What a nice little town. Just like those quaint New England towns at Christmastime, except there's no shivering or shoveling. Only sunshine, shorts, sunglasses and beachsand. But we do get into Christmas down here in a big way. Friday night was Sebastian's yearly "Light up the Night," which gives businesses in town the opportunity to get new customers, greet old customers, and just get to know and give back to the people in Sebastian they serve. But customers get the best part--strolling in and out of each business on a beautiful summer night, sampling food and beverages, chatting with the owners, and seeing all the wonderful Christmas lights put around the businesses in a night of "Competitiv Lighting!" It was our first time, don't know why because we've lived here since 2006. We were actually on our way to catch a bite for dinner, but by the time we finished walking around with our friends, we were no longer hungry.
On the way home we drove by some beautifully-decorated homes, a few of which I snapped pictures of. Here's one below, but not too crisp because of limited light and camera knowledge.
So after a very pleasant night of twinkling lights, sparkling Margueritas and dyn-o-mite nibblies, we settled in at home and saw in the paper that there was lots more to do tomorrow.
In the morning while getting ready these guys landed on our dock hoping to get a snack from me. By the time I grabbled the bread there were 22 of them. What a sight, what a canal, what a town. Then the mere hens started squaking and sidled over too.
So by 8:30 we were off to the St. Sebastian Church's Flea Market, where over 100 vendors, some just local people who need to get rid of "stuff," set up their tables and spread out their wares. So interesting walking around seeing bits and pieces of past valued items, including things I remembered from my childhood--glass piggy bank, copper horse with beaded reins, etc. There's everything from furnitue, jewelry, plants and planters, produce, antiques, clothing, childrens toys, decor, tools and you can even have your lunch there--hot dogs and more. Easy parking, not far to walk, and the weather was beautiful. Below is just one of many aisles.
Then we stopped at Pizzo's Italian Deli, in the Roseland section of Sebastian, to try out their Italian Bread. Having spent the majority of our lives around the New Haven area of Connecticut, the main thing we miss is good Italian food, especially bread. The food has gotten better since we came to Florida, but the bread has not. Except this was close, and at dinner time we enjoyed it stuffed with peppers and eggplant. This new deli has everything yummy we were used to getting in Connecticut ... and more! Below is only a sampling of what's inside this delicious-smelling deli. See more at
www.pizzositaliandeli.com
After picking up a loaf of Italian Bread, which incidentaly filled the car with aromas reminiscent of Lupi Legna's bread in New Haven, we sidled down to the Pelican Diner for breakfast. This is a typical small-town breakfast/lunch place, with friendly people and good hearty food. Decent coffee too. We always seem to run into friends there.
Then it was on to Riverview Park, where some art buddies of mine were showing their paintings and pottery along with the Sebastian Craft Club. Things were hopping there, with lots of interesting things for holiday giving. There were so many people there from the Sebastian River Art Club it looked like a private meeting with all of us standing around chatting and chuckling. The picture below was snapped as we drove away, so it's only part of the backside of the park. There were probably around 50 vendors set up, so there was a little bit of everything. Plus a giant Christmas tree in the midst of it all.
After rolling up my sleeves and planting the begonias and poinsettias I picked up at good-ol' Home Depot today, I had to run back out because I needed more. As I passed Riverview park on Route 1, the street was being closed and Santa was on his way! There was going to be a Christmas parade! Wish we had noticed that earlier, as I was on a mission and anxious to get back to the dirty mess I left in the midst of adding some living Christmas "reds" to our front landscape.
Just to reiterate, this is a great little town, and sometimes I think I shouldn't advertise the fact, because Bob and I like it just the way it is. And then there's all that Florida sunshine. Could it be any better?
Getting busy so may not post for a while. Everyone out there - Merry Christmas or whatever your holiday or non-holiday celebrations are.
Judy Burgarella
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