Out and About – Page 21

Friday Meanderings

February 6, 2015 by KTgreen

Just want to apologize to all my northern friends before I start rambling about my garden problems. You’ve have had so much SNOW this year and you are still digging out. (But let me ask–why do you still live there?)

Here in central Florida, it’s time to start planning the spring vegetable garden.

Time to till up the soil, fertilize, decide what exactly will be planted.

But not for me. I’ve decided that my two raised vegetable beds in my back yard are done. Kaput. Set to be flattened. The damn squirrels have won. So many squash blossoms have been “squirreled away”. So many tomatoes have been bitten or chewed.

Besides the squirrels, there is the shade canopy. We have a lot of big trees that are just getting bigger and not much sun is hitting those beds anymore. (Not complaining, I love each and everyone of those trees.)

The few organic tomatoes that I actually got last year would have been a lot cheaper at the most expensive organic market.

And besides all of those reasons, it’s a lot of physical labor and my back has decided that it just wants to work on flowers. Gotta do what the back says!

I’ll continue growing herbs. Rosemary, oregano, and chives never die. I’ve probably had the original plants for over five years. I’m putting parsley and dill in pots and placing them in the few sunny places in the yard. I’m not much of a cook but parsley and dill are very rewarding to me because I love the butterflies.

Butterflies in the Garden, Eastern Black Swallowtail — Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar, full grown larvae, on parsley.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs — Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs on dill.

In the Garden, Eastern Swallowtail — Swallowtail on parsley. So pretty. Looking forward to their return when it gets a little warmer.

And now that you have looked at these pretty pictures, I need to ask….

Have you been looking at my “project 365” photos? I’m taking a pic every day and posting them. It’s been a challenge. I’m always taking pictures–but taking a good picture that I feel is “post worthy”? Not so easy. And then there are the days that I take a lot of really GOOD photos. And can only use one.

Today is day 42! We are going out and about today so I should have a photo to post that isn’t from the back yard!

Besides taking lots of pictures, I’ve been busy in the community. Wednesday as a volunteer at the animal shelter, the first Monday night of the month at the Homosassa Civic Club plus a few monthly meetings for Old Homosassa Preservation Society.

Speaking of the Old Homosassa Preservation Society, our next meeting is Tuesday at 5:30 at the Homosassa Civic Center. This is a big one. We bought the tower. Now we have to get the money together to preserve the tower and other historical places in Homosassa. BE THERE! Or send us a bucket of money. I’m okay with that.

And then there’s the acoustic music group that I joined last year.

We meet at the Coastal Region Library in Crystal River and we finally have a regular schedule. The first and third Monday of every month from 2 to 4:30. Acoustic musicians, singers, and listeners are all invited.

And after looking at that picture you might think you need to be a senior citizen to be in this group. NOT SO! Eleven-year-old Jimmy has stopped in during our last two sessions. He is a beginning guitar player. He doesn’t stay long but he seems to enjoy hanging out with us while he’s there! (oh no, do you think he might be looking for a foster-grandparent?)

If you want to join us and have questions, give Paula Bateman a call at 260-316-4099. Otherwise, just come on over!

And now what’s going on this weekend?

Well, first there’s the Best Friend Expo at the Citrus County Auditorium on Saturday. This is your chance to meet all of those pooches and kitties that need a home.

I’m still pondering the water issues in Florida so Terry and I are attending the “Florida’s Springs and the Sustainability of the Floridan Aquifer” at 10 am on Saturday at the Ellie Schiller Education Center in Yankeetown.

There’s a car show on 44 between Inverness and Floral City.

But what we are REALLY looking forward to is the Open House at La Casa of Mason Creek. I’ve posted dozens of photos of this place over the years. We watched it being built and even took a little “self-guided” tour. It’s been on the market forever and someone finally bought it! The new owner has turned it into an event venue and vacation rental. The open house will include many local vendors that want to turn your wedding or event into something extraordinary. The open house is from 3 – 7. Oh yes, I’m taking my CAMERA!

Just another morning in Perfect — La Casa of Mason Creek from the canal side

The weather is supposed to be beautiful here in sunny Florida so we will out on the road getting lots of pictures.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Out and About: Capital Tacos

February 2, 2015 by KTgreen

It’s so much fun going to a highly-rated restaurant and it’s really really good! And bonus points that it fits right into our budget!

Last week Terry suggested that he might need to go to Golfsmith to check out golf clubs. And all I hear is HOME GOODS! OMG! I love Home Goods and the only one is way down in Carrollwood. (That would be an area of north Tampa for my northern friends) Probably 75 miles from us here in Perfect.

But, right next to GOLFSMITH!

And let’s have lunch with Andy! He’s the oldest kid of our four. Always like to catch up with what’s going on with our kids.

And this would be a great chance to check out the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 50 Restaurants for something in the Carrollwood area. But there was nothing listed! WHAT! Carrolwood is a huge part of Tampa with a lot of people that don’t cook. And all they have is chain restaurants?

But there was Capital Taco in Land o’ Lakes on the list so that’s where we told Andy to meet us.

Did I ever mention that Terry and I lived in Tampa for several years? Three of our four kids went to Land o’ Lakes High School so we’re familiar with the area but had no idea where this place was–so we just followed the GPS. And it took us to a strip mall just south of the high school on Land o ‘Lakes Blvd. (Also known as 41)

capitaltacosstorefront — Sign on the door says that they are open 8 days a week 11 am to 9 pm.

Terry and I arrived at about 11:45 and the place was crazy busy. It’s counter service only with about four tables inside and five tables out on the sidewalk. (And since I’ve read their website, I know that those four tables on the inside were made with recycled construction material!)

capitaltacosmenu — Several fillings are offered and can be served as tacos, burritos, wet burritos (covered with sauce), nachos, salad or in a bowl with rice and beans. And they serve breakfast all day long!

capitaltacosm3 — All the tables were filled so we sat outside while we waited for Andy. IT was a bit cold. OMG, I’m really looking OLD!

Customers seemed to come in waves. Packed at 11:45 with no place to sit and then all the tables were empty at 12:15! So we moved inside. Andy chuckled when he got there because he used to order pizza at the very same place when he went to high school. And Andy is 40 so how long ago was that?

There were a lot of people just coming through for take out. But it was a steady stream of customers the entire time we were there.

capitaltacoscounter1

This isn’t the typical taco place. The food is freshly prepared and made-from-scratch ingredients. And the service is FAST! I had the Simon Pure–grilled portabella, black beans, sweet corn, pico, jack & cheddar, cilantro, and bombero salsa all wrapped up in a fresh burrito, I was too busy devouring mine to actually take a picture. Whoops! One burrito was plenty and it was delicious. Oh yeah, they have beer, too. Dos Equis along with many varieties. Perfect!

Five of our grandkids play soccer, football, and basketball not too far from Capital Taco so we will be back! Yeah! Check out their website for all of their story and the menu.

So good! Lovin’ this choice from the Top 50 Restaurant List!

Out and About: Tarpon Springs

January 26, 2015 by KTgreen

I haven’t reported on the Great Chicken Wing Quest in over nine months! I don’t really like wings but Terry LOVES them. We hit a lot of restaurants, bars, and pubs in the area. And it came down to a tie between Neon Leons and Crackers–per Terry. I voted for Crackers since I like the Tiki Bar, there’s a great view of King’s Bay, and sometimes they have entertainment.

And now we are moving on. To food I like! Which would be everything but chicken wings!

Just to serve my readers (because I’m always thinking about my readers) I’ve decided to hit all the restaurants on “Top 50 restaurants of Tampa Bay” according to the Tampa Bay Times. Lots more fun for me! Hitting all those places could take awhile, though. It just may be way more expensive then our local wing places and we might have to actually make plans.

But it will give us more opportunities for us to get “out and about”!

Our trip to Tarpon Springs started out with Terry’s mom saying that there are a few antique stores in Tarpon Springs. Terry had an appointment in New Port Richey anyhow so we just thought we’d head a few miles south. And I decided to check the list for any restaurants in the area.

There were a lot of antique places. Some a little too precious for me. Lots of crystal and tiny things. I tried to be very small while walking through those. (Very difficult, I’m not a small person.) There was a really nice artsy shop and the general store, “Mad Hatter” was fun.

But my main goal was to have lunch. It’s always about the food. Or the beer. And Dimitri’s on the Water at the sponge docks had made it on the Tampa Bay Times’ top 50 restaurants. YIppee!

The sponge docks are full of touristy things to do. Shops, boat tours, restaurants, bakeries, you name it. Not something we would typically spend any time at unless we had company. Yes, it is a good place to take out-of-town guests. “Come see the Sponge Capital of the World!”

Out and About: Tarpon Springs — The entrance to Dimitri’s

Dimitri’s is right on the water and since it was a lovely day, we sat outside in the covered patio area. The view was beautiful.

I had an Alfred Hitchcock moment when I went over to the rail to take some pictures. A gazillion gulls swooped down immediately. I thought we were going to have a repeat of the Birds. How much do I hate these rats on wings? Kind of like pigeons in New York City. Before they ate my face off, I ran back to our table and they couldn’t figure out how to get in to attack me. They obviously weren’t as smart as those gulls on The Birds. Whew. Lesson learned. Step away from the rail.

We had a very friendly server and when I asked about the beer, he suggested I try the Greek beer. Of course! I always order the beer recommended by the server. Tasty!

Anytime there is grouper on the menu Terry and I usually order it. I did ask about other fish and the server suggested the “whole fish”. Sorry, I don’t eat things that will be looking back at me. If we have a zombie apocalypse I might change my mind because I would probably be really happy to have something to eat. But for now, someone needs to cut the head and fins off before it’s served to me. We both ordered the grouper. And we both ordered it blackened. Are we boring or what?

I started with the soup. I can’t tell you the name of it because they don’t have a website. Should have wrote it down–what kind of reviewer am I? It had a nice creamy base with chicken and orzo and had a slight lemon taste–not overpowering. Very good. We also had a loaf of Greek bread with dipping sauce. Yum.

And onto the main course. The grouper and the blackening were excellent.

But the sides we both ordered were very bland.

If I was in Tarpon Springs with some of our out-of-town guests, I would definitely choose this restaurant over the other places. The grouper, the service, and the view were all extraordinary. But I probably won’t make a special trip to go back.

Happy to report that the gull must have forgot about me and we were able to get home in the convertible without any bird attack (poo or otherwise.)

And onto our next outing!