Savannah is one of my favorite Southern cities.  The history and architecture is enchanting.  When I heard that my friend, Dayna Caldwell, planned to leave Left Bank Art Gallery here on St. Simons to accept the position of curator at the Grand Bohemian Gallery I knew I would miss her, but I also felt she was making a move that would be perfect for her.  My recent visit to the Mansion on Forsyth Park, part of the Kessler Collection in which the gallery is housed, opened up a whole new world for me!  Dayna has found the perfect place in which to grow her vast knowledge of art as well as offer her ever present spark of happiness in life that is absolutely infectious!

Just walking through the front doors into the elegant lobby is a treat!  The property has kept its historic character on the outside yet has been transformed into a chic, upscale boutique setting in the lobby and public areas.  This chair is a Versace that stands alone in the lobby….why would it need company…it is magnificent!  And the smell of freshly cut lilies from a huge bouquet…so intoxicating!

The Grand Bohemian Gallery is off of the bar area.  Full of light and wonderful paintings, hand blown glass, jewelry and other collectibles, Dayna has done an impeccable job of putting it all together and she’s only just begun!

The show on display while we were there by artist, Jean Claude Roy, reminded me of Van Gogh at his finest.  Roy’s bold brush strokes and use of color as he depicts the South of France is unforgettable!  Not only were his pieces in the gallery, they were placed throughout the lobby bar and other hallways.

I loved this fabulous display case filled with hats dating back to the turn of the 20th century.  You may never have considered millinery creations an art, but you’ll change your mind when you feast your eyes on this collection.

What I came away with from my visit is a feeling that this Kessler property is all about fine living, collecting and appreciating the good life.  The 700 Drayton Restaurant is so beautifully decorated with a splash of edgy orange here and there in light fixtures and furnishings.  Love, love the accent of the unexpected in an otherwise tranquil setting.  It says to me….whimsy….excitement….the enjoyment of fun and play!

Dayna continued the grand tour of the property as I marveled over the opulent bar area and private dining rooms on the second floor.

One of the private dining rooms has an expansive table of marble that is lit from within for a dramatic display when the lights are dim!  There is also a private tasting room that evokes the essence of a turn of the century lodge.

Of course, I loved the state of the art kitchen where resident chef, Peter Russo, a James Beard acclaimed chef teaches cooking classes.  What fun!

This is the perfect place to go for a long weekend of holiday shopping.  The next show that debuts this coming Friday is  a photography exhibition of Barbara Marie Kraus’ work…patterns + textures of nature.  You can stay at the Mansion, enjoy fabulous dining….see the gallery AND do some Christmas shopping.  Sounds like heaven to me!  For more information on the Mansion go here:  http://www.mansiononforsythpark.com/

Mansion On Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton Street, Savannah, GA 31401 – 888-711-5114

Melissa | Out&About | 12 3rd, 2014 | 3 Comments »

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love receiving a basket full of goodies during the holidays!  Golden Isles Olive Oil is the place to go for any foodie on your list for gift giving.

You can choose from a basket that is already assembled….

Or customize one and let the staff  help you put it together.

Don’t forget about these wonderful olive oil dispensers with its own stand…..perfect for a kitchen counter!

Love the “Once Upon A Hive” honey “books” from Savannah Bee Company…who wouldn’t?

Paige, owner of this wonderful shop, ships anywhere in the United States for a flat fee of $15.00.  Go to the website here to read more:  www.goldenislesoliveoil.com

Cruets….candies…..and more!  You’re sure to find just the right gift at Golden Isles Olive Oil!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 12 2nd, 2014 | No Comments »

My holiday spirit is in full swing!  Thanksgiving was wonderful with family in New Orleans and now it’s time to start planning Christmas.  The lovely ladies who make up the Cassina Garden Club are helping with that this year in a big way!  This coming Saturday, December 6th, is their annual tour of homes on Sea Island!

They’ve been busy little elves making wreaths and all sorts of gift items for the new Christmas Market that will be held at the historic tabby slave cabins.  You’ll find all sorts of unique gift items at the market which opens to the public at 9:00 a.m.  And don’t forget the annual bake sale that is also open to the public, beginning at the same time.  Get there early, I hear all of the goodies sell quickly!

I’m loving these handmade and embellished items, especially the pots with shells added and the lantern with oyster shells afixed to the top!

There are five gorgeous homes on this year’s tour, each given a theme and lovingly decorated by club members.  Plan to have lunch or dinner at The Cloister…dinner reservations can be made by calling 888-538-6473 and asking for The Georgian Room.  If you’re visiting from out of town Sea Island is offering package deals by calling the same number and asking for details on the Cassina Package.  What a fantastic way to ring in the season!

It promises to be an event you’ll never forget this year!  You can order tickets on-line here:  www.cassinagardenclub.org. for $45.00 each, they will also be available onsite for $50.00.  Bus service to visit the homes on Sea Island is available at the Cassina Garden Club site near Epworth.  The tour runs from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm so you’ll have plenty of time to shop, see the homes, have lunch and make merry!  All proceeds from the tour, market and bake sale go to help raise funds for the restoration of the historic tabby slave cabins.

Melissa | food & entertaining | 12 1st, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but it is always good to be greatful!  I have always loved the song “Simple Gifts” and this particular version is one I really like.  YoYo Ma and Alison Krause blend cello and voice together for this song about being grateful!  We had a wonderful time with family in New Orleans….so much to be grateful for.  Now to take a few deep breaths and begin plans for Christmas.  Trying to keep that to simple gifts this year that come from the heart and keep on giving!  Wishing you a peaceful and loving Sunday!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 11 30th, 2014 | No Comments »

I had such a wonderful talking to author, Jingle Davis, and photographer, Ben Galland, about their wonderful book “Island Time”.  Listen in as we discuss the rich history of St. Simons Island and Coastal Georgia!  You’re in for a real treat!

Melissa | On The Radio | 11 29th, 2014 | No Comments »

This is a Finally Friday! post that I am revisiting from last year.  I can assure you we will be having Turkey Gumbo in New Orleans.  YUM!  I hope you enjoy…this is the perfect recipe for leftover turkey!

Thanksgiving always means gumbo!  Not on the day, but with the leftover turkey.  This has been a tradition in my family for so many years I won’t tell you!  Friday is cold turkey sandwiches on sourdough bread with all the trimmings then I take the meat off of the bones, place the bones in my dutch oven, cover with water, bring to a boil and simmer overnight.  I add any leftover gravy as well.  This is so delicious!  In Louisiana you’d be served a delicious potato salad with this, but we opt for a crisp green salad with crusty french bread.

Here’s the recipe!  Note:  this dish is spicy and perfect when accompanied with ice cold beer.

Turkey Gumbo

Start with a roux, 2 cups of vegetable oil and 2 cups of all-purpose, unbleached flour.  Mix this in a heavy iron skillet or dutch oven and stir over medium heat until the roux is the color of rich, dark peanut butter.

Add the Cajun “Trinity”:  1 large yellow onion, finely diced; 1 bunch of celery, finely diced; 2 sweet green peppers, finely diced; 1 bunch scallions with the green ends, diced; 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley; 5 cloves of garlic, minced.  Add this mixture to the finished roux and cook over medium heat until the veggies are wilted, the onion transparent.

Remove the bones from the dutch oven and add the “Trinity” mixture as well as 4-5 cups of meat from the turkey.  Add a couple of tablespoons of hot pepper sauce, a couple of tablespoons of cajun seasoning blend, a dash of cayenne and salt, if desired.  Allow the mixture to simmer for an hour or so.  After the first half hour I also add 2 cups of sliced andouille sausage that has been sliced thin and lightly sauteed in a pan until just browning.  You can also add sliced okra at this point if you want.

Make a pot of sticky white rice and serve the gumbo over a large scoop of rice.  Easy, delicious and such a great way to deal with leftover turkey!  I can already taste the deliciousness!

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 11 28th, 2014 | No Comments »

Wishing all of my readers a blessed day with family and friends!

Happy Thanksgiving from New Orleans, Louisiana…so grateful to be here!  

Here’s some wonderful classical music to begin the day…..enjoy!

Melissa | Out&About | 11 27th, 2014 | No Comments »

A couple of weekends ago we had an invitation to visit friends who have a fabulous home just off the beach on Tybee Island.  Having only visited Tybee once years ago, I really didn’t know what to expect.  To my surprise this thriving beach community had a little bit of everything.

We had dinner at the Tybee Island Fish Camp where the freshly prepared seasonal menu was an absolute delight.  Bite after bite of some of the most delicious food I have had, owners Sarah and Kurtis Schumm have a hot, hot, hot dining experience going with this fabulous place!  You can expect culinary creations such as smoked duck bruschetta, a lovely turnip soup with duck confit, lobster and shrimp risotto and one of the best salads I’ve every had with butter lettuce and a delicious housemade green goddess dressing.  I was in foodie heaven at this place and highly recommend it.  To read more go here:  http://www.tybeeislandfishcamp.com/

We danced the night away at Nickie’s, a favorite night spot that serves up great libations and wonderful live music.  More proof that my new knee is operating just beautifully, thank you!

Sunday brunch found us at the Tybee Island Social Club, also owned by the Schumm’s.  What a treat!  Live blue grass music and a delicious menu with everything from Southwestern to hamburgers to a chicken biscuit with collard greens and sausage cream gravy.  Pure heaven.  This unique restaurant has been voted the best place to be on Sunday in the Savannah area and I now know why!  More on The Social here:  http://www.tybeeislandsocialclub.com/

Plan a weekend and go to Tybee.  Our friends, the Crowes, even have a couple of charming properties you can rent.  I guarantee they are beautifully decorated and have all the bells and whistles!  Here is the website to take a look:  http://www.tybeeseaside.com/  There is so much of Tybee we didn’t have time to see, I’m already anxious to return!  Thank you Paula and Bob for your awesome hospitality!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 11 26th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Living in Coastal Georgia is always a joy.  Everywhere you look there is something beautiful to behold.  Last Saturday afternoon was just such a time, even with the rain.  All sorts of birds congregated on the lagoon behind our home providing a nature show to rival anything we have seen on television.

Cranes, wood stork, heron and egret searched for fish and whatever else they could find to feast upon.

One heron was territorial and continually tried to “shoo” the other birds away.  Kingfisher swooped over the top of the water in pairs participating in a swirling dance as they let out their strange calls.

I love this photo in particular.  The reflection of the one bird on the far bank and the one sitting on the small, fallen tree is one of my best photos to date!

An occasion such as this can’t help but remind us that we live amid the beauty and wonder of nature.  Take time to look around and see what amazing things there are all around you and have a wonderful Tuesday!

Melissa | Out&About | 11 25th, 2014 | 2 Comments »

I first knew of Nancy Kirkpatrick when, through mutual friends, she began to follow The Permanent Tourist.  Then, when I attended the Witches Hour event in October, there she was snapping photographs of all of the ladies in their witchy costumes.  I knew from the way she had me pose before taking my picture that she truly knew what she was doing.  I will always treasure that photograph and I now have a wonderful new friend to treasure as well.  When Nancy and I met to discuss my writing a post about her work we talked for well over an hour about our lives, where we’ve been and where we hope to go.  Then she mentioned that she really loves photographing flowers.  She even returned to the Market at Sea Island, where we met for coffee, and snapped  a photo of one of the beautiful zinnias blooming in the lovely gardens there.

After our meeting Nancy began to send me her floral photographs and I was just blown away.  First of all, she is a very talented photographer, but secondly, her ability to capture a bloom with the right light and shadow is just spectacular.

White peonies have long been my favorite flower and this photo sends waves of happiness wafting through me!  Isn’t it fabulous?

And these flowers in tones of pink and, what I call, ashes of roses!

Hydrangea?  Yep, Nancy photographs them in all their glory.

Calla lilies, gardenia and ranunculus….so feminine and soft.

She’s working on a line of cards using her photographs with soft graphics, I want the entire collection!

Nancy will be launching her Fine Art Photography, featuring these wonderful floral beauties and more!  She also continues her work with portrait photography, capturing the soul of her subject in magical ways!  You can visit Nancy’s website here to view her beautiful floral photography:  http://fineartamerica.com/art/photographs/nancy+kirkpatrick/all

Melissa | people | 11 24th, 2014 | 4 Comments »