Welcome to Lilacs and Snowflakes. I am Alexis, a native of Rochester, NY, and I want to share with you some of the things that make my hometown and surrounding areas so awesome.
My Latest Posts
- Wildlife: RFalcon CamIf you enjoy wildlife but don’t want to leave the city or simply don’t know where to start, there is RFalcon Cam! This began in 1998 with some employees of Kodak (a company that got its start locally) setting up cameras to watch the peregrine falcons that regularly came to roost on the building. The… Read more: Wildlife: RFalcon Cam
- Small Business/Food: Popcorn Charlie’sWho doesn’t love popcorn? Light and crunchy with infinite flavorings possible to add, it’s the perfect snack not just for movies, but for really any time. But sometimes it can be a hassle to make in your own space. We all have a nightmare story of a roommate or office partner stinking up the microwave… Read more: Small Business/Food: Popcorn Charlie’s
- Activism: ROC MaidanI don’t know about you, but when I heard about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a few months ago, my heart immediately went out to the people of Ukraine. I couldn’t pretend that I knew much about the history of the region, but I knew enough from WWII and afterwards to know Ukraine has not had… Read more: Activism: ROC Maidan
- Small Business/Food and Drink: Pittsford Farm DairyI can’t remember how I first heard about Pittsford Farm Dairy, but it must have been when I was living in East Rochester, a short drive away from their main (and then only) location. I was trying to support local businesses, and they somehow came up on my radar, so I swung by. At that… Read more: Small Business/Food and Drink: Pittsford Farm Dairy
- Small business/pets: The Dog SpawI remember several years ago talking with a stranger online (yeah, I know) about getting my dog groomed, and he was bewildered and even condescending, thinking I was getting some silly vanity cut for my dog, something that wasn’t necessary. No, I explained: dogs, especially dogs that don’t shed, are unable to groom themselves in… Read more: Small business/pets: The Dog Spaw
- Activism: Batman of San JoséI know what you’re thinking: How could a dark knight from California be relevant to Rochester and the Finger Lakes? Well, as you will see as this blog progresses, we are proud of our transplants to Rochester, not just our native-born sons and daughters. As his name implies, Batman of San José’s origin story began… Read more: Activism: Batman of San José
- Charities/Pets: The MIA FoundationI first became aware of The MIA Foundation when local news did a story on them about ten or so years ago. Mia was a tiny chihuahua (yes, tiny even by the standards of chihuahuas!) born with a cleft palette who vets had suggested euthanizing because of her disabilities. Her owner, Sue Rogers, refused and… Read more: Charities/Pets: The MIA Foundation
- Pets: Brighton Animal HospitalNow I know what you’re thinking: “If I am visiting Rochester, would I actually go visit a veterinarian if I didn’t have to?” Well, probably not, but I want this blog to highlight all sorts of independent businesses in Rochester/the Finger Lakes, not just ones you’d visit as a tourist. Who knows – if you… Read more: Pets: Brighton Animal Hospital
- Small Business/Food: Hedonist Artisan ChocolatesI have been down with Hedonist from the beginnings. Many, many years ago they were just a stall at the local farmer’s market, giving out free samples of lavender truffles. I remember the type of truffle distinctly because I had never eaten culinary lavender before, and I was dreading that it would taste like a… Read more: Small Business/Food: Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
- Obligatory Introductory PostSeveral years back, I had the idea for this blog. I even started a version of it, but didn’t do a whole lot with it. Now is the time to correct that error! This blog is dedicated to all things Rochester and the Finger Lakes. We are more than just lilacs and snowflakes! Thanks to… Read more: Obligatory Introductory Post
Lilacs and Snowflakes 