Blessings!

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Photography by Nancy Kirkpatrick

The blessing of fleets began as a European tradition.  Coastal villages and towns held celebrations to encourage a healthy and abundant season of fishing.  These festivals began in Southern European countries where Catholicism was the major religion.  A priest was always present to perform the blessing after which food and merriment became the order of the day!

Photography by Nancy Kirkpatrick

Photography by Nancy Kirkpatrick

This past weekend we celebrated the blessing of the fleet in Brunswick.  A colorful procession of boats festooned with banners, flags and other decoration presented themselves.  My friend and local photographer, Nancy Kirkpatrick took some amazing pictures that I’m sharing with you today.

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Photography by Nancy Kirkpatrick

Traditionally held over Mother’s Day weekend, the blessing honors “Our Lady Of Fatima” as well as mother’s all over the area.  Portuguese immigrants began the event locally about sixty years ago.  “Our Lady” is the patron saint of the St. Francis Xavier church in Brunswick and the annual event is closely tied to the parish and its members.  A statue in Hanover Square is decorated as the procession of participants makes its way to the waterfront and the festival itself.  Music, food, fun…you name it!  We do it all so well in Coastal Georgia!

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Photography by Nancy Kirkpatrick

The weather could not have been more beautiful for this wonderful event!  Please enjoy Nancy’s photographic talent and look for more from her in weeks to come!

Beautiful Spring!

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I love everything about Spring!  Well, almost everything.  I’m not loving the allergies everyone seems to be suffering through this year.  But flowers are in colorful bloom and I thought I’d share a few photos from my garden and my friend’s as well!

IMG_0417There is something so elegant about a beautiful iris in full bloom!  If you don’t live on St. Simons Island and you’re noticing the fern in the background….it grows WILD here!  If one isn’t careful it will take over the whole garden!

IMG_0426Beautiful angel wing begonias!  Heat tolerant and oh so lovely!  In containers or in the ground, this is one of my favorites!

IMG_0424Verbena and petunias!  The possibilities are endless when it comes to filling containers!

IMG_0502A lovely rose….the “knock out” variety.  Another heat tolerant plant that thrives in our climate.

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Last, but certainly NOT least!  The white hydrangea bushes given to me for my birthday are about to burst into bloom!  Photos to follow.  You can never go wrong giving flowers!

Take your camera….go outside….commune with nature!  Celebrate Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

Simple Sundays

It’s Mother’s Day.  I can’t think of a better song than Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” to express what a mother truly is.  We’re cooking, celebrating and being together on this special day with family.    I wish all mother’s a very special day!

On The Radio

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I’m sharing another great “The Chef and The Wine Guy” segment with you today.  Join me as I talk with Chef Tom Delaney and wine expert, Mark Gagliano.  We’re discussing food and wine for warmer weather!  Let’s celebrate Spring!

Finally Friday!

Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday!  My daughter always makes me breakfast and then I prepare a special midday meal for my mother.  It’s always a great time for celebrating each other and the love that we share.  I thought I give you a little peek at what will be on the menu!  Feel free to copy me if you like!  Yummy things for a very wonderful person…..Mom’s everywhere!

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Cedar Plank Salmon

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Chilled Tomato Salad

Fresh Berry Compote with Buttermilk “Pudding”

Springtime Asparagus Soup | bloggingoverthyme.com

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Cream of Asparagus Soup

2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 pound of asparagus, stemmed and cut into two inch pieces

3 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Sea salt and white pepper to taste

1/2 cup heavy cream.

Creme Fraiche and chopped chives for garnish

Heat the oil slightly in a small pan and saute the shallots until just tender.  Simmer the asparagus in the broth until tender.  Add the shallots and simmer for five minutes.  In batches, ladle the mixture into a food processor or blender and process until smooth.  Return to the pan and heat until just beginning to simmer.

For the creme fraiche, combine 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/2 cup heavy cream.  Mix well.

To serve:  Ladle into soup bowls and spoon a small amount of creme fraiche into the middle of each bowl.  With a toothpick or bamboo skewer, begin at the middle and pull the mixture through the soup to create a spiral effect.  I like to garnish with a couple of asparagus tips that I’ve lightly sauteed in olive oil, but this is a personal choice.  Sprinkle with chopped, fresh chives and enjoy!

Cedar-Planked Salmon pairs smoky cedar flavor with a  Sweet-and-Salty Salmon Rub for this simple and delicious salmon dish.

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Cedar Plank Salmon

1 cedar plank, soaked in water for 30 minutes

1 1/2 pound salmon filet

2 lemons thinly sliced

3 scallions finely chopped

Rub:

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon dry dill weed

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dry minced onion.

Mix the rub mixture and rub it into the salmon without skin. Heat the grill to medium-high, 350-400 degrees. Place the plank, which you have soaked and drained, onto the grill and heat for three to four minutes.  Place the salmon, skin side down, on the plank and top with with the lemon slices.  Put the plank with the salmon back on the grill, close the cover and cook for about 20 minutes.  Garnish with chopped scallion and serve.

Fried Wild Mushroom Risotto

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Wild Mushroom Risotto

I could stand over the stove and stir risotto for the time it takes, but this is Mother’s Day and I’m supposed to be celebrated as well!  Short cuts are in order and this one works very well.  I use the package of “Alessi” mushroom risotto that is for sale at most grocery stores.  I also purchase about a quarter pound of shitake mushrooms.  I saute the caps, which I slice thinly in about a half tablespoon of butter, I add a good 1/2 cup of chopped, fresh, flat leaf parsley and stir this all into the risotto mixture that I have cooked according to the package instructions…EXCEPT…I cook the risotto in vegetable broth instead of water.  It adds flavor and that’s important!

Heirloom Tomato Platter is always a perfect picnic menu winner. Serve along side Aunt Nellie's Pickled Beets! #ANRPicnic

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Chilled Tomato Salad

1 yellow heirloom tomato

1 red heirloom tomato

1 greem heirloom tomato

1 hothouse cucumber

1/2 vidalia onion, peeled and thinly sliced

Dressing:

1/2 cup extra virgin garlic olive oil from Golden Isles Olive Oil

3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

sea salt and pepper to taste

Slice the tomatoes in thin slices, peel and slice the cucumber and onion.  Combine the dressing ingredients and toss with the vegetables.  Chill until ready to serve.

Fat-free creamy buttermilk puddings with fresh berry compote

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Fresh Berry Compote with Buttermilk “Pudding”

1 pint fresh, organic blueberries

1 pint fresh, organic blackberries

1 pint fresh, organic raspberries

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 teaspoons stevia or good organic, raw sugar

Pudding:

1 cup buttermilk

1 8 ounce package cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whip the buttermilk and cream cheese together until it is the consistency of “pudding”, add more buttermilk if needed.  Add the sugar and vanilla and mix.

To Serve:  Place pudding in the bottom of 4-6 serving “glasses”  and top with the berry mixture.  Garnish with a fresh mint sprig if desired.

Five Life Lessons

I have been reading and following the work of Deepak Chopra for years.  I always find inspiration and guidance in his writing.  I am sharing his top five lessons with you today.  They come from his book “The 13th Disciple” that was published in March.  I felt this would be a wonderful thing to share with my readers and something I am working on myself!  Hope you enjoy!

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Photo: Jeremiah Sullivan
Faith makes all things possible.
Having an inner certainty that there is something—whether it’s a god, a religion, whatever you believe in—behind the events in our lives takes the pressure off us to try to figure everything out. I don’t need to have all the answers because that certainty makes me feel less unsure.Meditation doesn’t have to be hard.
Many people struggle with the exercise because they focus on the end result or worry about what they’re supposed to be doing. But it doesn’t have to be all about emptying your head of thoughts. Just sit. Be still. Of course your mind won’t be completely quiet at first, but if you keep practicing, you’ll find peace.We will never solve the mystery of existence through science.
Sure, science is a great measurement, but it’s just a map. It doesn’t reveal our destination or the stops we’ll make along the way. For example, consider love: It’s a riddle we can’t quantify or prove, but it exists, and it makes life worthwhile.

Love means total acceptance.
Over time, I’ve realized that in a relationship or a marriage, you shouldn’t try to change your partner. We are who we are, and when you accept people instead of trying to change them to fit your needs, your relationships can fully blossom.

I love my family and children, but that’s not enough.
It’s selfish to love only the people in my life. There’s so much conflict today that I think it’s important to expand one’s efforts as far as possible. True love should be expansive. I don’t want to be confined to my own little definition of who I am individually and where in the world I fit in.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/Deepak-Chopra-Life-Lessons#ixzz3ZNOD9oKo

Opening Doors

It really hasn’t been that long since we did not have social media and all of the magic of the internet.  The world has been opened to us all in ways we never expected through advanced technology.  We can connect with others, shop for things from around the world and create a voice for our art or our writing….the “cloud” is the limit!  In keeping with that I am very pleased to announce that I have connected with two of my most favorite on-line entities and now carry a link to their sites on my sidebar!

Food52!  Ya’ll know what a foodie I am!  When Food52 viewed my website and went over my application I held my breath, hoping I would be accepted into their affiliate program.  I have been reading their blog, shopping their shop and enjoying everything about them for several years now.  On their site you will find:

Spring Vegetable Panzanella with Poached Eggs, a recipe on Food52

Amazing recipes for all occasions!

Beautiful products and ideas for your home, including DYI!

Citrus Wreath

Or, perhaps, a lovely wreath that says SPRING for your front door or any other place that suits your fancy!  You’ll find so many wonderful things here: https://food52.com/

If any of you happened to watch the Bravo series “Million Dollar Decorators” you may have been introduced to the wonderful site “One Kings Lane”.  Oh how I love to browse through the many wonderful things that can be found here!

Greek Key 14x22 Pillow, Fuchsia

Whether you’re looking for a decorative item to add a bit of color to a room…..

Small Cross Bouillotte Sconce, Brass

Lovely sconces, rugs, furniture and all things for the home!

English Silverplate Lidded Biscuit Jar

Oh the things you will find when you go here:  www.onekingslane.com and shop!

You just never know what may happen when you blog!  Doors do open, indeed!

The Glory Of It All!

I always love visiting the “My Georgia Coast” page on Facebook.  Some of our areas finest photographers post their work there.  I am featuring a few of the photos today because the phases of the sun as a backdrop for boats, wildlife and the natural beauty of Coastal Georgia has been captured so well.  Make sure to view the caption with each photo to know the photographer who has shared these amazing photos with us!

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David Fisher

I always love David Fisher’s photography.  The way he captured this shrimping boat through a frame of driftwood is spectacular!

Donna Mosley Howard

Donna Mosley Howard captures her home on Shellman Bluff so beautifully.  What a paradise!

 

John Henderson

John Henderson captured the beginning of beautiful day at Ossabaw

Georgia Walters

A fabulous sunset over Fort Pulaski by Georgia Walters

Bianca Croft

Last, but most definitely not least, Bianca Croft photographed this stunning sunrise over Coastal Georgia

How blessed are we to share this natural beauty?  Not a day goes by that I don’t say THANK YOU!  Georgia is my home, my heart and soul are here to stay!  Be inspired….get out and enjoy your surroundings or plan a visit so that you can experience what Coastal Georgia has to offer!  You’ll always come back for more!

Just For Mom!

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It’s time to think about that special Mom, plural or singular, in your life.  I cannot think of a better place to find the most special gift for any mother who loves all things culinary than Golden Isles Olive Oil in Redfern Village here on St. Simons.  Walking into this lovely store is a feast for the eyes and the senses!  Owner, Paige Funkhouser, and her staff have a full offering of beautiful gifts for your to give to the special ladies in your life on May 10th!

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Some Tuscan pottery perhaps?  Colorful and useful!  You’ll find pieces that will easily become collectibles.

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Perhaps handcrafted boards fashioned from wine barrels shipped all the way from California’s Napa Valley.  These spectacular pieces are sure to be loved!

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Lovely handmade pottery from local artisan, Elizabeth Halderson.  This particular design is specifically found at Golden Isles Olive Oil with the custom design of an olive sprig.  The little cups are perfect for juice or wine, you decide!

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Sweets?  Gift baskets?  Visit the shop and see how many ideas you can come up with.  You’ll find the staff helpful and knowledgeable as well!  What a perfect way to tell that special someone how much they mean to you!

Order online at:  www.goldenislesoliveoil.com!

Simple Sundays

The beautiful compositions by Ludovico Einaudi are perfect for a quiet Sunday morning.  This piece, entitled Ancora is so beautifully performed, it provides a calming feeling in my soul.  I hope you’ll enjoy the music.  Take time to be good to YOU today!  Do something that brings you joy and feeds your spirit.  It’s so essential to well being!  Good Sunday to you all!