Blog

This is a great recipe that can be used many ways, enjoy it served on cucumber rounds, add it to whipped cream cheese for a great spread on crackers or bruschetta, or top grilled polenta or pasta with this pesto. However, you choose to enjoy this Pesto, I know you will enjoy it.

1 – 16 Oz Jar Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil

2 Cups Chives Chopped

2 Cups parsley leaves, chopped

½ cup pine nuts

2 cloves garlic

2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, if needed.

Drain oil from the tomatoes and reserve. Combine tomatoes, chives parsley, pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. While machine is running, gradually add enough of the oil reserved from the tomatoes to create a pesto. If there is insufficient tomato oil, use a bit of EVOO to supplement. Season to taste with Salt and Pepper. Store in refrigerator with a small amount of olive oil to cover the top surface.

Visit the Space Coast. Get the schedule of launches and take a drive to Coco Beach, it is only about 1.5 hours to the coast and from any parking lot on the ocean you will be able to see a launch, that is if the sky is clear.

If the launch time works and you want to spend the day on the coast, plan a trip to Rockledge Gardens near Coco Beach and visit the Farmer’s Market held Wednesday to Saturday from 10 – 4 pm. Visit the Rockledge Website to see what items plants, fruit and veggies are available, order for easy curbside pick-up or you can enter the building. Due to COVID-19 the number of guests permitted inside is limited, and masks are required so please, decide in advance.

https://rockledgegardens.com/the-farm-market

Even if the timing does not work for the market/gardens plus a launch. Lee and I have packed a picnic dinner and enjoyed the sounds of the waves washing ashore as we viewed a rocket reaching for new heights. You can view the upcoming launch schedule by using the below link:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/launch-schedule-upcoming-florida-rocket-launches-and-landings/ar-BBUPAyN

A Day at the Beach, A Day in the Park, or a Walk in a Wild Place is a great way to enjoy our beautiful weather, get some exercise and fresh air, and enjoy a change of scenery. I am always looking for new places to visit, therefore I would appreciate any feedback you would like to share with me.

I would love to do a Restaurant Review, but alas we have not dined out for quite some-time. We have done local take out and for a treat we have called Door Dash and had them dash dinner to us and it was a nice change of pace. Must say, we do miss eating out, but feel safe and secure dining in our own home or on our lanai in the beauty of our own community.

In Lee’s Opinion, Our Resident MD, now is not the time to take our foot of the gas. We are close to the vaccine, please be patient a bit longer, and soon the Pandemic of 2020 will be in our rearview mirror.

During the Holiday Season, The Solivita Activity Department went above and beyond with creative ideas and safe distancing celebrations, they organized a Holiday Parade early in the season to bring us all a bit of Joy, followed by the Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, and a House Lighting Contest. All reports from The Ugly Holiday Party, held out of doors with Ugly Holiday Decorations, were fabulous. Funny Holiday Sweaters, Outfits, entertainment by DJ Penny plus silly fun “Reindeer Games” with prizes. The event was outside with beautifully served small plates and an open bar. The New Year’s Eve Party in Solivita was a fun event with a limited number of guests held out of doors. One thing we can count on in Central Florida is year-round nice weather, so we can still party safely in the fresh air. When Solivita holds an outdoor activity, and the temps dip below 60, they always include heaters, firepits, or if the event is at the Palms, they light the fireplace at the outdoor gathering space. Solivita has “Thought of it all” and is a great place to live, a great place to work, and a great place to party with lots of lovely party spaces, beautiful homes, a great activities department and a catering staff that is up to any challenge. Thank You Solivita for making our Life Fun, even in a Pandemic.

Every Client, Friend and Neighbor is voicing their sadness at being held back from travel, missing vacations, or even the freedom to plan a vacation, but too worried to “pull the trigger” and buy a plane ticket or book a hotel. The upside to Life in Solivita, we already live in the “Vacation Capital of the World”, it is beautiful, no snow to shovel, our gardens are in full bloom, and our wildlife is prolific. Our neighbors and friends are out walking, biking, working out in the gyms and swimming, so life here is still active and lovely. Although our country is currently being ravaged by COVID19, life in Solivita is still good. We all need to be careful, but we are still having fun while being safe.

Until we can safely travel, you can armchair visit the destination of your choice by virtually visiting https://www.webcamtaxi.com/. After I virtually traveled thru webcamtaxi, I must admit to adding a few new places to my bucket list.

The Experts are Predicting 2021 to be the Year to Buy A Home, Despite Coronavirus.

Our Mortgage Rates are at all-time lows. Though the Fed’s target rate does not have a direct effect on mortgage interest rates, there is a connection between the two, and mortgage rates dropped accordingly in 2020. Today, you can obtain a fixed rate mortgage below 2.5. Despite the economic challenges 2020 brought, housing had a banner year. As Mortgage rates bottomed out, buyer demand surged, and home prices rose accordingly.

Currently, the market still looks like a seller’s market with low inventory Nationwide and prices rising. Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association predict home price growth in 2021 in the 2% range.

The mortgage rates, while they may not hit record lows again (in 2020 they did almost a dozen times within the year), should remain low in 2021. All the experts agree that mortgage rates will remain in the high 2% or the low 3% range. All good for buyers.

Various factors determine your mortgage rate, your credit score, down payment, loan type, property location, and term of loan. Your credit score impacts your mortgage rate because it is a measure of how likely you are to repay the loan on time. The higher your score, the less risk you pose to the lender, so the lower interest rate you will receive. Lenders also look at your down payment amount. If you bring 20% to the closing table you are viewed as a less risky borrower and will obtain a lower rate than another borrower financing most of their home purchase. The loan amount and closing costs also play a role in your mortgage rate. If you ask a lender to roll your closing costs and other fees into your loan, typically you will pay a higher interest rate than a client who pays those fees up front. In Florida, the buyer typically pays for a credit report, appraisal, loan origination fee, survey, home inspection and Capital contribution to the HOA. Doc stamps, title policy and Estoppel are the seller’s responsibility.

On New Construction closings, the buyer pays the Title Insurance.

Inventory is currently historically low in Solivita and homes are selling quickly, one call to a BVR Realtor will put you in the hunt for a great home. A BVR Realtor will ask you a few questions about your needs, wants and requirements. With your answers in hand, we will hook you up and email you all the listings that meet your requirements. We can show you homes remotely, or you can visit with us over the phone or in person. We would love for you to “come on down” and we are happy to give you a tour of Solivita, show you our extensive infrastructure, and walk you through the homes that fit your needs.

In Solivita we offer homes from just over 1,000 Sq. Ft. to over 3,000 sq feet with selling prices from $150,000 to over $400,000. Solivita is an Active, Modern, Well Maintained Community full of folks enjoying life, making friends, and having lots of fun.

This year I am adding a new cookie to my Holiday Baking. Lee Loves Tahini and I love Sesame, combined they become Tahini Sesame Cookies. My mom always makes Sesame Cookies, so I will still have Mom’s Sesame Cookies, but now we have another new treat to add to Santa’s Cookie Platter.

Tahini Sesame Cookies – An Easy, Delicious Christmas Cookie for the Adults.

Think Peanut Butter Cookie for a Sophisticated Palate!

2 Cups AP Flour

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

½ Tsp. Kosher Salt

¾ Cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

¾ cups sugar

3 Tbsp. Honey

¾ Cup Tahini

¼ Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds

Step 1 Place racks in upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in bowl. Use an Electric Mixer on Medium speed to beat butter, sugar, and honey in a large bowl till light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in tahini, then add dry ingredients in 2 batches, beat after each addition until fully combined. Dough will be slightly sticky.

Step 2 Place sesame seeds in a small bowl. Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough (about 1 oz) and roll into balls. Dip tops of balls in sesame seeds, pressing to adhere, and place sesame side up, on parchment lined baking sheets, spacing about 2” apart. Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until golden brown, about 13 – 15 minutes. Let cook on baking sheets (cookies will firm up as they cool). This recipe will make about 24 Cookies.

The One Plus One Giving Program for Foster Children in the Guardian ad Litem Program Kissimmee, FL

Bella Verde Realty, our Clients, Friends, and our Family came out to support the Foster Children in our GAL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM. Thank you all. Friends, clients, neighbors, and family came out strong by showing their gratitude for the good life we live and gave generously. Bella Verde Realty did not publicize this annual collection as we did not want to add stress, or potentially expose any of our generous donors during COVID-19. We want you all to know that we did not forget the GAL Children and neither did you. Without us even asking, friends, neighbors, and clients put the GAL Kids on their Annual Holiday List and dropped off gifts and donations. AMAZING! We are blessed, Bella Verde Realty received calls, had folks stop by with donations and we even had a few clients mail donations to us. Thank You All for giving so generously. A Big Thank you goes out to everyone who remembered the kids. SOLIVITA is a GREAT Community, full of GREAT FOLKS and a Community we are happy and proud to live and work in. On December 1st the Girls from GAL picked up two giant carloads of gifts for the Guardian ad Litem Program in Kissimmee, plus cash donations. This collection, like everything else that occurred in 2020 was subdued, but the collection was substantial and will help to make Christmas 2020 a bright spot in the lives of these special children. Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays to All our Friends, Family, Clients and Neighbors. Happy to say that we at Bella Verde Realty have safely made it through 2020. We are sad to see how many World Citizens have been affected by COVID-19 and we send prayers for those souls that have left us this year and the families and friends they have left behind. We pray for an end to this Pandemic and look for a brighter 2021.

Every December, we sponsor a party for our Bella Verde Realtors, we gather to share a wonderful meal, dance, and celebrate the Season, while we draft our Holiday Messages to our clients. This year, unfortunately due to COVID-19, we are delaying our gathering until a safer time but we are not delaying our best wishes to all our clients, friends, and readers, therefore below are a few of the Holiday Messages from our group:

Wishing you the best during this Festive Time of the Year. Be Safe, Have Fun, Cherish your Family, Friends and Significant Others. If this Year Taught us anything, it is that “we are all in this together and together we will all get through this”. May God Bless you and your family with Health and a Happy New Year! Lorraine & Lee

To my Solivita Neighbors and Friends

This is a holiday season like no other.. Zoom family gatherings will be the norm this year… Zoom this year, and, maybe next year, we can all be together in person! Stay safe, stay home, and stay in touch with us! Wishing all a warm holiday season with lots of peace, love, and affection!!

Gloria S Cherry

May this Joyous Season bring you peace, health, harmony, and happiness throughout 2021! Enjoy Christmas with your loved ones. FELIZ NAVIDAD!” Miguel Elvira

Wishing everyone Peace, prosperity, and good health as we turn the page on a new year. Kathy Russo

May your holidays be filled with PEACE and the future with HAPPINESS. I appreciate the support of my buyers and sellers throughout this difficult year. Adapting my business model to accommodate the virtual viewing of homes & protecting clients was & continues to be paramount to me & Bella Verde Realty. I look forward to a FUTURE of handshakes & smiling FACE to FACE. Be safe & be well. Pat Plumstead, Seniors Real Estate Specialist

To all my clients who placed their trust and confidence in my real estate services this year, I want to, once again extend a heartfelt thank you. Although this year has certainly been challenging my sincere belief is that, as with all significant challenges our country has faced throughout its history, due to the spirit of our people we will see this current situation through as well. So, from my family to yours I want to wish you all a blessed holiday season and a bright, prosperous, healthy, and happy 2021! Doug Bennett

Joy and I would like to wish all Solivitians a happy and healthy holiday season. We all need to look forward to a prosperous and Covid19 free 2021. We have all learned from the trials and tribulations of this past year that if we stick together and do the right thing, we can overcome anything. Stay healthy and always think of family first. Happy New Year. Marty & Joy Cohn

To all my dear friends, past, and future happy clients:

Hoping your Holidays are filled with love, family, happiness, and cheers to 2021!

Vicky Arenas 

Sending Good Holiday Wishes to all our Friends, Family, Neighbors, and our Neighbors yet to be. We Hope the Joy of the Holidays will be a blessing to you all and We Wish Each of our Readers Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity in 2021. The Bella Verde Office Team

Last year we celebrated Christmas in St. Augustine with family and friends, but this year, due to COVID-19, we are staying close to home. Lee and I feel that some of Florida’s best adventures are found out of doors in the lovely natural environment. A walk in the woods, the park, or a walk on one of the many boardwalks or beaches, all make for great socially distanced days. Did you know that Florida has a town called Christmas? If not, this may be the perfect time to take a ride and visit Christmas, Florida. Christmas is a real town located between Orlando and Cape Canaveral and was given the name “Christmas” in 1837 during the Seminole War. The locals host lots of activities and exhibit lots of Holiday Spirit. If the grandkids are with you, Visit the Christmas Post Office and post a letter to Santa. Lee and I recently enjoyed a visit to the Fort Christmas Historical Park. It was a break from the usual. Very casual but enjoyable. We packed a picnic, a few books, and enjoyed a walk around the reconstructed fort. Picnic tables and BBQ’s are available, plus a playground for the grandchildren. During COVID-19, we both feel the best way to enjoy a nice day, while being safe, is to enjoy a day out in the beautiful fresh air that blows through Florida all winter long. Following is a link I think you will enjoy. It is a great source for exploring the US, and a great source for exploring Florida. Once you have gone to ScenicUSA.net, go to the archives by state and explore the areas that interest you the most.

Tour America’s First National Wildlife Refuge

Nature and history combine for a unique wildlife experience in Indian River County. Indian River County is home to America’s first national wildlife refuge. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Vero Beach was the first federally protected nature reserve to be designated as a wildlife refuge. It was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to protect egrets and other birds from extinction. Today, hundreds of species of animals, including birds, fish, and mammals, call this 3-acre island and its surrounding 2.5 acres of protected waters their home. You can experience this small, but important piece of history for yourself through guided and self-guided tours. Other activities on the island include fishing, environmental education programs, and three hiking trails to explore the animal and plant life on the island. Please don’t forget your camera so you can bring back memories from this incredible wildlife experience. Take a free Tram Tour with a park ranger by reservation. Visit Pelican Island Virtually to plan your visit. www.fws.gov/refuge/pelican_island

Solivita Neighborhood Activities, Socially Distanced but closer to home:

Lee and I enjoyed a Golf Cart Concert in Solivita. This was a fun event. Solivita is blessed with inventive, talented folks and a concert on a golf cart was a good way to be socially distanced and have fun while remaining safe out of doors. Easy to attend. We Grabbed a bottle of wine, our masks, and hopped on our golf cart. Our host set up in his driveway and about 10 golf carts parked 6 feet apart enjoyed a great afternoon filled with the joy of friends and the sound of music.

Take a Virtual Class on Zoom or Webex:

Recently my Mom, Sister and I took a Holiday Decorative Wreath Making Class sponsored by Brian and Richard of AtHome Design Solutions in Solivita. Brian shipped all the supplies, beautiful ribbons, and required tools to us in advance all wrapped up neatly and tied with a bow. On Class Day, Brian and Richard walked us through assembly, step by step, during a live teaching class. It was fun, creative, and a great family activity PLUS we each have a beautiful wreath to hang on our front door, AtHome is donating 10% of all class proceeds to Toys for Tots, making this class a WIN, WIN for us all. You can reach Brian and Richard at 863-496-7393 or reach out to them at www.athomedesignsolutions.com

Recently, two of our friends took an Acrylic Painting Class on line at https://learn.brit.co/collections and had a blast; plus they both feel that they discovered a bit of hidden talent within. This site has lots of online classes, and since we all seem to have a bit more downtime at home, why not cease the moment and see what talent lies within. This site has classes from business to beer making, and painting to gardening. Lots of creative ideas and classes to keep busy and entertained while staying safe.

Thinking about buying a home now? Are you wondering what the best way is to accomplish this task during COVID-19? Wonder no more. The truth is during this pandemic about 40% of the homes sold in our community have been sold remotely. Of course, you can still visit with us and do in person home tours but lots of folks are not walking into their homes until the deal is done. In fact, my sister and brother in law purchased their home remotely and are loving it. Linda has said, it was fun, easy and they are both happy with their purchase.

If you know Solivita, you already know our Community. For our friends who have not yet been here to visit, Solivita is a 55 PLUS AWARD Winning, Gated Community located in Central Florida. Within our gates we have over 4,200 acres of greenspace, lakes, ponds, conservation, tennis courts, 14 pools, two 18 hole championship golf courses, a driving range, pickleball, softball courts, bocce ball, horseshoes, a community garden, entertainment, restaurants, a library, art studio, and a downtown area. We have two state of the art exercise facilities with trainers, the latest equipment, a spa, and a friendly, fun atmosphere. Drive your golf cart all over the community, join any of our 200 Plus clubs, take a class, make friends, and just enjoy life in Style. Solivita is safe, fun, and beautiful.

If you are considering purchasing a home in our community sight unseen, I can promise you, you cannot go wrong if you keep the following tips in mind:

Work with a knowledgeable agent. Buying remotely, you must depend on your agent to be your eyes and ears; pick a local expert. Every Bella Verde Realtor is a Solivita expert. We all live, work and love it here. We will be your neighbors, so we promise to steer you in the right direction.

Ask to see the various floorplans, so you can feel the flow of the house while we remotely walk you through. Bella Verde Realty will take you on a virtual home tour, giving you the true feeling of each of the homes that fit your criteria. We will not only walk you through the floorplan and home you are looking at, but we will also share the views from the front and rear of “your home” with you. Plus, we will provide community insights to you too.

Remember, Florida has no state income tax, our property taxes are at the national average, but once you are a Florida Resident, you can file for a homestead exemption greatly reducing your Florida Property Taxes. Florida also has low Energy Costs. Our Solivita Homes are energy efficient, as our homes range from new builds to resale homes with the oldest home in our community twenty years young. If we have a cold winter in Florida, it lasts for a week or two, keeping your heating costs to a minimum. Our Electric Costs are lower than the average, our HVAC Units are efficient and inexpensive to run making our cooling and heating costs reasonable. Twenty Years Ago, Lee and I moved to Florida from NJ. Fact is, our monthly electric costs to operate our Solivita home today are still lower than our electric costs were in NJ twenty years ago.

Solivita New and Resale Home Inventory is at HISTORIC LOW LEVELS, Don’t wait, buy now to assure your Retirement Future. Solivita is the place to be, away from the city, safe within our gates, infrastructure complete (no need to wait to see what will be), lots of fun activities and the beauty of nature. What more could you ask for, Solivita is the Perfect Retirement Community!!! Start your search today by walking through our website.