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The Real Estate Market

Real Estate is Hot, Hot, Hot, and not just in Florida, but all over the USA. It is a Seller’s Market as prices are up, but it is also a good opportunity for a Buyer to jump in. Looks like the hot market will remain hot for a while and when it cools down, property values are predicted to continue to rise, just at a slower pace. We have seen record-breaking growth and we all know it will not last forever, but what is the data really telling us. Supply and Demand is the largest driver for real estate prices. Low interest rates brought buyers to the market in droves, but the low housing supply drove home prices up at record levels. Of course, with all the building in the US supply will not remain low forever, but experts predict we need to continue to build housing for a few more years to keep up with the demand for housing. Our job market is booming and so are the housing prices, even with the FED raising interest rates to combat inflation currently our housing market is steady. Only time will tell what is truly in store for the market ahead as no one has a crystal ball. Know, if a downturn comes, it is a Buyer’s Market, and a great time for investors to jump in and pick up some real estate at discounted rates. So be it a buyer or a seller’s market, investing in a home is a great investment. An investment in your life and your lifestyle. Find the home you love in the neighborhood you love and enjoy the benefits of your hard work. As property values rise and fall you will be secure in knowing you have a safe, happy place to call home.

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Summer Pasta Salad For Six

  • 1 – Box Large Pasta Shells
  • 1 Cup Feta Cheese Crumbled
  • 1 Pt. Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • 1 Pt. Red Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • 3 English Cucumbers diced
  • 1 Tbsp. Mint Chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. Parsley Chopped
  • 1 Rib Celery Chopped, if you have fresh Celery Leaves you can chop them in too
  • 2 Tbsp. Chopped Black Olives
  • 2 Cups Low Fat Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Clove Garlic Minced
  • The Zest of One Lemon
  • 3 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil to toss with the pasta after draining
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Cook Pasta according to package directions, drain and place on a sheet tray and toss with olive oil to cool

 

Once pasta is cooled place in a large bowl and fold in the rest of the ingredients.

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Planning a Summer Escape is not easy when you live life surrounded by beauty in Solivita

A Summer Escape for the Day, the Weekend, or a few weeks, any of these choices or all are fun. Below are a few suggestions for a Fun Florida Adventure.

A Day in Deland

Visit the Museum of Art and/or take a walk through Historic DeLand and enjoy a collection of more than a dozen sculpture installations. Two of the pieces you will enjoy are the Continuation and Jeugo, they are located prominently near City Hall and in front of the Bank of America Building at 230 North Woodland Ave. Both the Sculpture Walk and Public Art is a collaboration between the museum and the city of DeLand. The artwork changes annually and features a variety of styles and media including concrete, aluminum, stainless steel, PVC, bronze, and cooper. Enjoy the Public Art in the Utility Box Art Wrap Program which features vinyl wrap installed onto the utility boxes.

After taking an art walk or enjoying the Permanent Collection and exhibits at the museum enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in town.

A Weekend Trip to Wakulla Springs

Truly a weekend away from it all, casual, comfortable, and fun. Wakulla Springs is about a 5-hour drive north, near Tallahassee, but away from the typical tourist crowds. The area is beautiful with over 6,000 acres of pristine forest. The Wakulla Springs Lodge is known as the “Castle of North Florida” and was built in 1937 by Edward Ball, an industrialist. You can stay in one of the twenty-seven guest rooms at the lodge, or you can stay in the area and enjoy the nature, history and the comfort surrounding Wakulla Springs State Park.

Wakulla Springs is largest, deepest freshwater spring in the world. In 1937 Ball purchased 4,000 acres surrounding Wakulla Springs and built the Lodge as a guest house. He imported marble and tile and hired craftsmen and artisans who built everything on site. The lodge has 27 unique guestrooms, each with a voluminous marble bathroom, walk in closet and period furnishings.

After taking a walk, hike, or a boat tour in Wakulla Springs State Park be sure to stop at the Soda Fountain. The fountain is an old Marble Soda Fountain known as the “longest marble soda fountain ever built.” The marble soda fountain is 70 feet plus 6 inches long and serves Root Beer Floats, Cherry Phosphates, Ginger Yips, and Sundaes. Soda Jerks man the counter and serve guests 7 days a week with ice cream treats, hot dogs, chili, sandwiches, and chips. A flash back to the fountain service you may have enjoyed “back in the day.” When I was a child, My Aunts and Uncles had a Soda Fountain in Little Ferry NJ and this fountain brought back many happy memories of sitting at the counter, legs dangling from the stools that spun around sipping Chocolate Egg Crème Sodas.

Enjoy a walk in Fort Sam Marcos de Apalache State Park, you can take a self-guided interpretive trail that will walk you through the historic ruins or book a ranger guided interpretive tour a few weeks in advance of your visit. The rangers will make every effort to accommodate your request. When Lee and I were last in town, we stopped at one of the local markets, picked up a picnic lunch and enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the parks’ picnic area. Head over to Tucker’s Point for a scenic view at the water’s edge where the St. Marks River joins the Wakulla River and flows out into Apalache Bay.

The park’s museum displays pottery and tools that were unearthed near the fort. Stop and stay to view the short video recounting the days the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces occupied the site. The video is informative and will tie all the periods of the fort’s history together for you.

There are lots of small towns in the area to stop and enjoy that “away from it all” feeling. Enjoy a Stay in a B & B, a Motel, the Lodge, or a hotel, but take time to enjoy the quiet beauty that surrounds you.

Extend your Weekend Trip and take a detour on your way home

If the Wakulla Springs Trip sounds like your “cup of tea” then why not make this weekend destination into a road trip and extend your stay a few more days. Simply continue your road trip to Cedar Key, it is on your way home to Poinciana, travel south and head to the Gulf Coast to enjoy Florida, the way it was before Disney Moved into town. If you love Florida fresh seafood, you have arrived in paradise. Book a fishing charter, take a walk along the hidden Gulf Coast, and enjoy the sweet, salty air. Tourists, like the condominiums outnumber the fishermen these days, but the tourists are laidback as the beaches are not the main draw. Instead, these beaches are quiet little strips of sand hidden away from lots of beach goers. Grab a book, blanket, a chair, a hat for sunshade, and find the perfect spot to spend the day.

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New Address, New Key

In an amazingly brief time, smart home technology has made the transition from a novelty to real world integrated features that homeowners rely upon. Lee and I installed a Ring Doorbell at our new address and my sister installed a Keyless Home Entry System at her home. No need to carry a key anymore, we now open our homes with a verbal command, a touch of a button, or with our cell phones, even when we are not anywhere near our homes. These systems are dependable, attractive, and easy to use. We are all happy with our new keyless systems, but in addition, we have keypads on our garage, plus garage door openers in our cars, so the days of our being locked out are over and we no longer need to hide a key under a rock or our door mat.

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Maintaining Your Solivita Home

Home Maintenance in Solivita. Our HOA requires that every 7 years our Home’s Exterior must be repainted. This rule certainly keeps the homes in Solivita looking good, but not every homeowner is excited about the work or the expense of a repaint. With that frame of mind, my sister, Linda, and brother in-law reluctantly went to the Office in Solivita to look through paint colors and to their surprise, loved what they saw. They both came away from the paint sample books excited about the new paint selections and a fresh look for their home. In fact, the new colors sparked their interest in not only changing the paint colors but their entrance too. Eager to make changes, they went shopping and had a blast redecorating. They had their front patio redone, planted a new garden, installed new outdoor lighting, purchased new outdoor art, a fountain and new furniture. Change of heart, they now sing the praises of a redo every 7 years. Linda said “It forced us to look at our space with fresh eyes. We had fun redesigning the front of our home and we love the way the project turned out.” Their home looks fresh, and they are thrilled with their new look. This week I overheard Linda telling a client, who too was reluctant to paint their home, about her positive experience and it inspired me to draft this article. So, if you receive the dreaded time to paint your home letter, do not dread the task, but embrace the project and bring joy to your life with a fresh new look for your home.

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Springtime in Solivita

March is our last cool month in Central Florida and with spring beginning later in the month, this is the perfect time to grow some vegetables.  Our latest favorite veggie to grow is Baby Bok Choy.  This is an amazing plant to grow from seed and it only takes 2 months to grow, shorter if you pick the baby leaves.  Baby Bok Choy is perfect for container gardening as the plant will grow a max of 5” tall with white stems and glossy, dark green, tender leaves.  While these tasty leaves are still small you can use them in a salad.  Once the plant gets bigger cook them up in a stir fry or steam them in broth and serve as a veggie or add them to soup.




I already have my seeds and planted our Baby Bok Choy a week ago.  Lee and I love this time of the year while the air is refreshing with warm sunshine.  Springtime is the perfect time of the year to visit us and see all that Central Florida offers.  Our lifestyle is relaxed and filled with beautiful surroundings, our homes are modern and highly livable, our job market is flourishing, and our economy is strong.  The latest statistics state that nearly 900 people move to Florida each day for many reasons.  We are not only a great state to retire in but a great state to work in and a great state to raise a family in.   Florida has no personal income tax, our property taxes are reasonable and our weather is stunning.  Call us and we will be happy to show you around the neighborhood and introduce you to the good life in Solivita and our surrounding communities.



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Lemon Blueberry Chicken Salad

Considering this is Corned Beef Month I thought I would pass along a lower fat recipe made with Florida fresh blueberries.

Ingredients: 

  • 2 cups Cooked Chicken cubed. Buy a roaster chicken from one of the local groceries. 
  • ½ Cup sliced green onions
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • ½ cup diced Apple
  • ½ cup Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Cup Low Fat Lemon Blueberry Dressing
  • Assorted Lettuces about 20 oz

 

After assembling the above and mixing up the dressing pour dressing over salad and enjoy.




Low Fat Lemon Blueberry Dressing

Mix together ¾ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, ½ cup low fat lemon yogurt, 2 TBSP.  Mayonnaise, and 1 tsp salt until blended. Chill and serve. 

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It is Almost Florida Fresh Blueberry Season

Did you Know?  That Florida grows the earliest blooming blueberries in North America    




Did you Know?    Florida Blueberries were developed by crossing northern high bush varieties from Michigan and NJ with native wild berries from Florida.




Did you Know?  Current research has deemed blueberries as a super food.




Did you Know?  – That Central Florida has lots of U-Pick It Farms 




Well now that you know.  However, you enjoy your berries, enjoy them Florida Fresh. 




Whether you pick them yourself, order them in advance from the farm or buy them from Publix; Florida Fresh Blueberries are a sweet taste treat that is good for you.




I am listing two local farms where Lee and I have picked our own berries, but there are many farms to choose from in our area.  Blueberries are easy to pick, the bushes are tall so bending is not really required, and the farm will give you a basket to strap on for “easy peasy picking”.  Berries are great freshly picked, freeze beautifully and enhance both sweet and savory dishes.  




Late Bloom Blueberry Farm




115 Scenic Highway




Haines City, FL 33844




863-289-1722




Or




Whitehead’s Blueberry Farm




1024 Macon Road 




Winter Haven, FL 33884




863-860-4575

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Looking for something new to do, why not visit the…

Sunnyland Boat Festival on Lake Dora in Tavares from March 24 – 27th 2022




This festival is the largest Antique and Classic Boating Event on the East Coast and for the last two years it has been cancelled due to covid, so this year this event should be bigger than ever.  Want to buy an antique boat, this is the show to attend.  Enjoy the 250 – 300 boats on display, visit the food court, the beer garden, the nautical flea market, or the Sunnyland Ship’s Store. Lots of vendors are expected to attend and the atmosphere is always fun.  This makes for a fun afternoon out in the Florida Sunshine.  If you plan to visit, the show is in Wooton Park on Lake Dora, 123 South Joanna Avenue, Tavares, FL 32778.




Or visit Sebring to attend a throw-back Soda Festival from April 1- 3rd.




Sebring is a small, old town along the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida and the Sebring Soda Shop holds a craft soda festival in the beautiful, historic downtown giving visitors a chance to sample more than 200 flavors of craft made soda.  Flavors range from traditional colas and root beers, but the soda festival is also serving up interesting flavors such as prickly pear, candies bacon, and cucumber and pepper.  The fee for this is $5.00 for eight samples or $10.00 for 18 samples.  

What makes a soda a craft soda? Each of the sodas you will sample are made in small batches without corn syrup.  Admission to the festival is free and on Saturday night there will be a free Block Party Concerts from 6 – 9 pm with a live band, food trucks, and beer and wine. 

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Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

It is easy to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  Put a Corned Beef in a pot, add some cabbage, carrots and potatoes and boil till tender, break out the mustard and rye bread and it is a feast.  Of course, It is easier to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by letting someone else do the cooking. When we lived up north St. Patrick’s Day would find us at McSorley’s Old Ale House, a New York City Institution that opened sometime around the Civil War.  It was always fun, lively and the beer was fresh and cold.  Now that we live in the Sunshine State we head to Lizzy’s in Orlando for an Irish Pub.  Lizzy McCormack’s is  “a hole in the wall” on Orange Avenue in Orlando and always an interesting stop.  If you are looking for a real St. Patrick’s Day party Lizzy McCormack’s has an Outdoor Beer Garden, Multiple Bars inside and a Front Patio that is party read for St. Patrick’s Day.  Of course, every space has multiple bars and on St. Patrick’s Day McCormack’s is serving from 8:30 am to 2:00 am.  We have friends with tickets for St. Patrick’s Day Kegs and Eggs Breakfast at Lizzy’s and they have planned a day filled with fun, music and the wearing of the green.




Our family Celebration will be at Mom’s for a Traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage Celebration, and it is a night we all look forward to.  After all, we get up and go to work the next morning, so a quiet, tasty evening filled with good food and the love of family is the perfect celebration for us.




Sorry if you are not lucky enough to have Mom in the Neighborhood cooking up a delicious, corned beef dinner just for you.  If you have to go out, may I suggest you head over to Toojay’s Deli, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL for a great Corned Beef Sandwich.   When Lee and I have a craving for deli TooJay’s is where we head.  We usually go for breakfast; but end up eating a Corned Beef or a Pastrami Sandwich, after all we can get eggs anywhere.  If you go, please don’t forget the pickles.




Lee and I can always stop by Lizzy’s later in the year, when we find ourselves in downtown Orlando, and enjoy a pint when the crowds and excitement of St. Patrick’s Day is done and we can quietly contemplate how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful spot.  In Central Florida we have it all.  Orlando is only a short drive or a quick trip on the Sunrail away, providing the benefit of the various activities the city offers, the parks, concerts, events, museums and restaurants while we enjoy life in  a pristine private community surrounded by nature.