December 21st, 2011
Warm in Rehoboth Beach. I like it that way, even though at this time of the year I really do like winter to show its face for the holidays.
Rehoboth is known for its good restaurants; great chefs introducing their innovative cuisine is what a lot of foodies in the area want to experience.
Delray Beach, Florida is known also for its restaurants. One after another you will find them on Atlantic Avenue, which is ”Main Street”. Italian, Japanese, American, French, and Latin.
Years ago another street was introduced in Delray Beach. The street is NE 2nd Ave. This is known as Pineapple Grove, due to the produce that was grown in years past. It looked, at the time, that it would end up being an extension of Atlantic Ave.
Well, it has turned out to be one of the hippest parts of town; sidewalks are lined with art, sculptures, bookstores, eateries; downtown living at its best. The residents of Pineapple Grove have everything accessible to them, including gyms and postal service. Oh, and don’t forget that they are pretty close to the beach, as well; a bike ride or a short drive.
 Early Sunday a.m. One thing that Delray Beach has taken to the next level is the availability to dine ”al fresco”. A temperate climate in South Florida is so conducive for this type of dining. In Delray you might find yourselves dining right on the sidewalk or in some private garden, as well. The sidewalks are wide enough to let the pedestrian activity run smoothly.
Brule Bistro is located at 200 NE 2nd Ave., Suite 109, Delray Beach, FL 33444. It is right on City Walk which has retail on the bottom. Tel. 561-274-2046. Website? http://www.brulebistro.com.
This past summer I went on a hot day and thought it was delicious. Again, just a few weeks ago, it was the choice for my son and I on a perfect day in the Village by the Sea.
Brule has a casual atmosphere. The bistro is known for its extensive collection of wines. It has take out; no reservations, though. It opens early and closes late. The website has a full menu for you to check out. And, specials every day.
The staff was friendly and knew the menu well. There was an excitement as I asked my server what the dish that he had just served to another table was. I ordered that lunch special of salmon over roasted beets. It was considered a salad and I did not want it to end.
I first started with a Chilled Gazpacho with a yogurt creme. The gazpacho was homemade, no canned tomato juice there.
Then came that salmon over the roasted beet salad. I usually write down what I am eating but it the excitement of it all, I forgot. At least, the photo says it all.
My son started with a Shrimp Ceviche in a citrus and chili marinade, served with avocado and the thinnest of warm house chips.
Then an order of their Brule Club with roasted turkey, bacon, arugula, tomato, avocado, Asiago and pesto aioli on a multigrain bread. It was a handsome portion, perfectly displayed. Gone in not time.
 
No desserts for us….we were perfectly happy.
If you are in the Village by the Sea….check it out and let me know what you think. You can write to me to the blog or visit AboutMyBeaches on Facebook.
December 18th, 2011
The last time I was in Delray Beach, I took off walking late in the afternoon, just before dusk. It comes to mind today as I wake up in Rehoboth Beach on a cold morning. Thinking that walkers are already out and about in Delray enjoying some warm weather. It is a great town for walking, biking or jogging.
I have mentioned before what a beautiful beach Delray has. Walking on A1A you can get a full view, and on a pretty day it just breathtaking.
The entrance to someone’s house or patio always attracts my attention; the beautiful and colorful bougainvilleas are one of my favorites.
Another favorite of mine are the seagrapes. I noticed they were getting ready. The darker, the sweeter they are.
Then I was at the intersection of A1A and Atlantic Avenue. This is a major intersection for this town. The ocean on your left and heading west on Atlantic to all the shops and restaurants. I found it so odd that it was so quiet.
I then took a left on Gleason, when the church that I had seen so many times caught my attention. I don’t know if it was that time in the late afternoon, or that the moon had shown its face. It was so pretty. I took its picture.
I did not go in but I have a feeling that is was probably closed. Long gone are the days where churches stayed open 24/7.
The Church is very interesting and I have made a mental note to stop by the next time I find myself in town.
“In 1924, a local Baptist congregation built a new sanctuary where the Church is now located. It was the only one built on the Delray Beach barrier island; considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the city. The architect was F. J. Schrader. He was also the builder and financial underwriter. His inspiration? A church in Florence, Italy. This church was less ornate, though.
Mr. Schrader, and a small crew consisting of a carpenter, a plumber and an electrician faced the difficult task of building the church’s large cypress trusses. At the time, it was said this was the most Floridian of all churches in Florida.
Originally, it was called the Gibson Memorial Baptist Church. After the real estate crash of 1926 and the hurricanes that followed, the congregation was unable to finish paying Mr. Schrader.
After the 1928 hurricane, local Presbyterians rented the church; then, they bought it.”
In 1977, after a new sanctuary was built, the original church became the Fellowship Hall for the First Presbyterian Church. It is located at 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-276-6338. Website? www.firstdelray.com
The new Interim Senior Pastor is Rev. Dr. Lawrence McBride “Mack” Sigmon. Sunday worship is at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Saturday, 12/24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services will be from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, 12/25 – Christmas Day Candlelight Worship Services will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
This church has a historic designation. There are 26 buildings in Delray Beach with such designation due to their age and architectural or historical significance.
Have a beautiful day!!….Talk to you later.
Note: Information for this post was taken from the Historical Marker and from the Church’s website.
December 9th, 2011
Purpose: “To advance the public interest in the visual arts and to promote the development of excellence in visual arts in the South Palm Beach area.” delray art league
There is definitely a schedule, but when I see the banner I know that the Artists are in the Park. And, this is one of those week-ends. Right on Veterans Park, by the Intracoastal you will see the white tents.
It is going to be a crowded Saturday in Delray so get there early and stay awhile.
Artists in the Park have been in the community for over 46 years. Susan sent me an e-mail and told me that their Larry Marini Art Education Fund has donated back to the community so that students may have the opportunity to experience the arts through scholarships and supplies. Artists in the Park have donated to Old School Square, Milagro Center, Atlantic High School, Sister Cities, FAU, Delray Beach Library, Plumosa School of the Arts and so many others.
It is South Florida’s longest running outdoor fine art show and sale. You will find a variety of mediums; watercolors, oils, acrylics, photography, and sculpture.
It is free and it starts at 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
If you want to learn more about the Delray Art League, please visit www.delrayartleague.com.
Have a great week-end. Talk to you later….
December 9th, 2011
Snowbird? or, Snowflake? If you are in South Florida and around Delray Beach, check this out because they have a pretty busy schedule starting tonight.
Friday, 12/9 – It is the much awaited Boyton & Delray Beaches Annual Boat Parade – The decorated boats line up at the Boyton Beach Inlet and south they will travel along the Intracoastal to the C-15 Canal in Delray. Viewing areas are located at the Boyton Harbor Marina and along the parade route. Pre party starts at 5:30 p.m., live music, pictures with Santa at the Boyton Harbor Marina by Two Georges. Note: Please bring a new and unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
If you want to view the parade from an advantage point, then see if you can get on one of the cruises from Delray Yacht Cruises. This specialty cruise designed for the Boat Parade is $60. Please visit http://www.delraybeachcruises.com/schedule.html, or call 561-243-0686.
Tonight is called Free Friday Concerts with The Dillingers being the Main Event. Where? The Crest Theatre & Outdoor Pavilion, located at 51 N. Swinton Avenue. It opens at 7 p.m. with the food trucks, and cash bar. Bring a chair and blankets but there will be chair rentals available, as well. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. The Dillingers are a mix of traditional and contemporary blues. They are considered “Surfabilly”. Check their website at http://www.thedillingers.com. The concert will be held rain or shine, cold or warm. No pets, please and no outside food or drinks either. The concert is free.
Saturday, 12/10 – Kids at the Tree at Old School Square, 51, N. Swinton Ave. Visit Santa and play in the snow? at the famous 100-foot Christmas Tree from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This is a Free event.
Saturday, 12/10 – You might as well stay in town for the Delray Beach Holiday Parade. This year’s theme is Celebrating the Centennial. Parade begins on Atlantic Ave. at Venetian Drive and heads west to the Courthouse at 6 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12/16 – 12/18 – Musical Moments on Ice. This song-inspired ice skating spectacular is set to the music of the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Location? The Crest Theatre & Outdoor Pavilion. Please visit http://www.oldschool.org/performances.asp.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 12/22-12/24 – It is Steve Solomon’s My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m Home for the Holidays…The Therapy continues. This is a new Holiday show to be held at the Crest Theatre located at 51 North Swinton. Tickets are $30. Please visit http://www.oldschool.org/performances.asp.
If that schedule is not your cup of tea, then head for the beach….talk to you later.
December 8th, 2011
Every time I make this recipe I get those “ooohs and aaahs” you want to hear. It is, actually, pretty good. For lunch? For dinner? You decide.
It is really a healthy recipe; light and ready in no time. Great for a crowd; you can double it, or for just a few.
Hope you like it. Here it goes:
Asian Chicken Slaw
1 cup low calorie sesame-ginger salad dressing (I used Wish-Bone’s Light Asian with Sesame & Ginger Vinaigrette)
1 lb. chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 can (14.5 ounces) Mandarin oranges
1/2 lb. sugar snap peas, sliced
1 cup fresh basil, cut into thin strips
2 bunches scallions, trimmed and chopped
1 bag (16 ounces) cole slaw mix
1/8 tsp. salt (optional)
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Combine 1/2 cup of the dressing with the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Let it stand for about 20 minutes.
Toast almonds in a non-stick skillet, over medium-high heat for a few minutes. Watch them so they don’t burn. You want to obtain a light brown color.
Remove chicken from marinade and add to that same skillet or use another one. Cook over medium-high heat until the chicken is nicely done, turning a few times. It might take about 7 minutes or so. You want it cooked through. Then, cut into bite-size pieces.
Drain Mandarin oranges, reserving 1/4 cup juice. Whisk juice into remaining 1/2 cup salad dressing.
In a large salad bowl, toss cabbage, sugar snap peas, basil, scallions, cole slaw mix, salt, pepper and chicken with dressing.
Add Mandarin oranges and almonds; gently stir to distribute well. Serve and enjoy.
If you would like more dressing…then you know what to do….yes, make it your own…..talk to you later….
November 22nd, 2011
Monday was the perfect day to write this post. First of all, I am back from Delray Beach, Florida. And, second of all, because it was, actually, one of those misty, rainy, Fall days in Rehoboth Beach. Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying it. But, I am also remembering last Thursday when I had the day all to myself in Delray….yes, in that Village by the Sea.
Last Thursday was gorgeous. I decided to go and sit on the beach for a few hours. Knowing that I was coming back to the cold weather, I was trying to get the last bit of sun. That was a good thing, since Friday was a stormy day in South Florida.
I have told you before about the beach in Delray. No buildings to block the sun. All you see is the beach. The water was so blue and crystal clear. I had all my beach essentials; a chair, hat, sunscreen, and water. Actually, I think my chair is too low. I need a new one. A little trivial… but that’s what you do when you are on vacation.
I have been wanting to cruise the Intracoastal. Right from Veterans Park on Atlantic Ave., by the bridge, you will find the Lady Atlantic and Lady Delray. I wanted to go on one of those. Departure? 1:30 p.m. for the 2 plus hours of sightseeing.
Delray Yacht Cruises is located at 801 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-243-0686. Website? www.delrayyachtcruises.com.
There is parking available so don’t worry about that. Remember that this is now the holiday season and these cruises will book early.
The other day, it was pretty easy since it was not that crowded. The Lady Atlantic was our yacht and you can start boarding at 1:00 p.m. Promptly they will leave at 1:30 p.m. My cruise was what they called a Daily Two-Hour Narrated Sightseeing Cruise. They have one at 10:30 a.m. and one at 1:30 p.m.
The cruises are Tuesdays through Sundays. If you are visiting Delray this week and would like to book a cruise, please check the website above mentioned.
 Intracoastal looking North from Lady Atlantic. They have special event cruises and you will need to make a reservation. For example, Sunset Cruises, Brunch Cruises, Thanksgiving Day Cruises which will include a Turkey Feast, or a Twilight Cruise on Thanksgiving to relax after eating so much Turkey.
December will bring a whole new schedule of cruises with Holiday Lights Cruises, Boat Parades, (Boyton & Delray Beaches and Boca Raton), Holiday Luncheon and Dinner Cruises, New Years Eve Cruises….call 561-243-0686 for details.
The Lady Atlantic and Lady Delray are available for private charters, as well. Please call for more info.
Lady Atlantic was ready and we were all aboard trying to get the best seats. Some were already sitting on the first level. I went inside to see how the boat looked. Beautiful woods and understated decorations.
The Lady Atlantic is fairly new. This 105 foot yacht was delivered in 2008 and was designed for South Florida’s Intracoastal Waterways.
The Intracoastal runs most of the length of the Eastern Seaboard. Natural inlets, salt water rivers, bays and sounds; some are also artificial canals.
Some of us chose to sit outdoors on the upper deck. On such a pretty day you had an advantage point.
Breanna, my server, was great. I ordered a blackened mahi mahi sandwich. Just as we started the cruise it arrived and it was truly delicious.
This was a narrated cruise. We were going south and we were about to cross 3 bridges; Atlantic Ave., Linton, and Spanish River en route to Boca. The same on the way back.
The narration started with the safety of the yacht and the history of the intracoastal. We would not be going fast; there were manatees to worry about. Some parts of the intracoastal are wide and very deep and others; so narrow and shallow.
The narrations kept us all entertained. Who lives on the intracoastal? Which are the tear downs and who owned those magnificent houses along the intracoastal? Some are specs; others gifts to someone special. You will have to go on the tour and learn more and even see them decorated for the holidays.
  
I met people from Ohio and from Chicago. Just on vacation they were; taking a day off from the beach, shopping and restaurants.
The yacht was smooth and very relaxing. Those 2 hours were gone in no time and pretty soon we were back in Delray.
I totally recommend it. I had a great time.
Have a great Holiday!! Talk to you later….
November 12th, 2011
One of the attractions in Delray Beach on a Saturday mornings is the Delray Beach GreenMarket. This GreenMarket is part of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). It is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The location is right in the heart of this Village by the Sea, just south of Atlantic Ave. on SE 4th Ave.
The Manager is Lori Nolan and she can be contacted at 561-276-7511 if you have any questions.
   
It is so nice to stroll through the vendors. Their produce was amazing; the colors and sizes were unreal. Food and music are part of it all.
 
I had never seen eggplants as big as these ones. They said they were Sicilian Eggplants; mild and creamy to sweet and bitter.
On a sunny day like today with low humidity it was the perfect way to start the day.
This little dog was there enjoying herself, just like everyone else.
The Delray Art League’s purpose is “to advance the public interest in the visual arts and to promote the development of excellence in visual arts in the South Palm Beach area”. The Delray Art League is the sponsor of Artists in the Park. Just look for the white tents right on Veteran’s Park by the Intracoastal.
It is the longest running outdoor fine art show in South Florida. Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The Art League’s website is www.delrayartleague.org. On Facebook you can find both, Artists in the Park and Delray Art League.
Talk to you later…have a good one!!
November 12th, 2011
Is that time of the year when getting colder up north means that you are either a Snowbird or a Snowflake. I think I am in the category of the Snowflake. The snowflakes just come and go. Don’t get me wrong, I like cold weather, within reason. But, the other day I saw that someone had written on Facebook, where else? I love it when it gets cold up north. It was from someone that had a business in South Florida. And, yes, the season has begun. The airports are a little crowded, reservations are a most in some of the most sought after restaurants. You know the drill, right?
When I opened my computer I saw that even though it is going to warm up during the day…38 degrees in Rehoboth Beach….hmmmm this post was then much needed.
I have been in Delray Beach now since 2003. You have heard me go on and on about how unobstructed the beaches are here. No tall buildings, just a few things are needed to enjoy the beach; the water with beautiful color and it is so clear. That’s what originally attracted me to this town. Also, it reminded me of Rehoboth Beach, my home.
When my husband I first came here, we were sitting at a restaurant having breakfast and we picked up a real estate magazine. We thought we would just look around. That started a relationship with Cheran Tauriello from Tauriello & Co., located at 900 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL. 33483. Tel. 561-278-5570. Toll free # 877-509-8300. Brokers of Record & Owners: Daniel & Sue Tauriello
They have been so easy to work with. They are very professional. In Delray Beach for so many years; they know the community, neighborhoods and the company deals with a wide variety of properties.
I have suggested them to friends, as well. And my own personal feelings are that I have not had to look anywhere else. They really have been very good to us.
Tauriello & Co. is one of my advertisers. To go directly into their site, click on their website on the right hand side of this blog.
Anita Jennings Designs – I have known Anita for so many years. She is from my Humacao, Puerto Rico. That’s where I grew up. And, I found her in Delray when we bought our place. Anita is a one woman show with many years of experience in design. She is also very easy to work with and speaks several languages. Her telephone is 561-278-7473. She is one of my advertisers, just click on her website on the right hand side of this blog to go directly into her site and see what she is all about.
 Atlantic Ave. going East Beach House Management – Michael Keegan is the Property Manager that I have used since 2003. Being out of town, having a property management company to take care of your place is not a luxury, but a necessity. I have to laugh because when you visit Beach House Management’s website, you will find a list of services provided by them. If I had to tell you the services Michael has provided for us, there would be no end. Many are listed there but the majority are not. Some funny and some not so funny.
I always say that I cannot live without him; it is still true. Beach House Management is located in the heart of Delray Beach. Call Michael at 561-376-4329. Website? www.MyBeachHouses.com. Fax: 561-330-6204. Or, email him to BeachHouseMgmt@aol.com.
Beach House Management is also one of my advertisers. You can just click on their website and you will be right there. They really have been constant and attentive and great to deal with.
I don’t think I had to beg them to become advertisers; well, maybe a little. Word of mouth, a blog, a website….it all helps.
So, what are you waiting for?…..talk to you later….
 
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