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Disney Springs is a great spot to enjoy shopping, dining, bowling, the movies, music, live entertainment, and some good fun within a few short miles of Solivita.  Lee and I always take guests to Disney Springs, it is an easy afternoon or evening, as there is so much to do.  Disney Springs offers something for every age and provides entertainment in all kinds of weather.  Just wandering around the Springs is fun. You can enjoy a pastry, a cup of tea, ice cream, candy, a light snack, a cocktail, or a great dinner.  It is all up to you.  

One of our all-time favorite restaurants at Disney Springs is the Boathouse.  We have never dined inside, but we do love to dine on the deck at the water’s edge.  The lake is beautiful and from the Boathouse Deck you can catch a breeze while enjoying the parade of Vintage Amphicars, Glistening Italian Water Taxis and Ferry Boats sail by.  Lee and I share a glass of wine, and just sit back and enjoy the perfection of Disney Dining, and the beauty of Central Florida.  The fish is always fresh, the steaks are always cooked to order, and the wine list is extensive.  

In the evening, nature provides a beautiful show as the sunset from this spot is spectacular, but since we are at Disney, the Boathouse also has live music, so if the sunset is not spectacular, the music and the wine usually is.   Lee loves the fish tacos, but my favorite menu item is the Lump Crab and Avocado Cocktail, it is the perfect bite for lunch or dinner.  We have dined here many times and have never been disappointed.  Tourists travel from around the world travel to Central Florida, our home.  Travel time from Solivita to Disney Springs is only about 30 minutes; close enough to enjoy this destination often.  We are very lucky to live in the Beautiful Community of Solivita and have world class entertainment at our door.

Selling Your Home, Buying A Home, Building A Home; all life changing events that require a good Realtor and a Great Negotiator.  When looking for a Realtor it is critical you choose the Right Realtor for you.  Always ask around, a recommendation from a client is the best advertisement any realtor could ask for.  If your neighbors, friends, or family have used a realtor that has found them the perfect home, or the perfect buyer for their home, obtained a great deal for them, made themselves available, and provided personalized good service, then this is the realtor for you.    Bella Verde is that Realty Company, but if you have asked around, you already know us and our reputation.  

A good realtor has the contacts to help you sell your home, knows your target audience, and can recommend a strategy that will work for you.  A locally owned realtor understands the local market trends, and will provide you with the top-quality service you deserve.

The realtor you choose will know how to price your resale home correctly and how to attract buyers.  The Agents at Bella Verde Realty are true professionals with a desire to help you find or sell your home at the right price to the right client.    

When building a new home, our agents are experienced and here to help negotiate the best options for you at the best costs.  We Will monitor the build, keep you updated as to the progress of your new home, and keep you abreast of any problems or changes that may occur during the building process.   We are your eyes and ears, and can save you from encountering expensive, unpleasant issues that may result when you live in one area but build in another.  The Realtors at Bella Verde Realty have solid relationships with the builders.   Bella Verde Realty represents your best interests, and assures you that through our representation you will get the best home and the best deal possible.    

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays.  A holiday that is just about being thankful for our blessings, sharing our bounty with others, and being thankful for the Beautiful Country we are lucky to reside in, and the freedom we all share.  We love to cook, we love to entertain, and we love to eat and drink.  I make this Chutney every year before Thanksgiving.  It is a great addition to a cheese board.  I spill this over the top of a wedge of cheddar, cream cheese, brie, or serve alongside creamy goat cheese.  Lee and I also add this chutney to a slice of turkey, ham, chicken, or pork.  Sometimes I slice and toast a baguette, I spread cheese on the baguette and top with Chutney.  I know if you make this Chutney you will enjoy a tasty addition to any meal or snack.  It is always a hit at our home, and made in advance, easy for you too.   When you have this in the refrigerator you are ready for cocktails at a moment’s notice.  
Cranberry, Apple, and Ginger Chutney

• 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup raisins
• ½ cup sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. minced fresh ginger root
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ cup Orange Juice and the zest of an orange
• ½ cup minced onion
• ½ cup chopped Granny Smith Apple
• ½ cup finely chopped celery

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, simmer low heat until berries start to pop (about 5 minutes). Add the finely chopped onion, apple, and finely chopped celery, continue to cook, stir occasionally until mixture thickens, about 7 – 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat and cool slightly.  Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to mature.
This recipe is tried and true, easy, yet delicious anytime, but especially delicious at the holidays.  We wish you, your family, and friends a Beautiful Thanksgiving overflowing with Love, Good Health, Laughter, and Peace.

If you are regular readers of our newsletter, you already know that we love to Garden.  If you are new to our Newsletter, welcome, and FYI we Love to Garden.  Recently we were at BOK TOWER GARDENS in Lake Wales for a class and took an inspirational walk through the gardens.  The gardens are extensive and even after a hot summer and a hurricane, they still look quite lovely.  BOK TOWER GARDENS sits atop one of the highest peaks in Central Florida.  In fact, the gardens are perched on the only hill we see for miles.  BOK TOWER is not only famous for their gardens but for their Singing Tower Carillion as well.  The tower plays twice daily and floods the garden with a lovely sound.  A perfect backdrop for a picnic, a walk or quiet contemplation.    The gardens are beautiful and in the middle of summer, on top of the hill, you can even catch a breeze.  
This year, we again will be enjoying the sounds of the season as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs their Holiday Concert.  We pack our lawn chairs, a small table and tablecloth, a good bottle of wine, a few glasses, some bread and cheese, and pick our spot on the lawn to enjoy the sounds of the evening.  It is always fun and is a great start to the Holiday Season.  
BOK TOWER is only about 30 minutes from Solivita and provides Central Florida and Solivita Residents a great opportunity to learn about gardening in Florida, and enjoy the bounty that each season offers.  We have taken cooking classes, gardening classes, we have just signed up for a print making class, and now I see BOK TOWER is offering Meditation Classes too.  Although we did not sign up for Meditation Class this season, it is a consideration for next season.  
Anytime is beautiful at BOK but Sunrise is especially beautiful.  The gardens are lovely, the Carillion Tower is all tuned up and singing, and this is a great time to visit, take a tour, take a class, or just bring a book and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the garden.