Today my friend De and I were scheduled for an adventure. We never really know what the adventure might be… all we know that being together IS the adventure.
Here and there in DeLand, Florida.
She had discovered this cute little mystical shop in Deland called: My Cauldron. She knew I would love it when she saw their herb section. She was right. A very unassuming place… something like a cottage, exactly what a place called ‘my cauldron’ should look like. As we pulled into the parking lot we noticed a jovial man with a white well groomed beard watering some plants and De remarks how she never knows ‘exactly’ where to park when she pulls in. Lo and behold the gentleman turns around and flails his hands in the air letting her know that she was not parking where the ‘un-designated’ parking was.
… we both Laughed!! and so the adventure begins.
I entered’My Cauldron’ and was instantly greeted me with a delightful aroma of a mixture of incense, I specifically was interested in seeing the herb display and discovered a little bit of this and a little bit of that: oils, crystals, incense, and yes herbs! Herbs for culinary and or magik use; as for me tea time is a great kind of magic.
‘My Cauldron”s hidden treasure I would say was Rob, the store owner. His stories about the store and how he got the place, how he found a great deal with the lovely oak book shelves in one of the rooms and about a lady called Mystic who he was calling about ordering incense and how ‘coincidentally’ she commented how Rob was listening to her… and there was a small banter about the fact that Rob was not only hearing her talk on the phone but the music that Rob was listening was actually Mystic singing! Now that was a story.
The array of herbs where displayed on shelf that was from wall to wall and ceiling to floor – bottle to bottle! Lovely! Vanilla beans, ginger, cinnamon sticks just some of the herbs that caught my attention and of course there were items I’ve never heard of such as Hawaiian Black Salt. 
I brought home their last copy of ‘20,000 Secrets of Tea’ by Victoria Zak- he said they can never keep enough in stock.
Our travels took us to Funky Trunk Treasures in Deland where the owner Kim Cline greeted us with smiles and hugs. This place is the spot to go to when looking for items from local artists and of course some oddities such as vintage shoes called ‘Miss Daisy’?!!! 
On our way out Kim asked where were we heading to… and I replied, “We are looking for trouble and I sense it’s not far”. Funny… as soon as we walked out to our chariot we found a pleasant little envelope nicely tucked under the wind shield – a parking ticket! ( I believe I spoke too soon!)
Such adventures requires fuel and with that came the discovery of another hidden treasure, an eatery in Artisan Alley appropriately called ‘Dally in the Ally’ where we feasted on a Fall salad called Indian Harvest tastefully packed with caramelized winter squash, long grain brown rice, black barley, cranberry vinaigrette, sunflower seeds, orange, mint, garden greens this was served with a delicious glass of raspberry iced tea and we sipped it through an old time classic paper straw. Oh how scrumptious!
Now you may think that the hidden treasure may be a place or destination… when in fact hidden treasures are those special unique moments that can only be found in the heart of another. The hidden treasure is to find someone you can share parts of your life, your laughter, your stories and to equally rejoice with their stories, laughter and life.
Thank you De.
