April 12th, 2011
That sign says it all for me. I know, it’s a little mundane but it is a cloudy day and shoes; my post today. They seem to be on my mind lately. But, I am not kidding you, I think the Delaware Beaches has shoes galore for all types, whether there are outlets or just your regular retail stores.
It must be because shoes are so easy to buy. It does not matter if you have gained weight or not. Is it impulse buying? Or, just something to brighten your day. I get it! Retail therapy with instant gratification. That’s it!!
In2Soles has been at this location for, I think, 2 years now. They are year-round. The location is 170 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-5202. Website? www.in2soles.com. To better get a feel for the store you should stop by because they do have very unique brands. Plus you get to meet their mascot.
At this time of the year, just like a lot of other store there are sales. You will find 40% off on selected shoes.
Besides shoes, which is what the store is known for they have accessories like handbags.
A line called Sox Trot of painted knee-highs; solids, prints and stripes. Perfect to wear with boots. Great designs.
An assortment of flip flops.
In2Soles is very well stocked. You will find clogs; Dansko’s new summer designs.
Sandals by B.Z. Moda
Slig Back Espadrilles by Eric Michaels. These ones were in the store last year. The neutral is a new color.
A brand called Camper which is very into recycling. In business for many years. This particular shoe had a huarache look and feel. If you want to learn more about them visit www.camper.com.
There were shoes for more dressy occasions and some had a more conversative look.
Then the more sporty and walking shoes were all around.
Platforms; they are still in.
This particular shoe was very stable and comfortable.
And so were these.
I have to mention the customer that was trying a pair of very cute sandals, and who graciously let met take her picture. They looked so cute on her; she had a very petite foot.
I feel like I just have gone shopping. Anyway, if the shoe fits……
Have a very nice day…talk to you later…..
April 11th, 2011
Earth Day, or as it used to be called, Arbor Day is on April 22nd. In reality, the whole month of April is considered to be Earth Month. As we all try ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, I could not help to think about one of my advertisers, Coastal Chem-Dry.
Coastal Chem-Dry of Sussex & New Castle Counties is independently and locally owned. Their telephones are: Sussex 302-645-2800, New Castle 302-234-0200. Website? www.chem-dry.net/coastal.de
As spring gets underway; by the way today is a perfect example of a nice spring day. You can smell it in the air. My friends are all getting yards ready, gutters cleaned, power washing this or that, spring cleaning of closets and carpet cleaning.
Coastal Chem-Dry is a green carpet cleaning company and green certified. The products are non toxic; the carpets dry quickly. Their primary cleaner, The Natural, is safe and non-toxic.
If you have pets in your house, I don’t care how “good” they are, there are accidents to attend to. Chem-Dry has a specially formulated product to eliminate stains and odors. It is called P.U.R.T., which stands for Pet Urine Removal Treatment. If you need this treatment, once the carpet is treated, plastic is put over the spots for 24 hours. Then, all you do is vacuum over the treated areas. That simple.
If you call the Sussex County number above mentioned, you will talk to Angie. A few of my friends have already met him. All it took was one call and he was there immediately. Personalized service is something to be said about. And by the way, he is very friendly and thorough.
Have a great day!!!….It is warm, finally….
April 9th, 2011
It was a road trip that Debbie and I took with anticipation to Berlin, Maryland. For many years both of us traveled this route every day, pretty much. Our children went to school in this historic town.
Berlin is in Worcester County; 7 miles west of Ocean City. The town dates back to the 1790’s.
This historic town is a darling with Hollywood. Two major movies were filmed on location; Runaway Bride in 1998 and Tuck Everlasting in 2001.
We were going to Ta Da at 18 N Main St., Berlin, MD 2811. Tel. 410-641-4430. Websites? http://www.blairelizabeth.com and www.shoptada.com.
The store is owned by Patty Falck and her daughter, Blair Elizabeth Parsons. It is a partnership that is worth seeing. Both complement each other so well. I love seeing them exchanging ideas with their customers. They have a good “eye” and Ta Da is very well appointed; the colors and the merchandise.
It is the type of store where you can find gifts for the home, weddings, birthdays and for your own indulgence. A little retail therapy, perhaps?
Blair Elizabeth started designing her own jewelry some years ago and I must admit she is getting better and better. The combination of stones and shells are breathtaking. I took pictures of some of her necklaces so that you could get an idea of her style.
After all these jewelry pictures all you need is the jewelry bag for traveling. Locally handmade, they can hold a lot.
There is a whole room just for gifts for babies and toddlers.
An assortment of totes in so many colors and designs. You can never have too many of those.
I noticed they had a table with jelly watches in all the summery colors to match any outfit.
Ta Da has nuts and sauces; platters and bowls.
A line of personalized gifts was also something I had not seeing at the store before.
Patty has been a teacher and a shopkeeper for so many years; well known for her artistic talent. She has a line of handpainted glass that is really beautiful. One such piece is the Wedding Vase. It is her signature piece and traditionally, she paints white lilies with the wedding date and the couple’s names. A message from the person giving the gift is placed at the bottom of the vase. It is elegant and definitely a keepsake. There are other styles available, which she would be more than happy to talk to you about.
Another line Ta Da has been carrying is Lindsay Phillips. The shoes are flats and flip flops with snap ons that you can mix and match in different colors and designs. People that have bought them say they are very comfortable.
Ta Da has very good news. They are opening next week Ta Da Home right across the street. This store is going to be something worth stopping by. Patty has been working hard and she is the type of person that once she opens that store everything is going to look just right.
Have a good one…..talk to you later….
April 8th, 2011
I know, it has been raining all day; cold, as well. What happened to the spring? The trees look beautiful; the pear and cherry trees are amazing. Even with the weather the way it has been, I will have to tell you that our coastal town is crowded. Slowly, more and more events are on the schedule and here is what you will find if you are visiting us this week-end. Or, if you live here too.
Saturday, 4/9 – Vendors Group Open House from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Comfort Inn located at 19210 Coastal Highway (Rt.1), in Rehoboth. Vendors on site: Close to my Heart, Tastefully Simple, Thirty One, Longaberger, Island Time International, Silpada, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Arbonne and Michelle Piling.
Available to you tomorrow will be cash and carry items, take orders, book parties, and more. 10 door prizes and light refreshments. More info? E-mail vendorsgroup@mail.com. Bring a friend.
Saturday, 4/9 – A Grand Opening – Artworx 19971 – Museum Gallery. From 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Celebration Mall, 20 Baltimore Ave., right next to Clear Space Theatre. Meet the artists and enjoy local artwork. Affordable art by Rehoboth Beach artists. The Gallery is staffed by the artists themselves. Website? http://www.artworx19971.com. You can find them on Facebook.
Until Sunday, 4/10 – A Women’s Event!! – Women’s Fest 2011 sponsored by CAMP Rehoboth. Walking tours, workshops, seminars and so much more. Nationally acclaimed entertainment with Comic, Jennie McNulty. A new addition this year is Broadwalk on the Boardwalk for Breast Cancer. Call 302-227-5620 for tickets and info. The website is www.camprehoboth.com. This event started on Thursday.
Tuesday, 4/12 – Broadway Bound final performance at 5 p.m. at Clear Space Theatre, 20 Baltimore Ave. Tickets are $5 and are available for purchase at the door. More info? Please call 302-227-2270 or visit www.clearspacetheatre.org.
Until Sunday, 4/17 – The Secret Garden – directed by David Ruttura. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $15 for students and $5 for children 12 and under. They are available online at www.clearspacetheatre.org, by phone 302-227-2270 or in person at the box office located at 20 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
This year marks the centennial of the original novel’s publication, and the 20th anniversary of the Broadway musical.
The story centers on the young orphan Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with an uncle she has never met. The spirits of her lost loved ones guide her through these trying times as the girl helps bring new life to a broken family.
Monday, 4/18 – Backstage Lecture Series brought by Clear Space Theatre Company. This month the focus will be American Folk Music. The lecture is “All Over This Land: American Regional Folk Music”. The guest speaker will be Dr. Saul Broudy who will lead the discussion in the series, designed to give audiences and artists alike a peek into the inner workings of various faces of the performing arts.
His program is presented in a musical travelogue format. For example, Louisiana; songs of the French Cajuns and a Hank Williams song he stole from them says Broudy. Then, Waltz Across Texas, hear the blues of the Mid-south on the harmonica, leave Oklahoma to start over in California with “dustbowl” ballads, and hear a 400 year old British ballad about marital infidelity in Appalachian mountain style.
Dr. Broudy holds a PhD in folklore from the University of Pennsylvania, and has recorded his remarkable harmonica skills on over 35 albums with numerous artists. His own album is entitled “Travels with Broudy”. He has also recorded an album with 6 fellow Vietnam veterans called “In Country: Folk Songs of American in the Vietnam War”, available on Fly Fish Records.
May 7th – Clear Space Plans Bus Trip to D.C. for “Follies”. — Giving you heads up so that you can plan. The trip will be to the Kennedy Center in Washington to see the Tony Award-winning musical “Follies”. Headed by Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige, Follies has won 7 Tony Awards.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the original casts of Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as a starring turn in the 2004 revival of Gypsy as Mama Rose. She received her Tony Awards for her roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance and the 1999 revival of Annie Get Your Gun.
Elaine Paige is best known for creating the role of Eva Peron in Evita in London, as well as Grizabella in Cats and Norma Desmond in the musical Sunset Boulevard, both on Broadway and in the West End.
The Clear Space’s trip: The bus will depart from the Rehoboth K-mart parking lot at 8:30 a.m. on May 7th to arrive in Washington by 11:00 a.m. The bus will drop all passengers off at the National Mall for an afternoon that is free for eating, shopping and sight-seeing. At 6:30 p.m. all group members will be transported to the Kennedy Center and will travel home directly following the 7:30 p.m. show.
Tickets are $150 per person and include transportation (tips and tolls), breakfast, and one ticket to the performance “Follies”. To register, please contact Company Manager, David Button at David@clearspacetheatre.org, or call 302-227-2270. Seats are limited since the production is nearly sold-out for its entire run.
Have a great week-end…talk to you later…
April 8th, 2011
I got some information regarding the celebration of Earth Month by the City of Delray Beach. Delray is inviting the community to participate in “green-themed” activities and events throughout the month of April.
Earth Day on the Avenue will be hosted by the City of Delray Beach. It will take place on Saturday, April 9th. There will be so many things for kids to do throughout the day. All ages will have fun. Guess what? An all day free, family friendly event. And, here is a little teaser.
Saturday, 4/9 – The Great American Beach Cleanup. Sponsored by the Sandoway House Nature Center. 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., at the City’s Municipal Beach.
Delray’s beach is one of its primary assets. It is a wide and unobstructed beach. The water is warm and clear.
Volunteers are requested to participate in the nation’s largest community improvement program to collect trash and debris in an effort to promote a cleaner and safer City beach. Supplies will be provided and community service hours will be awarded.
Volunteer registration will be held at the Sandoway Park, located next to the Nature Center, at 142 South Ocean Blvd. at 7:00 a.m. More info?, please call Patrick Morehouse, Site Manager at 561-274-7263.
Also please note that the Sandoway Nature Center has Shark Feeding from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Their website is www.sandowayhouse.org.
Saturday, 4/9 – Petting Zoo at the Delray Green Market from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Families will be able to visit with farm animals and learn about their roles in the environment. The Delray Green Market is located at SE 4th Avenue just south of Atlantic Ave. This market has also introduced a recycling program. Form more info., please contact Lori Nolan at 561-276-7511.
The Delray Green Market is one of my favorites when visiting Delray. Baked goods, flowers, music; just strolling early in the morning is very relaxing. If you decide to go, pick up their cookbook. It has very good, easy recipes by locals.
Saturday, 4/9 – Earth Day on The Avenue will continue at Old School Square Park, located on Atlantic Ave. It is east of the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center. It will begin at 9:00 a.m.
It will be a kid friendly event and will include Planting with the Mayor, Environmental Storytelling & Music, Buttons the Clown Goes Green, Marine & Land Animal Encounter & Awareness. Recycled Art Projects & Activities, Alternative & Eco-Friendly Transportation Rides, Water Resources Preservation, Grow & Go – Take Home a Sunflower, Locally Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Refreshments, Prizes and Giveaways. You might not need more info., but if you do then call Jennifer Buce at 561-243-7138.
You know that Delray Beach is known for its trendy boutiques, unique shops and gourmet restaurants and cafes. During Shopping on the Avenue, beginning on Saturday, you will receive a reusable tote bag with purchase at participating Downtown Delray Beach stores. Please note that it is while supplies last. More info? Please contact the Downtown Development Authority at 561-243-1077.
Sunday, 4/10 – Yoga with Live Music at The Colony Hotel, located at 525 E. Atlantic Ave. It is $20. Visit www.yogafox.com or call them at 561-703-1236 if you wish to get more information on any of their classes.
Tuesday, 4/12 – At the Old School Square Outdoor Entertainment Pavilion, you will find the Falconaires United States Air Force Academy Band. Time? 8:30 p.m. Bring the family, blankets, friends and chairs. It will be a concert for the entire family.
The Falconiers is one of the 2 premier jazz ensembles of the Air Force. They bring the sounds of the Big Band Jazz; cultivating our national heritage through its indigenous music genre, jazz.
The Pavilion is located on 51 N. Swinton. More info? Please visit www.oldschool.org.
Boyton Beach, Florida
The town of Boyton Beach is located north of Delray; just a few miles. I just got an e-mail from Art-Sea Living Gallery and Studio. This shop is located at 1628 South Federal Hwy. Tel. 561-733-2600. Website? www.art-sealiving.com. The store opened in 2003 and for the past few years they have been at this new location. I have not been at this location but I understand that it is so much bigger and she has expanded all her programs.
Today, Friday, 4/8 and Saturday 4/9 it will be her last Trunk Show of the season. On Friday it will be from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. There will be a Meet & Greet with wine and yummy treats. On Saturday, it will be an all day show, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. In the morning you can enjoy coffee and donuts and in the p.m., wine and treats.
The store will have artistic handmade creations. Artists will have show specials. You wil also find handpainted gourds and painted emu eggs. You can enter a raffle, as well.
For more information on the whole store, classes, and camps please visit the above mentioned website.
And if you happened to be in the Palm Beach area you can check Barrett-Jackson auction events which is there through Saturday. For the schedule, please visit www.barrett-jackson.com/events/palmbeach/schedule. You might even see one like this; but I have a feeling you won’t. A Bugatti? Who knows?
Have a great week-end…..talk to you later……
April 7th, 2011
As the weeks go by I can see that Dewey is getting ready. After a long, quiet winter they make up during the summer. It is casual, fun, and young. A couple of interesting events are on the schedule for the coming days.
Saturday, 4/9 – Gallagher at the Bay Center right in Ruddertowne. Comedy at the Beach is in its 8th season at the Beaches. They bring national talent to our area to help support a local non-profit school. You can check what they are all about by visiting their website www.comedyatthebeach.com.
The event starts at 8:30 p.m. but the doors will open at 7:00 p.m. A cash bar will be available. For tickets and more info. please visit the above mentioned website.
Bringing Gallagher to the beach will raise funds for The Jefferson School. This school is a non-profit independent, co-educational day school located in Georgetown, Delaware. For more information, please visit www.jeffersonschool.com.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 4/15 – 4/17 – DIY Greyt Little Greyhound Event – I did not know that the greyhounds also came to the beach to celebrate spring. It is good to see them come back for a relaxed week-end; taking advantage of hopefully good weather and uncrowded beaches.
Springtime for Greyhounds in Dewey Beach VII will have a week-end full of activities for the 4-legged creatures and their owners, as well. For more information, registration, etc. etc., please visit www.deweyspring.info.
Friday – 4/15 – Chickfest? Yes, that’s what it is called. The venue? Rusty Rudder, in the heart of Dewey Beach, on the Bay at 113 Dickinson St. It will certainly be ladies night in Dewey as female led bands perform at the Rudder. For more info., please visit http://www.deweybeachfest.com/chickfest/
Saturday, 4/16 – Delaware Music Festival – Venue? Rusty Rudder. 4 different stages. No Cover. Come and enjoy Delaware’s top original acts. For more info., please visit www.deweybeachfest.com/demusicfest/
You can check Dewey’s schedule for entertainment at www.deweybeachlife.com.
Have a great day and talk to you later…..
April 6th, 2011
The day I made this recipe was a chilly evening. Easy and ready in about 45 minutes to an hour.
A Chicken Divan was made originally with a very rich Mornay Sauce. Some people use canned cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese. Calories? You bet!!
This dish was first featured at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in New York City. Guess what? I have my own version, which is a combination of recipes and the chicken is chopped.
Chopped Chicken Divan Casserole
1 package of broccoli florets, steamed in the microwave
4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped in bite size pieces
White Sauce or Mornay Sauce
A White Sauce is also a Bechamel Sauce. It becomes a Mornay Sauce because of the addition of cheese.
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup of half and half
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb. Gruyere cheese (1/4 lb. Gruyere Cheese and 1/4 lb. Parmesan, if you want to), grated
1/4 cup Sherry
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour and half and half until thickened. Add the remaining ingredients until everything thickens.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Placed the already microwaved broccoli florets in a buttered baking dish.
Top with chicken. Then top with the already made Mornay Sauce. Sprinkle with pepper and even some Paprika, if you would like to give it more color.
Place in the already pre-heated oven for about 45 minutes but it could take one hour. You want it just browned.
This casserole can be served with rice but I chose to serve it with plantains. In Puerto Rico they are called Aranitas or Spiders. I don’t know what I would call mine.
2 green plantains
oil for frying
The easiest way to peel green plantains is to cut the ends off and place them one by one in the microwave for 1 minute. Give it a cut lenthwise just enough to be able to peel the skin off.
Heat oil for frying.
Grate the plantains and form a nest in your hand. Fry until they are a rich golden color. Turn over and fry for a couple of more minutes. Take out and put on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Mine came out more like flattened ball so you decide if you want that or a nest. Once you get the hang of it, you will see why plantains are a comfort food in many countries. Just like potatoes.
P.S. I used a gluten free flour in my recipe, so this one is gluten free.
Make it your own….and enjoy…
April 5th, 2011
I have been complaining about shin splints. Yes, I have. They do hurt. Somebody said, well you need to walk this way or that way, you need to stretch more, and then someone said you might have to have your feet measured. Then she said that she had gone to Vernon Powell and had had an analysis of her feet.
Vernon Powell has been in the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) since 1936. The location that I went to is at 18798 Coastal Hwy., Unit 2, Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-644-7463. Website? www.vpshoes.com.
The store is brand new. I think they opened towards the end of 2010. I thought I was coming into just an athletic shoe store, but I found much more than that. But, first things first. My fitting.
I was introduced to Dan Trader. He is a Pedorthist. A what? I asked him. The formal definition is: A person trained in the biomechanical assessment of the lower limb, the fitting and modification of foot orthoses, and the fitting and modifying of footwear, all for the purpose of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited action of the lower limb. Dan told me that he was basically a pharmacist for the feet. Okay.
Dan and I chatted a bit regarding my exercise routine. I told him I walked a lot and that I had not bought tennis shoes in about a year. He mentioned that tennis shoes should be changed about every 6 months.
Then, I proceeded to step onto a machine called the I Step. This machine is made by a company called Aetrex. It is an art digital scanner and pressure sensor. It measures feet and determines foot type, arch type, and pressure points.
After that was done then a traditional fitting for length and width of my feet.
I know that tennis shoes are bought usually a bill larger than regular shoes. What happened to my dainty size 7? Now I am a 9 W in tennis shoes!! This is just as bad as buying a bathing suit. Well, not quite.
Dan suggested a NB shoe that is all in leather. Some people don’t want leather for the summer but I don’t mind. This is a big, wide tennis shoe and Dan asked if I had a problem wearing something that was bigger than usual. I really was there for comfort; not style. My walking is not to impress anyone. But, until the big white tennis shoes get dirty, that’s all you might see of me if you happen to bump into me.
When I put them on, they were so comfortable!! Great!! I hope Addy won’t be embarrassed. But, how could she? She’s a Heinz 57!!
Now that I had my new shoes, I took the time to look around the store. Beside shoes they have accessories.
If you are a fan of the brand, Brighton, well they have plenty to choose from.
The same with Vera Bradley. I cannot believe all the new styles and colors. This company is having more updated looks.
Uggs? Plenty, as well.
There were really cute sandals for women but plenty of shoes for men and children, as well.
A wide variety, hitting all tastes and styles. Traditional, more edgy; some a bit granola and some summery flip flops.
If you want to know what other foot health services Vernon Powell provides, then please visit www.vpshoes.com.
I asked Dan how the store was doing. He said some people get upset that they are not an outlet. My answer to that was that not every store at the Delaware Beaches need to be an outlet. My goodness, it is tax free shopping, so get over it!!
Talk to you later…..have a good one….
 
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