Old Dominion Bank - Lake Sumter Landing

Happy New Year!

We're back...sort of. While we have moved "successfully" across town, we're still inundated by "stuff" and the trials and tribulations (and joys) of moving into a new place, along with the various responsibilities of selling an "old" house.

So, posting will be sporadic at best for awhile.

But, we wanted to thank all of our special friends in the photoblogging world for wishing us well at Christmas and giving us such great support during our move. We deeply appreciate your concern and your kind words.

In return and in gratitude, we send our best wishes to each of you for a wonderful New Year!

[We'll repeat this message on our other blogs. If you check Ocala Daily Photo, you'll find a photo of the entrance to our new community - Stone Creek, in Ocala.]

Holiday greetings from The Villages

We'll be out-of-pocket for a week or so as we're moving to the other side of Ocala. Thus, I'll not be able to post or comment. We send our best wishes to all of our blogging friends for a wonderful holiday and hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Lake Sumter Landing

Lakeside living - Spanish Springs

Lake Sumter Landing at night

La Reina Professional Building

La Reina, as you may recall, is located in Spanish Springs, and was originally the Sales Office for The Villages. It is now used by a restaurant and a variety of businesses. This is a side staircase leading to some of those business organizations.

Alas, this photo will not embiggen.

Spanish Springs sunset

Purple grasses at Lake Sumter Landing

The Villages Florida Book has used another of our photos. You can view that very informative site here, where you'll find everything you need to know or want to know about living in The Villages.

At the bar at RJ Gator's in Lake Sumter Landing

This gentleman, seated at the bar at RJ Gator's Sea Grille in Lake Sumter Landing, was intently watching the recent football game between Alabama and the Florida Gators. I don't think the game ended the way he had hoped.

The Old Concession Mill

If you need a quick bite to eat or something to drink, you can stop at the Old Concession Mill next to the theater in Lake Sumter Landing.

A paean to the "good old days"

Lake Sumter Landing

The Rialto - Spanish Springs

Ryan Erisman is the owner/author of the The Villages Florida Book, which offers a plethora of information relative to The Villages. Mr. Erisman will be using our photos from time to time to give his readers another view of The Villages.

You can view the first photo in this post.

One-legged legstand

The one-legged legstand did not last long...a mighty wind blew up and almost blew this Egret off it's ropey perch!

Barnes & Noble - Lake Sumter Landing

A night view of part of the front facade of the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Lake Sumter Landing...posterized.

This photo will also enlarge by clicking on it.

The Sabal Trust Company (Lake Sumer Landing)

Would you entrust your financial security to a trust company that is located in what appears to be a replica of an old school building? Of course! It's a beautiful building, located in downtown Lake Sumter Landing. I'd go inside but I'm afraid I'd learn something.

Click to embiggen.

Winter in The Villages

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The lighthouse at Lake Sumter Landing

Most of our shots of this lighthouse have been taken from across the lake. It looks a bit different up close. You may also recall that the lighthouse building also includes a very popular restaurant which we have yet to patronize.

For some reason, this photo will increase in size if you go "click" on it.

We are very busy selling our house and moving to another part of town. If the past couple days are indicative of what lies ahead, I'll probably be able to only post and comment sporadically for the next few weeks. But I will do the best I can because I hate to miss all the great photos of our CDP friends!

Golf cars at Lake Sumter Landing

Golf cars are the main mode of transportation in The Villages. As you can see, they are versatile - you can park 'em head first or you can back 'em in. This photo was treated with a Triqui colored sketch effect. And it will enlarge if you click on it.

Backing out of Thai Ruby

Although we haven't eaten at Thai Ruby's (Lake Sumter Landing) yet, we hear the food is very good. So, we'll visit soon. I think this gentleman ate his full, and is backing out his golf car to return to his home in the Lake Sumter Landing area.

The photo will get larger if you dare click on it.

Waiting for fish at Lake Sumter Landing

This month's theme is "Waiting." Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Please click on the photo to make it bigger.

Dance lessons at Lake Sumter Landing

Click on photo to embiggen.

Be American?

"Stand up for America!! Be American!!" Hmmm. Wonder what that means? Since I live in the U.S., does that count? If I see George and/or Lois, I'll ask them.

Just to be picky, it should read "Stand up for the USA. Be a USA-an." Still sounds a little defensive.

I mean, Canadians are "Americans" (North Americans). Mexicans are "Americans" (Central Americans). Brazilians are "Americans" (South Americans).

Cody's in Lake Sumter Landing

Until recently, this was a fish place. Now it's a Cody's Roadhouse, just like the Cody's Roadhouse we have in Ocala. Cody's is a fun place, where you can drink beer, eat peanuts and toss the shells on the floor. The food isn't bad, either.

Click photo to enlarge.

BMW in Lake Sumter Landing

I may be wrong, but I think this car may belong to Safe Leif from Eagan, Minnesota! He didn't tell me he was coming, though. Perhaps he wanted to surprise me. Nah, it couldn't be his; there's no rust spots from the salt used to melt the ice up there.

Nice car, though. I smoothed things over a little bit.

If you go "click" on the photo it should grow larger.

We shall be gone for a few days and I may not be able to post or comment until we get back. But we will be back.

On the vine at Lake Sumter Landing

I do not know the name of this bird. And he wouldn't tell me. But I took his picture anyway.

Click to embiggen.

Main Street at night - Spanish Springs

Click photo to embiggen.

A great way to end the day in Spanish Springs

Click photo to embiggen.

Small creek in Spanish Springs (Original)

It seems some folks out there in photo blogging land were not too enthusiastic about my Triqui paint effect (posted yesterday) and suggested they would like to see the original.

Their wish is my command. This is the original. No paint effect.

So whaddaya like best, my friends? :-))

Oh, yeah, click to embiggen.

Small creek in Spanish Springs

Located in downtown Spanish Springs, this small creek was processed with the Triqui paint effect.

Click to embiggen.

Which one would you choose?

A golf car scene at Lake Sumter Landing. Click to embiggen.

Evening in downtown Spanish Springs

Photo by Lois Anne. Click to embiggen.

Fix your "curves" here

Curves, in Spanish Springs, offers a physical redo. But, be careful what you wish for...

TooJay's at night

TooJay's, one of our favorite restaurants in The Villages, offers patrons open-air eating on a warm fall evening.

Sunset at Spanish Springs

Click photo to embiggen.

Jewelry repair

This is specialty advertising in Lake Sumter Landing. Would you get your jewelry repaired here? She's got no eyes!

Click photo to embiggen.

Heron at dusk - Spanish Springs

Click photo to embiggen.

Spanish Springs - downtown

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Condos on the lake - Spanish Springs

Look closely and you'll see an anhinga drying its wings in the tree on the left.

Photo by Lois Anne. Please click to embiggen.

Community church in Spanish Springs

Photo by Lois Anne. Click to embiggen.

Stairway in blue in Lake Sumter Landing

Late afternoon in Spanish Springs

Photo by Lois Anne. Click to embiggen.

Spanish Springs bridge - evening

Click photo to embiggen.

Decoration in Spanish Springs

Photo by Lois Anne; click to embiggen.

Downtown Spanish Springs

Click on the photo to embiggen.

Photo by Lois Anne.

From TooJay's Restaurant - Spanish Springs

Click on photo to embiggen.

Fishing in Spanish Springs

Click on photo to embiggen.

Garvino's in Lake Sumter Landing

This month's theme is Doorways. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Spanish Springs clock

Click on photo to embiggen.

Lake Sumter Landing - Checking out the gazebo

Scenes of downtown Lake Sumter Landing