Busy, Busy, Busy….

mcGladrey course

This is an exciting time here in the Golden Isles!  The McGladrey Pro Am begins to day!  I’ll be attending, snapping photos and making notes of all of the goings on to share with you!  This annual PGA event, hosted  by Davis Love III is something we’ve all come to look forward to.  The hustle and bustle began toward the end of last week with Nalley’s courtesy cars arriving on the island and all of the grounds around Seaside where the action takes place being manicured to perfection.

ssi airport

The airport was busy here on Sunday with small jets coming in and out with visitors arriving en masse.  There is truly excitement in the air!

ssi fall

The beautiful fall weather adds to all of this as the humidity drops and cool breezes give a feeling of refreshment and renewal to all.  We’re pulling our sweaters out, new jeans purchased and general sprucing up is seen everywhere.

PicMonkey Collage fall bulbs

If you love gardening, as I do, you’ll want to think about purchasing bulbs.  Daffodils, hyacinth and antique are three varieties that do very well in our zone.  Buy them now and refrigerate them until the first week of December when it will be the perfect time to plant.  These bulbs will return each year providing color and beauty to your early spring garden.

witches hour

I, personally, am looking forward to the “Witches Hour” luncheon hosted by two of my good friends, Donna MacPherson and Paige Funkhouser.  Coastal Kitchen is the place where all the fun will take place.  I’m working on my costume…not telling what it is, but there will be pictures.

Uncle Don's Pumpkins

Uncle Don’s Pumpkins

The summer heat has subsided and energy is riding high here in Coastal Georgia.  What a perfect place to live or to take a fall vacation.  If you’ve never been here, make your plans.  You’ll return again and again!

 

Simple Sundays

I’m sharing one of my favorite pieces this morning.  It’s composed and recorded by Michael Whalen.  The title is, “I’ve Loved You For A Thousand Lifetimes”.  It is romantic, gentle and soothing.  Whether we live one or more lives is not something we will ever really know.  Different people have varying beliefs on the subject.  I suppose this piece appeals to my softer side.  Beautifully played on the piano, I think you’ll enjoy it and the wonderful pictures that appear on this video.  Have a wonderful Sunday, take time to BE…to BREATHE….and to LOVE!

On The Radio

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What a pleasure to speak with my dear friend, Judith Paixao, genius behind Bermuda Sea Glass Jewelry.  Judith is holding another of her grand “salons” at Glynn Visual Arts here on St. Simons Island.  You can visit her, put your own design for a beautiful piece of jewelry featuring sea glass and other objects, even a treasured heirloom of your own to be incorporated into a piece to pass down for years to come.  Judith will help you with your design, then make the one of a kind piece for you.  Listen in as Judith talks about her story, her design process and more!

A Fine Year!

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It’s been one year since I began broadcasting The Permanent Tourist on our local FM radio station, WWEZ 94.7 & 97.5.  The time has flown and I have learned so much and met so many interesting people!

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We’ve promoted events….A Taste Of Glynn, Coastal Symphony of Georgia, The Annual Christ Church Parade of Homes and many, many others.  The people I have met have enriched my life in countless ways.  I really had not thought of hosting a radio show when I first began this blog, but it fits hand in hand with my writing and I love doing the show!

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With the help of station manager, Cathy Dee, my technical director, Melissa Wood, station owner Stu Graham and office manager, Cathy McKay, the show has become a great success.  Many thanks to all of these wonderful people who help make it happen!

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I love doing The Chef and The Wine Guy with Mark Gagliano and Chef Tom Delaney.  We have so much fun talking about food and wine pairings.  I actually heard that our local Harris Teeter has actually fun out of items we have mentioned on the show!  People are listening!

phil morrison

Artists, authors, singers, chefs and more….the topics are never dull and neither are my guests!

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It’s been a fun packed year that I hope will grow and continue for a long time.  I feel I’m contributing to the community and the friends I have made are invaluable!  Listen to the show on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:05 pm and on my blog post each and every Saturday.  It’s always interesting and fun!  I truly am living and loving life in Coastal Georgia!  Thank you WWEZ!

The Happy Flower

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My favorite fall flower, the Chrysanthemum, can be found in shops and displays, pots and planters…..they truly symbolize the season.  Rich in history, Chrysanthemums first grew in China as far back as the 5th century BC.   Considered a flowering “herb”, their petals were and still are used in tea making.  Their deep green leaves are used in Asian cooking, steamed as we do greens of other varieties, to this day.  But if you decide to try this, please make sure your plant is pesticide free!mums 4 lg

The plant made its way to Japan in the in the 8th century AD.  The Emperor loved the blooms so much he made this beautiful flower his official seal.  To this day the “Festival of Happiness” celebrates the Chrysanthemum each year, its brilliant colors popping with energy and fragrance.

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You’ll find ancient Chinese pieces embossed with the flower that finally made its way to America in 1798 when Colonel John Stevens imported a cultivated variety known as ‘Dark Purple’ from England.

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The plants also have a natural insecticidal quality and appear with the name “Pyrethrum” in powder form.  The powder will inhibit female mosquitoes from biting….good to know here on the island!

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The NASA Clean Air Study actually found that Chrysanthemum plants have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.  Who knew?

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Now that I’ve shared the history of this beautiful fall bloomer you have even more reason to buy them for decoration.  They add so much to any entryway, garden path…just about any place you want some beautiful color!  I always plant them in my garden after they’ve begun to lose their blooms.  I’m always amazed at how they bloom perennially, year after year!  Enjoy the beauty of the season…..go find some Chrysanthemums!

 

 

I’m Hooked!

on your mark get set wweb

When I found out that I needed to have a full knee replacement last spring the news did not set well with me.  I have always been a very active person and I knew I would be off of my feet for quite some time after the surgery.  Dr. John Roberson, head of orthopedic surgery at Emory, assured me that I would be back on my feet, better than ever.  I told him my goal was to be able to go paddle boarding with my friend Pat!  She has become addicted to the sport and has shaped up so amazingly over the past several months!  She is also a patient of his, having had full knee replacement about a year and a half ago.  I suppose you may call us his “poster girls” now!

thangs that make you go ahhhhh wweb

Sooooooo….in the early morning hours  this past Sunday we loaded everything up and headed to East Beach.  There was only a tinge of light showing on the eastern horizon as we made the trek to the water, boards, oars and other paraphernalia in tow.  We crossed our paddles, for good luck,  before setting out.  I got on the board, all fours on the surface, balanced and got onto my feet.  I DID IT!!!!!  It felt natural after a few minutes as I began to paddle away from shore with Pat and my daughter, Skylar.  AND, my friend, photographer, Donna MacPherson, showed up to take some unexpected shots!  She is such an amazing photographer!

sunrise paddle wweb

What an awesome experience to be paddling along on calm waters, watching the sun come up on the horizon.  Its light cast brilliant reflections as we paddled past the King & Prince Resort and further.  We turned around to find our friend, Nancy, waiting to join us.  And we took Max, Pat’s little Yorkie with us….he has his own life vest….he stood right on her board with her…so cute!

sunrise serenity wweb

We rested for a few minutes then returned to our boards and paddled out again.  There is an slight adrenaline rush one feels when moving on the top of the water in this way, as well as a deep sense of calm.  I really can’t explain it, but I recommend it if you have never paddle boarded!  During the second outing I began to feel a bit weak.  Remember it has been less than four months since surgery!

im doing it wweb

I loved this experience so much!  I have found a great way to get back in shape, take the pounds off that accumulated while unable to get much exercise and enjoy being with friends, out on the water.  What a beautiful, beautiful day it was.  Thanks to Tom and Pat Shelnutt for their friendship, the use of their boards and the initial lesson they gave me to get me going! And many, many thanks to Donna for the amazing photographs…you rock, girlfriend!   Take a lesson…..get hooked….get in great shape!  Note:  In this photo my new knee is on my right leg, the one without the “leash” and you can’t even see the scar….Dr. Roberson ROCKS!

Magical Monday!

What a fabulous weekend!  So much good news and then, while going through my Facebook News Feed, my eyes rested on a video a dear friend in Texas posted.  I have long been a huge Beach Boys fan and the song you’ll hear in this video, created by the new BBC music site, is probably my most favorite of all.  It first appeared on the “Pet Sounds” album, written by the talented Brian Wilson, who gifted us all with so many beautiful songs to remember special times by.

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I know who some of the artists in this video are, Pharrell Williams is unmistakable as are Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder and Elton John who appears covered in animated blue butterflies. Some I don’t recognize.  But, no matter, if you know all of the artists, please share!  I think this is a glorious way to begin what I believe will be a miraculous week!  I wish all of you happiness, dreams that come true and all of the best life has to offer!  And, before you listen in, just think of the amazing advances we have made musically with programs like photoshop and the many others that give us tools to play and create with!  Please enjoy and look for my post on my paddleboarding adventure tomorrow!

Here’s the information I found about the video on the new bbc music site, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2R3PxWX7hzMb8lNZs3Ngz5L/god-only-knows  And NOW…here’s the video on the making of the video!  Can you tell I love this video yet???

Have a Magical Monday!

Simple Sundays

I love this piece……”Silencio” by the great Beethoven.  It’s melody is calming and just right for a Sunday morning with a hot, steaming cup of coffee!  Relax, sit back and enjoy as you listen and plan your day!  Wishing all of my readers the very best Sunday!

On The Radio!

What a great time I had talking with Heather Heath, Executive Director of Arts and Humanities in the Golden Isles!  Listen in as we discuss all of the fun programs that are coming up!  Get your calendars out!  You won’t want to miss these wonderful events!

Heather Heath

Finally Friday!

 

I’m writing about something a bit different on this Friday post!  BUT…there will be a delicious recipe to follow!  I try to feed my family healthy meals.  As season’s change, I always feel the need to do a sort of “cleansing” and get our systems going more smoothly.  You have probably heard about the health benefits of Tumeric, but have you ever seen it in its root form?  This powerful little root is packed with anti-inflammatories that do a body good.  And Ginger root, which you probably are very familiar with is another little health dynamo.  This aromatic root is known to heal everything from indigestion to joint inflammation.  I decided to brew up a concoction and found the Tumeric and Ginger root at my local market here on the island.   Following the guidance of my dear friend, Holly, I cut the little Tumeric roots in half, about a dozen of them, and placed them in a pot along with three chunks of ginger root.  I added four cups of purified water and brought the mixture to a boil for about 10 minutes.  I then covered the pot, took it off of the burner and allowed it to steep until I had what I would call a concentrate.  While the mixture was still warm I added a couple of tablespoons of local honey and stirred to dissolve that.

PicMonkey Collage roots

 

From there I let the mixture cool and poured it into a container to keep in the refrigerator.  Each day I have been drinking a glass with two tablespoons of this elixir, good ginger ale, such as “Ginger Brew” and a nice wedge of fresh lime.  I add a couple of ice cubes, just because, and sip on this delicious concoction that seems to be serving well as a digestive aid.  I feel fantastic….not drug down like I sometimes do as seasons change…..and I can’t attribute this to anything other than this drink!  I think I’ve become addicted!

ginger tumeric drink

 

Now….for today’s recipe!  This is a chicken stir fry I dreamed up the other night.  I found that I didn’t have the pineapple juice that was called for in the marinade so I remembered the ginger tumeric mixture I had stored and added a quarter cup of it to the marinade instead.  Both Mr. T and Sky said it was one of the best Asian inspired meals I have made!  I always love their compliments.  I hope you’ll try this and enjoy it as much as we did!

stir fried chicken with peppers

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

For the marinade:

1/4 cup good vegetable oil, I like to use cold pressed

1/4 cup ginger/turmeric concentrate

2 tablespoons soy or teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup chopped, fresh cilantro leaves

1 tablespoon brown sugar

4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

For the stir fry:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into large chunks

1 bag of mini bell peppers, halved and seeded

1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into large chunks

2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot to add to the leftover marinade

2 tablespoons red pepper jelly

1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds or whole peanuts

2 cups of cooked, long grain, brown rice

Place all of the cut ingredients into a large ziplock bag.  Pour the prepared marinade into the bag, seal and gently turn the bag to coat all pieces.  Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.  When ready to prepare, heat 2 tablespoons of good vegetable or peanut oil in a large skillet or wok.  Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides.  Add the peppers and onions to the pan and continue cooking until the mixture is just tender.  To the marinade add 2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot and mix well.  Pour this sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and let it simmer until thickened.  Add the red pepper jelly and stir until the jelly dissolves.  This adds to little bit of spice to the dish that makes it really delicious!  Serve the stir fry over cooked brown rice and top with sliced almonds or peanuts if desired.  You can garnish with a bit of cilantro and serve.  Easy and delicious!  Slante!