Are You Resolving?

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve and a wonderful, prosperous 2012. I am not big on resolutions but since I am spending the celebration home in bed sick I thought I would share a few that are worth thinking about.

1. Be Grateful - be happy for the people, relationships and things that bring happiness to your life.

2. Quit Worrying - if you can't change it don't worry about it.

3. Learn to Say No - it is impossible to be all things to all people and trying to do so will suck the life out of you.

4. Quit Trying to Be Perfect - while you are trying to make it perfect, what needs to get done is   probably not.

5. Be Kind - everyone has something happening in their life. That person waiting on you in Publix or CVS or the library can surely use a smile and a thank you.

6. Don't Be Afraid To Make a Mistake. They happen..get over it and forgive yourself.

7. Only Look Back at the Good Things-dwelling on the past will always keep you from moving forward.

Happy New Year my friends! Make it a good one!

Tailgate'n Party

The annual Tailgate'n Party to support The Marine Discovery Center is just two weeks away! It is held at Brannon Center from 4pm-8pm on January 14th. There is great food, drinks, raffles, prizes and of course Football! All proceeds will benefit the programs at the Marine Discovery Center!

Simple Celebrations

We are quickly leaving Christmas and heading to the New Year....how quickly time goes by. The week between Christmas and New Year's Day just flies by....what are you celebrating as we go into the new year. I was thinking back on this year and have many things to celebrate as we kiss 2011 goodbye.

Work is busy
Kids are healthy, happy, good grades....
I have a new house
Our family has a really cool new significant other in the family (not mine) - refer back to I have a new house....all related
My parents are healthy and have their mental faculties intact (well for the most part)
The Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movie season is drawing to a close
Jon Stewart and Joe Scarborough are still talking politics (and making me laugh)
I have the most awesome friends
I got a new bike for Christmas
Our Beach is the best

Yes, some of these are painfully simple, perhaps we should make 2012 a simple year. Enjoy whatever you celebrate as we leave 2011. Thanks for reading!

Travel Expo

If you are planning on traveling in 2012 this Travel Expo will be a good place to start. Saturday, January 14th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm at Daytona Beach Airport you can check out Cruise Lines, Resorts and other exciting travel options. There will be free parking and the show is free as well! The Expo is sponsored by High Performance Cruise & Travel. Call them if you have questions at 386-252-4423.

1st Annual Mosquito Lagoon Artist's Fair

Looking ahead to January, the 1st Annual Mosquito Lagoon Artist's Fair will be held at JB's Fish Camp on January 28th. If you are an artist, craftsman or other type of vendor this is
should be a great opportunity to display your talents. If you register before January 20th the cost is only $10.00, after that it is $20.00. You can display on the dock or bring a tent and set up in the parking lot. The Fair is from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  You can give JB's a call at 386-427-5747 for more information.

Holiday Lights

Just a quick note this morning...too much to do! If you are looking for Holiday lights here is the list from the News Journal.

Holiday Light Display

We were out and about on Sunday night and took a ride around and looked at the ones in New Smyrna Beach....very nice. Does not matter how old your kids are they still like the lights!

Have a great day and support your local business!!

Gifts With Humanity

So I put my money where my mouth is and took a walk down Flagler today and did some Christmas shopping...I wandered into Gifts with Humanity and had a hard time leaving. What a great shop this is...I got some Christmas ornaments, a few pieces of jewelry and had a nice time chatting with the people in the store. There is bag in there that is simply gorgeous...made completely from seat belts, I would never have known if she had not told me.......I should have taken a picture. I am probably going to have to go back and get it....reasonable prices, beautiful items...and no visit to the mall, they give you 10% off if you give them your email address and name...check it out they are located at 318 Flagler Ave.

Support your local business!

Flip Flops Grill & Chill

I haven't been to Flip Flops in awhile so thought we would visit tonight. It was great. Kevin was our server and he was just wonderful! My daughter had a grilled chicken sandwich which required much discussion with Kevin to decide. (she is a terribly picky eater) I had the roasted Salmon which was perfectly cooked and delicious. Seriously I wanted to lick the plate....I chose the pasta and New England Clam Chowder for my sides. The soup was probably one of the best clam chowders I have had in a very long time. We had great food, perfect service and Christmas music playing in the background.Doesn't get much better than that!  I have to go back very soon and see if the Shrimp and Grits is as good as mine..... If you have not visited Flip Flops in awhile, check it out, their menu is excellent and I am not sure you can get better service anywhere!

Please support your local business!!

Around Town-Weekend Events

Today's Art and Wine Walk has a Christmas theme, do all your Christmas shopping on Flagler Ave and support your local business!

Farmer's Markets in Edgewater at Hawks Park and in New Smyrna Beach at Old Fort Park.

Santa Claus will be at Flip Flops today from 1pm-4pm. Kids eat free with an adult and feel free to bring your "friendly" pets. There will be free pictures and hot chocolate.

Tomorrow there is an Open House at Canaveral National Seashore from 1pm-4pm. There will be music, refreshments and some beautiful decorations by Lindley's Nursery.

The Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church is performing a Christmas Musical on Sunday at 11am.

Enjoy the weekend and please support your local business!

Traditions

KABOOK you are the winner of the $25.00 Gift Card to Off the Hook Raw Bar & Grille! Please email me your name and address and I will mail your gift card out tomorrow!!



Does your family have traditions that you stick with every year during the holiday season?

My teenage son and I were talking about family traditions this morning on the way to school. I was telling him how our whole family sat down after Thanksgiving and wrote out our Christmas wish list. His response, "you wrote it?" He texted me his.

I am just as guilty, I emailed my brother a link to what I wanted him to get me. My mother usually calls me from various stores and says is this good for this kids.....I am just glad they are all around to text, email and call...

We still do some of the things we did growing up, eat the same Christmas Eve menu, have breakfast before we open gifts on Christmas Day, things like that. We have had the "Elf on the Shelf" for years and I have always moved him around like we all still believe. Last year I found him hanging in the kitchen by a piece of yarn. Apparently the teenagers were tired of poor Buddy. I put him away...

What do you do every year? I am looking for some new ideas for my house.

Leave me a comment with your favorite family tradition and we will put your comment number in a drawing for a $25.00 gift card to Off The Hook Raw Bar & Grill. Random.org will pick the number, the winner will be announced on our Facebook Page on December 23rd.

Please be sure we have a way to contact you. Your name and email will never be sold or used for any other purpose. Good Luck!

Art & Wine Walk

The Flagler Avenue Art & Wine Walk is this Saturday, December 17th. There will be plenty of merchants on hand with beautiful items available to purchase for Christmas! Buys your gifts locally from the merchants on Flagler Avenue. The Art Walk starts at 10:00 am and the Progressive Wine Walk will begin at 1:00 pm.

Support your local business!

Off The Hook-Take Two

I have not visited Off The Hook to eat in awhile so tonight I ran by and met a friend, we had a few different things off the menu including the "Otherside Tuna" which is the rare Yellowfin Tuna. It was delicious! We also had an Oyster Sampler thing that had three different types of Oysters....so good. We sat at the bar, Bobby was working, and he gave us awesome service. There are several other things on the menu that I really want to try and will go back and check out for lunch this week.

While you are out supporting your local business...make Off The Hook one of your stops. Very fresh seafood and great service! A gift card would be a great stocking stuffer!!!

Operation Christmas Cheer

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department is holding its 22nd annual Operation Christmas Cheer. They are collecting toys, canned goods and clothes through December 20th. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

City Hall - 210 Sams Avenue
Police Department - 246 Industrial Park Ave
The Fire Stations located at 103 Faulkner St. and 500 E. Third Ave
Southern Trends Home Furnishing - 334 Canal Street


All donations will stay right here in southeast Volusia County!

Get Ship Shape For the New Year

There is a new Boot Camp in town and they have some great deals to get you motivated and try them out!

South Daytona has Ship Shape Boot Camp coming to a location near you! They have 3, 6 ,and 12 month programs available, no matter your fitness level you will get in shape, lose pounds and inches. I also heard it is fun! I might even try it.....maybe. If it requires any coordination I cannot do it...I fall off the elliptical machine on a regular basis....check them out on Facebook.

Stay tuned....we will have a contest with a free Boot Camp for a friend coming soon!!!

NSB Barracudas Band Special Events

The New Smyrna Beach High School Marching Band is marching in both the Edgewater and Oak Hill Christmas Parades on Saturday, Edgewater is at 10:00 am and Oak Hill is at 2:00 pm

The Concert Band will hold their annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 pm in the High School Auditorium. Tickets for this are $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors. Their will be an auction and refreshments.

Please come out and support our band! They are great!

Caroling For Coats

Caroling for Coats has been launched in New Smyrna Beach. Go check your closet for your winter coats, jackets and sweatshirts. Elizabeth Sullivan will get them to the people that need them most right here in the New Smyrna Beach area. Get complete details from the News-Journal article published this week. What a great idea from a super nice member of our community!

Samsula Tractor Parade

The Annual Samsula Tractor Parade is this Saturday at 3pm. This will be the first year in 5 years that the most gorgeous horse (look up) ever has not been in the parade. Last year we concluded he is not really a parade horse...tractors make him mad....and we moved him to a new low key barn with no stress....

Having said all that...head out to Samsula and check out the Tractor Parade. It truly is great fun! They start at the SNPJ Lodge on Samsula Rd and head out to SR 44 and turn around. Sitting at SR 44 and Samsula Rd is the VERY BEST boiled peanuts and hot dogs in the area. He has a big flag out and is in the little white trailer in the lot right across from the Crow's Nest. We stop every weekend and grab some peanuts good stuff!

Enjoy the parade!

Cuda's Unhooked Inaugural Golf Tournament

This Saturday is the first annual Cudas Unhooked Golf Tournament! Please show your support this weekend to this great organization. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities available. Donate a door prize, sponsor a hole or come out with your friends and golf! Single Players are welcome to come out and golf as well. If you would like more information contact Colin Kennovin at 566-2071 or Rob Schwab at 427-4138.

Cuda's Unhooked is in place solely to help high school students in our community who are at risk of not finishing school due to their personal home situation. We have homeless students in New Smyrna Beach, and many who are perilously close to being homeless. Makes it tough to study and concentrate when you are hungry or not sure where you are sleeping.

Bed & Breakfast Tour &Taste

One of my favorite Christmas activities is this weekend. On Sunday, December 11th from 2pm-4pm you can tour some of our local Bed & Breakfast establishments all decorated for the holidays! Along with some excellent cuisine from our local eateries this is a nice break from the craziness of the season. Visit Night Swan, Nuns and Roses, The Riverview and The Longboard Inn. Get full details on Christmas on Canal Street.

Support your local business!!

Christmas Events

There are some special events the next few days to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 pm the Chancel Choir of Coronado Community United Methodist Church will present Handel's Messiah. The Church is located at 201 S. Peninsula in New Smyrna Beach.

St. Peter the Fisherman Church is bringing "Christmas Remembered," also on Sunday, December 4th at 2:00 pm. This is a solo piano concert, featuring Wayne Gratz. Mr. Gratz will be performing traditional Christmas music. Tickets are $7 ahead of time and $10 the day of the show, refreshments will be served. The church is located at  4220 Saxon Drive, New Smyrna Beach.

The third annual Girls Night Out Fashion Show on Canal Street will begin at 7 p.m., Dec. 7, next to Christmas Park on the corner of Live Oak and Canal Streets in New Smyrna Beach. Refreshments and door prizes will be offered. Admission is free.

Coronado Community United Methodist Church will hold its Christmas Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at 201 S. Peninsula Ave., New Smyrna Beach. All proceeds will be donated to the United Methodist Women of Coronado Community United Methodist Church for their missions and charities. Christmas crafts, baked goods and much more will be available.

Plenty more events coming up! Support your local business!

2011 Santa Stroll

Come stroll with Santa next Saturday, December 10th. Meet at the Flagler Avenue beach ramp to register. This is an adult Pub Stroll to benefit Toys for Tots and the Boys and Girls Club. Bring an unwrapped toy or donate cash to the organizations and they will buy the toys. The first 250 Santas and Elves will get a T-shirt and Santa hat. There will also be an Elf Run to Clancy's for families with kids who want to participate in this annual event!

Around Town-Weekend Events

There is no shortage of things to do this weekend at the beach! Whatever you are out doing this weekend please support your local business!

Light Up Flagler is tonight starting at 5:30 p.m.
 
Farmer's Market in Edgewater at Hawk's Park and NSB at Old Fort Park.

The Parades are Saturday in NSB starting at 4:00 p.m. on Flagler Ave

Norwood's Seafood Holiday Wine Festival is this weekend. Full information here.

 The IMAGES Tour of Homes is Saturday from 9 - 3pm

The First Annual Taste of the Causeway is this Sunday, December 4th at Norwood's Seafood. Admission is free, several local restaurants are participating in this tasty event under the tents!

Enjoy the weekend!!