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Update from Central Florida. For days leading up to Irma we listened and watched the forecasts, and we prepared. Solivita, our friends, the Bella Verde Team, and our clients packed up outdoor potted plants, locked down windows, closed blinds and shutters, moved outdoor furniture, grills, umbrellas, tables, and Bella Verde For Sale Signs into indoor storage. We filled our bathtubs with water and filled our gas tanks too. We stocked up on flashlights, batteries, drinking water and “truth be told” some of us purchased a few extra bottles of wine, just in case. By Friday evening we were ready to meet Irma.

We recently enjoyed dinner in The Kitchen at the J. W. Marriott Grande Lakes on Central Florida Parkway, only 20 minutes from Solivita.  We parked our car at the door, left our keys with the valet, and were warmly greeted by the Staff of the J.W.  We met friends and began our evening with inspired cocktails and locally brewed craft beer.  Cold and Delicious.
It may sound like we were eating in a kitchen, but The Kitchen is the name of one of the J.W.’s Restaurants.  Great spot serving food grown on their farm plus food sourced locally from organic growers.  What fun, and only a short drive from Solivita.  We enjoyed a laid back, peaceful, evening.  The Kitchen is furnished with Comfy Chairs, Small Intimate Tables, and Large Farmhouse Tables.  Trendy, but comfortable.  The wait staff is knowledgeable and when asked; were happy to share preparation, garden, apiary, and brewery info with us.  What a Treat, to have this great spot only a few miles from Solivita.  We enjoyed an assortment of meat and cheese (our choices from the chef’s picks).  Our selection was playfully served on a beautiful platter.  Our meat and cheese choices were brilliant, the tray included crisp, lightly pickled vegetables, cheddar chive biscuits, honey and honeycomb, fresh ricotta, rhubarb chutney; and crackers, all grown and produced on the property.    A fun, enjoyable way to share a meal.  Small plates, with a menu including interesting flatbreads, local grass-fed beef, organic chicken, and delicious seafood.   After dinner, it was a quick drive back to Solivita.  A perfect ending to the perfect day.

Since living in Solivita we seem to have company all the time.  Friends and Family visiting the parks stop in for an evening, some stay for a few days, some just stop by for lunch or dinner.  Lee and I have found a few recipes that can be assembled quickly and make a delicious company meal.  I would like to share one with you that I made last week when Lee’s family stopped in.
Tortellini with Prosciutto or Pancetta and Peas
This recipe is not only delicious, but most of the time, the ingredients are in my freezer and refrigerator.  To make this into a complete meal I serve this with a salad and a dish of fruit for dessert and dinner is done.  Our neighbor Marilyn calls this one “Easy Peasy”.   
1 Lb Tortellini (cheese, spinach, or even mushroom)
1/4 – 1 /2 cup water, reserved from cooking pasta  
3 tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves minced
½ onion diced and sauted.
¼ lb prosciutto sliced thinly or pancetta cubed
1 1/4 cup cream or half and half
1 pinch nutmeg
At least ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed by running under cool water and drained.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
Cook tortellini according to package
Melt butter in skillet and add prosciutto or pancetta and cook for a few minutes.
Add Garlic to skillet and cook for one more minute.
Add cream and bring to a simmer.
Add nutmeg and simmer until cream is thickened and reduced by about ½
Turn off heat.  Stir in Parmesan, peas and sautéed onions.
Stir in reserved cooking liquid to thin sauce, add tortellini and toss to coat.
Taste for salt and pepper

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Recently we Enjoyed a Special Occasion Brunch at The Boheme in Downtown Orlando.  Years ago, when living in the New York Area, a Fabulous, Luxurious, Sunday Brunch was de regular, but since relocating to the laid-back lifestyle of Solivita, a Sunday Brunch in the City, at least for us, has become an uncommon event.
The Boheme Restaurant in the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando awakened our memory of how lovely a Sunday Bruch can be and we are incorporating this former enjoyable afternoon into our Solivita Lifestyle.  Why wait to enjoy this relaxing pleasure?    The Boheme is beautiful, the décor is hot, but relaxing, and begged us to linger over the sumptuous splurge that the Chef’s prepared for our enjoyment.
Musicians played Contemporary Jazz in the background, waiters liberally poured a dry, delicious champagne, and the chefs prepared and plated a beautiful assortment of food that is was as much a treat for our eyes as for our taste buds.  Together, with our fellow diners, we had a delightful afternoon in Orlando, the city near Solivita.
Having lived only five miles from NYC, we ran in and out of the city at whim.  As they say, “every coin has two sides”; true NYC had many benefits but many challenges too.  Since being in Florida and living On Campus in Solivita, we find ourselves avoiding the I4 commute to the city.  Our Bad, downtown Orlando has much to offer, and if you stay on Orange Avenue you can travel to Orlando and back to Solivita (of course not during commuting hours) and avoid I4 all together.   This Sunday, we tested the theory.  Door to Door –  Orlando to Solivita 55 minutes; without one mile on I4.  Nice way to go.
Lots of fabulous places in Downtown Orlando to visit and starting now we are going to visit downtown and add some Southern City Fun to our lives.

Q: What do you get when you cross Japanese and Scandinavian Design?
A: Why Japandi (Of Course)
Japandi is a new hot trend in the home decorating arena. When you think about both styles, they do have many similarities. Both styles have clean lines, emphasize simplicity, are minimalistic, and are without frills. This look is now setting a new standard for home luxury and comfort, and with a bit of shopping, some redesign, and decluttering, you too can bring this look to your Solivita home.
Here’s how to achieve this look.
Since minimalism is a common trait to both Japanese and Nordic design, to achieve the Japandi look, first you will need to do away with clutter, and add a few impactful statement pieces. Flood your life and your room with natural light. Use a few dramatic accents with an unexpected color blend to bring out the fine features of a clutter-free room centered on neutrals, bright natural sunlight, and natural materials. Choose stone, wood, and organic fabrics in pastel colors and indoor plants without blossoms to bring a fresh Zen-like quality to your space. Have some fun with creating a new style for yourself and your home.
This new look seems to capture the best of both worlds and could be the inspiration for your Solivita home or room makeover. The experts predict Japandi will be trendy and stylish for years to come, so why not adopt this fresh new look for your own home and stay trendy and fresh Japandi-style.

Sights From Summertime In Solivita Florida

Every Season in Solivita offers residents and guests something special. Summertime in Solivita Florida brings lazy afternoons at the pool, fireworks, cookouts, beautiful summer storms, and yes summer heat.
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