Seasons
During the month of December, you won’t want to miss the beauty of the glowing slender palm trees that line West Venice Avenue! While most of the country is braced for frost in December, Venice, Florida, celebrates the holidays with its own unique tropical kind of winter wonderland, ready for all to enjoy.
The Magic of Historic
Venice Island
There is something unexpectedly wonderful about spending Thanksgiving in Florida. The holiday still carries its familiar spirit of gratitude and togetherness, but here it unfolds in a warm climate. Instead of bare trees and the chill of late autumn experienced in other places, there are palm fronds moving in the breeze, warm sunlight reflecting on the water, and the quiet comfort of knowing that home does not always require snow on the ground. Sometimes, home is wherever the people you love gather around a table, even if that table is set on the Suncoast.
Thanksgiving in Venice…
Where Gratitude Meets the Sun
The screen door let out its familiar sound as Donna stepped onto the lanai carrying her empty “I Love Venice” shopping bag, which she had purchased almost 10 years ago. Her grandfather, Norman, was already waiting for her to start enjoying their shared annual adventure.
Donna & Norman’s
Autumn Tradition
Scarecrows may look like cheerful bundles of straw in floppy hats today, but they started out with a very serious job of protecting crops. Long before they became porch decorations and festival favorites, scarecrows stood watch in fields, helping farmers keep hungry birds away from precious crops. Over time, these simple field guardians grew into one of fall’s most recognizable symbols—part history, part folklore, and part seasonal charm.
There are so many interesting stories and myths to share about the intriguing subject of the Horseshoe, here is one of our favorites…
~An Unexpected Find
On St. Patrick’s Day (commonly called St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland) the Leprechaun shows up as a classic character along with a number of other easily recognized symbols. But, it is the Leprechaun Hat that you will see everywhere on that holiday being worn by revelers of all ages and genders. It is simply the most iconic St. Paddy’s Day hat!
The St. Paddy’s Day
Leprechaun Hat
Season's Eatings:
The Story of Santa's Cookies & Milk
On the night before Christmas, many families practice the tradition of putting out a plate of cookies with a glass of milk for Santa, before making sure the children are “nestled all snug in their beds.” A seasonal expression of hospitality, it seems a fitting way to share some tidings of comfort and joy with “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” as it provides him with a delicious break during his globe-trotting journey. This wonderful ritual has become so etched into the tapestry of holiday tradition that it may seem to be timeless. When exploring its roots, however, we discover that this cookie custom is a more recent development.
During this time of year, the weather is perfect for a walk, making it a great time to take in some of the beauty that surrounds us. Throughout coastal neighborhoods and noticeable near our beautiful beaches, the roundish, heartshaped leaves of the sea grape bear colorful burgundy, crimson and yellow berries in early autumn.
