November 30th, 2015
Not that long ago a friend said to me that we should all be traveling while we can. To discover the world that is getting much smaller and definitely more dangerous. But, you have to do it, otherwise, they win. So, the State Department has just issued in the past few days a Worldwide Travel Alert which will expire in mid February, 2016. I believe that not since 9/11 such an alert has been issued, worldwide. If you are traveling abroad you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is a way of staying connected through these uncertain times. They will send you travel alerts, weather surprises, uprisings in any particular country….so please visit https://step.state.gov/step.
The whole week in Berlin was grey and cold. We did manage to do everything including 4 and 5 hour walking tours. We arrived at WeihnachtsZauber Christmas market late afternoon. This is a classic market in one of the most beautiful settings in Berlin; the opulent architecture is breathtaking.
The Christmas Markets are the perfect place to escape the noisy city streets. This market lends a magical air to the event because of where it is located. Music floats from the stage where many other events take place throughout the month.
The organizers of the WeihnachtsZauber Christmas Market will be presenting a check to Berlin to support people in need and to promote cultural projects based in Berlin.
The market opened on November 23rd and you can visit from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. The 1 Euro entry free is for the charity collection which I mentioned above.
Visitors like us walked from booth to booth, discovering glass blowers, jewelry designers, painters and wood carvers. Did not buy anything just for the fact that I did not want to carry anything else on the plane.
There are heated tents with seating where you can have something to drink or eat…..kale and potatoes!!
I chose Currywurst and Beer. It might not look as good to you but believe me it was. The wurst is so crispy on the outside and perfectly moist inside. The sauce is a mixture of Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, and Curry. It is sold everywhere with the best one being Currywurst #36.
Apparently this square lights up on New Years Eve with a spectacular firework display that will set off from the roof of the Konzerthaus.
Stay tuned, I have one more Christmas Market post in the making. Now that Thanksgiving is over we can say Merry Christmas!!
October 19th, 2015
On November 19, 1493 Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to claim lands for the Rulers of Spain. When he arrived the island was called Borinquen by the Indians who lived there, but Columbus named it San Juan Bautista. Old San Juan is 522 years old.
It has diverse architectural and historic treasures and these make Old San Juan quite distinct from any other place in the world. It has lively plazas, parks, and promenades, restaurants, and plenty of shopping as well. One such shop that I visited was Spicy Caribbee located at 154 Cristo Street or Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901 Tel. 787-725-4690 Website? http://www.spicycaribbee.com
Follow them on Facebook.
Their Spicy Caribbee line is their own recipe and has been created to make cooking fun. They have been serving customers since 1988. They do ship and there is also online shopping, as well. The photo shows Sica, the owner, taking care of customers.
The hot sauces looked amazing. It is their recipe and they are made for them. You can buy individual bottles or the small crates. Some of the sauces are hot and others are more a condiment to enhance your cooking like the Ginger and Garlic.
If you are in the store you will be able to sample some of the sauces before purchasing.
Coffee is so much of a part of the Puerto Rican tradition. At any time of the day a cup of coffee is always offered. Their coffee is from Hacienda San Pedro, which is a family tradition for 4 generations.
Rag Dolls, homemade in Puerto Rico are a tradition….their particular ones were so cute and my little granddaughter, Sophia, got one of them.
Their tropical jams are prepared just for them, as well. Banana, Mango, Guava, Pineapple, Mango Pineapple and Hot Pepper Jam…use them on toast, pastries or in any cooking were you want to add a bit of the Caribbean. Honeys and teas!! Remember that they can ship everything to your home.
Rubs are so easy. Just rub your chicken, steak, or fish and then decide your method of cooking it….got some of the rubs!!
So as the weather begins to cool off in the Northeast….the Caribbean is warm year-round.
Have a good one!!
October 15th, 2015
Have you eve spent Christmas in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware? For many is a tradition to attend the tree lighting ceremony. This year’s tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, November 27th …. practice your vocals because there will be a sing along, as well.
Rehoboth Beach Main Street commissioned local artist, Geri Dibiase, to design a commemorative ornament for the 2015 Rehoboth Beach Tree Lighting. Dibiase has paired her masterful photography with an ancient art for to design this beautiful unique glass ornament. This exquisitively crafted decoration is the perfect gift for loved ones and friends to adorn their tree for generations to come. Ornaments will be on sale starting November 1 through December 31 at Christmas Spirit located at 161 Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.
Each ornament is priced at $20 and all proceeds benefit Rehoboth Beach Main Street. Have your ornament signed by the artist herself on November 6 from 5-7 p.m. at Christmas Spirit. For more info., please call 302-227-2772 or visit http://www.downtownrb.com.
Have a good one!!
September 29th, 2015
For many years I have know Alice Klein…her husband, Bryant, as well. Don’t want him to get jealous. I am a fan like many other of my friends that have come to enjoy Alice’s designs. Always so nice to chat and see what new designs she might be working on.
On this particular day I was so glad to congratulate Alice on her 35th year in the jewelry business. Her designs are so unique and recognizable. In celebration of her 35 years as a desinger she has an exhibit….memory lane shall we say. If you stop to see her, ask her to tell you what her original designs are all about, materials, concepts, etc. etc.
Alice says she draws her inspiration from customers, mentors, and art history.
TKO is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 100 Garfield Parkway. Tel. 302-539-6992. Website? http://www.alicehklein-tko.com.
TKO offers a wide variety of price ranges…from fun to fine jwelry. Something to complement a casual outfit at the beach or maybe something for that special occasion.
The holidays are around the corner….please note that Alice can reset anything you already have and give it a fresh look.
Have a great day!!
September 25th, 2015
Opening Day for Sunfest in Ocean City, Maryland was Thursday, September 24, 2015. It is ranked the number one arts and crafts festival in the nation!! It was filled with crafts, arts, food and entertainment. Everything for the whole family to enjoy.
Walking on the award-winning boardwalk the visitors were enjoying a beautiful day at the beach.
Passing the ever popular Thrasher’s French Fries, already the line was so long. To tell you the truth I am not such a big fan of them because I like my fries crispy.
Hundreds and hundreds of people were checking out this first day of Sunfest. Apparently, the weather might be a little crazy on Saturday evening, so if you get a change today and tomorrow, please stop by.
The tent we were looking for was the Food Tent and we immediately found it.
One food vendor after another. If you have been at Sunfest before you probably have your favorites.
You can sit down in the many tables available or just stand and use the tall tables as well.
Funnel Cakes anyone?
We decided on some Seafood Bisque with Lace chips!! Perfect combination. They were so light.
Ross decided on pulled chicken and regular just made chips.
Sunfest will be opening Friday and Saturday from 10 1.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 .am. until 6 p.m. During the day you can enjoy the live entertainment completely free, either in their open air venue or inside the tent. In the evening the live entertainment is by ticket holder. Depending on the entertainer you tickets could be as low as $15 to $60. Please visit http://www.ococean.com
 
Stop Mr. Elvis himself, local color in Ocean City for many years. Known to all the residents. Take a photo. He loves it!!
Some of the crafts that caught our attention:
Wire Sculpture by Devin Mack of Drawn Metal Studios.
 
The lady that works with clay. She has been at the festival for years. You can see her working the clay with such minute detail.
The driftwood sailboats and ships were really cute. The company is Art Sea., from Pasadena, Maryland.
The painted ostrich eggs were very detailed. Loved Starry Nights.
This next company’s baking is not your usual. It looked so real, you could taste it…The Fake Baker.
The beautiful Adirondack Chairs, Hinkleys Chair Art….whatever you want, they will paint it.
Grabbing beers and on our way to listen to Skinny Leg Pete. Definitely a party band. Their genre? soul, funk, blues and rock. And, yes, people were dancing.
And then followed by Teenage Rust on the outdoor stage.
Thanks Cindi for inviting me…It was a great time with a BFF.
Have a great week-end!!
August 13th, 2015
Now that a lot of my friends are having grandchildren, including myself….this post is for you. Your little ones deserve the best and you will find it at Lilypad Children’s Boutique located at Village-By-The-Sea Shops at 149 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-227-4464. You can find them on Facebook as The Lilypad Children’s Boutique.
Lilypad has clothing, accessories, swim suits, and toys from babies to young children. Gayle and Paige, mother and daughter, are the owners of the cutest children’s boutique in Southern Delaware. Gayle and Paige are very friendly and will help you find the best outfits for your little ones.
For Boys:
For Girls:
 
So many accessories….loved the Chew Beads. They are the perfect accessory for Mom…let those babies chew on them with no problem. Very safe. I loved them so much I bought some for myself, as well. Great summer necklace!
Funky Swim Goggles and Glittery Sunscream:
 
 
For my granddaughter Sophia I got the cutest clothes. Can’t wait to see her wear them.
   
Have a good one!!
August 2nd, 2015
What gets you out of bed in the morning? There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread….Well, I do not bake bread but I do not have to worry. Just a few miles north of Rehoboth Beach, in Lewes, Delaware, you will find Old World Breads at 32191 Nassau Rd.. Website? http://www.oldworldbreads.com
They have parking. You can have some coffee while checking what’s baking and what’s has just come out of the ovens. Old World Breads opens Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Old World Breads offers retail, wholesale and they are also a fixture in the Farmers’ Markets of the Delaware Beaches and beyond.
Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays from Noon until 4 p.m.
Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market – Saturdays 8 a.m. until Noon
Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market – Sundays 8 a.m. until Noon
Milton Farmers’ Market – Fridays 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Sea Colony Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays 8 a.m. until Noon
Penn Quarter Farmers’ Market in Washington D.C. on Thursdays 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Annapolis Farmers’ Market – Sundays 8 a.m. until Noon
Red Corn, Corn Bread was delicious. Have bought it Gluten Free in the past. If you want it gluten free, please call ahead of time to make sure they are making it gluten free, otherwise, it will be a regular red corn, corn bread.
This time of the year, peaches, and berries. so you will find plenty of pies….making it easier to entertain all those summer guests.
Flat Breads for an easy lunch or early dinner. Add a salad and you have a meal.
Their version of a pop tart is called toasted pastries.
Lately, my favorite pick has been the Ancient Grain Bread.
Buy all things local!! Have a great day.
July 22nd, 2015
It was that time of the year…for 24 years the Beach and Bay Cottage Tour has been taking place in July. It is a fundraising event for the Friends of the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach, Delaware. It also has been probably that many years since a “true” cottage has been on the tour. There are still a few of those left in town reminding us that life was much simpler then, at the beach. The tour was today, July 22nd and tomorrow, July 23rd.
It is my second year joining this great group of women that only travel in style, thanks to our oganizer Sandy. She is a gracious hostess and lunch at her house in between the touring of 10 magnificent homes was fantastic.
We have been traveling by limo. Nothing but the best for the group. Atlantic Transportation Services was going to be taking care of us. Yes, we were the chicks in the limo!! And, Ellyne Gale, one of the owners of Atlantic Transportation Services was our driver. Please check http://www.atlanticlimode.com.
We arrived early, the tour was starting at 9:30 a.m. and we had 10 houses to visit. Here is our group. In the limo we had things to eat: champagne and wine!! It was going to be a long day!!
Sorry, but no photos were allowed in any of the houses. All the houses were interesting to say the least. The largest one was 7,000 square feet. The group of homes on this year’s tour had something that would appeal to every one that visited. Thanks to the 400 volunteers that worked so hard to make this year’s tour a sensational event. Great weather, as well!! And, we toured all 10 houses!!
Stopping at Rooster’s Nest is always a must stop. Rooster’s Nest is located west of Fenwick Island, Delaware, at the Bayville Shopping Center. It is open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day. Tel. 302-436-1848 This shop has home furnishings, home accessories, and so much more.
If you are a fan of Bossom Buddy Bags from Baltimore, Maryland, Rooster’s Nest has a nice collection of them. These handbags are beautifully made: “Handbags as extraordinary as the women who carry them.” bossom buddy bags
Summer at the beaches can be a tricky time when you have a large group of people that are ready for dinner….Not all restaurants can handle big groups. Thanks to Just Hooked because they made sure that all of us had a comfortable table with exceptional service. Just Hooked is located at 1500 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Tel. 302-581-0098 Website? http://www.justhookedfi.com.
An order of fried calamari to wet our appetites. Light and perfectly season, we passed them around the table.
There were a few specials….The Salmon was one of them. I almost got it. It had chutney, which I think adds so much to any dish.
Instead, I decided on the Softshell Crabs. I do love them and Just Hooked was supposed to have delicious ones. They did not disappointed. They were light, sweet and oh, so good.
Someone ordered a salad with a filet. Something light.
Fish n’ Chips…buttermilk battered cod, house fries, coleslaw and a remoulade.
Local Crab Cake with pickled carrot n’ peashoot salad, bacon fingerling frittes and classic remoulade.
Seared scallops, with pearl faro, spring peas, artichokes, chicory and pesto. They looked beautiful.
Shrimp n’ Grits…cheesy grits, fried green beans, chorizo vinaigrette and chili threads.
No dessert was necessary after all this delicious food accompanied by wine and other spirits like Orange Crush!!
It was time to go home…”The most valuable live thing for me is when people look like they’re having a good time.” grimes
We certainly did, ladies and until next time….I remain.
 
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