Rub the Buddha

Finally ventured out of the house and into the real world after hiding out in my bedroom with the flu. We walked downtown and met some friends and my family at Mount Dora Sushi company. While I didn't quite trust my stomach enough to try sushi just yet, a bowl of rice and some green tea did the trick.

It was nice to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Thankfully, the weather has stayed cool and breezy much longer than normal this Spring. I even needed a light jacket when the sun went down. In Florida. In April. Wow.

The Buddha in the Zen Garden wore a pair of shades and a taunting smile ... as though he was challenging me to having a good time despite the work load I had been going over in my mind to catch up on after being incapacitated for a couple of days. I had to rub his bald head for luck!

The music was relaxing. Live jazz by Cool Dean with interludes of a CD called Freaks & Icons by Dzihan & Kamien between sets. The cd really enchanted me. The songs reminded me of the story I lost myself in this past week ... Twilight ... sort of sexy, yet mysterious and suspenseful. I'm a new fan of Dziahn & Kamien. You can listen for yourself below.



At the end of the night, we walked home. I Love that we can do that. I know I write about that a lot ... I guess I don't want to ever loose my appreciation of it. It's a hard lifestyle to find in Florida, a pedestrian friendly community. Despite the drive sometimes, I'm glad we moved to Mount Dora.




--Rachelle
www.TremainStreetCottages.com

Confession

Okay. I have a confession.

I caught the flu bug last week. Now, I don't know if it was the "swine" flu ... but it hurt. It was achy. And Gross. I could do nothing but lay in bed for a couple of days. Which left me with only the option of eating saltines ... drinking gatorade ... and reading.

So read I did. More than I've ever read in such a short amount of time in my life. Three books. Over 500 pages each. In a week and a half. If only I had that kind of reading speed in high school or college! My imagination was obviously starved.

I resisted for so long. I thought it was just some juvenile teenage saga. I usually only read books on business topics. But I was hopelessly and helplessly sucked into the Twilight Series.

I guess it's just a girl thing to get hooked on a good forbidden-love-hunky-guy-hero story.

Ahile ago, I had discussed the possibility with a writer friend of mine of planning a writer's retreat at the cottages. Now I feel the need to wipe the dust of those plans and get it going! Wonder if they'd bring along any of the book cover models with them? A girl could hope ...

--Rachelle
www.TremainStreetCottages.com

At the Copa ... Copa Cabana ...

Okay ... I apologize. I just got that song stuck in your head, didn't I? Oops! So sorry. Here a better song to have on instant replay ...




Last night we a fabulously fun time. First we walked downtown to Yappy Hour ... a mix and mingling of wagging tales and wine. Gotta love a happy hour where you can bring your pooch! Our furry princess stayed home since she doesn't play nice with the other kids. Instead I brought along our video camera to record the fun.

After playing at Yappy Hour we strolled down to the new Cuban restaurant Copacabana and indulged in some of my favorite Latin foods ... tostones with mojo ... Cuban coffee ... and of course some ropa vieja.

When the caffeine jolt kicked in, we trodded back uphill to Mount Dora's Ghost Walk. Because I was still towing around my camera ... they offered me a ride in the antique hearse ... I passed. Maybe next time. In the front seat. Without the scary music to creep me out. That's a ride you only want to take once in your life, ya know what I mean?

The Ghost Walk is actually more entertaining and informative than frightful. Unless ... of course ... you're looking for it to be scary ... just ask and they'll turn up the chills a bit. Personally, I've got a vivid imagination and enjoy my sleep at night so I preferred the light and lively tour.



Good times! I love being a tourist just a few blocks away from my front steps.

--Rachelle

Miles of Fun

Just got home from running the Corporate 5K in Orlando.

The event was HUGE ... 11,000 people walking, running and jogging along. There were beer tents and bagels, bananas, upbeat music getting people pumped up and going, live bands on street corners and downtown restaurants handing out water and fruit.

My favorite had to be the people sipping wine and having lawn parties watching the crowds puff by.

It was definitely more of a party than a race ... but sometimes it's not how fast you cross the finish line ... and instead how much fun you had along the way!

Three miles of fun today. Two hundred and forty more to go in my training for Key West's half marathon.

--Rachelle

Simplifying Social Networking

Aaaah ... thunder ... rain ... a hot cup of coffee ... what a relaxing morning! Only because I don't have to rush to be anywhere.

There is something to be said about the lost art of simplicity. It seems our lives keep speeding up and getting more complex. So sitting down with a blanket, hot coffee and a book seems like a big escape.

I've been spending a lot time on Facebook and Twitter lately, and it seems everytime I log in I follow one link to another, learning new things and adding lines to my to-do list. Curiosity gets the best of me, and without knowing it time slips right on by.

Do you ever find this happening to you?

What new social networking tools do you find useful? Which ones are a waste of time? How do you streamline and simplify?

Okay ... thunder just cracked again and this time with a big flash of lightening. Time to unplug, enjoy the rain, and get back to my coffee!

--Rachelle
www.TremainStreetCottages.com

Gourmet Breakfast at the Adora Inn

Are you hungry this morning? Did you have some powdered eggs and dried toast for breakfast at a chain hotel? You'll be wishing you had stayed at a bed & breakfast after you read this guest's comments about their stay at the Adora Inn.

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This is the type of hospitality we expected to receive, only better. We had lovely accommodations in the Olive Room, a VERY comfortable bed, and peace and quiet which we craved, having very hectic jobs and only a few days to take off. We love to go to Mt. Dora as it feels like a step back in time, but this was a wonderful surprise for us, staying at the Adora.

Our hosts were awesome, knew lots of information about the area and showed us their fabulous culinary dishes for our breakfasts. .. gratefully, not the random gooey sweet French toast or boxed pancakes. We had scrambled eggs with goat cheese and chives, delicious tortillas with salsa and sour cream and fresh fruits with organic chicken apple sausages. Also on the table was freshly sliced strawberries arranged on a homemade pizza. YUM! The day previous was roasted potatoes and a delightful egg fritatta, bite-sized chocolate or raspberry pastries and freshly baked bread- along with plenty of hot coffees, teas and sparkling water on the table. I noticed fresh orchids in most rooms, along with fresh cut flowers on the dining room table. -

And artwork. Lots of beautiful paintings by Arthur, the resident host and artist. The man oozes art. Arthur's artwork is in each guest room as well as the dining room and living room. Check out his work.

Both hosts took a genuine interest in our adventures for the day and it was obvious, they take special care of their home as well. What a WONDERFUL time we had with them! We have more friends in Mt. Dora now! Try to stop in at the Adora Inn if you can!

Sue from Sarasota