Terry and I were invited to a surprise birthday party last week at The Mullet Hole Tavern, a fine-dining restaurant in Heritage Village in Crystal River. But the party wasn’t a dinner, it was a cooking class! I know, you are also surprised to hear that a restaurant here in Citrus County has cooking classes! Sounded like fun and certainly something we had never done before, so we signed on for the event. And it was a birthday party–we do our best not to miss parties!
We have been to The Mullet Hole Tavern for lunch on one of our “top down travels”. On that trip, Terry and I both had blackened grouper, our very favorite sandwich, with a bunch of fries. The food and service were excellent, so we were expecting another great experience from the cooking class.
The dish for the evening was Pistachio Dusted Salmon with Two Cheese Orzo and Garlic Cream Sauce. Just the name is mouth-watering! The classroom was set up so everyone had a good view of the demonstration and a few guests helped with slicing and dicing. Non-alcoholic drinks were included in the fee for the cooking class but there was a bar set up to purchase other adult beverages. The bartender was very attentive and quick to refill our glasses.
While Chef Randy Fixman prepared the salmon and explained the process, he answered questions from the audience which ranged from the ingredients all the way to how he decided to enter the culinary arts. The evening ended with everyone getting a plate of the salmon and orzo.
Pistachio Dusted Salmon with Two Cheese Orzo and Garlic Cream Sauce
The Birthday Group
The Chefs!
The Birthday Boy
We had a great time with our friends, learned how to properly dredge salmon, and enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to try something fun and totally different, give The Mullet Hole Tavern a call.
Another three days of rain and cold. But Sunday was SUNNY! Yippie!
Took a ride down to Old Homosassa to see what we could see.
Couldn’t find parking. Everyone in Citrus County decided to enjoy the sun in Old Homosassa. Saw a woman in a bikini. Come on, it was 68 degrees! Must be from Minnesota. A couple guys on jet skis. And they didn’t have on wet suits. Brrrrrrr!
A really little boat on a really big river….
This little baby came out of the back of a van. Didn’t get to see how they put it together.Attached the little motor…And away they go….to the Gulf! To go fishing!
Didn’t stay there long enough to see if they returned.
Some pooches that were enjoying the sun.
Come on, what’s the holdup? I wanna go fishing!!These guys were on the way to Monkey Island
And the monkeys were enjoying the sun, too.
Monkey Island
Looks like they’re getting ready for a cocktail cruise!Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go. Oh wait, there’s no motor on this boat!
And I’ve saved the best for last!
Our local Rooster is dressed for Valentines Day.And this one is, too! Whaaaaat!
TWO ROOSTERS! And no one even lives at that house.Someday, I’m going to find out where these roosters are coming from!
Rain, rain, rain, cold, cold cold. That’s what we had Tuesday through Friday. Not your typical Florida weather. Our winters are supposed to be dry and cool. My yard and flowers were happy with the rain. But my soul was crying for some SUN!
We woke up to another damp morning on Saturday but believed in our weather guys. Sunshine was on its way. Floral City, one of my favorite little burgs here in Citrus County, had several events scheduled, so off we went!
First stop was “Grandma’s Attic” at the Floral City Heritage Hall Museum.
Floral City Heritage Hall Museum
Me, being a lover of old and used, was really looking forward to the “attic” sale but it was a bit of a disappointment. But it did entice us into the museum and that was totally worth it!
There were a lot of antique items on display (not for sale) like this cool treadle sewing machine and a very old upright piano.
The sewing machine I started on wasn’t quite this old.
There was also an interesting exhibit about Florida’s Seminole Wars which will only be there until the end of April.
Florida’s Seminole War Exhibit
There was also an exhibit about a train crash in 1956. I read every word about the head on collision between two locomotives just outside of Floral City. Two men, in a dramatic attempt to stop the collision, drove 90 mph on those limestone roads to warn the engineers but arrived too late. On one engine, the workers saw the other freight train, applied the emergency brake, braced for the ultimate collision and survived The four men on the other locomotive attempted to jump off the engine when they saw what was happening and all died.
Train Crash in 1956
The volunteers in the museum were really friendly and eager to explain all about Floral City. They obviously love and are justifiably proud of their home.
Next we stopped by the Duvall House, the oldest house in Citrus County, which is being restored with donations.
Duvall House, Oldest house in Citrus County
And on to the “Starving Artists Sale” at the Florida Artists Gallery.
Florida Artists GalleryGelatin Artist Demo
We almost walked by this demo because it was tucked into a little shed. Plus, gelatin art? What’s that? Bonnie Peterson, the artist, was very cool and her art was fun.
This is Gelatin Art! And all edible!Bonnie PetersonShe makes cakes for weddings, showers, and any occasion you can think of.
Bonnie also demos at the Crystal River Mall Westend on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. You can email her at bonsw@mindspring.com or check out her The Jello Lady website to sign up for classes or buy her creations.
After checking out all the artists and their works displayed outside, we went into the gallery. One of the reasons I love this gallery is that there is always a pleasant ‘artist of the day’ ready to have a conversation. The art is great, priced well, and includes watercolors, photography, jewelry and other media.
This is the first time I noticed these origami cranes.
Origami Cranes by Chris RandleOrigami Crane Mobile
The gallery has a little cafe plus art lessons that you can sign up for.
Next stop was the 33rd anniversary Car Show at Chilson’s Garage which is about 3 1/2 miles south of Floral City.
If it was only pink, it would be perfect! We could get all the grandkids in this one!
Since every spot in Citrus County is close to water, Terry and I went on a hunt for the waterfront. Found it on Duvall Island. Part of the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes.
Back to Floral City through their famous ‘Avenue of Oaks’.
The Avenue of Oaks
Of course, we had to end our adventure at Shamrock Inn.
Yum, beer!We actually ordered something other than Wings!
The weather warmed up and we headed home with the top down!
We’ll be at the Strawberry Festival in Floral City on March 1st. We haven’t attended before and are looking forward to the event plus we’re taking our Brooklyn kids along. Strawberry milkshakes and shortcakes. Yum!
Back to Floral City through their famous ‘Avenue of Oaks’.
The weather warmed up and we headed home with the top down!