was actually refilled 4 times without having to ask. (OK, I was thirsty - we were in the sun all day).All in all, a great experience (musically accompanied by a "Jazz" pianist).
On the final segment of today's outing we enjoyed the cooler evening air with the top off as we returned to the RV.
We may just have to sleep in tomorrow morning!
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