Oh dear!  It’s official….I have to take a crash course in “Elf On A Shelf” before we arrive in New Orleans next Sunday.  Mr. T and I have been assigned to take over the arduous task of deciding what to do with the cute little thing from the time we arrive until Christmas.  With his wickedly dry sense of humor I’m sure my husband will come up with something dastardly to do.

Is it true that the elf cannot be touched????  This is Emmeline, our eight year old granddaughter’s door on Sunday morning…..the elf up in the corner….too funny.  I think my step-daughter is tired of finding clever ways to present the little guy each day!  I think E’s  main criteria is that the elf do something “interesting”……hmmmmm.

It seems he can get into trouble, that’s for sure!

I’d love to know who started this whole thing…..one more bit of stress and pressure to load onto the parents of hopeful small children.  All in good fun, however!

It’s cute, for sure and there are plenty of ideas on-line to help with our dilemma!  If you have any to share, please do.

Oh Elfie…..We’re thinking up such fun for you!  It’s going to be a very Merry Christmas!

Melissa | people | 12 17th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

A bit of soothing Christmas music for your Simple Sunday listening.  Beautiful winter scenes accompany a playlist of classical favorites.  It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 12 15th, 2013 | No Comments »

I’ve got exciting news to share with you today!  For a couple of years now, my sister-in-law has been putting together the most amazing organic spice blends as well as a full selection of herbs and spices.  I have been the grateful recipient of “one of each” which I have tested, used in recipes and even written a cookbook for.  May we have a drum roll please?

Announcing the launch of Sangre de Cristo Spice Company!  You can now visit the website and place your orders!  Take a look here:  http://sdcspice.com  The Sangre de Cristo mountains inspired the name of the company, which is located in Crestone, Colorado just at the northern tip of the range that travels south through New Mexico.

Honestly, dear readers, these are some of the finest products I have ever used and I wouldn’t just say that because it’s family.  I’m pretty good at calling it like it is and would not steer you wrong!

All 0f the products you’ll find are fair trade, organically grown and freshly dried herbs, spices and signature blends you’ll grow to love!

Ordering is easy and if you “click” on “Cookbook”, you’ll be taken to the page where you can order “Spice Up Your Life” in eBook form.  This cookbook, written specifically to share many, many ways to use the  Sangre de Cristo line of products, is full of great recipes you’ll enjoy trying!

I just dreamed up another one last night for dinner!  So quick and easy….my family loved it and I think you will too!  Pair this with a crisp green salad and a nice glass of burgundy for a delicious cool weather supper!

French Onion Soup – 

Serves six

2 red onion, peeled, quartered and sliced thin

3 sweet Vidalia onions, peeled, quartered and sliced thin

3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

1 bunch leeks, cleaned and sliced thin (I do not use the green ends)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 large boxes beef stock (I use the Harris Teeter brand)

1 teaspoon raw sugar

1 teaspoon Sangre de Cristo Herbes de Provence

1 teaspoon Sangre de Cristo French Gray Sea Salt

1/2 teaspoon Sangre de Cristo whole black peppercorns ground

1 cup dry red wine

1 French baguette, thinly sliced on the diagonal

2 cups shredded swiss and gruyere cheese mixed (I bought the pre-shredded bag with this combination at Harris Teeter)

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the onions, shallots and leeks and cook over medium heat until they are transparent.  Sprinkle with the sugar, herbs, salt and pepper and continue cooking over low heat for five minutes.  Add the red wine and beef stock, cover and simmer for one half hour.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees while the soup simmers.  Fill six deep soup bowls, or better yet, French onion soup crocks, with soup.  Top with two slices of French bread and cover with shredded cheese.  Place the bowls, on a heavy cookie sheet, in the preheated oven and bake for ten minutes.  That’s it….easy, easy.  I know you’re thinking…boxed beef stock???  On a busy week night….YES!  This is such a delicious supper and ready in next to no time.  Mr. T kept me company in the kitchen, opened a bottle of red wine and we caught up with day’s events.  I call that a perfect evening!

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 12 13th, 2013 | No Comments »

I’m posting about more events you’ll want to look into that are going on in the Golden Isles this coming weekend.  Some of them begin today so take a look!

Lots of open houses!  Here a just a few I think you’ll like!  Accents Marketplace, Cafe Rive Gauche at Left Bank Art Gallery and G.J. Ford.

And the nativity show at the Moore Methodist Museum at Epworth is well worth seeing….

Visit the Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island for Santa’s annual visit.

Movies and music and more! Coastal Symphony of Georgia performs on December 16th, American Tenors perform at The Cloister on Sea Island on December 13th and showings of It’s A Wonderful Life begin at The Ritz Theathre in Brunswick.

Hodnett Cooper Beach Tree

There’s no reason to miss out on more holiday spirit as Christmas draws near.

And don’t forget to shop locally.  Our local merchants are the heart beat of the area, suppport them whenever you can!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 12 12th, 2013 | No Comments »

Living on an island is a little slice of heaven, especially at this time of year.  We have a large lagoon on our property that draws all sorts of wild life.  My office window faces this wonderful space where I see nature plays right before my eyes.  Misty mornings bring all sorts of waterfowl to find their first meal of the day.

It might be a giant Egret….

A great Heron, as the skies clear and midday sets in….

Or ducks leading the way as they paddle around the banks searching for their dinner.

I love it when they all begin to return after the long hot summer.  Leaves have fallen, a chill is in the air and the birds bring a sense of peace and rhythm to the season.

Life is good.

Melissa | Out&About | 12 11th, 2013 | No Comments »

Tis the season!  I’m featuring local shops and markets over the next couple of weeks.  Christmas giving becomes so unique when you move away from the big chain stores and get a bit creative!  Today, we’re shopping at 1610 Antiques and Uncle Don’s.  Right next door to each other, this is the place if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.

1610 Antiques is a treasure trove of goodies, an antique mall of sorts….all under one roof.

You’ll find fanciful Christmas items….

Dreaming of a white Christmas?  You can select decorative accents to create just the right atmosphere in your home.

And right next door Uncle Don’s has food items….Christmas chips, dips, sauces and savories!  Ask about holiday gift baskets too.

Baubles, bangles and soft sculpture ornaments to please the most discerning person on your list.

You won’t see your gifts coming and going when you shop locally!

Melissa | Shop! | 12 9th, 2013 | No Comments »

It’s the holiday season!  You cannot go anywhere, well maybe not anywhere, but most places you’ll visit this time of year have Christmas music wafting through the air.  I love Christmas music, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes having “Jingle Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” stuck in my mind at three in the morning is not so fun!

On this Simple Sunday relax with some wonderful instrumental music, mellow and a bit haunting in quality.  Something different to listen to as you enjoy that first cup of coffee.  And don’t forget, today and everyday, to say thank you!  InJoy!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 12 8th, 2013 | No Comments »

Pinterest

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in the Golden Isles!  And even though we won’t be seeing any snow, at least I don’t think so, it’s time to make merry!

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The Jekyll Island Club Hotel had its annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration…..

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Brunswick is filled with hustle and bustle with an upcoming Christmas Parade, Boat Parade and a special viewing of one of my favorites, It’s A Wonderful Life at the Ritz Theatre.  Visit here to see more events and details:  www.goldenisles.com

Another VERY exciting event on Saturday, December 7th, is the 29^th annual Cassina Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes & Bake Sale.  The theme of this year’s event is  Sea Island – “Holiday Traditions”.  Proceeds benefit the preservation & restoration of the historic tabby slave cabins on Gascoigne Bluff.  These cabins are open regularly throughout the year for touring & events.  They are visited by hundreds including school children, elder hostel group and international tourists to our area.  Go here for reservations and more information:   www.CassinaGardenClub.org,  or call 912-399-1152.  The beautiful Sea Island Cloister will be beautifully decorated as well as six Sea Island homes you’ll be able to tour….combine that with the fundraising bake sale and you’ve got the holiday spirit going full speed!

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Perhaps one of my most favorite annual events is The Community Messiah Chorus that will be presented at Wesley United Methodist Church this coming Sunday.  Two performances are featured on December 7th at 4 and 7 p.m.

Always a treat during the holiday’s! Handel’s Messiah, composed in 1741 and first performed in Dublin in April of 1742, this classic is a holiday maker!  Click on the arrow to hear the Hallelujah Chorus.  You can’t help but get in the mood when listening to this!

There is nothing like Christmas in the Golden Isles!  I’ll be featuring special gifts, shops and events over the coming weeks so stay tuned!

And don’t forget to tune into WWEZ 94.7 and 97.5 FM radio to hear The Permanent Tourist radio talk show!  Every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:05 pm EST….www.wwezradio.com for live streaming.

Melissa | food & entertaining, people | 12 5th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Now that the weather has cooled off you might be thinking of taking a day trip, some place close enough to reach in a couple of hours.  St. Augustine is the perfect destination for a sunny Saturday.

The historic district offers shopping, people watching and plenty of dining possibilities.

There is nothing more fun for a family than a trip to the Colonial Quarter.

Take a tour and let one of the very knowledgable guides show what life was like when the Spanish first settled in our nation’s oldest city.  See one of the historic shows presented daily or children might enjoy a bit of archealogical digging.

Dine on fabulous tapas at La Taverna del Caballo….the food is fantastic and completely “kid” friendly.

And more delicious tapas with a glass of sangria perhaps?

You can arrive mid-morning, tour the area, eat a fabulous lunch al fresco and be home in time to relax in front of a cozy fire!   The perfect way to get away for the day.

Melissa | Out&About | 12 4th, 2013 | No Comments »

As the holiday season gets underway I am reminded of what this season is truly all about.  Yes, we all love to give and receive gifts at Christmas.  There is nothing more joyful than the sound of children opening presents on Christmas morning!

When I entitled this post “The Giving Tree”, I honestly did not know where that would lead me.  I write that way many times, letting spirit guide and my hands do the typing.  There are instances where I stop and read over what is on the screen of my laptop, wondering where the words could have come from.

The tree I refer to in this post is the tree of life.  The never ending cycle of life is more and more clear to me with the passing of time.

A loved one passes from this world as news of a baby comes from another part of the family.  It is a never ending circle of love, growth, understanding and compassion.

As the season begins keep the true meaning of giving in your heart.  A gift of time, laughter, wonderful food to share…all of these are part of giving that lasts much longer than an object.  Yes, a gift that shows love for a person is always wonderful, we all know that.

But truly, the greatest gift of all is love.  No gift can express that more than simple actions, simple giving of oneself, each and every day.

Melissa | people | 12 3rd, 2013 | No Comments »