Mini's and Shortcake

Seems like we just left Cedar Key yesterday, but here it is Friday already.  We are only in Zephyrhills for 2 days so we have a packed schedule visiting with our Amazon.com friends, and doing site seeing.  

Several weeks ago when I mentioned in my blog that we were thinking about trading in the Thunderbird for a Mini Cooper, Sharon McBee suggested we visit Mini of Wesley Chapel when we came to Zephyrhills, so we took her suggestion and drove over to Wesley Chapel Friday morning around 10....it's only 19 miles from Baker's Acres.  This dealership only deals in new and used Mini Coopers.  The only stick they had on the lot yesterday was this 2006 Mini, which was a 5 speed.  I think they came out with the 6 speed (like Chris and Cherie's) in 2007.  This one was going for a little over $13,000, and I'm sure we could have worked them down a little lower.  This one is the base model, but it does have a moon roof.  In very good condition.  We left our contact information with Mike, so if anything else comes up we might be interested in he will call.  

2006 Mini Cooper with 51,000 on the ODO

After making a run to the local Walmart for some groceries we returned back to our home around 11:20 and were on our way over to Jim and Sharon's home by 15 til Noon.  Our plan for the day was to drive into Plant City for lunch at "Fred's Southern Kitchen".  You can order off the menu, or choose the buffet.  The buffet is reasonably priced, however, if you do not clean your plate you get charged an extra $2.00 for wasting good food....:D  It's called their "'Waste Not, Want Not' program.' Simply remember to take what you want, but eat what you take from our delicious buffet to receive our family reunion pricing"....taken directly from their menu.  Well, we chose buffet, and it was wonderful food made with fresh ingredients......fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, etc., etc., etc.  We all cleaned our plates, of course!

Next we moved over a few blocks to the old town area which is rife with wonderfully stocked antique shops......there were so many interesting things that we only got through 3 stores in over 2 hours.  One store had an amazing collection of vintage tools......however, I did not find tools I could not live without.  In the final store we spent time in (Miss Ruby's Antiques and Collectibles) Jim ran into a friend (one of the owners of the store) he had not seen in over 25 years....they used to be neighbors....what a small world!

We did come away with a few small items.....a vintage Florida license plate for my collection on the inside wall of our trailer, a small creamer, which we did need.......a covered butter dish, which we did need, and a cool pair of earrings for TLE......no new books.....:D

From antiquing we moved over to Parkesdale Market for some of their world famous Strawberry Shortcake.....Plant City is the Strawberry Capital of the World, and they have an annual Strawberry Festival celebrating that fact coming up the end of February.

TLE and I split one Strawberry Shortcake......

Of course, there was some silliness that was captured on camera.......but hey, what good is life if there can't be a little silliness everyday?  We decided not to wear the robes.....just the crowns.....:D

We had a great laid back day of visiting with friends, good food, and a little "junking" capped off by a great dessert.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we will bid farewell "until next time" to our Amazon.com friends, and then on to Fort Myers for some courtesy parking at the home of one of TLE's cousins....we'll spend a few days there, then over to Palmetto Bay to visit some more friends and more courtesy parking......then down to the Keys!  When we check out of Marathon Key on the 19th our daily cost over the 15 days for parking our coach will average around $15......not a bad average!

Thanks for stopping by!