December 16th, 2011
It is hard to get together with friends during the holidays. Trying to catch up with Shelley, I took Susan to Ocean City, Maryland. We thought we would have something to eat. Our choice? Liquid Assets located at 94th St. and Coastal Highway. Tel. 410-524-7037. Website? http://www.ocliquidassets.com.
It was a simple dinner before the Christmas; both of my friends were Jewish. Susan had never been to Liquid Assets. I always say that it is the perfect Bodega to have lunch or dinner. Their food is so consistent and very good; the restaurant is very unique.
The mussels are a must; that broth was so good. They were pan roasted with chorizo, shallots, garlic and grilled bread. I kept using the shells as a spoon to scoop it up. Finally, our server asked me if I needed a spoon. Too late; I was then finished.
Susan and Shelley had the Caesar Salad; hearts of romaine, crisp croutons and grana padano with grilled chicken.
I had such a good entree. It was Pan Roasted Duck Breast on top of brussel sprouts, butternut squash, boucheron cheese, truffle oil, herbs, and fluer de sel. I did not want it to end. Cooked at a temperature of medium rare; it was perfect.
Deciding that it was time to go home but not before we made a stop to see the Winterfest of Lights which is taking place until January 1st at Northside Park, 125 St. & The Bay.
It was already late so no ride through the animated wonderland on the Winterfest Express. The Winterfest of Lights is an annual event for the whole family. It started around the end of November. It brings so many people; be prepared to wait during the week-ends.
Over a million lights and hundreds of displays, which are updated every year with more added to the existing displays. There is a Winterfest Village inside a festive and heated pavilion.
It was so quiet during our stop and the 60 ft. Christmas Tree was beautiful.
$5.00 for 12 and older and free for 11 and under. You can even purchase tickets in advance at the Ocean City Community Center at 200 125th St. Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the main entrance.
Winterfest of Lights opens Sundays through Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
If you want to continue driving all the way into downtown O.C. then take a drive along Avenue of Trees on Baltimore Ave. from 15th St. to 32nd St. Lots of lights and sparkle showing a beautiful downtown.
Note: Santa will be available for photos at Winterfest of Lights until December 23rd.
Friends….what would you do without them….love to be with them…priceless!!
December 14th, 2011
I asked Janice; how would you described your store? It’s a woman’s store, definitely. Someone once came in and said; “estrogen infused”. We laughed. Is it? Well, you might have to find for yourselves.
Bella Luna is at 127 Rehoboth Avenue right in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-0267. Website? www.bellalunatic.com. E-mail address? bellalunatic@gmail.com. Janice Elder is the shop owner.
Home, Body, Soul. Those words are on their storefront awning. They truly tell the customer what you will find inside. As you come into the Bella Luna soft music is usually playing. One look at the store and you will see that it is full to capacity.
I like the word whimsical. It is a fun store. Women, girls; they all love it. Guys come in to buy for their significant others.
A tiny corner just for something for young ones.
For the home you will find, art, fun plaques, Christmas Decorations, tea towels, great napkins and unique cards.
For the body, plenty of beautiful scarves, including Pashminas; textures and colors for all tastes. Gloves, hats, lotions, potions and scents.
Lots of necklaces and earrings. These earrings were from Turkey, in vermeil.
As we were talking a guy came in. He was in a slight rush. A present for someone special. He picked it out immediately; I think she might have sent him there. Ideas on how to wrap it were given. Off he went.
The Wine Wraps caught my attention. Turning a bottle of wine into a creative holiday present. Made by a company called Santa Barbara Design Studio. Names like Reindeer Reserve, and Vixen’s Vino to name a few.
Bella Luna makes one feel good. That must be the soul part of it. Janice is always very friendly. And, by the way, the young lady that was also working there is a great addition to the shop; very helpful in her suggestions.
At this time of the year when we are looking for something special for that best friend, hostess gift, or your own personal indulgence….it was the perfect place!!!
Have a good one!!…I will talk to you later….
December 14th, 2011
“Eating stale cookies and drinking warm milk by the fireplace at 2 a.m. while you learn Chinese from a 46-page set of assembly instructions.” Got to laugh because I always paid extra for those assemblies. No way I was dealing with that.
Holiday dread or excitement? All that baking, shopping, entertaining, and wrapping….Guess what? I have not done any of it..haha Well, maybe a little. I encountered a long line at the Post Office in Rehoboth Beach; 5 people were in front of me. Imagine that. No patience, because here, at the Delaware Beaches, we usually do not have to make those long lines anywhere. Hmm…at the height of the summer season, yes, restaurants are crowded, and finding parking is a pain.
But, it is December and we are all trying to mail our precious gifts. So, there I was. My Mother asked me last year to send her fruitcakes. I am surprising her this year by sending them again. I hope that’s what she wants. By the time these are mailed to Puerto Rico, they will be worth their weight in gold. And, they were, definitely heavy. Fruitcakes are not my favorite, though. Don’t they have fruitcakes in Puerto Rico, anyway?
During the holidays is best to avoid stress by doing something fun. I found an activity and an event. They are on the same day and at the same venue.
Thursday, 12/15 – How to Make and Decorate a Natural Wreath, at 10:00 a.m. This is a hands-on class making your own wreath and decorating from nature’s products. It will be held at East Coast Garden Center, 30366 Cordrey Rd., Millsboro, DE 19966.
Please register by calling 302-945-3489. You can also visit www.eastcoastgardencenter.com.
The cost is $25, which will include one 18″ wreath, three leaves of your choice, three pine cones, three acorns, three clusters of dried foliage/flowers and a 1 1/2″ sprig of bittersweet.
Thursday, 12/5 – Holiday Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at East Coast Garden Center in Millsboro. 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. The Murder Mystery will start at 7:00 p.m.
$40/person or $70/couple. Please pre-register by calling 302-945-3489 or visit www.eastcoastgardencenter.com.
Note: Directions to East Coast Perennial are all in their website.
Have a great time!! Talk to you later….
December 13th, 2011
 Flying the Big Sky I think that every day annoyances are heightened this time of the year….people coming and going, rushing…it is worse when you are traveling and have to make connections. Ahh….computer connections. You love them when they work, you despise them when they don’t.
I guess I am a little put off. So it is time to vent some.
Let’s take, for example, carry-ons while traveling. The idea of a carry-on is just to take into the plane a small bag with essentials; not a month’s worth. What airlines have done is create delays by charging so much for the suitcases that need to be checked in. People are refusing to pay; some are getting away with it.
I saw on Saturday the biggest carry-ons going into the plane until they said that all bins were full. Therefore, everybody else then would have his or her bag ticketed and sent to its destination for free.
It took forever to load the plane. The pilot was even getting annoyed. Finally, sitting down, in the middle seat, all squished I was. Suddenly the angelical voice of the pilot proceeded to tell us that there were 2 flat tires and we all needed to deplane. Granted, I am glad someone noticed, but couldn’t they have seen them while loading the plane? It would not have been very pleasant to land in such a state. A belly flop would not have been pretty.
Out of the plane. My fellow passengers were able to leave their “tiny” belongings. I knew I was going to miss my connection. One and a half hours later into the plane we went in a short time; nobody was carrying suitcases. More waiting for the paperwork to let the pilots know we were okay to go. Off we went and I had a new connection.
Of course, I will give you a hand I said to the person sitting next to me. She needed help with her oversize bag on the top bin.
In Charlotte walking and just waiting for my connection in 2 hours. Oh….late again…the crew had not arrived yet.
Finally, at my destination; drive for another 45 minutes…….The joys of traveling…..no choice…Rehoboth looked better than ever.
The Christmas Tree by the Rehoboth Bandstand looked beautiful.
Oh, we are so lucky to be able to display, here in Rehoboth Beach and all the coastal towns that make the Delaware Beaches, any Christmas lights or decorations.
When did we start being so grouchy?…No lights, they offend my way of thinking, my religion and my I don’t know what.
The decorations look so pretty. But, there are town that are now looking into abolishing Christmas decorations for the reasons above mentioned.
Boca Raton, Florida, is tired of being a referee in this regard…The Sun Sentinel had an article a few days ago just on this subject.
Delray Beach was fully decorated. This house was over the top.
You have not heard from me too much due to the fact that computers have their own way of behaving. Mine have been crazy, but I think all is well, at the moment.
I feel good again…venting….it feels good to let out, a little erratic…talk to you later…back in business
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
“One good thing about Christmas shopping; it toughens you for the January sales.” grace kriley
Fridays, 12/9 and 12/16 – Be a Deer, Shop Downtown Rehoboth Beach. The downtown merchants will be keeping their shops open for extended hours. They will also be serving some nibbles, as well. At 6 p.m. on both nights, please stop by and pick up a gift bag at Grotto Gelato; shopping, dining coupons and specials will be found inside. Also, enter to win more than $500 in prizes. Free gift wrapping will be available too.
Friday, 12/9 – It will be Fawn Frenzy. A Ladies Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Enter a chance to win gifts worth more than $500 with a Favorite Things Wish Card. Ladies will be served beverages by “handsome bucks”. No kidding, that’s what I heard. The Ladies will also receive a gift bag filled with shopping and dining coupons and specials. Strolling carolers with the Cape Henlopen High School Choir; please join in. The ladies’ gifts will be wrapped for free. If you are participating, I can’t imagine why you would not, please pick up the gift bags at Grotto Gelato at 6 p.m. More info? www.downtownrehoboth.com
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12/9-12/11 – Festival of Trees event at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Sponsored by Delaware Hospice. Vendors will have specialty items. Holiday decor for sale. On Saturday, 12/10 pictures with Santa, fun and pizza from 10 until 2 p.m. Also on Saturday a Wine, Cheese & Dessert Tasting from 5 – 9 p.m. Tickets available at the door. Sunday, 12/11 there will be a Sunday Brunch from 9:30 until 1:30 p.m.; tickets sold in advance. More info. and schedule of events can be found at www.delawarehospice.org.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12/9/, 12/10 and 12/11 – Scrooge!! Last Week-End to catch the Holiday Spirit. Friday’s and Saturday’s performance will be at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s performance will be at 3 p.m. Location? Clear Space Theatre Company located at 20 Baltimore Ave., in Rehoboth Beach. More info? Please visit www.clearspacetheatre.org. Please note that this production changes every year. The 15 ft x 30 ft backdrop was painted by our own Rehoboth artist, Anita Peghini-Raber. This poster depicts a detail of the whole painting. More on Anita? Please visit http://www.rehobothart.com.
Saturday, 12/10 – 3rd Annual Cookie Walk at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. 9:00 a.m. until “All Gone”. There will be tables and more tables of home-made cookies by the Epworth congregation bakers. $7/pound. Pre-packaged cookie assortments and gift boxes of Fair Trade coffee and chocolate; priced individually. The Heavenly Creations Cookie Cookbook is a collection of over 120 recipes from the Epworth family kitchens…It is new and out for $15.00.
Santa’s House is located at the end of Rehoboth Avenue, right on the famous Rehoboth Boardwalk. The backdrop is the Atlantic Ocean. Please bring the kids for photos at no charge; donations are appreciated, though. On Saturday, 12/18 you can bring your pet too, from 3 to 5 p.m. For a full schedule, please visit www.beach-fun.com/holiday-fun.
Wondering what to give a friend that loves shopping or dining in Rehoboth Beach? How about some gift certificates? These certificates are only for downtown Rehoboth Beach. Please call 302-227-2772 or visit http://www.downtownrehoboth.com/spending_your_downtown_gift_certificates.htm.
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….
 
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