People from my past are reappearing!

The articles from the various publications continue to give benefits of the un expected kind... between the Travel and Leisure Article and the AJC article people are continuing to discover us from all over the country and even world.



I spoke to a potential new visitor last night who told me he had been sitting in the doctor's office and saw the article, tore it out of the magazine when no one was looking ( who hasn't done that- I sure have!) showed his wife and called us. He can't wait to visit. Pretty wonderful!



But here is the absolute best story. When the Travel and Leisure article first came out, I received several calls from on older man who really wanted to come and try out Tybee. He was not personally on the computer but he kept saying when he saw his daughter she would take care of the travel plans. After those first few calls I didn't hear back but just figured they had made other plans. Then I received a call from his daughter and when she said her name, I paused and said- did you say Denise? When she said yes, I said, OMG Denise- this is Diane from the Columbus North Marriott!!! Denise and I had worked together as Directors of Marketing for the Columbus and Cleveland Marriotts and were really great friends. But as life often does, we both moved, had families to raise and while we stayed in touch, eventually lost touch. Denise's dad was the older man who had been calling me and Denise was the daughter who would get on line to follow up! So after 10 years of no communication or contact, because of the Travel and Leisure Magazine we found each other! We always said once our kids were grown we'd have time to be great friends again!

And then yet another wonderful recent connection because of Facebook! One of my favorite meeting planner/ clients who then became a great friend recently found me on www.Facebook.com Kim and I caught up for almost 3 hours on Friday and have some very big ideas on new ways to do some co marketing together! She is very happy, a new bride and living on Prince Edward Island. She's also a brand new blogger so visit her blog www.kimberlycameron.blogspot.com and see some of her recent marketing work www.thebeachesofpei.com

I'm so happy to have found both friends and look forward to who else may pop back into my life again because of my journey with Mermaid Cottages!

My new career- Reality TV Star

It all started so promising.... my hair place in South Beach told me that when I came in for my hair cut and highlights ( yes, that blond hair is not natural) I'd need to sign a release form. On the way back to Port Charlotte I was heading thru Miami to get my hair cut like I usually try to do when I'm in Florida.... When I asked why the press release, they told me they were being considered for a new reality TV show featuring a trendy hair salon . I laughed and told them I was the exact opposite of their usual clientele- Middle Aged, normal looking ( meaning not tall, thin and pouty) and flat hair. She told me that would be ideal especially because I was driving 7 hours for a hair cut!

I arrived on time, the production assistant made the group of us sign a release form ( he also had to describe what I looked like- I kept waiting for him to write down wrinkles, non trendy clothes and anything else that would distinguish me from the others waiting. ) Shakira and Lillianna who cut and highlight my hair both looked frazzled. The tv crew had been there all day and the bright lights and roving tv cameras were taking their toll. I sit in the chair and Shakira starts the foil process. No conversation. We're both silent. She's foiling away, I'm trying not to stare at the camera which is pointed directly at my head. Can't think of a witty thing to say that might be captured on the next big reality show.... It was the oddest thing because I looked around and NO ONE was talking. All of those wanna be models and actresses who were there to get their hair cut also were silent. I have no idea if the cameras were perhaps capturing conversations and juicy life stories in the back rooms and perhaps were were just the background, but they were there shooting for the entire 2 hours I was there.

And the worst of it- poor Lilliana was so distracted that she just kept cutting my hair! I'd come in for a trim and now have a great hair cut, but way too short!!! And how was I supposed to tell her that with the cameras rolling... Or come to think of that, maybe that WAS their way of creating drama! Oh Well... They'll let us know if/ when the pilot is picked up. The Real Housewives of the Hair Salon we were not...

Visit their website for hopefully updates on the show www.brownesbeauty.com

One Tank Trip

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper featured Tybee Island as a terrific "One Tank Trip" from Atlanta! We've had a large number of visitors call us and schedule first time visits to our island and planning to stay with us! Thank you AJC and our new favorite writer Amanda Miller Allen who came to visit and wrote the story.

Click here to read the whole story.

http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/travel/southeast/ga_stories/2009/03/08/Tybee_Island_onetank.html

We also have a brand new "welcome" when you come on the island. One of our amazing life size turtles from the Tybee Turtle Tour has been moved to great everyone, locals and visitors , when they come on the island. Captain Renee created this turtle. She is also the owner/ captain of Sundial Eco tours here on Tybee . I've blogged about her many times in the past about how incredible her boat excursion had been for me. Visit her website for more info www.sundialcharters.net or call 912 786 9470

The Mermaid Mobile makes her parade debut!

Best laid plans, I'd fully intended to roll out the Marching Mermaids of Tybee this year for the 4 of the 5 parades Tybee conducts. Mardi Gras in Feb, St. Pats in March, Pirate Fest in Oct and the Christmas Parade in December ( we will NOT march in Beach Bum- too much water!) However with my family needs, we weren't able to announce our parade group, gather uniforms or practise for the two first parades. Judy Lou ( Mary Lou and Judy rolled into one dynamo!) had already picked out their Mardi Gras clothes and were all ready to go. Not wanting to disappoint , I told them to just drive the Mermaid Mobile in the parade and blow kisses to the masses. That's what they did! Fallon, Nevan and one of their friends sat in the back seat waving to the crowds, the mobile was full of her usual goodies ( toilet paper and paper towels, large bottles of organic cleaner, oven liners- the normal things we use to clean but that was part of the charm.) Enjoy the pictures from the Feb event and don't forget to mark your calendar- the Marching Mermaids will be in the Pirate Fest Parade Saturday October 10th ( my birthday!). All are welcome to march with us, stay tuned for details!

Art abounds everywhere in our cottages!

Where else but on Tybee could you take a glorious shower ( hot and cold water!) in a piece of orginal art! Gypsy the Traveling Artist traveled our way recently and created a mural at M. Paddy Cakes Vacation Apartment. The shower is actually 2 private showers and now will make you smile before you even step inside. You lucky guests at M. Paddy Cakes can indeed "shower yourself with love." And even sneak in a mermaid sightings while you're there.... Enjoy!

Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding was served.....

This is the recipe I only make once a year. When served, the guests only take about a tablespoon. Anything more then that is just overkill. I first found the recipe last year while on http://www.pauladeen.com/ and looking for some very festive recipes. This fit the bill 100% because what's more festive then Krispy Kreme donuts and rum! The recipe is a huge hit, but only if you have about 50 people at the party, if you have less then that, then each of you has to have a bigger portion and that's just not right! I do make one adjustment to this recipe- for the topping, I only use a little bit of the sugar, only half the butter , but lots of rum.

The dish was served at the January Celebration party on Saturday and the entire very large dish was cleaned out! That's it- enough until this time next year!!!

The pictures show the 2 dozen donuts as well as the finished product. We had a chalk board at the cottage telling people what we were serving as well in case they couldn't tell what all that sugar was. Truly a yummy way to kick off the new year. Now, we're back to no sugar for a while....

THE RECIPE
2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2 (4.5-ounce) cans fruit cocktail (undrained)
2 eggs, beaten
1 (9-ounce) box raisins
1 pinch salt
1 or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Butter Rum Sauce, recipe follows

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cube donuts into a large bowl. Pour other ingredients on top of donuts and let soak for a few minutes. Mix all ingredients together until donuts have soaked up the liquid as much as possible.
Bake for about 1 hour until center has jelled. Top with Butter Rum Sauce.

Butter Rum Sauce:
1 stick butter
1 pound box confectioners' sugar
Rum, to taste
Melt butter and slowly stir in confectioners' sugar. Add rum and heat until bubbly. Pour over each serving of Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. I only used a small amount of the sugar and 1/2 stick of butter and it tasted just fine.

WOW! My first visit to Cafe Loco in years....

One of the things about life is how it just keeps surprising you with the re birth and renewal of itself. When I first moved here, Cafe Loco was a local restaurant we went to on a regular basis. The location couldn't be better, the deck overlooked the shrimp boats and Lazeretto creek. The sunsets were just the best- watching that big red ball drop over the marsh grass and wide savanannah.... marshside heaven! The food was served on paper plates and was very casusal, but still good. Then a fire happened and they were shut down and reopened months later. Even though my shrimp place ( buying shrimp right off the shrimp boats from Capt. Roy and the ladies at Lazeretto Creek Seafood) I just didn't make it to the newly opened Cafe Loco. MISTAKE!

I met Joel Solomon at the Tybee Tourism meeting recently and he personally asked me to come and experience his restaurant. I truly love to support my fellow local businesses, for a lot of reasons, but the big one being I want to be able to tell all my guests when they ask about the best places to go and eat on the island.... Went to dinner last night, too late for watching sunset, but that will be a regular experience I've decided....)

I loved my dining expereince!! ( don't I sound like a restaurant critic?) The newly rebuilt restaurant and bar is fresh and clean , yet still Tybee quirkly. Lots of fun things on the wall, windows everywhere to watch the water and the activities. Bright and cheerful servers ( gosh they're young- or am I just getting older!). The food was really, really delicious. Thaddeus is the cook/ chef and he really took pride in his presentation. Local Crabmeat stuffed mushrooms caps, these little scallops and shrimp with a spicy asian sauce, gumbo with wild local Georgia Shrimp yum, yum, yum, yum!!!

The dart league started around 8PM and all those cute dart players asked if they could buy us a beer so a dart didn't end up in our heads ( we were sitting right by the dart board) and thanked us a couple of times for moving. Live music plays on the weekend with local bands and singers.

I can't say enough nice things about this place other then Go for yourself and have a great local seafood meal. http://www.cafelocotybee.com/ 912 786 7810. Let them know Mermaid Cottages sent you!

A life well lived

Thank you for all of you who've called and emailed about my step dad...

One of the things our family decided to do was send out a special card to thank everyone for their support and love during such a sad time in our family's life. My cousin Nancy and her family did this when her dad- My Uncle Lynn died last year. I was struck at how beautiful a gesture this was and how much this helped.

These are pictures of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. One of Bob's last projects was the Morgan County WV World War ll Memorial. This sits in downtown Berkeley Springs- a town he lived his entire life.

Robert Lee Hawvermale, Sr

June 2nd, 1929 - February 19th, 2009

A Life Well Lived

Our sorrow at Bob's passing is made bearable by our happy and loving memories of his great joy and zest for life.

He loved his family, his friends and his beloved Berkeley Springs.

We will always cherish our years with Bob and that we were able to be part of such an extraordinary life.

Thank you for your love, friendship and Support.

With love, the family of Bob Hawvermale

My Step Father Bob

My wonderful Stepfather, Bob Hawvermale died 4 weeks ago... I've been with my family in Florida and then back home in West Virgina to help take care of all the things you do when someone is no longer here. We celebrated his life along with hundreds of others who knew and loved this man. There is a great sense of sorrow and sense of loss.



Bob grew up and lived his entire life in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. He loved his little town and even though he traveled the world both in his work and his leisure, he loved that little mountain community. He was a self made man who went to college on a Football Scholarship attending West Virgina University. He came back home and was the Corporate Engineer his entire career at the one large business in town. He was on the local bank board of directors for 42 years giving his wise council to all the business and community leaders. He worked for the County Commissioners after retirement the rest of his life. He spent his time creating projects that improved his community. The last one was the WWII monument honoring all the citizens of Morgan County, WV who served. My dad's name was at the top of the list- just a coincidence Bob said with a twinkle- but I knew he wanted to honor my dad in just a little more special way.



Bob first met my mom when they were in college together and she was dating my dad, another Berkeley Springs boy. The year my dad died, his wife died and Bob made contact with our family. He quietly started to date my mom as two middle aged people. They married and were together for 25 years.



The people that came out to honor Bob were of every walk of life. Some mountain people, all the business leaders, friends and family. The Funeral Home Director was a personal friend. The eulogy was given by the town lawyer. The American Legion ladies made sure all of Bob's favorite food was ready for his wake. As sad as we all were, everyone wanted to be part of the celebration that was his life.



We have a huge sense of loss now. Saturday night after we finished driving for literally three days between back to Florida to get my mom and handle things, back home to Tybee for an over night , then we drove back to WV , we arrived in Berkeley Springs about the same time Bob arrived back in town. Even though he wanted to be cremated, we felt very strongly that Bob needed to be back home so he could check things out one more time. I know he was all over Berkeley visiting the people and places he loved so much. Danny felt him in the home and I know he was glad we were back there safe. We miss him and I hope some of the lessons of life I learned during this experience stick with me. I saw the best of people who wanted to do whatever they could to help our family through this time. I also saw the worst of one or two people who you thought were friends and people you could count on, but their true character came through. But that's part of life and the lessons we learn as we journey through our experiences.



Thank you to all of you who asked about how we're doing and what you can do to help . We're doing fine. It's not often you have a Bob in your life and as sad as we all are, we need to get back to living our life.



Don't forget to tell the people in your life how loved they are and how much they mean to you. The more middle aged I become, the more people I lose in life and the more I realize how really fragile and precious this whole life experience is. Thank you for allowing me to share all this and know how much I appreciate all of you!

The First Tybee Bark Park Fundraiser Today

Spring has come to Tybee. We were quite cold the past couple of weeks- yes I know- all our visitors from up north, Canada and the midwest have been laughing when we say how cold we are! However cold we've been, but happy we are now because the sun is shining the air is warm ( but no humidity) and our visitors are flocking back to the island. AJ's Dockside Restaurant was PACKED last night, the herds of bike riders are all over the island ( one of my favorite sights looking out my office window is seeing entire families riding their bikes) and it's just a happy time to be here.

Big, important announcement! Today- Saturday March 7th from 11AM- 1:30PM run, walk, ride your bike but somehow get yourself to Seaside Sisters Coastal Cottage Shop. The first fundraiser EVER for Tybee's Bark Parks is being held . One of the great books we sell in the shop is Savannah Deserts by Janice Shay one of our local writers. The book features all sorts of recipes from local restaurants - including the famous Gooey Butter Cake from Miss Paula Deen and The Lady and Sons Restaurant. But the BEST recipe is "my" recipe the Sour Cream Peach Pound Cake. I've offered this recipe on previous blogs - under Recipes. This is the cake I can make in my sleep, I have it perfected including the certain type of canned peaches I use. Only use canned peaches, makes the cake so much more moist. I also use organic eggs from the Green Market here in Savannah- I'll be blogging about these eggs and the chickens they come from on Wednesday when I go to the market again.

Today you don't have to make this cake yourself. We're doing a raffle today to raise money for the Tybee Bark Parks and I baked not one, but THREE cakes last night. The whole cottage just smelled great for hours. Two ways to be part of the raffle, when you buy a book you automatically get to fill out a raffle ticker. Or you can just buy raffle tickets and enter your chances for one of the three hourly raffles.

We'll see you at Seaside Sisters today and hope you're the one who has this fabulous cake for desert tonight!