Chautauqua Festival

January 2013

While Grandpa and Dad took the beagles deer hunting, Grandma, Mom, and I enjoyed the Chautauqua festivities on Saturday. The community building had a tiger, lion, black panther, baboons, and other assorted wildlife to view. 

We ate lunch at H & M Hotdogs, a family rite of passage.

I'm not a soda pop drinker, but who can resist Crush in a glass bottle?



Chautauqua building



The back porch of my dreams; just think of all the music and poetry recitals, plays, and tea parties a person could host on that porch!

After lunch, Mom and I attended a Chautauqua tea party hosted by a lady whose aunt and uncle were Titanic survivors.

Dad returned from the deer woods and joined me at the festival. We wandered around talking to the Living History reenactors and taking pictures.

I've been blessed with the opportunity to participate in six Living History events. There is nothing quite like gathering with a bunch of other history enthusiasts to camp out, dress in clothing from the era you choose to represent, and talk to people about the past. Good times. :)

Moss in the trees

Flowers blooming in January! I think I need to move to Florida.

Behold, the beautiful Bay tree of Circle Drive!

Dad

This Bay tree, otherwise known as a Magnolia, is my very favorite tree. I've loved it since I was a little kid and first started toddling around the Lakeyard. It is ancient and stood watch as the Victorian homes were built around the lake over one hundred years ago. The branches alone are the size of average trees. What history it has experienced and what storms it has endured in its lifetime!

Lake DeFuniak, one of the two natural, almost perfectly circular, spring-fed lakes in the world.

Chautauqua Sunset

~Moon rising, framed by Florida pines~