Out and About

Wekiva River
30x30 inches
oil on Birch panel
2000.00
shipping 95.00
Purchase on my web site HERE

I've been home in the studio for a week, so I decided to get out for a drive today with my dog Henry (AKA Studio Dog) We headed out to Evinston, one of my favorite places in the world, about 40 miles from my house. We stopped at the Wood/Swink first, Florida's oldest working post office, to chat with Freddie and Sue, my good friends who own and run the post office and store. It is a wonderful place, here everyone meets to catch up on neighborhood news and to pick up fresh produce from Freddie's gardens. Today I bought a huge head of Romaine Lettuce, just beautiful, along with carrots fresh pulled from the garden,red onions and sweet potatoes. There were rows of beautiful purple cabbages, vine ripe tomatoes and fresh beets there as well. My purchases cost me a hole four dollars!! It is the place for fresh produce in this part of the world.

We made our way down the road to Fair Oaks Farm, a paradise for nature lovers and painters. The color was flabbergasting for me after having been away traveling for over a month. When I left in late February, everything on the farm was brown and rust colored. Today on arrival, it was emerald green, just spectacular!!! I do so love the seasonal changes here in North Florida. Henry and I took a lovely walk around the farm, deciding that it was just too windy to paint today. We will go back tomorrow, hopefully in calmer weather. The pond was an amazing turquoise blue and green and had beautiful purple and white Iris blooming profusely at the edge. What a great time to be there. Thanks to my dear friend Rick for allowing me to enjoy this beautiful farm. I feel so privileged to be there whenever I want to go.

I'm going to roast the lovely carrots I bought at the Wood/Swink tonight,leaving them whole, first coating them in a bit of olive oil, fresh thyme,salt,pepper, the onion I bought, diced,a few slices of ham, and a couple of whole potatoes. I'll put them all in the cast iron skillet in the oven to slow roast, and make a pan of corn bread. Then I'll make a simple salad from the lettuce I bought with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. There is nothing better for dinner than that!! Yummy!!

Restaurant Review

Sunday I spent the day out with my two daughters. We had a lovey day of shopping and then took a break for food at a new restaurant,downtown in Gainesville, Florida. It's right on the corner across from the state attorney's office, and there is a parking lot next to it for great parking. It is called the Big Burger

It is a charming little place with walk-up counter service and take out. The dining room is cute with black and white tiled floors, red topped tables and chairs in the old retro style, and very nice urban and musical themed posters on the walls. It is very clean. The food is very good. The burgers are homemade to order, there is a nice variety on the menu, including about 10 burger combinations in various sizes, salads, vegetarian food,hot dogs, various side orders, and a good Philly Cheese steak and Chicken Philly. The chicken wings are excellent, not greasy at all and they come with a nice variety of toppings. They offer a New York style cheesecake for dessert. What else would you need? The prices are extremely reasonable and they also have a special. I met the owner who was charming and gracious. The staff is friendly and the service is very good. A winner for a small limited menu restaurant.

Big Burger
352.380.0001
21 West University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
Web Site HERE