YES, It Is FRIDAY!

TGIF!

Yeah, short week and it blew by, did it not? Friday is still SWEET!

This is a twofer blog . . . Thursday and Friday joined together . . . . as someone got their chocolate mixed with someone else’s peanut butter, I’m dragging some Thursday into your Friday. Only good stuff, though!

Yesterday’s rain showers caught me a little off guard. You would think at this point I’d know that in Florida in the summer you should ALWAYS have an umbrella handy! I did not. THANK YOU, Erika Boesch at The Bistro, for keeping me oh so much dryer than the poor kid I saw trying to wait at the traffic light the way he should at the corner of Park Avenue & Canton . . . and getting absolutely SOAKED in the process.

Two quick observations from being on Park Avenue recently . . . nice PINK OUT display at Spice & Tea Exchange and it was NICE driving down Interlachen and seeing a house proudly flying Winter Park’s new city flag! It looked great and was instantly recognizable.

On ILUVWinterPark.com yesterday I helped promote a Local business you need to know about so that when you need them, you’ll know they’re there! I.T. Services of Orlando is located in Casselberry and I know a number of people standing ready to provide rave reviews for their operations. They can help fix your PC or Apple product, provide replacement parts, upgrade you. Keep them in mind so that when the unexpected happens, you’re prepared. THAT is called stress relief!

Today on ILUVWinterPark.com I’m helping get out the word about a Local business expansion, grand opening. The ever popular sno cone business on Corrine Drive has expanded and now offers a large variety of ice cream and yogurt products. Not done there, they’re looking for your input not just on a new name covering all their products, but also ideas for what to add next. Lunch foods? Chocolate products? They want your ideas and input. Join them 1 to 4 tomorrow afternoon for hourly specials, kids face painting and door prizes! They believe in LOCAL, offering ice cream made in Florida and delicious coffee from Blessed Bean Coffee of Casselberry!

I dropped by to see the new ice cream shop yesterday and ran into Local artist Heidi Lifrage. Heidi’s work is wonderful if you are not familiar with it. It’s currently available in a number of Local businesses, including my Local LUV ‘n Local business this week, DeVane’s in Hannibal Square. She covers a variety of subject matter but my personal favorites all seem to be her sea / water life pieces, including fish, crabs, lobster, koi, shrimp and more. Mary, the manager of the ice cream shop, mentioned that they would like Local artwork for their walls and while I initially assured her I would have contacts for her the following day, I actually walked over to the table and produced Heidi in minutes! A Local connection made and there may even be art & craft classes in the works in their meeting room. Moral to this story: Sometimes it pays to just run your mouth! (I tend to be decent at that, potentially too much so.)

While in that area I also walked down to check out the Blue Bird Bakery I hear and see so much about on facebook. I’m just going to tell you that that place is absolutely ADORABLE! I haven’t had the food yet – which is well recognized and obviously well LUVed given their awards – but what a cute, cute shop! If you haven’t stopped by, today could be your chance as they have a Cupcake Happy Hour today from 5 to 7 p.m., when cupcakes are just $1.75, with Chocolate Cherry Cordial featured. They’re located at 3122 Corrine Drive. I’ll just note here that we first lived on that side of Winter Park and that stretch of shops and eateries has really taken off in the last few years! Charming out the wazoo, with a terrific and interesting diversity. Early next year they’ll be adding the “East End Market” which sounds like a very cool spot for Local food of all types, and will only increase this stretch as a real destination location.

Maybe drop by for a cupcake or two and then jot over to Baldwin Park for their monthly Baldwin Park Arts Stroll today from 5:30 to 9:30 on New Broad Street. I was also told that Audubon Park businesses will have a wine stroll next Friday evening, but as yet have no specifics. Got some?! Let me know! Everyone LUVs and a wine stroll!

Whatever you do this evening or this weekend, have fun and be safe!

Wrapping it up today, our ‘Give A Dog A Home’ girl today was referred to me after Winter Park Veterinary Hospital made a post seeking a Clyde for their little Bonnie. Well, here I am! Unfortunately, my house is full with three BIG girls, but perhaps I was meant to see this sweet girl and to help in some way to help find her furever home. Bonnie is such a cutie! She is healthy, vaccinated, up-to-date on everything and is a proven, well-trained dog. No real surprises here, which is a rare blessing in a new dog. In addition, Bonnie has completed the Lifetime Commitment Course at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital’s training center so if any behavioral issues do arise their trainers will be there to help you navigate them at no charge. If you would like to LUV Bonnie furever, or know someone who might wish to do so, give them a call at 407 644 2676.