I’ll be starting up with new recipes and menus soon!  My knee is healing and getting stronger.  But for now….I’m sharing a past post with one of my favorite summer meals!  I hope you’ll enjoy !

Baby, it’s hot outside…..hot, hot, hot…..and muggy!  I tend to lose my appetite when this weather hits each June.  Cool, light recipes are what I turn to.  Lots of fresh fruit for breakfast, light salads and meats for lunch and something simple and delicious for dinner and entertaining.  We love great Italian food and this antipasto platter is just the ticket for any hot summer evening!  It’s a simple one platter meal that friends and family love!

To assemble the platter:

1/2 pound hard salami sliced thin

1/2 pound provolone cheese sliced thin

1/2 pound Genoa salami

1 jar roasted red peppers

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Assorted olives

1 Artichoke steamed

Aioli sauce for dipping

1 small log goat cheese

1 tablespoon good fig preserves

Alessi Bread Sticks or baguette slices

The only real preparation for this is steaming the artichoke and making the aioli sauce, which I’ve even found in a jar at the grocery store in the gourmet foods area.  But to make your own Aioli just place three egg yolks in your food processor with the juice of a lemon, sea salt and pepper to taste, 2 cloves of garlic and process.  As you process add about a 1/2 cup of good olive oil through the tube in a steady stream until the mixture thickens.

I drain the roasted red pepper, after removing them from the jar, if I’m not roasting them myself.  Toss the peppers with the olive oil and chopped garlic and place in a bowl.  You’ll probably want to slice the pepper into thin slices so they can be easily place on a piece of bread or salami.

The rest is all about presentation.  I like using a large platter and small containers for dips, peppers and olives and I always roll the provolone inside of the Genoa salami.  I spoon the fig preserves over the goat cheese and serve it at room temperature.  It’s easy and always so delicious!

Don’t forget a good summer wine to go with this.  Pinot Grigio or Soave if you’re looking for white, a fine rose’ or Pinot Noir, slightly chilled would be just the ticket!  Then there is always Campari….a personal favorite!

Here’s to a healthy summer of light, delicious meals!

AND here’s Kathi William’s music entertainment list for this weekend in the Golden Isles!:  http://www.imwiththebandonssi.blogspot.com/

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 07 11th, 2014 | 4 Comments »

Safe Harbor began in 1991 as a mission Bob and Susan Hamer felt called to embark upon.  They raised money by accepting donations at street corners and intersections in Brunswick.  What began very modestly has now become an organization of caring people who work tirelessly to protect, feed, educate and nurture children at risk from infancy through their teenage years.

This group, headed by Executive Director, Leslie Hartman, provides a service that is invaluable.  They offer hope and comfort to the children housed under the roof of the Hamer House owned by the organization on Gloucester Street in Brunswick.  The main house sleeps twelve children at a time.  Donations from all over the area provide food and clothing, while education professionals see that the children are tutored and taught what they need in order to build successful lives.

girls upstairs family room

Safe Harbor has developed an ongoing relationship with Job Corp and The Salvation Army.  Teenagers housed at Safe Harbor are guided by the staff of Job Corp to help them define what their strengths are and how they can use their talents in forming a successful career.  Safe Place is part of a National Program that helps runaway and homeless children.  Eighty-one different businesses in the Glynn County area are involved in supporting and participating in this program.

boys bedroom

A street outreach program enables homeless youth to be identified so that they can then be helped.  Hygiene and nutrition kits are distributed so these young people can be educated and directed toward a healthier lifestyle.  The haven itself only houses infant through age 17, but the outreach program works with youths up to the age of 21.  All of the services are provided at no cost and on a confidential basis.  Over its 21 years of service Safe Harbor has housed 4,000 children and helped save 215 families.  For more information on the work being done please visit:  www.safeharborcenterinc.org.

Beginning in 2012, Safe Harbor held its first ever “Rites of Spring” fundraiser.  All proceeds go to fund the work done at Safe Harbor.  What a worthy cause to make a donation to.  Helping the youth of Glynn County insures growth and prosperity for all.  There is no dollar amount that can be  placed on the hope and prospects for a future this organization provides, not only to youth, but to families in crisis who are at risk.  Safe Harbor provides a Family Preservation program that intercedes in such situations and works to bring families back together in a healthy way.  The success rate for this program in preventing children of these families being placed in foster care stands at 90%.  Weekly meetings for support are available to parents so they can learn necessary skills to keep their children together and therefore thrive as a family.

This year’s event will be held at the Retreat Clubhouse on Saturday, April 27th.  Tickets are $100.00 each and may be purchased at the Safe Harbor Hamer House or at either of the Pat’s Hallmark card stores in the mall or on St. Simons.  Raffle tickets come with the purchase of a ticket and enter attendees in a $10,000 reverse raffle.  The cocktail hour begins at 7:00 pm with dinner following at 8:00.  Entertainment for the evening is provided by the Coastal Symphony.

Don’t miss this opportunity to help support Safe Harbor.  I can’t think of a more worthy cause.  Delicious food and wonderful music….a winning combination!

Safe Harbor Chidren’s Center, Inc. – 2215 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA 31521 – 912-267-6000

Melissa | Out&About | 07 10th, 2014 | 5 Comments »

I am a huge supporter of adopting pets.  The Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia does so much for our community.  They provide shelter and care for pets who would otherwise have no future.  The dogs and cats who are cared for at this shelter receive the best veterinary care and love from volunteers of any facility I have ever seen.  None of this happens for free, however.

On July 21st a very special event is taking place that you will want to consider.  Fore The Animals Golf Classic will be held at Sea Island’s beautiful Ocean Forest golf club.  Anyone can enter to play, whether you have a foursome put together or you want to be a part of one,  you can participate and enjoy a fun filled day that benefits this wonderful group.

All of the proceeds from this event go to help care for homeless animals.  It’s a great way to enjoy being outside, playing a round of golf and giving back.

For more information on this event go here:www.HumaneSocietyGolfClassic.com 

Melissa | Out&About | 07 9th, 2014 | No Comments »

The long,hot days of summer are upon us.  I’m sharing some great ways to cool down with you today!  I think you’ll find these refreshing…..some delicious….and some healing.  It all goes into to making our hot, muggy climate a little more bearable.  Truthfully, we have such perfect weather most of the year, the two to three months we have of the sticky stuff is mild compared to some places.

If you’re like me, you love the beach….watching the waves….catching some rays…..but the sun may not like YOU so much.  I have found a wonderful combination that cools me down and keeps me comfortable.  It’s easy to make and so effective.  Mix one cup of distilled water with two drops of peppermint essential oil, available at Island Natural Foods.  Shake well and pour into a small, plastic spray bottle.  Refrigerate and spray on your pulse points to keep feeling ever so cool!

There are times when we all get a little too much sun.  Of course, we wear a good sunscreen while spending time at the pool or on the beach, but in those cases where we lose track of time and get a bit blistered, here’s a very calming solution that shuts the burn down quickly.  Mix one cup of distilled water with three to four drops of lavender essential oil.  Shake well and refrigerate.  Spray all over the affected area to get quick relief.  This is also a very calming solution that can help with cranky children who can’t settle down for a nap on a summer afternoon.  Spray a bit on their pillow and watch them relax and get some much needed rest.

I love good old sweet tea, otherwise known as the “house wine of the south”.  But there are times when I like something a bit different. This mixture is just the ticket for something cool and refreshing!  This special blend, created by my daughter, uses 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers and 1 tablespoon dry hibiscus flowers.  Put the dried flowers in the bottom of a French Press coffee maker and pour four cups of boiling water over the top.  Steep for a half hour, push the press down to separate the flowers from the tea.  Add agave nectar to taste, a twist of lemon and pour over chipped ice and enjoy!

We’re loving our homemade popsicles this summer!  I love making the following combination in a blender then pouring it into popsicle molds, I got my molds through www.amazon.com.  In a blender pour two cups vanilla almond milk, 1 cup honey flavored greek yogurt, 1 handful of strawberries, 1 handful blueberries and a scoop or two of “Spirutine” protein powder for a bit of energy. Blend well and pour into individual popsicle molds.  Freeze and enjoy!

Melissa | Out&About | 07 8th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

There is a wonderful publication here on St. Simons Island, a magazine that expresses the good life and all that goes into that.  “Elegant Island Living”,  created by the talented David Butler, appears on newsstands each month.  In its pages are lovely photographs of local people, stories about their lives and passions and plenty of information to help anyone  find the best of everything in the area.

Each year “Elegant Island Living” holds its “Best Of” celebration.  Readers are given a ballot with a multitude of categories for which they write their favorite.  Be it a restaurant, boutique or service business, each category counts and reflects what readers consider to be the best in the area.  Little did I know that this year there was a category for Best Local Website…….

THE PERMANENT TOURIST WON!!!!!!

When the announcement was made this past week and I received notification from Kathi Williams, EIL’s Social Media Director,  I almost fell off my chair.  How exciting to be working away, sharing my life here on St. Simons Island with readers all over the world and then receive such an award!

As a writer one tends to live a rather solitary life.  One of the reasons I began writing The Permanent Tourist blog was to get me out of the house, meeting people and learning about this wonderful place where I live.  Being able to share this with readers is an experience I cannot describe.  It all began slowly and has built over the past eighteen months to become a recognized form of media that local readers look forward to each day.

I’m writing this post today to say a huge THANK YOU to all the readers who penciled in the name of my website in the space provided and to “Elegant Island Living” for sponsoring this annual event.  I would also like to thank the entire staff at the magazine for all that they do each and every month to give us such beautiful things to enjoy as we turn each page.  We do live the good life here on St. Simons Island, a life that I’ll continue sharing with readers near and far…..besides, now that I know there is a category in this annual contest for my site I have to strive to make it two years in a row!  Here’s to winning!

To read more from “Elegant Island Living” and subscribe digitally go here:  www.elegantislandliving.net

Melissa | people | 07 7th, 2014 | 9 Comments »

I found a very special piece of music to celebrate this Sunday.  I felt it appropriate given the fact that we observed the Fourth of July last Friday.  Aaron Copland is one of America’s finest composers.  Combine the talent of John Williams in putting this video together and you’ve got magic.  The music, the message and the scenes used to make this beautiful video speak to what life in America has always been meant to be.  I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I do and never forget “The Promise of Living”.

Melissa | Out&About | 07 6th, 2014 | 3 Comments »

This is a short post today.  It’s a holiday and I intend to relax and enjoy myself with friends and family.  But I can’t let the day pass without saying Hail to the U.S.A…..may you stand proudly and be a beacon of light for people everywhere as you have always been.  And, while I’m at it, my favorite Fourth of July song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqUORIFV4I

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Melissa | Out&About | 07 4th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

As most of you know, I underwent a full knee replacement last week at Emory University Hospital.  When the decision is made to have such a procedure done there is no way to understand all that it entails.  The care, expertise and love shown me by everyone on the team who oversaw the surgery was nothing short of amazing.  Each person involved knew their role, saw it through in the most professional way and made my time in the hospital comfortable.

Knee replacement is considered major surgery and I understand why now.  I had no way of knowing the damage that was ocurring in all of my joints due to the type of arthritis in my right knee.  That arthritis has now been removed and what I’m experiencing is humbling and challenging.

I began physical therapy at Advance Rehabilitation here on the island yesterday.  My therapist, Carla Rozier, is basically teaching me how to walk again.  Each little step is done in a way that is new to me.  With the help of a cane and, when needed, a walker, I am learing to move in new and better ways.  Is it painful?  You bet!  But the pain is bearable and it leads to a feeling of accomplishment as I am pushed beyond each limit to the next one.  And, I have to admit, that the feeling of blood flowing and messages being sent from my foot, to my ankle, to my knee and on up, with each movement, awakens me to the miracle of the human body.

In many ways I see this whole experience as a new beginning, a rebirth.  I am releasing all that has held me back, making new goals and working to focus on the here and now.  My mind is full of ideas for future posts, people to meet and doors that wait to open.  I’ll have so many things to share with you over the next few weeks and months.  I’m excited and energized as, with the passing of each day, my legs straighten and strength is renewed.

Stay with me on this journey as new paths present themselves.  There will be so much to share, to learn and to savor.  Here’s to life, to the good living of it and to each day that gives us new opportunities.

Melissa | Out&About | 07 3rd, 2014 | 7 Comments »

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know how much I love getting outdoors, in my garden….up to my elbows in moist soil.  I love the smell of the soil, I love the feeling of accomplishment….I even like getting all dirty and sweaty, like a little kid playing.  Gardening is a way of creating like none other.  Watching seeds sprout and produce beautiful blooms cannot be equaled.

I haven’t been able to get out in my garden for three months now.  Mr. T has done his best to keep things going, but it’s not the same as being able to do it myself.  One thing I’m learning during this time of recovery is what a control freak I am!  In some ways that’s good and some ways……not so!  Learning to let go and let others care for me and help with the simple things is more challenging than I expected.

When the doorbell rang yesterday, Skylar answered and came into our living room with the loveliest flower arrangement.  My friend and associate, Holly Herrick, sent flowers to cheer me up and brighten my day.  The freshly cut bouquet is so lovely, filled with all of my favorite colors, cheerful and offering love and hope.

A Courtyard Florist, here on St. Simons, put these exquisite flowers together and delivered them to our home.  I’m loving and enjoying seeing them.  Flowers truly do bring a bit of happiness into your life when things are not quite the status quo.

Thank you, dear Holly, for this gift…..everytime I look at them I think of you and say thank you for a very special friend.

Melissa | people | 07 2nd, 2014 | 2 Comments »

Living on St. Simons Island is a little gift. Each day brings something new.

I’m sitting at my desk, writing this post, peeking out every now and then to gaze at the lovely lagoon that sits on the back of our property.

It is gray and foggy this morning…..but, there is beauty in it nonetheless.

I make out the sound of a cardinal singing its lovely song.

I decide to take a drive to look at some of my favorite places…..and the sun begins to shine through the clouds.

I love the way the sun’s rays create a dappled effect when they filter through one of the many canopy streets that grace this island.

I sometimes forget to be grateful for this amazing place and all it has to offer.

These pictures I share with you are of things that make me stop and say thank you for all of the blessings in my life.

St. Simons Island….my home.  The sun shines on me and all that surrounds me now and I am grateful, rain or shine.

Melissa | Out&About | 07 1st, 2014 | 9 Comments »