Day 39 – Largest Bookstore in Sanford is Books A Million by Seminole Towne Center

Books a Million in Sanford FL

In case you are in need of a larger bookstore that carries all of the current bestsellers but also magazines/newspapers, text books, and other book related items, here is the largest one in the Sanford area as of today: Books-A-Million by the Seminole Towne Center Mall at 200 North Entrance Road, Sanford, FL 32771. They’re open until late but if you want to double check you can call them at 407-328-4700.

I love American bookstores (even though I am what you would call a “reluctant reader”), because you can actually site down and test read books in a cozy atmosphere – and you can even walk to the coffee shop inside (!) the bookstore and enjoy a cup of coffee while reading anything you can find in the bookstore. That’s just the perfect setting for a relaxed evening at the bookstore…

Day 38 – Brunch in Winter Park FL – Briarpatch Restaurant on Park Avenue

Briarpatch Restaurant Perfect for Brunch in Winter Park

Looking for a great place to have brunch in the Orlando area, not only on a weekend (that was our difficulty since most restaurants only offer brunch on Sundays)? I think I found the perfect place for a relaxed brunch: it’s called Briarpatch and is located on 252 North Park Avenue in Winter Park. Sitting outside you will be able to soak in the amazing flair that has made Winter Park on of the most popular places in Central Florida. Growing up in Europe, I am always in search for places that offer some authenticity and urban life. Even though rare, it is still possible to find those spots in Central Florida, and Winter Park is definitely one of them.

So since we decided to have brunch, also a bit more of a European custom, there was naturally no other place for me to start the search. And I was lucky! It didn’t take long for us to discover this cozy little restaurant as we were walking down Park Avenue. After a quick glance at the menu (serving hearty breakfast after 11 am makes it the perfect brunch place) we decided to grab a table before anyone else could. Briarpatch seems to be a popular place!

We tried their omelets (good and unique selection like Brie w/ apple, or Salmon) and were not disappointed. Other items on the large breakfast menu were various types of scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict and pancakes. The prices are very reasonable for the Park Avenue address, the attire is casual and so is the outside and the inside of this Winter Park eatery.

So for your next breakfast, lunch or brunch in a casual and cozy, yet “urbanely busy” environment, reminiscent of a small European town I would suggest you try Briarpatch on Park Ave. Oh, and should you go there on a Saturday morning, be sure to visit the Winter Park Farmer’s Market as well! More about that another time …

Day 37 – Deland is the other Sanford

Deland - Woodland Boulevard by Night

Now here’s a city that I call true competition to my beautiful Sanford: Deland, FL. We drove through the beautiful historic district Friday night after a late appointment and I had to stop and take some snapshots of the city. My apologies for the blurry images, I really should always carry a tripod with me

I have to admit, I have never been out in Deland (Volusia County), but after seeing all the life in downtown, people having a good time at the local restaurants and bars despite a very rainy day, I am determined to discover a bit more about what DeLand has to offer and do some research. I will post more info here as I make progress on this fun task. But always remember, Sanford is still my favorite place

Deland – Woodland Boulevard by Night

Day 36 – A Book For Reluctant Readers Like Me

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This picture/post is really not related to Sanford or living in the Sanford/Central Florida area, but just a personal entry related to my 365 project itself (therefore in category Personal), the challenge of taking a picture a day and what is currently important or just happening in my life. So unless you want to know about that part I suggest you just skip to another day (Really!)

Day 35 – Snapshot in Historic Residential District of Sanford

Historic Residential District of Sanford FL

Another beautiful day in Sanford I liked having the Stop sign in the foreground. It prompted me to stop and take this snapshot of a normal day in the historic residential district of Sanford. Even when walking through the streets on a weekday you will notice how peaceful and quiet it is.

Sanford Oktoberfest will be November 13

Good news! There will be a second chance for the Sanford Oktoberfest this year!

After the event on October 9th had been rained out with 4 inches (!) of rain, the organizers decided to re-do this popular event on Thursday, November 13th, 2008. Thank You

Novemberfest in Sanford? Why not? Either way, I think it will be just as fun and I can’t wait to go. The event starts at 5 pm on First Street in Sanford Downtown and will officially last until 9 pm. A live band, German folk dancers, great food and of course official Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier await you! After that it’s always fun to go to the German restaurant and let the evening end here. So mark your calendars, don’t miss Alive After Five’s most popular street party event!

I had posted about the Sanford Oktoberfest in the past, here are the previous posts.

Here is the video I took of the 2007 Sanford Oktoberfest:

Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts will be on November 1 and 2

Just a quick note that this year’s Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts will be held on November 1st and 2nd. The location will be Oval Park at Heathrow (just by Colonial Town Park).

This is the 22nd Annual Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts and is expected to be a big success with more than 50,000 people visiting this popular fall event in Lake Mary. There will be a juried art and crafts show, lots of local and state wide artists will exhibit their great work outdoors (the weather should be just fine with rainy season in Florida over), there will be fabulous entertainment and of course food and drinks. If you have some time the weekend of November 1st, you should stop by and see how art can inspire you. Last year I  was particularly impressed with the great art work that local elementary, middle and high school students had created. It was truly inspiring to me and it’s great to know that the festival is also awarding scholarships to gifted students.

Here’s more information about this arts festival in Lake Mary

And here a short video with impressions from last year. Hope to see you there

Day 34 – Dark alleys in Sanford are not always as dark as they seem

Dark Alley in Sanford

Don’t worry, there’s not really a dark alley in Sanford Downtown, at least not in a negative way. This is merely a shot I took of the small alley right off First Street next to the German restaurant and for some reason it caught my eye as I was walking by. Even though it looks kind of messy, it still had something artsy to me. Walking a bit into the alley I took the shot you see below. I thought the colors came out nicely and the warm oker makes such a nice contrast to the dark alley.

Close up of Dark Alley

Doesn’t look that dark anymore this little alley in Sanford. Without sounding too philosophical, just a reminder that dark alleys aren’t always as dark as you think, just as perceptions or reputations of cities, places and people aren’t always as bad as they may seem at first sight or based on hear say. Just look beyond them and enter the dark alley of misunderstandings to see what it truly reveals.

Day 33 – Park Place at Heathrow – The other side of H E Thomas Parkway in Lake Mary

Park Place at Heathrow

Here’s a view at Park Place at Heathrow in Lake Mary, FL, “the other side of H.E. Thomas Boulevard” facing the Colonial Town Park side.

Many of you will know this side because of Fishbones, my favorite seafood restaurant in the area. Unfortunately they raised their prices but they are still excellent and worth it, just not as often as I would like to.

Here’s a list of all current restaurants/eateries and bars at Park Place at Heathrow:

• Fishbones (As mentioned, best $eafood! You must see the patio! Wonderful and perfect for a nice Florida evening)
• Terra Mia
• Moe’s Southwest Grill
• Cigar Bar (Ladies Night on Thursdays, seems to be the the favorite day for Ladies Nights because Dexter’s and Liam Fitzgerald at Colonial Town Park have those, too)
• [The New European Dessert Place] (Just opened; will find out more soon and post!)
• Applebees (watch out for their Karaoke Nights)
• Shan Japanese Restaurant

I hope some more restaurants/bars fill the 2 empty spaces where Spice (yes, Spice of Winter Park and Lake Eola had a location here in Lake Mary) (formerly Harvey’s Bistro) and Wine Down (formerly Urban Flats, also has a location in Winter Park) used to be. It’s a great location here and it’s often overlooked by Colonial Town Park at the other side of H.E. Thomas Blvd., I think mainly because there are just more restaurants, bars and the movie theatre there and it keeps the small town fleir better than the rather regular looking plaza of Parkplace at Heathrow. Having said that, I want to point out though that Park Place at Heathrow offers entertainment, food and drinks that are just as good as their neighbors’ at Colonial Town Park. Therefore, our next night out in Lake Mary will be here. I think I’ll start with some light appetizers at Fishbones, a delicious dinner with fine Italian wine at Terra Mia, then have a small (yeah right!) dessert at the new dessert place before we end the night with some signature martinis (and a cigar for the boys) at the Cigar Bar

Please note I didn’t include any other businesses located at Park Place at Heathrow, but will mention them at a later point. In case you want to add another bar/restaurant here, please post a comment below and I will add it!

Day 32 – Fun Drawing

Here is a fun drawing of Jose and me The artist was quite nice actually… I have seen meaner caricature drawings in the past and was therefore always afraid to have one done. But we went to an event recently where they offered free caricature drawings and so I couldn’t say no any longer. When I went through things today I found it and took my daily picture (also since it’s a little too big to scan in, at least on my scanner…).