We did a little sight seeing while in ND. I think people that live in the frozen tundra appreciate the sun much more than us in Florida that just take it for granted. Here’s a few places we visited.
The Missouri River
Everyone seems to have a boat and/or a camper and use them every chance they get.
Fort Abraham Lincoln
Took a trolley that ran along the original train tracks. Got off one stop short of the fort to see the Slant Indian Village.
Then we walked to the fort. Custer was the commander at this fort and marched off from here to meet his fate.
Craft Fair and Car Show in Bismarck
I have never seen a Ford Hardtop Convertible and there were three on display!
Along with the typical craft show vendors, artists were creating chalk art on the sidewalks.
The weather was wonderful and we had a great time, but I was missing home and home we went! We’ll be back next summer.
A few of you may know that my sister Ellen, (Michelle’s mother) has been going through some trying times. She was scheduled for surgery last month and I invited Ellen and Michelle to join me for a special lunch to celebrate our lives. Since they both live in Hernando County, I asked Michelle to pick a spot close to their homes.
Michelle suggested the Magnolia Terrace Tea Room located at 6282 Commercial Way in Weeki Wachee. (That’s the plaza on US-19 just north of Cortez Blvd. that has the Winn-Dixie.)
This was my first time at this tea room. Michelle had been there before with a group of girlfriends for a Christmas party. They rented the whole place and had an appropriately festive event.
We arrived after the lunch rush so had the place almost entirely to ourselves. While they say on their website that “It’s Tea Time all day at The Magnolia Terrace Tea Room”, they just happened to have wine! So you know what we ordered!
Hey this was a celebration of life!
The sandwiches can be ordered on different types of bread or as a salad.
Our server was pleasant and attentive, the food was excellent, and the setting lovely. The right place for our special lunch. I definitely recommend and will be returning–I might even try the tea next time!
The Magnolia Terrace Tea Room is open on Monday through Friday from 11 am to 4 pm, on Saturday from 12 pm to 4 pm and on Sundays for special events only. Call for reservations at 352-556-4819 or email info@magnoliaterracetearoom.com
Not the big one in Brooksville, this one was in Oxford, FL. And where is Oxford? On the way to THE VILLAGES! At least that’s what we were told the first time we met some reps from Whispering Oaks in Floral City.
And then they sent me an email about a blueberry festival. It was a beautiful day. Perfect temperature. Sun was shining. We hadn’t planned on going but the shiny red car wanted to get out.
So we hit the road.
For Oxford. Not the Villages.
Cool barrels for a fence. We must be getting close!
Happy Goats?
And there were blueberries. Grown right there on their farm. And they offer U-Pick. From March through May.
Blueberry stomping was scheduled.
And there was entertainment.
I asked them where they were from. The Villages. Of course! And they perform a LOT!
But the big draw was the wine tasting. Yes–Blueberry wine. And it was YUMMY!
Just think, alcohol and healthy with all those antioxidants! Win-Win!
The deal was $7 to get in. But you could use your entry ticket towards a wine tasting, fresh blueberries, or a glass of wine.
Yeah, we went for the glass of wine.
Wine Tasting RoomWine Tasting Bar
There were a few places outside to buy wine, too.
Here’s the wine gazebo. Plus there was a tent with wine for sale.
As Terry and I sat and sipped our wine, I pondered where was the wine making “stuff”? And a little adorable worker bee just showed up and said “wine tour in 10 minutes”
So we took the tour.
This is our very knowledgeable wine tour guide, Debbie.
Debbie explained to us why the goats are so happy. They get the blueberry skins after skimming. 6% alcohol! Sometimes they go for a little stroll.
So I had to check out the goats when we were leaving.
Mama GoatBaby Goatand Billy Goat Gruff who immediately headed to check me out as soon as I stopped to say hi!Okay, okay, I’m leaving! They must not have had any blueberry skins that day!
I think the venue would be a great place to have a wedding.
Besides the building that holds the wine tasting, there are a lot of outdoor spaces.
Open to the public 7 days a week, there is also entertainment on Saturday. Check out the www.winesofflorida.com for more info. If you just want to try the wine, it’s available at Fresh Markets in the area–even Tampa and Orlando.
