So many people ask me how I come up with a post for each day.  I wonder that myself at times!  It can be challenging to find a topic and photos for each new day, and I post seven days a week as you know.  There are still other who don’t understand what a blog is.  And many, many who have never even heard of The Permanent Tourist….imagine that!  I love the process and the art of writing.  My creativity is constantly challenged and I thrive on that.  I’m not a competitive person by nature except with myself.  I don’t share the private emails I receive in regard to my blog posts but I received one this past weekend that I’m sharing with you today.  It speaks to why I blog and host the radio show.  This is what it’s all about.  I love meeting people and writing about subjects I’m passionate about.  Last weekend’s Cabin Fever Event, hosted by the Cassina Garden Club was one of those subjects.  I always wonder how effective the blog is and how many people listen to the radio show.  My friend, Janice, who headed up the committee who planned the weekend, let me see very clearly what the results were in her kind email.  So, without further ado, here is her note.

“Such Big Thanks To You”

Melissa, I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done to make our cabin fever weekend a success. Both last night and tonight’s dinner were virtually sold out. As late as yesterday we were getting requests for tickets to all of the events. The hype that has happened in the last week has been enormous and we have U2 thank for much of that. It was interesting to see the phone stop ringing Wednesday morning after your Tuesday night radio show.

Enjoy your weekend and your family. I know it’s chilly but what a gorgeous morning.

Janice

 

This is why I blog. Helping get the word out about local events that impact our area is at the top of my “tada” list!  I am thrilled that the turnout for the weekend’s events was so great!  It helps the Cassina Garden Club with their drive to save the tabby slave cabins.  I hope that all of the events I write about get a bigger response due to my posts!  I absolutely love what I do and when I hear reports like Janice sent me it just makes my day!  And so I continue and will do so as long as I am able!  Thank you for reading and supporting The Permanent Tourist!

Melissa | Out&About | 03 31st, 2015 | 2 Comments »

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My friends know how much I like gardening.  Getting my hands in the soil, making sure everything is placed just so.  Don’t get me wrong, my garden isn’t perfect by any means, it is a work in progress.

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Needless to say, I was delighted to have some of my birthday gifts be about my favorite hobby.  I cannot wait to take my gift card to Ace and find just the right new plants to fill in the spaces.  And the three white hydrangea bushes that another gardening buddy gave me will be the perfect addition!

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I have always loved hydrangea so I cannot wait to see how these will do!  Of course I had to look up the history of this lovely plant.  It originated in Eastern Asia.  You’ll find them in China, Japan…..even in the Himalayas.

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The blossoms are so beautiful when they come to full flowers!

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Whether you like white, blue or pink this is a beautiful plant and it grows so well here.  Just after azalea season the hydrangea begin to bloom and continue on until fall.  The acidity of the soil determines color so I’m anxious to see what my blooms will actually be.

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Spring is here, the island is in full bloom and I’m in my glory!  Feeling great and enjoying easy island living….doesn’t get any better!

Melissa | Out&About | 03 30th, 2015 | 2 Comments »

A dear friend of mine gave me a DVD for my birthday.  I love it!  It is Disney’s “Tangled”.  At first I wondered….why?….then I watched it.  LOVE…at first viewing.  The story is charming and the lessons so true about healing and unconditional love.  When Rapunzel’s hair lights up as she sings her healing song amazing things happen.  The movie reminded me of my love for the old Disney movies from my childhood.  In keeping with my promise to continue allowing my inner child to express joy and creativity I am sharing the lovely song “When You Wish Upon A Star” sung by the character Jiminy Cricket in one of my favorite Disney movies…”Pinnochio”.  I hope you’ll enjoy listening and then consider how you can allow your inner child to be joyful and happy!  Have a wonderful Sunday…hope to see you at A Taste Of Glynn this evening!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 03 29th, 2015 | No Comments »

Family is coming in for the weekend so a Cajun Seafood boil is on the menu!  This is a family staple, everyone loves fresh shell fish!  I hope you’ll try this and enjoy it as much as we do!

Here’s a menu including the “anatomy” of a perfect seafood boil.  Dump the seafood, corn and potatoes out on a table, covered with newsprint, and dig in!

Green Pea Guacamole with Raw Vegetables

Cajun Seafood Boil

Rustic Berry Tart

Cold Beer and Wine Spritzers

Green Pea Guacamole with Raw Vegetables

1 bag frozen, sweet baby peas, thawed

1 clove garlic

1 handful cilantro

4 scallions, cleaned and chopped

juice of one lime

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup good olive oil

Carrots, Celery, Radishes, Jicama and Cherry Tomatoes for dipping

Place peas in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to puree.  Add the garlic, cilantro, scallions, lime, salt and pepper.  With the motor running add the olive oil in a steady stream.  Process until just blended, thick and delicious!  Serve with raw vegetables for dipping and your favorite corn chips if you’re not watching carbs.

Cajun Seafood Boil

(for 6 -8 people)

1 package Zatarain’s seafood boil added to a large pot of water fitted with a strainer basket (Most traditional Cajun Seafood Boil pots come outfitted with the strainer basket).

1 tablespoon + Tabasco sauce

3 garlic bulbs, cut in half, unpeeled

4 large yellow onions, quartered, unpeeled

6 lemons halved

3 pounds shrimp

5 pound crab legs

Crawfish and whole blue crab can also be added if they are available as well as mussels and clams

2 pounds small red potatoes

12 ears of corn, shucked, cleaned and cut in half.

6 artichokes, trimmed

Begin by filling the pot halfway with water.  Add the seafood boil, Tabasco, garlic, onion and lemon.  Bring to a rolling boil.  Add potatoes, corn and artichokes, boil for about 15 minutes.  Add crab legs and shrimp and boil for another 20 – 25 minutes.  Carefully lift the strainer basket out of the water, allow to drain then pour the contents out onto the paper lined tabletop.  Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce, melted butter and aioli sauce.

Rustic Berry Tart

1 box puff pastry, thawed

1 box @ strawberries, blackberries and blueberries

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup raw sugar

Confectioner’s sugar to dust finished tart

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Roll two sheets of pastry dough out, joining middle seam and place on a round pizza pan.  Wash berries, cutting strawberries in half.  Place in a bowl and stir cornstarch and sugar in to mix well.

Spoon berries with juice onto the middle of the dough, then roll the edges of the pastry to form a “rough” edge, you don’t want perfection.  Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.  Remove the tart from the oven and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.

Here’s the link to Kathi William’s guide to weekend music entertainment!:  http://www.imwiththebandonssi.blogspot.com/

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 03 27th, 2015 | 3 Comments »

It’s been a couple of years since the new convention center opened on Jekyll Island.  Many changes have continued as the island becomes a major center for conferences, tourists and visitors from around the world.  I recently had the pleasure of touring the new Holiday Inn Resort that opened its doors to the public several weeks ago.  What a beautiful job they have done!  The location is that of the old Oceanside Inn and the renovation and renewal  is nothing short of a miracle.  I took my buddy, Nancy Kirkpatrick, along to shoot some photos and she returned after the opening to get a few of the landscaped finish.

The double height lobby with comfortable seating areas and a large fireplace for colder months is welcoming…..

Espresso by day and martini’s by night, this bar offers it all with second floor views of the ocean…..

Large guest rooms with the comfiest beds and linens…..

Perfectly landscaped grounds…..

A beautiful oceanside pool….

The outdoor kitchen with delicious offerings of crabcake sliders and more!  This is part of the spread we delighted in at the end of our tour!

The new Holiday Inn Resort on Jekyll Island opens its doors to locals for oceanfront dining.  The perfect little afternoon getaway as warmer weather returns!  Enjoy delicious libations and a menu that is full of yummy offerings.

Ocean views are magnificent and the staff is top notch!  I think it’s the perfect idea for a little weekend vacation!  For more information go here:  http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/jekyll-island/bqkji/hoteldetail

To view more of Nancy Kirkpatrick’s photography:  www.nancykirkpatrickphotography.com or Facebook at Nancy Kirkpatrick Photography!

Melissa | Out&About | 03 26th, 2015 | No Comments »

The King & Prince is once again the host for this year’s fabulous A Taste Of Glynn event!  Ed O’Grady and Kay Hampton are co-chairs for this year’s event.  Stambaugh Aviation is the top sponsor for this annual event that is the major fundraiser for the Community Crisis Center in Glynn County.

A Taste of Glynn 2014

Some of Glynn Counties finest restaurant and food businesses will set up their booths and share delicious dishes for participants to enjoy.  Set up on the grounds of The King & Prince, the evening will begin at 5:00, oceanside, weather permitting.  You’ll be able to sample each groups culinary creations, wander along the beach and enjoy an evening at this great event.

This year there is wonderful entertainment on the schedule!  Michael Hulett will delight us all with his wonderful saxophone and mellow voice.  You’ll also enjoy music by Triage and Three of Us.

And this year’s silent auction promises to have more offerings than ever before!  For tickets click here:  http://www.atasteofglynn.com/.

Join in the fun and help end domestic violence in Glynn County!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 03 25th, 2015 | No Comments »

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday!  I’ve taken a tip from Dr. Christiane Northrup and am no longer mentioning or counting the years.  It’s not that I’m upset by the number, I just don’t see the point in being “labeled” a certain age.  And, when you think of it, today I’m younger than I will ever be again!

The day started with delicious homemade birthday cake, fresh berries and mimosa’s at the home of one of my bestie’s, Miss P.

Dear Heather, you bake the best cake in the world!  I want your grandmother’s recipe….now!  Knowing the story behind it makes it even more special!

Off to the Island Day Spa we went for a day of “the works”!  A fabulous facial and full body massage….ahhhhhhh, just the ticket for full relaxation!

Do you like this OPI shade….”Muir Muir On The Wall”?  Suits me to a tea.  If I weren’t a blogger and author I’d want to write nail polish names for OPI, they are always so clever!

The girls showing off their toes as well….we had way too much fun!

Off to lunch at Tramici and dirty martini’s!  I don’t usually imbibe at lunch, but by the time we were finished at the spa it was after 2:00.  Cheers to a fabulous day!  Bring on the next one….I’m living it up!

Melissa | Out&About | 03 24th, 2015 | 3 Comments »

This coming weekend is not only the Cassina Garden Club “Cabin Fever” event, it’s also a great weekend for art!  Coastal Georgia has so many talented artists whose work we get to enjoy and add to our collections.  This weekend the Georgia Coastal Artist’s Guild presents its Spring Show and Sale!  The guild has been functioning as a place for professional artists to market their work since 1983.  Thirty-five artists now participate within this group of outstanding artists.

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Becky Tucker

There are sixteen gifted artists presenting their work during this weekend.

George Netherton

Each one has their own style……

Carol Jo Smidt

Colorful landscapes…..

Jennifer Broadus

Local vistas and more.

Joyce Ledingham

The event takes place at the new Glynn Visual Arts building.  If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a great surprise!

Make plans to put this wonderful show on your calendar.  Adding culture to our lives always enriches the way we see the world!

Melissa | people | 03 23rd, 2015 | 1 Comment »

We had way too much fun discussing this year’s Tour of Homes hosted by Christ Church.  Co-chairs Lynn Wade and Beth Smith joined me as we talked about all of the wonderful homes and events you’ll be treated to when you attend today!

Melissa | On The Radio | 03 21st, 2015 | No Comments »

In my ongoing effort to improve my family’s health and serve delicious food that is plant based, I’m sharing this easy to prepare recipe.  Mujadara is a Middle Eastern dish that is packed with flavor as well as protein.  This recipe fits perfectly into a Mediterranean eating program.  Lots of fresh veggies, legumes and fruit makes it easy!  I cut up fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and chopped lots of fresh cilantro to sprinkle over the top. The whole wheat pita bread is baked fresh in the local Harris Teeter bakery here on the island.  A dollop of good, plain Greek yogurt complete the meal.   I have also served a traditional cucumber raita with this dish and that is a wonderful side as well.  I hope you’ll try this and find it as filling and delicious as we do!   I think you’ll love the aromatic herbs and how they fill the kitchen with the most amazing fragrance as this cooks!

Mujadara

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large onion, peeled and diced

2 teaspoons sea salt

4 tablespoons olive oil

cup brown lentils, rinsed and picked over to remove any “stones” (you can soak these for a couple of hours if you wish, but I usually don’t find it necessary with lentils)

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups brown basmati rice

2 cups of water

Place the olive oil in a large dutch oven.  Add the spices and minced garlic and let simmer for about five minutes.  Add the diced onion and cook for ten minutes, or until the onion is transparent and just beginning to brown.  Add the lentils and 2 cups of water, simmer for twenty minutes.  Add the rice and the remaining two cups of water, simmer for 1/2 hour, adding more liquid if needed.  You’ll want to adjust the flavors and add more salt if needed.  This is a wonderful warm weather meal, served with ice cold beer or sweet tea!

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 03 20th, 2015 | No Comments »