Light Box Realty Real Estate Blog

One of my favorite events of the season is the Stockley Gardens Art Festival.    This is the 30th year and it begins Saturday, May 17 through Sunday, May 18.   Over 30,000 people attend the two day event to see fine art, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry.  There is also live entertainment and kids activities.

Stockley Gardens Art Festival has more than paintings and photos.  One of our favorite vendors is Horseshoe Point Honey.  They offer  several varieties of local, raw honey and for the first time will have bee pollen for sale.  My family always buys some local honey and their amazing honey sticks.  The honey sticks come in flavors like watermelon, pink lemonade and cinnamon.  We also stop by the Kettle Corn vendor and get some warm, fresh kettle corn with a cup of fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The money raised during the festival benefits and helps pay for housing, transportation, medical care and more for people with developmental disabilities.

There is no cost to attend the festival.  The hours are Saturday, May 17 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday May 18 from noon to 5 pm.

The Chrysler Museum in Norfolk re-opened earlier this week after a 16 month renovation.  The project included the redesign and refurbishment of the Museum’s 210,000 square-foot interior and the addition of two new two-story wings flanking the Chrysler’s front entrance.

A special visitor will be making an appearance outside the Chrysler  May 17 – 26.  Rubber Duck, by Florentijn Hofman, is quite a world traveler, but this will be its first East coast appearance.  The sculpture, made from PVC and kept inflated by a fan on its supporting barge, is just inches under 40 feet tall. It will be on display in the Hague Inlet, right across from the Museum’s front entrance.

For more information, the Chrysler Rubber Duck has his own website and Facebook page.

Ducky Days at the Glass Studio

In honor Mr. Hofman’s creation, the Chrysler Museum will offer a family-friendly chance to make your very own cast-glass duck. For information on these special events, to be held Tuesday, May 20, through Friday, May 23, click here.

Visiting the Chrysler

When planning a visit to the Chrysler, be sure to visit the renovated cafe. Wisteria features a full menu complete with fine wines and craft beers, and is managed by Cuisine & Company.  The cafe has direct access to Mary’s Garden, and al fresco dining is available.  Wisteria’s hours are the same as the Museum.  For more information, call (757) 333-6291.

Admission and parking are free. The Chrysler Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Starting in June, the museum will be open until 10 p.m. on the Third Thursday of every month.

Source:  www.chrysler.org 

One of my favorite festivals of the year is the Norfolk Greek Festival.  Mark your calendar because it starts this Thursday, May 15 and runs through Sunday, May 18.  The festival is not just about the incredible food., there are dancers , crafts, cooking classes and all things Greek.  However, my particular favorite reason for  going is for the food.  I also justify the mass quantity of food consumed because this festival is held only once a year.  Here are a few of the amazing dishes:

Greek Salad:  The classic salad of crisp lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, topped with feta cheese, black olives, onions, peppers and a special Greek dressing $3.50

Moussaka:   Sliced eggplant and potatoes combined with ground meat, spices and tomato sauce, topped with a specialty moussaka cream sauce $7.00

Pastitsio:  A macaroni casserole with ground sirloin of beef, topped with a creamy cheese sauce $7.00

Spanakopita:  A tasty blend of spinach and feta cheese wrapped and baked in filo pastry. $3.00

Tiropita:  A blend of cheese, wrapped and baked in filo pastry. $3.00

Rice Pilaf:  Rice prepared with a perfect blend of spices and butter $2.00

Yahni Beans:   Greek-style green beans prepared with onions, tomatoes and spices $2.00

Baklava:   Nuts, butter & sweet spices baked in layers of Greek filo & topped with syrup $2.00

Gyro   A specially prepared blend of beef and lamb, with onions and tomatoes. Topped with Tzatziki sauce $7.00

Calamari:  Tender squid, lightly breaded and fried $7.00

Greek Fries Potatoes fried and seasoned to perfection with a combination of Greek spices $3.00

Souvlaki Sticks:  Pork or Chicken Souvlaki on a Stick

My personal favorite are the Loukoumades.  These are incredibly delicious, hot honey sweet fritters, deep fried in front of you, served piping hot

Small   $4.00  Large  $6.00

If you do not have time to sit, eat and enjoy the festivities, there is a drive through service.  Simply go to www.norfolkgreekfestival.com and print out the drive-through form.  They will deliver your order to the car.

The festival hours are :  Thursday 11am – 9:30pm;  Friday/Saturday 11am-10pm; Sunday 12pm – 7pm

Source:  www.norfolkgreekfestival.com

You must see 104 Widgeon Drive in Currituck, North Carolina.  This beautiful, custom built home on Bells Island was designed with the waterfront in mind.  The three stories of functional, open space offers 180 degree view of the canal.  This home offers over 3200 square feet with three bedrooms and three full baths.  There is also a half bath.

The main living is on the second floor  and is perfect for entertaining.  The great room has cathedral ceilings and a gas fireplace. Natural light floods this room and it is open to the elegant kitchen.  The kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, breakfast area and spacious pantry.

The master suite is on the third floor and is very large.  It has a sitting area and a balcony that overlooks the beautiful water view.  The balcony is a wonderful place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or relaxing at the end of the day.  The master bathroom has a fabulous shower, dual vanities and deep, jetted tub.

This home also has an over-sized one car garage and a two car carport.  You can fish from your private dock.