Mimi's and more

... a lot more! I always like to ask about good restaurants in the area when I travel.  Today I was told the local must visit is Mimi's (Grandma's).

The bread basket included carrot bread a baguette.

I had steak, green beans and that square (looks like lasagna with white sauce) is really scalloped potatoes.  They served garlic butter. I wasn't sure what it was for so I used it on everything. 

Their special dessert was molten chocolate cake. I chose to take home some food from the main meal to leave room for dessert. It was delicious death by chocolate but fell short of being a molten chocolate.

If you find yourself by Mimi's cafe, stop in!

Back at the hotel, I noticed this beautiful flower in the tree.

As I turned around I saw this magnificent majestic and ancient tree.

In the back pool area, there were several small lizards. They moved so fast that I couldn't get close to them.

There was a garden area which caught my eye. 

 Some kind of fruit vine was growing on the other side of the path. 

Behind the hotel was a smaller version of the blooming brush or tree that I was in the parking lot.

There is a big area behind the hotel for parties. 

Or for the National Guard to park their vehicles. 

Wait! Here is the gazebo for the weddings. 

Many trees in the area have this lacy vine hanging down.  I thought that it was one kind of tree.  But watching the trees I realized it was like an open air vine.

Or is it a series of open air plants?

Unusual but beautiful in their own right.

It is Florida. Yes, the pool is outside. And yes, it was beautifully warm for a swim. 

I am on OVERLOAD!  I also worked 8 hours in discovery meetings. 

Window seat

With a dirty window.  What do people do?put their noses on the windows?  My dogs do. Haha.

I found a clear spot. Then I ask a flight attendant for something to clean the fingerprints and other smudges from the windows.

Yes, I live a daring life sitting next to an airplane window. I drive cars too.

Is that green I see starting to pop below? Awesome!

I think this is the Mississippi River.  The colors were more dramatic but I couldn't get the cell phone to capture them.

I landed in Orlando and drove to Ocala.  Woohoo! One of my favorite restaurants; Cracker Barrel!

Florida equals cat tails and palm trees.

I had a good supper. It started with a house salad.

Then I had a steak, sweet potato and corn bread/biscuit. ...ah, comfort food.

Layer Chickens

Oh they are getting bigger by the day!  The new layer hens (chics).

They are getting some of their feathers already.  It will be interesting to see what color they end up to be.

Propane Pig

That is the nick-name for those small white tanks which sit by houses.

Mine was getting old and rusty. The gas company routinely changes them.  Mine was changed this week.

Mama would be proud!

I am sure that I have shared this before. My mother and I would have weeding contests.  "Who could pull the quack grass with the longest root."

I was weeding the asparagus patch.

I don't eat asparagus. I don't hold it against those who do either.  :^)

Dale helped 

Anticipation!

...is making me wait.  The rain from a few days ago are helping the tulip bulbs fill in the circular garden. 

The lilac buds are quickly rolling out to leaves.

And the rhubarb plants are leafing out too. But will they be ready for the annual Mother's Day bouquet? It is going to be close.

Happy May Day!

Down by my neighbors evergreens I can see his tractor is out. He is probably going to spread manure before working th he field.

In the fall they leave the field uneven in order to capture moisture and stop erosion.

The neighbor on the other side worked up his field yesterday. 

Oh no!  A tree went down on the hay field.

There is the neighbor planting today. This is a dangerous move. It could still freeze out.

But it's May Day! I was remembering the May baskets that I made as a child. Can you believe that I couldn't find my pipe cleaners?!?!