Fresh Flowers To Welcome 2016

These plantings are located at the Town Center Plaza in Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages, Florida. This was cross-posted to The Villages (Florida) Photos.

Happy New Year!

As we embark on our journey into 2016, may you be safe and may you have a great ride enjoying many wondrous possibilities!

SMALLCAKES - A cupcakery

Ocala's Paddock Mall has a smallish food court with several vendors purveying their wares. At the far end of the food court is an area which I've come to think of as "No Man's Land." Over the past few years a variety of stores offering different vittles have attempted to create viable businesses in "No Man's Land." All have failed, including one of the very famous and well-regard Subway stores.

I believe the reason for this is that the area is too far removed from the mall action.

Recently, SMALLCAKES, set up shop in "No Man's Land." It looks very nice and if I liked cupcakes I would certainly patronize the place. I hope they can make a go of it but cupcakes are a niche business and there may not be enough interest to gain enough customers to pay the bills.

Harvesting Clams in Cedar Key, Florida

Cedar Key is mainly all about clams. People here raise 'em and sell 'em. There are several major companies that raise and harvest clams in Cedar Key.

One of these is noted for their Sweet Littleneck Clams.

This boat had just pulled up the ramp after a clam harvest. It is, as you can see, loaded with clams.

You can learn all about clam farming in Cedar Key in this YouTube Video:




Note:  This was cross-posted to Cedar Key Daily Photo.

Canoes and Kayaks for Rent at Silver River State Park

Ocala National Golf Course - Club House, Restaurant and Pro Shop

Heading Into a Sunrise and a New Day

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Ocala, Florida

Citizen's Circle - Downtown Ocala, December 21, 2015

Ocala's Downtown Ice Skating Rink

A few years ago, the city of Ocala sponsored a "real" ice-skating rink in an air-conditioned tent near the downtown area. It was great and big enough for adults to enjoy also. But it was expensive to keep real ice icy in our warm weather, and the rink was shut down.

Now the city has come up with a skating rink using faux ice (works better in 86 F degree weather). The rink is only open at certain times and was closed when we came by. It's very small, though, so serves mostly younger children. But they have fun skating on it.

I've never skated on this faux ice so have no clue what it feels like. The rink will come down soon as we leave the holidays behind.

VUP Limo

Great-Grandson Owen - Xmas Fun in Colorado

Santa at the Mall

At the Paddock Mall there is a special arena for Santa just outside of Macy's.  The first shot was taken about a week ago when Santa wasn't in residence.  As you can see, there's no one around.

The second and third photos were taken yesterday.  Santa had arrived and the kiddos with their parents lined up to see him. It was quite chaotic and very noisy with kids jumping around and yelling (or screaming) and their parents trying to talk over the din.

Macy's has set up a special Santa mailbox inside the entrance to the store. This is for folks who, for whatever reason, didn't get a chance to visit with Santa and present him with their lists.

Walking Stick - Sholom Park

Christmas Lawn Decorations

These two lawn holiday lawn decorations were made by one of our neighbors. I don't know if he designs them, but he constructs them in his garage. We think they are quite attractive and unique.

Modern Architecture

Grace Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) is located in Ormond Beach, Florida. It faces A1A highway (which continues all the way to Key West), and is less than a block from the beach (Atlantic Ocean). Of the major Lutheran church bodies in the United States, the Missouri Synod is the most conservative. The Missouri Synod, by and large, does not think it proper or in accord with God's will, that the Missouri Synod associate with other Lutheran bodies. Generally speaking they reserve the Holy Eucharist (bread and wine) to members of the Missouri Synod. If possible, every Missouri Synod church tries to include a school as part of its parish so that their young members can know the "truth" and thus will be shielded from the temptations Satan puts in their path to confuse them.

The largest of the Lutheran bodies (and the most liberal) is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA allows all baptized Christians to participate in the Eucharist. The ELCA is ecumenical in its life and outreach. In recent years, an agreement was reached between the ELCA and the Protestant Episcopal Church, which allows pastors to serve parishes in either group.

Orange Lake Trading Post

Orange Lake is a small community a few miles north of Ocala. Highway 441 runs through the middle of town. Orange Lake has the largest junkyard (i.e. trading post) I've ever seen. Piles and piles of stuff. If you needed a part for some obscure machine of ancient memory, you might be able to find it here. Actually, while the place is rather interesting, it is an eyesore. But it's been in its current spot for years and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Art Gallery - McIntosh, Florida

McIntosh is a small town a few miles north of Ocala on Highway 441. It is known for its many antique shops and art galleries. Once a year the town hosts an arts and crafts fair which is quite popular and draws thousands of visitors who crowd into the small street of the town.

Worshipping the Sun at Silver Springs Park

Bench and Scene from the Ocala Golf Club...

...the Ocala Golf Club is a municipal course. It has undergone some expensive renovations in recent years yet its rate remain reasonable.

Many of the benches found on the golf course were donated by former members, now deceased, who loved and supported this course down through the years.

Luxury Golf Cars

These are two of the more creative, luxurious and expensive golf cars you will find in The Villages, Florida.

Micanopy Kitty

Micanopy is a very old, very small town north of Ocala and south of Gainesville. It has one main street on which is fronted a B&B, a Baptist and an Episcopal Church, a museum, lots of antique shops, and a couple of small cafes, one of which serves excellent ice cream.

Micanopy is noted for the antique shops.

This little kitty hangs out by the cafe/ice cream shop and pretty much ignores the people passing by.

Older Home on Cedar Key

Fall Scene of an Ocala Mini Horse Farm

Couples Fishing in Cedar Key

Ruby Tuesday - Oaks Mall, Gainesville, FL

Ruby Tuesday is a nice place to stop for a bite to eat after shopping in the Oaks Mall. The food and service in this establishment is consistently good. We have a Ruby Tuesday in Ocala, too, and the reverse is true!

A Tree in Fall

It's all about the light.

Looking In Shop Windows

This shop's window contains a myriad of reflections. All the shapes and colors intrigued me.

The City Daily Photo theme for December 1, 2015, is "Shop Windows."

Please click here for additional graphic presentations on the theme by City Daily Photo bloggers.

Food Truck...

...on Highway 441, near Micanopy, Florida. I believe it serves Cuban food.

Re-arranging The Eggs

This photo shows the swapping or re-arranging of eggs.

I've seen this "re-arranging" of the eggs numerous times in our grocery stores. It usually involves people who look for cracked or broken eggs in a carton, and swap those out for good eggs from another carton; that's neither bad nor unexpected.

But then you have people who take more expensive eggs and swap them with eggs from a less expensive carton.

It must be an ongoing problem, as I've noticed that sometimes checkout clerks check the eggs presented to them to see if they are the right eggs for the carton.

Who sells their soul for $1.50?

Jingle Bells?

The Family That Shops Together...

A Sign of Hope?

Happy Thanksgiving to all and may your day be filled with love and laughter and gratitude!

Oh, may it also be filled with good food - turkey, veggies and pumpkin pie.

Pecan pie may be substituted if necessary.  With ice cream.

Rest Area

Gators and Gear at the Oaks Mall, Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville is the home of the Gators (University of Florida). It is not surprising therefore that the local mall features a lot of "Gator" merchandise. The Oaks Mall has a center section which is inhabited mostly by various kiosks selling Gator stuff. In the center of the center section stands a full-size alligator to attract the attention of the shoppers.

The Seabreeze Restaurant & Bar - Cedar Key, Florida

We've posted photos of this place previously, but it's an iconic landmark and quite attractive, so I'll doubtless post more pictures of it in the future.

The Seabreeze hasn't changed much since 1988 when we first dined here. The restaurant is on the upper level and offers great views of the Gulf of Mexico.

A Blue Heron...

...fishing in the late afternoon at the pond in Sholom Park.

Seahorse in the Sky

Can you see the seahorse in the sky?