Lisa Buie-Collard - Author : #atozchallenge2015

Showing posts with label #atozchallenge2015. Show all posts

Monday, May 04, 2015

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015 Reflections

Well, here I am on Monday, having thought I'd have my post ready and realized I didn't do it! Blank mind. Blank page. So sorry! That is NO reflection on the Challenge, in fact, it is exactly the opposite. I have so much to write about this year's challenge that it boggled my mind and voila, nothing got posted! Oh dear.
This year the A to Z was amazing, tiring, fulfilling and a test. First, I volunteered to co-host, and had two wonderful teams (the A to Z team and Lisa's LiveWires!) that helped me through, and second, could I get across my love for my birth state and the part of it I like the best? Going from my comments received, I think I did all right, and my teams rocked!

The blogs I visited, the people I communicated with were so unique, uplifting, interesting and diverse, that I traveled a daily journey that took me from Cornwall, Russia, India, Burma, France, Canada, Texas to a new artist (who's prints I bought) to new authors (books bought), limericks to die for, and the Twilight Zone, and Gods/Goddesses, and musical instruments, and well, I could go on, but will stop here... I won't list blogs here because I don't want to forget any, and the list is looonnng!
The only thing I didn't enjoy this challenge, was the problem of finding blogs, and A to Z posts on some of those blogs. Some folks didn't leave "active" links with their comments, so that I could find my way to them easily, others left links that went to the blog, but not to the A to Z posts!
Honestly, if that was the only negative, that is small compared to the over all.

Thank you for dropping by. Thank you for being a part of such a wonderful experience. I look forward to more blogging fun in the future!

Here is the link to others participating in Reflections this week...

http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=253435

Thursday, April 30, 2015

A to Z Blogging Challenge - Z - Patty Schwarze

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Okay, I know it’s a stretch here, but today is about a very special person and what she does for a living. In honor of the letter “Z” I’d like to introduce you to Patty Schwarze (hence the Z). She runs/operates the Sugar Mill located within the DeLeon Springs State Park (not to be confused with Ponce de Leon State Park). What is so special about Patty and what she does? That question is intimately linked with the park itself.

Opened by her parents, Peter and Marjorie Schwarze in 1961, the restaurant has been in continuous operation, with Patty assuming the helm after her parents. The mill, a historical monument from the 1830s has an interesting, quirky history and is located right on the edge of the DeLeon Spring head. Thousands of visitors come each year not only for swimming, camping, canoeing, kayaking, walking and biking, but also for the famous “cook-it-yourself” pancakes served at the Mill every day. The building is old and creaky, and the works are all still visible as you eat, but it is air conditioned in the summer and warmer inside than out in the winter. Patty is a welcoming and cheerful hostess, as are her servers. The place is ALWAYS packed— I’m not joking—so if you want to go there to eat, be prepared to wait a few minutes. In the summer you can swim while waiting, but in the winter make sure you bundle up. Though it is Florida, it does get cold, especially if it’s humid.

Cooking our breakfast!

Inside you can see the Mill workings, and the griddles!

The Mill serves two kinds of pancakes made from fresh stone-ground whole wheat or white flour, along with a large choice of ingredients to add, like nuts, blueberries, banana slices, three different syrups, and of course regular breakfast fare, bacon, eggs, etcetera. Lunch is also served, but I never eat lunch there, only breakfast no matter what time of day (the Mill closes at 4pm).

Marjorie, Patty’s mother, gave me my very first job and taught me my grounding base about serving people. Patty, who travels when she isn't working, and is a fan of "Deux Chevaux" French cars, has been a family friend ever since I can remember. Whenever I can, I go by the Sugar Mill on my way north or south, to eat her pancakes and sit a spell with her to catch up. She’ll welcome you and your appetite if you care to drop by. There is a charge at the gate to enter the park ($6) and it goes to a good cause, the park itself, which is worth a visit even without the Sugar Mill and its friendly hostess.

The actual spring

1915 photo of the Old Sugar Mill and overflow of spring

Canoeing is only one of the attractions

Me and Patty Schwarze in front of her "newest" Deux Chevaux mini-truck

For more information visit: http://www.planetdeland.com/sugarmill/

Before this day is done, I'd like to thank EVERYONE for dropping by during the A to Z. I appreciate your comments and visits more than I can say and am thankful. I'm also thankful to have found so many amazing blogs to follow, so I look forward to continuing my visits and seeing you throughout the year on your blogs!

Now, as this is the last post for April, it's time to announce the A to Z Blogging Challenge Reflections blog. The Reflections posts will be open May 4-8. The code for the Linky List is below. The Reflections post is what you did or did not like about the Challenge; how you think we did as hosts; what could be improved; cool bloggers you met; etc. Please remember you can add the link to your post to the Linky List AFTER you've posted – otherwise, you will be deleted.

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

"http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=253435"

Some images from:

www.tripadvisor.com

pinterest.com

gl1800riders.com

www.floridarambler.com

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

A to Z Blogging Challenge - Yalaha

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

I can’t wait to try the bread I just ordered from Yalaha Bakery! I would have ordered the Hazelnut Cake but it isn’t on the “To Ship” list. This small town is on the way to anywhere, especially if you are heading north west from Orlando, and since I’m heading down to Orlando as you read this post, I’m going to stop in and see if I can’t get a piece of that Hazelnut cake.

The original bakery

This bakery has been around since 1995, and the town has been around since around 1869 and sits on the edge of the beautiful Lake Harris. It is not on the beaten path so to say, but close enough that if you like German baked goods, you’ll want to stop here and check out the Yalaha Bakery. They use organic products, and try new creations any given day, such as gluten-free or sugar-free breads and pastries. They also offer a variety of whole grain products.

Outside they have a large courtyard where live music is heard. Bikers stop and sit a spell, as do cyclists and folks out for a country drive… Stop in and see what the fuss is all about. I bet you enjoy it.