It’s feeling like the good old summertime here in Coastal Georgia.  And with this busy season come all sorts of specials for vacations you will not want to pass up.  If you are a local resident you might just want to have a little “Staycation” and check into one of these!

First on my list is the fabulous newly renovated King & Prince Resort here on St. Simons Island.  The stunning new design is casually elegant, welcoming and family friendly.  The resort is running “The Little Prince and Princess Summer Family Getaway”.  What a wonderful place to rest, relax and enjoy time with your family at St. Simon’s only oceanfront resort. There are five pools and lots of activities to fill the calendar for the entire family.  If you need more space check out the Tabby or Meadows House where you’ll have more than enough room to spread out!  These beautifully designed private homes, located on the resort property, even have a complete gourmet kitchen to enjoy when you just want to stay in for the evening.

If you want to dine out the new Echo Bar & Restaurant offers a delicious menu as well as a wonderful new bar that serves up signature libations daily, a complete wine list and live music on the weekends.  You can dine inside or alfresco with scenic views of the beach and ocean.  This is the best of both worlds on St. Simons Island!   The King & Prince has it all and at these prices, it’s very affordable!

Special Royal Dates & Rates are

• ·        June 9,10,11 ….Room rates from $199/night. 2 bedroom partial ocean view Villas FROM $349
• ·        June 29, 30, July 1,2…Room rates FROM $185/night
• ·        July 6,7,8….Room rates FROM $169/night

(Rates above are Standard and Resort view ~ all based on availability)

For PRINCE & PRINCESS FAMILY GETAWAYS information, contact the ON-SITE Reservations Team at 800-342-0212 for Details.  This team of experts will arrange everything so that when you arrive you can relax and begin to unwind as you walk on sandy beaches, play golf or ride bikes.  Many outings are available for the entire family to enjoy that can be scheduled for you as well.  An excursion on the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat is more fun than you can imagine as the crew steers the boat through beautiful area waterways bringing nets full of all kinds of sea creatures on board for you to see.  It’s a two hour cruise sure to delight everyone!   www.shrimpcruise.com

Second is a fun contest being offered by the exclusive Jekyll Island Club Hotel on historic Jekyll Island.  It’s called “Pin To Win” and the lucky winner will have four all expense paid nights at this landmark hotel as well as passes to local attractions.  The rules for entry are easy.  Visit the hotel’s facebook page to get started here:  https://www.facebook.com/JekyllIslandClubHotel

Stroll through the lovely historic district that surrounds the hotel.  Play croquet on the lawns of this gorgeous property, walk on the beach and savor the many delicious dining possibilities at the hotel and surrounding restaurants! Enjoy dinner in the Grand Dining Room or at Crane Cottage where the culinary staff prepares delicious menu items in beautiful European surroundings.  All of the dining venues, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner will please the whole family!   For more information and instructions on how to enter, you can also click here:  http://woobox.com/iy529u

I’ll be keeping all of you informed of special deals as they are offered throughout the summer season as well the many fun activities that are gearing up to provide great summer entertainment!  Make The Permanent Tourist your “go to” resource for all of the going’s on here in Coastal Georgia!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 9th, 2014 | 5 Comments »

Vangelis is the composer of some of today’s most memorable movie soundtracks as well as other beautiful pieces of music.  I found this recording, “Beautiful Planet Earth” to start this Sunday with relaxation and inspiration.

I hope you’ll enjoy and have a wonderful day today!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 06 8th, 2014 | 2 Comments »

My interview this week featured two lovely ladies from the local “Live Oaks” garden club.  Listen in as we talk about the club, what to grow, how to grow it and much more!  Many thanks to Sandra Johanek and June Sortwell for joining me for this interesting show!

Melissa | On The Radio | 06 7th, 2014 | No Comments »

I prepared this menu for friends last weekend and it was a huge hit!  I think you’ll enjoy it just as much as we all did.  It’s fairly simple, fresh and delicious.  Served with a nice Sauvignon Blanc, it’s the perfect menu for summer entertaining!

Peruvian Chicken

Marinated Tomatoes with Chopped Greens

Summer Squash Casserole

Watermelon with Local Honey and Fresh Mint

Peruvian Chicken

2 3-4 pound chickens, butterflied (I asked the butcher at Harris Teeter to do this for me and he did a great job!)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon dry marjoram leaves

5 cloves of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Place the chickens in two large zip lock bags.  Combine the marinade ingredients and mix well.  Pour half of the marinade into each bag, seal and refrigerate overnight, turning every few hours.  Heat your grill to 400 degrees, or if using charcoal, heat until coals are turning white.  Grill for about 6 minutes on each side.  Cut into the chicken to make sure the juices are clear.  Cut into serving pieces and place on a platter.

Marinated Tomatoes with Chopped Greens

3 large heirloom tomatoes

1 small head red leaf lettuce

1/2 head of radicchio, chopped

1 head endive, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped Vidalia onion

Marinade:

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

1 teaspoon grey salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 bunch scallions, cleaned and chopped

Slice the tomatoes, about 1/2 inch thick.  Make the marinade and blend well.  Place the tomato slices in a long flat plastic container with a lid.  Pour the marinade over the tomatoes and marinate for at least 3 hours.  Spoon the marinade over the tomatoes every hour.

To assemble:

Place clean lettuce leaves on a platter, place the tomatoes over the lettuce and garnish with the chopped vegetables.  Spoon the marinade over the platter, as much as you desire, and serve.

Summer Squash Casserole

Preheat oven to 350

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

3 cups assorted summer squash, chopped

pink salt and ground black pepper to taste

Saute the squash in the olive oil until just tender.  Place in a large mixing bowl and add the following ingredients.

1 can water chestnuts, drained and chopped

1 small can chopped green chilies

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

12 whole grain crackers, crushed

1 cup grated cheddar (put half of the cheese into the mixing bowl and save half to sprinkle over the top.

Combine the squash with the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Place in a greased 9×11 pyrex baking dish.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup grated cheese over the top.  Cover with foil and bake for one half hour.  Remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Watermelon with Local Honey and Fresh Mint

1 watermelon, chilled and cut into large chunks

1/4 cup good local honey

1/4 chopped fresh mint

Place the watermelon on a platter and drizzle with the honey.  Garnish with the chopped mint.  This is also delicious served with pieces of good dark chocolate on the side.  I like the kind with sea salt and crushed almonds added…..pure yum!  Thank you Judith for providing this dessert!

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 06 6th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

It’s getting to be that time of year again!  Uncle Don’s has just posted on facebook that peaches have arrived.  In honor of this joyous occasion, I thought a post on one of my favorite fruits would be in order.  AND, in honor of  this post, Uncle Don will give you 10% off when you visit his Local Market on St. Simons Island and mention The Permanent Tourist and the “Just Peachy!” blog!  

Oh the fuzzy, fragrant goodness of a delicious peach!  The sensation of biting into the juicy goodness makes my mouth water just thinking about it!  Here are a few things you might enjoy trying this summer as the peach crops yield bushels of this beautiful fruit!

I love white sangria.  Here’s a yummy recipe for a pitcher of this summer favorite that incorporates fresh peaches.

White Peach Sangria

2 bottles pinot grigio

1 1/2 cups peach schnapps

2 cans peach nectar

2 cups fresh peach slices

1 cup fresh raspberries and strawberris

1 lemon thinly sliced

Combine the wine, schnapps and nectar in a large glass pitcher.  Add the fruit and stir.  Chill or pour over ice.

Pinterest

Grilled Peaches

4 peaches, halved, pits removed

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive

1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed

1 tablespoon good local honey

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Prepare the peaches for grilling.  Heat the grill to medium, brush the peach halves with olive oil and sprinkle with the fresh rosemary.  I always like to put a sprig of fresh rosemary on the grill as the peaches grill for a bit of added flavor and aroma.  Heat the balsamic vinegar in a small pan and add the honey.  Let this mixture come to a simmer and remove from heat.  Grill the peaches for about 4 minutes on each side and drizzle with the balsamic mixture.  This is a wonderful side for grilled pork chops, or as an addition to a fresh baby arugula salad with slices of red onion, corn off the cob and ripe avocado….use your imagination!

Peach Crumble Pie

This recipe comes from Martha Stewart, just looking at the picture makes me want to get in the kitchen and start cooking!  It is so delicious and easy to prepare.

Melissa | food & entertaining | 06 5th, 2014 | 3 Comments »

I’m looking for a Confederate Rose cutting!  If you know of anyone in the area who may have a plant growing let me know.  Why do I want this particular plant?

I find it magical the way the huge blossoms start white as snow in the morning and deepen to red as the day ends.  This is the closest bloom to my all time favorite, the peony, that will grow in our climate.

Why does this happen?  I’m not sure of the answer, but I do know the legend.  In a nutshell the story goes like this:  Once the Confederate Rose was pure white. During the Civil War, a soldier was fatally wounded in battle. He fell upon the rose as he lay dying. During the course of the two days he took to die, he bled more and more on the flower, till at last bloom was covered with his blood. When he died, the flower died with him. Thereafter, the Confederate Rose (or Cotton Rose), opens white, and over the course of the two days the bloom lasts, they turn gradually from white to pink to almost red, when the flower finally falls from the bush.

I love history and legend!  I heard another version of the same story that had lovers meet on the front porch of their home.  The husband terribly wounded in battle was able to get to his home where his beloved waited for him.  She sat on the front steps, her white cotton dress billowing out around her as he lay with his head in her lap, dying.  His blood turned the front of her dress the deep color of red that this pretty hibiscus flower turns at days end.  I kind of like this version of the legend…..can’t help being a romantic!

This plant originated in China.  Cuttings made their way into English gardens in the 1600’s.  This became a popular plant in the Southern United States after the Civil War because it is hearty and weathers the summer heat quite nicely.  The blossoms actually last for up to two days, providing a showy array of white, to pink, to deep red as blooms open and change.

So…..my search is on!  I haven’t seen a Confederate Rose bush here on the island, but I’m looking…..clippers in hand!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 4th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

When thinking of an island, most people think of the sand and surf, the ocean with waves rolling in to shore and back out to sea.

But there is another side to St. Simons Island.  A side that is a bit untamed.

Winding lanes travel back to homes nestled within the woods……

Private gates stand at entrances leading you to wonder what lies down the meandering drives.

The marshes with their winding waterways and rich colors beckon you to explore.  When you come to this special island be sure to take a few turns off the beaten path and see what is waiting for you there.

This is an island lush with vegetation and plenty of mystery to peek the interest of passersby.  It is a land abundant with material to feed the writer’s mind.

There is a timeless sense of history here, a feeling of the past blending with the present.  This is home……I begin each day with two simple words….thank you.  And a very special thank you to my lovely daughter, Skylar, for taking all of these beautiful photographs!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 3rd, 2014 | 4 Comments »

We’re all in for a treat during the month of June!  Glynn Art Association is presenting a very special exhibit of works by three local artists.

The show, entitled Vistas and Visions features paintings by Albert Fendig, George Netherton and Ann Price.  All accomplished artists with such beautiful works to share.

The Glynn Art Association is at the heart of our community here on St. Simons Island.  So many talented artisans live in this area and actively show and work at GAA.  The culture and history of this great place is shared through all sorts of mediums.  The arts enrich our lives and give us such beauty to enjoy.

Albert Fendig’s wonderful oil paintings portray the rich landscapes and history of the Golden Isles…..

George Netherton shows us marshscapes, lovely paintings of the waterways and historic sites as well…..

Ann Price’s work shares her creative expression of both local and distant vistas.

The show will be on exhibit throughout the month of June.  Visit Glynn Art Association and feast your eyes on these beautiful works!  You may just find the perfect piece to add to your art collection!

Melissa | Out&About | 06 2nd, 2014 | 2 Comments »

“In Beauty May I Walk”, by Karen Drucker, a song through which we receive a special blessing.  This song is adapted from a Navajo Poem.  May all of you walk in beauty, peace, loving kindness and forgiveness today!  Be HAPPY!  Make a list what you have to be grateful for…..give to others…..expect miracles…..do your very best!  Blessings to you all!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 06 1st, 2014 | 1 Comment »