Taste of Maitland

Monday night in Maitland there was something fun going on. It is known as the Taste of Maitland. Local restaurants come together around Lake Lily with their booths and their best food. Patrons pay $20 and get all of the food they can eat. I invited Ashley to come along with me to stuff ourselves with local foods and drink. The foods were delicious and I was stuffed to the gills by the end of the night.

I mean just look at this pumpkin bagel and snicker doodle from Einstein Bagels. YUM

This summer salad and butternut squash soup is from Crispers, kind of like Panera. I love the butternut squash soup from Crispers and I was happy to see that they had brought some samples with them.

Yum Jeremiah's... I had pumpkin pie and Ashley enjoyed cookies and cream!

The downside of the night was that there was only one booth selling alcoholic beverages *sigh*  I  hope the next time they put this event on they have more booths selling beverages.

However this "mojito" was yummy. It was not a traditional mojito it was made with Champagne rather than rum... but it still had that minty flavor just not as strong.

After engorging ourselves with so much food Ashley and I decided to take a walk around Lake Lily to walk off all of the food we just downed. The lake is beautiful and a nice place to walk and chat.

The night was coming to an end and the booths were starting to pack up. Ashley and I walked back to my car still stuffed. What a fun night with a good friend.

These kind of events are popping up every where around central Florida. I know Apopka is having their Taste of Apopka on November 13. If you are interested check out your town and be sure to send me an invite. *wink*

xo

*My Thoughts*
They need more booths with beverages.
And to be honest they did not have a lot of restaurants who came out.
Overall it was a good night though and I ate so much!!

Trader Mae's

The best known secret buzzing around Apopka is Trader Mae's. A multi-room consignment shop that sells vintage/antiques, remodeled furniture, unique items, etc. It is a wonderful place and a place I love to visit because they always have something new or something that I did not see before. Trader Mae's had their fall festival over the weekend with fall decorations and candy at most of the booths.

Each room is packed with unique items. There is something for everyone at Trader Mae's. This vintage suitcase on the stand pictured above is beautiful and I want it! However it is a little out of my price range *sigh* I did pick up a couple of pots for my plants and found a cute candy dish. Also I bought a cute pair of earrings and a vintage shirt.

I suggest you check out Trader Mae's... you can find their info here

xo

Renniger's and Mount Dora

Sunday was Renniger's Fall in the Field Show down at their antique center. Now I am not sure if I have mentioned this before and if I haven't then now you will know... one of my favorite past times, if not my favorite past time, is going to these antique shows or consignment shops. I am not sure where my love for this developed but it has only grown with time.

Since Renniger's was having their fall show I wanted to go to see what kind of fall decorations they might have. Mom of course joined me. And I was glad to have her come along. It was a gorgeous day and the fall weather was gracing it's presence in Florida. Finally!! Mom and I walked around the booths popping in and sticking our noses, mostly just me, into what the vendors had to sell. I like to take my time in each booth and look around for what might be hidden... you know those hidden treasures hiding under some other item.

There was a man playing music and singing on this stage with this big guitar *grin*  Which I have yet to figure out why there is a giant guitar hanging on the stage.

There was also this huge dog walking around with his owner. Biggest dog I have ever seen and very cute!

Now doesn't this place just look wonderful?!

Although I did not find anything worth taking home this time I still had a good time.
However back up at the permanent booths I found a gorgeous sterling silver turquoises ring. I have been looking for such a ring for a few months now and finally found a beautiful one that I bought off of a spunky little German woman. I also found a casserole dish that made it's way home with me.

After Renniger's mom and I made a trip to visit Norm at Norm's Palette. He is one of my most favorite people. I could sit for hours and chat with him. If you enjoy good company, drinks, and art then this bar is for you. Mom and I enjoyed sangria and cupcakes out on the patio with Norm sharing stories. Eventually we moved on to dinner at Merrill's where they were having live music.

As mom and I were sitting at Merrill's the train was coming in.

Bye Bye train.

Mount Dora is such a beautiful city. One of my favorites and I love spending time there. It is an artisan town, so if you are into that sort of thing Mount Dora should definitely be on your list of places to visit. They usually always have some sort of event happening. Check them out here and here.

*My Thoughts*
I have an old soul. And I believe that I was born in the wrong decade. I enjoy old things, hence my love of consignment shops and "antique" shows. I use antique loosely because the US is not old enough to have "real" antiques. They are more vintage.
I seriously cannot explain to you enough my love for the city of Mount Dora and all of its wonderful people. I always meet interesting people there whenever I visit.