Winters by the beach tend to be monochromatic: the sky, sand, and ocean in various shades of gray.
So a colorful sunrise (or sunset) is especially appreciated. Â This morning, the view was beautiful as I walked down the path to the beach. Â An hour later, clouds moved in and the gray returned. Temperatures are fairly mild…so I can’t complain 😉
We had 2 days off after Christmas, and wanted to take a quick get away. Â Thought about venturing into Philadelphia or New York City to see a show…but that seemed like too much effort.
So we decided on a comfortable and easy escape- Rehoboth Beach. Â A quick ferry ride from Cape May, and an off season beach town atmosphere.
Their downtown reminds me of a mix of JFK Boulevard in Sea Isle City, and 96th Street in Stone Harbor. Â And like Cape May, Â Rehoboth Beach is able to draw a crowd, allowing most shops and restaurants to thrive even in December.
Oh, and did I mention the outlets? Â 😉
Now back in our sleepy beach town…which suits us perfectly fine!
Santa– the life size painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember.
Santa began his life of service in the early 1960’s at my parents’ first house in Avalon. He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs. Inside that modest Golden Home rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire†.
In the 1970’s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace. The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.
In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go. Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach. In the 1980’s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!
When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990’s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home. Of course, I was thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shoreâ€.
Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.   Several years ago, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!
Now approaching 50 years old, Santa is showing some signs of wear (aren’t we all). I thought about asking an artist to do a “touch upâ€, but it just doesn’t seem right.  It’s good to remember that so much time has passed- it helps us to celebrate the journey.
There have always been rumors about famous people owning vacation homes in Avalon and Stone Harbor. Â And while it’s not far fetched (who wouldn’t want to live here??), most rumors turn out to be false.
Our “celebrity” owners are more commonly Philadelphia sports team athletes (in fact I work for one!)
So, when I heard that an ocean front house was supposedly built for a popular singer…I dismissed the news. Â But of course, I started looking for clues, and thought…well maybe.
Unfortunately, the builder confirmed that the rumor is false…and that the actual owner is amused by the discussion.
Darn. Â Thought it would be fun to share my beach walks with a new neighbor 😉
Our Christmas tree features the typical treasured ornaments: Â First Christmas Together, Baby’s First Christmas, First Christmas in New Home, handmade ornaments from our sons’ early school years, and now those from our grand children.
Mixed in among the traditional decorations are souvenirs from our travels. Many are hand made local “art” (the Maui fish for example), with a few touristy gift shop items when unable to find a suitable ornament.
The Christmas tree truly represents our good fortune…and I look forward to adding a new ornament or two in 2014.
If only this weather would last until Spring!
Nice weather forecast for the weekend. Â A pre-Christmas walk on the beach should be on your list!
During the past 30 days, 23 properties sold (settlement).  The overall median selling price was $950,000.
Breaking down the sales:
12 single family homes, ranging from a well maintained rancher on 44th Street for $890,000, to an ocean front built in 1981 situated on a 75′ X 110′ lot on 94th Street for $3,600,000.  The median selling price for single family homes:  $1,531,250.
There were 9 condo/townhouse units sold, ranging from a 1 bedroom condo on 99th Street for $259,000, to a new construction side by side on 29th Street for $950,000. The median selling price for condo/townhouse units:  $629,000.
1 commercial building on the bay at 98th Street sold for $790,000.  And a duplex on 100th Street sold for $800,000.
In addition, there are 33 properties sale pending, with settlement scheduled for the near future. Â The median list price of those pending:Â $1,399,000 (selling prices published after closing).
If you would like information regarding property values in Avalon/Stone Harbor, please let me know. Â ann@anndelaney.com or 609-967-7950
Thank you for your interest and referrals!
Grateful for the distraction of sunrise colors and views during my early morning walk 🙂
Happy New Year!
Thank you for following along in 2013. Â I’m grateful for your business and friendship.
Wishing you health, happiness…and relaxing beach days in 2014!