Driving down Eau Gallie Blvd day after day, you don't even notice Charlie & Jake's BBQ restaurant, located at 445 East Eau Gallie Blvd.  It's not a particularly large place, and with all the other BBQ joints around (let's face it, this IS the south!), it's easy to miss.  That being said, I would recommend that you stop by and give this tasty little place a try.Charlie Johnson, of Charlie & Jake's BBQ fame was transferred to the Space Coast from Huntsville, Alabama over 20 years ago by NASA.  Not only did he bring his NASA styled knowledge with him, more importantly to us, he brought his Alabama style of Barbecue to the beaches of the Space Coast!  Now let's get one thing straight, Charlie & Jake's BBQ doesn't need a large restaurant to serve their special style of BBQ to the residents ... 11/21/2013

As a Colorado transplant, I can honestly say that I missed Whole Foods, Tony's Market and other great shopping spots in Denver.  The Green Turtle Market really stepped it up for me on Florida's beautiful Space Coast. If you are looking for a specific type of cheese for a very special occasion, The Green Turtle Markethas you covered.If you are looking for gourmet deli meat selection for a holiday party, The Green Turtle Markethas you covered. If you are looking for a gourmet hostess basket, The Green Turtle Markethas you covered. If you are looking for a great, out of the ordinary wine for a very special Oenophile, The Green Turtle Markethas you covered. To put it simply, The Green Turtle Marketis a great, out of the ordinary market for all of those hard to find products beachside!  Loc... 11/19/2013

My friend Carole sent me this for Sunday Football games.  Doesn't it sound good? BACON BREAD! What? Bread, with bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing…does it get any better than this? Ingredients 12 bacon strips, diced 1 (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 c (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 (1 ounce) ranch salad dressing mix Directions 1 In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes or until partially cooked; drain on paper towels. Roll out dough to 1/2-in. thickness; brush with 1 tablespoon of oil. Cut into 1-in. pieces; place in a large bowl. Add the bacon, cheese, dressing mix and remaining oil; toss to coat. 2 Arrange pieces in a 9-in. x 5-in. oval on a greased Bundt Pan, layering as needed... Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30... 11/17/2013

As a Seller, you want to garner the highest profit when you sell your property, right?  That is fully understood.  Many Sellers start out on that quest my by trying to negotiate the commission with their Listing Agent when they sign a listing agreement.  I am here to tell Sellers exactly WHY doing that is a BAD idea, and why it may just cost you more money than you know when your receive your proceeds check after you close. When your property is listed in the MLS for sale, there is something called a co-op commission that is entered into the MLS.  The co-op commission rate is the percentage that a Listing  broker pays the Selling broker for bringing a Buyer to the closing table. Throughout the country, that rate is often 3%.  Out of the remaining money that goes to the Listing Agent, yo... 11/11/2013

On Friday evening I was in my house relaxing and having a bite to eat.  All of the sudden my 5 lb Yorkshire Terrier Lucy started barking and making a real stink outside.  For those of you that don't have dogs, you can usually tell when your dog is really sounding the "alert" or whether they are just barking to hear themselves bark.  Lucy was having a fit!  The tone of her voice put everyone else in the house on the alert.  I went out into the back yard and looked up to where the Yorkies were barking.  There on the top of the fence I saw a strange face!  Not a human face but an animal face that I didn't recognize.  Now my backyard is screened in (it's a Florida thing) and my fence is behind the screen.  As I walked over to where this animal sat on top of the fence I initally thought it l... 11/04/2013

For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I really like Old Vine Zinfandel's from the Lodi appellation.  Well do I have a deal for those of you on the Space Coast.  Right now you have a fabulous opportunity to try Gnarley Head Old Vine Zinefandel and save a ton of money! Winn Dixie is now offering .25 in fuel perks off of every bottle of Gnarley Head Old Vine Zinefandel that you buy.  If you buy 4  bottles of Gnarley Head Old Vine Zinefandel, you get an additional 10% off of the price and a buck a gallon off the price of your gas when you buy gas.  This deal is good through 12/3/13.  I filled cup my tank this week for under $20!  OK, I'm stocking up for the holidays . Gnarley Head Old Vine Zinefandel at Winn Dixie 11/01/2013

For those of you that know me, you know that I really enjoy a good Old Vine Zinfandel.  Cameron Hughes Lot 221 - 2009 Zinfandel is a robust red that I really enjoyed.  This Zinfandel is not an ancient vines selection, but it is from the Lodi appellation which is by far my favorite for Zins. The grapes for this wine primarily come from Lodi with other fruit coming from contract wineries.  I found the wine to be a deep purple color with overtones of currants and a slight hint of clove and cinnamon.  I like a a nice and jammy wine with not too much in the tannin department and Cameron Hughes Lot 221 - 2009 Zinfandel hit the nail on the head in terms of MY taste.  I found it to have a nice, smooth finish. Was it the best Zin I've ever tried? No, but for a bottle under $9, it was a good find.  10/29/2013

After working a particularly extra long day today, I just didn't feel like cooking anything when I got home.  So I stopped off and picked up some Chinese take out on my way.  I really didn't want anything hot, so I opted for an order of Cold Sesame Noodles from No 1 Chinese Restauranton the southwest corner of Eau Gallie and A1A. Located in the strip mall where Walmart is Beachside at 991 E Eau Galliec,  No 1 Chinese Restaurant was a wonderful surprise!  Previously another Chinese Restaurant along Eau Gallie had been recommended to me for their Cold Sesame Noodles.  I found the noodles at this other restaurant to be just too...sweet.  At No 1 Chinese Restaurant, I found the sauce to be only slightly sweet with just the right amount of spice to liven it up.  I also like the fact that the... 10/07/2013

Now that our economy is starting to pull out of the horrible recession that we have been in, people (Buyers) are once again cautiously looking at Buying a home.  Some jump right in, and some teeter totter on the edge, not being able to make up their mind.  So, with that in mind, here are 10 Reasons You Should Buy Instead of Renting a Home. 1. Low Interest Rates. Interest rates may not be as low as they have been.  But seriously mortgages rates are still a great deal!2. Mortgage Interest Deduction: Yes, there has been rumors about eliminating this delicious deduction.  But from my opinion take advantage of this while you can!3. Stability: According to Realty Times, home ownership increases community involvement.  That means living in a safer neighborhood.4. Affordability:  Along with out... 10/07/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team - Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Just Sold! Waterfront Towntome in Indian Harbour Beach! Waterfront Townhome, located in the exclusive Dockside Villas! The Coastal Estate Team just sold this amazing Indian Harbour Beach townhome, ideally situated directly on the Grand Canal! Located in the exclusive neighborhood of Dockside Villas, this spacious townhome offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage in over 2,000 square feet. With an updated kitchen featuring granite countertops and stainless appliances, plus a private spa and sun deck, breezy screened porch, community pool and boat dock, plus a great location close to the beach and Kiwi Tennis Club, this townhouse has it all! Congratulations to the new owne... 07/30/2013

The government’s recent announcement to wind down its bond-buying program is a result of steady economic improvements. Interest rates will continuously be pressured to rise - making today’s low rates an extraordinary opportunity. Helping clients to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage will be looked back on as financial opportunities of a lifetime! So in a nutshell, if you have been thinking about buying, now is the time to get into the market! www.SpaceCoastAreaHomes.com has over 20 years of REAL ESTATE SALES, MARKETING AND NEGOTIATION all ready to put you in the winning seat! Call us today and ask us to help YOU! 07/17/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team– Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Just Sold! Somerset Direct Oceanfront Penthouse Condo, Indian Harbour Beach, FL! Endless ocean views from this Somerset Oceanfront Condo in Indian Harbour Beach! The Coastal Estate Team just sold this breathtaking direct oceanfront penthouse unit, located in Somerset Oceanfront Condos in Indian Harbour Beach. This spectacular 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo offers amazing ocean views throughout, plus 9-foot ceilings, a fully updated kitchen, separate study, walk-in closets, spacious covered balconies, and even a 3-car garage! Congratulations to the new owners of this fabulous condo, who are sure to enjoy the unobstructed ocean views and fantastic resort-style living with direct beach a... 06/27/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team– Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Just Sold! Indian Harbour Beach Canalfront Townhome! The Coastal Estate Team just sold this lovely Indian Harbour Beach townhome! The Coastal Estate Team just sold this beautifully updated townhome, situated on a quiet canal in Indian Harbour Beach. The open floor plan offers over 2,000 square feet, with 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 baths, and tons of closet/storage space. From the completely remodeled kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, to the brand new bathrooms, flooring, and interior paint, this delightful townhouse is sure to make its new owners very happy. Completely updated kitchen! Gorgeous canal views… with manatees! Although this beautifully ... 06/19/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team– Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Listed and Sold, Stunning Indian Harbour Beach Pool Home! LISTED and SOLD this great Indian Harbour Beach pool home! The Coastal Estate Team LISTED AND SOLD this stunning Indian Harbour Beach pool home… in less than 30 days! Offering almost 2,200 square feet, this lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath pool home located at 522 Bay Circle in Indian Harbour Beach sold for $274,500. With its amazingly high ceilings, covered lanai with summer kitchen, spectacular yard and pool, and fantastic location, the new owners of this home are sure to be pleased! Beautiful covered lanai with summer kitchen, great for entertaining! Huge sparkling pool! Although this Indian Harbour Beach pool home has been sol... 06/02/2013

We seem to have parks for everything here on the Space Coast. We have beach parks, sports parks, workout trails, picnic areas, recreation centers, places for manatees and much more. Oars and Paddles Park in Indian Harbour Beach, FL is a park that was designed for those who enjoy any type of paddle boating. It is in fact available for any non-motorized boating (the boat ramp in the park is not for any type of motorized boats). Some of the amenities of Oars and Paddles Park are: A DockBoat Launch (no motor)PedwayPicnic TableRestroomsRiver AccessPavilion You will often watch the local schools doing competitive rowing in the river while you have your picnic lunch! Oars and Paddles Park also has plenty of free parking so do not hesitate to come here on a weekday or weekend! The location is:... 04/23/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team- Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Just Listed! Somerset Direct Oceanfront Condo Welcome home to Somerset in Indian Harbour Beach! Carolyn and Bridget just listed this spectacular direct oceanfront end unit condo in Somerset in Indian Harbour Beach, FL! This large 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath plus study condo has a fantastic open floor plan, with 9-foot ceilings and pride of ownership evident throughout. The elegant kitchen is open to the living and dining rooms, which offer 8-foot tall sliders onto the balcony and unobstructed ocean views. The luxurious master suite features a private balcony, his and hers walk-in closets, and dual sinks, jetted tub, and separate shower in the master bathroom. To read more about this fant... 02/20/2013

Carolyn Smith, Realtor & Bridget Sentz, Realtor ~ Coastal Estate Team – Indian Harbour Beach, FL Real Estate: Just Sold! Indian Harbour Beach Waterfront Home! JUST SOLD by Carolyn and Bridget! Fabulous waterfront home in Harbour Lights in Indian Harbour Beach - 3,300 square foot four bedrooms, three baths, formal living and dining, large kitchen with breakfast nook opening to family room, huge second floor game room and separate man cave / office. Ideally situated on a deep water canal, this home was made for outdoor entertaining: private dock featuring covered lift and seating area, screened pool and spa and large covered lanai with summer kitchen. This home offers true luxury waterfront living… bring your boat and enjoy the sunny Florida lifestyle! This magnificent Harbour Lights wate... 02/05/2013

  Having lived in both very health conscience areas (Denver, CO) as well as places that believe in food quantity over quality (Houston, TX) I am very aware of how hard it can be to find really good healthy alternatives. This is true when it comes to both organic groceries as well as options for eating out...especially in a somewhat smaller area such as the Space Coast. Thankfully I was recently introduced to a wonderful beachside location that gives me both grocery items as well as a quick healthy lunch spot. Here is a bonus: it is all in one convenient location! It is called Happy Healthy Human and it is located on South Patrick Dr in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Happy Healthy Human has a small location across the street from Doubles Hoagies in a strip mall. They offer a full array of org... 12/01/2012

I love Sushi and Thai food. I do not eat red meat or fowl so it can sometimes be hard to find places that work well with my specific diet. Sushi and Thai food always have plenty of great options so I was excited about trying this new alternative in the Indian Harbour Beach area. I also love an occasional martini (which increased my excitement). When I first walked into the restaurant it was bright...VERY bright. The neon yellow color of the walls along with the large windows circling almost the entire restaurant made it so light and reflective that you could never choose this place for a romantic dinner (kind of odd for a place that also calls itself a Martini Bar). The food was OK. We tried three different types of sushi rolls and I added a seaweed salad. The rolls tasted fine and the... 11/19/2012

Since I like every type of food imaginable...and I eat all day every day...I am usually a pretty good person to judge who has the best of any type of particular food...lol This opinion is strictly based on value and food quality, not type of food or quantity of food. The winner for me (hands down) is Pistilli's on Eau Gallie Blvd in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. The deal is so good...and the quality and quantity of food is so great you can enjoy your ridiculously priced lunch and have enough left over to warm up and have for dinner (It is also good enough that you will want to enjoy it twice)! Here is the Deal: Pistilli's has a couple of great daily lunch specials. First they do have an unlimited pizza, pasta, salad and fountain drink special from a buffet that is set up for lunch. All rea... 11/12/2012