homosassa

Life in Homosassa, Florida

In the Garden

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While I was out looking for hydrangeas to pick for my drying project, I was a little surprised at some of the other flowers.

I’ve had beautiful roses in other yards.  But not at this one.  I’ve attempted different varieties and different parts of the yard.  I thought that they either do not like being so close to salt water or do not like the limestone in the soil.  So I moved them far away from the canal and replaced all of the soil in the new bed.  But still no success and have slowly been digging them up and replacing them.  There are now only two Don Juan’s left and they have both surprised me with one rose each this month.  Perhaps they know that they are the next to go!

In the garden

A plant I have had good results with in the past is the mandevilla.  Last year the one I had bloomed until it frosted.  So I planted two new ones this year–a white one and a pink one.  Both are dead.  What?

The plumeria is a tropical plant which goes dormant.  All the leaves should be off by now and it should look like one ugly branch sticking out of the ground.  But this one is still blooming.  Too weird.

In the garden

And the last surprise is that some of the azalaes are blooming.  I have had them flower as early as Christmas but these started in October.

In the garden

So anyone out there have any explanations for this unusual plant behavior?

 

Old Homosassa Art, Craft and Seafood Festival

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What an absolutely beautiful weekend we had here in central Florida!  Blue skies, bright sun, and a temperature of about 75.  Perfect!  Probably had something to do with the thousands of festival goers that descended on Old Homosassa.  Only one way in and out which creates amazing traffic backups!

We usually ride our bikes down to the festival bright and early so we can check out the displays before the hoards of people get here.  (Maggie has to stay home since NO DOGS allowed.)  But this year we were running late and didn’t get there until after noon.  The masses were already there and more were streaming in.

After checking out the art and crafts and peeking into the long lines at the food stands, we decided to head out to the Freezer and get shrimp instead.  We usually don’t go to the Freezer on the weekend because it is jammed, but figured everyone had to be at the festival.  We were wrong.  The Freezer was crazy busy with no tables or seats open along the bar.  So we went home and finished up the leftovers from Friday night.  Which were really good since we had made panko-encrusted grouper and the fish came from our local fresh seafood house–Shelley’s Seafood in Old Homosassa.  Yum!

Here’s some pics from the festival.

Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
A boat shuttle was provided to bring people across the river that parked at the old KC Crump. Once on the Old Homosassa side, a van picked up festival goers for the short ride to the site.
Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
Anything can be deep-fried!
Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
This was the food court! We ventured along the edge and bought a couple of beers.
Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
The main part of the festival is the park behind the Homosassa Civic Club and Mason Creek Road.

 

Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
We checked out the Veteran’s War Memorial while walking down to the galleries. This was started not long ago and recently expanded.
Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival
This art gallery was recently opened in Old Homosassa by Penny.  If you get a chance, you should stop by to see not only her art, but the beautfiul home renovations.

It looks like the festival was a success again this year.  It’s great for the local economy because so many people visit from Tampa and St. Pete and get to see what Old Homosassa has to offer.