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The One Plus One Giving Program for Foster Children Was a Great Success.  Our Clients, Neighbors, Friends, and Vendors purchased, delivered, and gave with all their hearts.  Thank you for your Kindness and Generosity.  Your gifts have been delivered to the Social Workers at Voices for Osceola’s Children and have been sorted by age, tagged, and wrapped for delivery to the Children.  Together we delivered two Caravans loaded with gifts and gift cards.  Each of You have helped to Brighten the Holidays for many Children in the Guardian ad Litem & Foster Children Program of Osceola County; THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HOLIDAY BRIGHTER FOR THESE SPECIAL CHILDREN.

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.  

The end of Summer is near; although our temperatures have not dropped; a look at the calendar tells me Fall is on the way.  I love the fall colors, the crisp air, the sweet memories of apple picking at Ticer’s Farm, the aroma (and the taste) of cider donuts, and long walks in the fallen leaves. Growing up in New Jersey, the fall and winter air was usually brisk, and in my Mom and Dad’s kitchen there was always a pot of hot, delicious soup bubbling on the stove. We are expecting the cousins to come for a short visit and it is time to get the soup pot out. I would like to share my recipe for what I think is a Perfect Fall Soup. This soup is easy, flavorful, and is always a hit. This soup is especially easy now that you can purchase squash already cleaned and cut in our local Market.  This week, I saw butternut squash in the freezer section of Publix, and I don’t see why you can’t use that as well. Please, let me know how it turns out if you try it.

4 ½ Pounds of Peeled and Cubed Butternut Squash   

2 Medium Onions Chopped

3 Cloves Garlic, Peeled and chopped.  

Optional:  For the spice lovers (add 1 finely chopped jalapeno chili and ¼ tsp cayenne with the garlic).  OR

Optional:  For the Ginger Lover – Add 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger and 1 tsp ground ginger along with the garlic.  OR

Optional:  For the Fall Flavor Lover – Add a combo of ¼ tsp each ground cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, ground ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper.

3 Tbsp. Butter or Vegetable Oil

½ tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)

8 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

½ cup Cream (Optional)

Heat a large pot over medium heat.  Add the butter or oil and saute the chopped onion.  Sprinkle with the ½ tsp sea salt.  Stir until the Onion is soft (about 3 minutes).  

Add the garlic cook for another minute. If you are adding any of the optional spices add them to this step.

Add the squash and the broth.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer.  Cook until the squash is very tender.  About 35 minutes.  

Blend soup till smooth. I use a Handheld Immersion Blender.   Add ½ cup cream.  Warm soup through. This soup is good without the cream, but in our opinion better with it.  Taste for salt and serve.

I also make this soup with sugar pumpkin or acorn squash.  When I have time, I sometimes roast the squash or pumpkin in the oven with some olive oil for about 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees.   This extra step will add depth of flavor to the soup.  I serve this soup with hot crusty bread and a garden salad and it is dinner done.

When putting together the guest room in our home, we paid attention to detail. We want our guests to be comfortable, feel welcome, and know that we enjoy sharing our time with them. Little touches mean the world to a guest; an extra pillow, a lovely plush blanket, good lighting, a comfortable chair, and extra hangers in the closet.  Following is what we consider a guide for the “Ultimate Guest Get Away”.

Our Number One Rule is – Do not let your guests ask for towels, toiletries, etc. Instead we place a basket of towels in the guest room or the guest bath.  We also include in the basket an assortment of lotions, shampoo, soap, etc., so our guests have all the fresh supplies they need.

In our opinion, guest rooms do not require a television; instead we leave our guests a selection of current magazines, books, and a note pad, for a bit of entertainment.  I am an early riser, but sometimes guests rise before me, and with some reading materials in the guest bedroom, our guests have something interesting to read before they start or end their day.

When Lee and I stayed at the home of a friend, we found the guest room lighting to be less than desirable, especially after we bumped into the bed frame. Our first act upon arriving home, was to add additional bedside lighting to our guest room.

We always leave a bottle of port, glasses, a dish of chocolate, and a few granola bars in the guest bedroom, just in case one of our guests’ experience hunger pangs. In addition, there is always a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter in our kitchen.

Guests are fun to have, and if you are well prepared with a solid plan in place, the visit will be effortless. We usually plan to have easy breakfasts, coffee, yogurt, granola, fruit, oatmeal, etc. When guests are in town, we keep an assortment of hummus, nuts, cheese, salami, crackers, olives, roasted peppers, etc. Easy snacks that can be enjoyed at any time during the day or early evening.

We generally plan one simple, but nice, dinner at home and then dine out during the balance of the visit.

We recently had friends visit, and as a treat for Lee and I, our friends shopped and cooked a delicious meal for us while in our home. We had fun, shared a great meal with friends, and after dessert they did the dishes. A delightful way for friends to say thank you.

When living in NJ, it was a hop, skip and a jump to a great Lobster Dinner. We could cross the GW and dine in City Island, take the Parkway “down the shore”, or head up 95 to New England for a great lobster dinner. In Central Florida, we do see lobster on a menu occasionally, but we don’t often see them swimming in tanks. In our memory, almost every restaurant up north had a lobster tank. We are both fans of lobster, we enjoy them steamed, grilled, served chilled, and I especially love a good lobster roll. You know the kind, served on a soft, split bun with toasted sides, piled high with lots of sweet lobster and hardly any mayo, served with lettuce and fresh lemon. I had not seen a lobster roll on a menu since moving to Florida; but in Celebration we have found a place that brings us back to our roots; Celebration Town Tavern.

The Beer is Cold, Lobsters are swimming in the tank, and the Tavern makes a great Clam Chowder. My brother- in-law, Gregg also raves about their Lobster Bisque. There is something here for everyone to enjoy. Lee and I go for a pot of steamers, chowder and a lobster roll with lots of fresh lemon. We have never been disappointed. This is a great, casual place to have some fun and eat some good seafood. On Game Days, the football games are on and if you are a NE Fan this is the place to be. The Beer on Tap is cold and fresh and the crowd is always out for a good time. Nothing Fancy, just Really Good New England Style Fun and Food. No need for a trip to the “Shore” with Celebration Tavern less than 30 minutes away from Solivita.

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.