Sunday on Tybee

Most of our guests are leaving today after enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend at the beach. The weather cooperated, the stores all offered great deals on Black Friday Shopping and we even had a bonfire set up @ Doyle Landscapping ( which btw has all the live trees, garlands and wreaths that you can want. No need to cross the bridge!)

We're in the process of decorating our cottages for the holidays so that anyone coming to visit will have a warm and welcoming cottage. Did you know that many of our homes have fireplaces? Very cool plug in electric ones that look like an old fashioned wood burning stove.

Fish Camp wins the award so far for being the best decorated and most festive cottage for the holidays. Margo and Betsy and one of their Chicago friends came down to decorate like crazy and were most successful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6MO84CcyX8

We'll be decorating Dutton Waller, Lemon Drop and Mermaid Manor on Monday and will hopefully be just as festive!

Our Better Home Town Initiative also decorated much of Tybee over the weekend- you can see all the great things happening on the island all month by visiting http://www.tybeefortheholidays.com/

We'll be adding more garland and pine and ribbons and bows to the entire island, so if you haven't made plans to come down and see our holiday island, please do so! The above picture shows how with just a little bit of greenery you can completely perk up a home for the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I'm enjoying a role reversal today as the guest vs the vacation rental manager as I'm with a group of friends here in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Renting a home from Doug Brindley and the Brindley Vacation Rental Company www.brindleybeach.com here in Corolla, NC where the wild horses run on the beaches.

We're cookin' up a storm and eating like kings and queens. So far some of the yummy food has included Buffalo Chicken Dip, Tres Leches Cake ( recipes.com then search tres leches cake- I promise you, you'll want to try this cake!) and Creme Brulee French Toast ( epicurious.com and search creme brulee french toast). And this doesn't even include the main meal today of turkey which btw- we are brining using a recipe from Martha Stewart ( www.marthastewart.com and search brine a turkey)

The centerpiece today is so wonderful- one of our friends , Pam who is a school teacher- brought her homemade turkey head that you attach to a pineapple. I don't know if any of the rest of you grew up with the same decor, but our family sure did! In fact, I know my sister is using hers today on her pineapple for the table centerpiece.

The other picture is NOT our table but a beautiful example of what can be done so simply with some cut branches and clear glass vases.

I have very much to be thankful for this year and wish all of you a wonderful day. And a very big thank you for allowing me to have a business where I can be so happy and and do exactly what I was born to do. Welcoming guests to my island paradise!

UGA VII dies...

This is so sad! Just last week I shared about meeting Sonny ( owner of UGA the Georgia bulldog) while watching the space shuttle. Then.... on Thursday of last week, poor UGA dies of a heart attack at only the age of 4. We know how many of you are fans of Georgia and we send our condolences... also will keep all on the update on the new puppy.

The Last Song movie poster

Hot off the Facebook fan site- The Last Song's official movie poster and marketing piece. Yes, I'm afraid you all will be sick of me going on and on about this, but I just can't believe how beautiful Tybee looks in this movie! I was down at the very south end of the island this afternoon looking at low tide, the moon pools and how glorious the beach is in the fall. The Adams Cottage which had a starring role in the movie is all quiet again and you'd never know it was the movie star it was all summer. The view is still the same, overlooking the beach, sea oats and of course the ocean. Isn't this poster great?

Finally- the real thing ( not the bootleg copy) The Last Song Trailer!!!

I thought Hallie was my only in the field Blog correspondent but Michael is running a close 2nd! Hot off the YouTube website ( thank you Mr. B) is THE MOVIE TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just because our movie friends have left the island and even though we love Robert Redford he just doesn't seem to hang around Tybee as much as Miley did, the movie is still moving forward with the process of becoming a blockbuster film. They are busy back in Hollywood crafting all those days of shooting into a movie that will make you cry.

Watch the trailer and like those fans of the Twighlight Saga are doing ( which btw- I love the books and will also be in line to watch New Moon ) be prepared to line up next spring to see our movie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi-RXyEpRY8

To my shuttle friends who watched on Monday and those who couldn't make it- you can follow NASA and learn all about the shuttle launches on their twitter, or you can check www.nasa.gov and they list the times and days. I will also tweet about the next launch as well. Remember- the shuttle is no longer going to be used starting sometime next year for space travel, so enjoy the launches while we can!

The Space Shuttle and Sonny Seiler- a typical Monday on Tybee

My new favorite reality TV show is not The Real Housewives of Orange County or Dancing with the Stars like many of you probably believe. It's NASA TV. And there was a live performance and I had front row seats today- even if those seats were actually 400 miles away.

2:28PM was the take off time from Cape Canaveral and I headed down on my trusty beach bike to the south end of the island to watch the show. What fun- a beautiful day today- warm and sunny and there at the south end was Stephen Palmer from Tybee Island Wedding, Jan Elliott- realtor on Tybee and Fran who rents Doodlebug Cottage from us every fall and winter. Steve had the NASA app on his Iphone ( isn't technology amazing) and precisely at take off, we saw the plum of smoke and then the trail of smoke as the Shuttle took off and headed to space. We were all just awe struck! Not as incredible as the evening launch, but still pretty spectacular.

We saw a couple walking on the board walk, and we assumed they were there to watch the launch. But it was just two Savannah locals out enjoying the day. I realized it was Sonny Seiler - local celebrity, owner of UGA the Bulldog and the lawyer for Jim Williams of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Fame. We spoke, we all posed for pictures and then we all commented on how beautiful the day was. Just another day in paradise!

My kayaking launching pad

Last night on the way back to my cottage, I drove down my favorite street on Tybee- Venetian. We have three cottages there- Doodlebug, Tybee Tides and Sunset Cove - each one more unique then the next, but each has one thing in common- the amazing sunsets over the Horse Pen Creek Salt Marsh leading out to the Back River.

With daylight savings time, I still get caught off guard with how early dark arrives and I keep forgetting that sunset is so early. While driving, I literally stopped in the street when I made the turn where 12th Street becomes Venetian. The sky was so incredible with the streaks of reds and gold and the clouds reflecting the colors. The marsh and water shimmered and glowed. I walked down to "my" kayak launching pad scene of so many terrific kayaking trips with Suzanne and other assorted friends. I'd take these pictures this summer so I could remember how warm the air and water is during the summer. I'm always amazing at how we have 4 seasons here on the island. Not dramatic temperature shifts like up North or in the Midwest, but still cold enough for jackets, jeans and sweaters . This is the dock and dock house where I went out last night to watch the sunset. I'll take my camera next time to record the beauty! Enjoy!

Cranberries , pumpkins and gourds!

While on my road trip with mom and while in the Boston area visiting my cousin, I went to a terrific farmer's market located right on the beach in Hingham, MA. I found the same farmer who brought cranberries last year! It was pouring down the rain and we went to every booth until we found him, he actually told us he was out of cranberries until he saw our looks of sheer despair at the news. He said- give me a minute- and then went to the back of his truck and comes out with a whole case of cranberries. I don't know if these were his private stock or if he just didn't think they were the quality he wanted, but we ended up buying all 12 pounds of cranberries!!!

The gourd lady was just as much fun. This is a picture of her- a little old yankee lady who's gourds were actually on the vine and had long stem! It was very cool and the gourds on my table Saturday night were from her booth.

The best news - is almost winter up north , while today here on Tybee I'm wearing t shirt and shorts! It's great to visit the cold weather, but even better to come back home!

An Overview of The Last Song- the book AND the movie

While on my road trip I read and read and then read some more= all those great books I didn't get a chance to read all summer. One of the books I read was the Nicholas Sparks book that was filmed on Tybee all summer. Really enjoyed the book- of course in large part because I could visualize every part of the book and where it was shot on Tybee. Can't wait till the movie opening!!! I recently found this overview of the book/ movie and thought others would enjoy reading this. I also want to point out what the cover photo is of the book- it's actually baby sea turtles making their way to the ocean after they hatched!

The Last Song's premier has been pushed back to April, which is great- another Nicholas Sparks movie is coming out in Jan 2010 so it didn't make sense to have two of his movies opening in the same month. You can always read more about this author and the stories he tells www.nicholassparks.com



"The Last Song is an upcoming 2010 coming of age drama film starring Miley Cyrus and directed by Julie Anne Robinson. Nicholas Sparks was approached to write both the film's screenplay and the novel by the same name with Miley Cyrus in mind for the lead role. Sparks completed the screenplay in January 2009, prior to the completion of the novel. Imagined as a star vehicle to introduce Miley Cyrus to older audiences, The Last Song film's storyline follows a troubled teenager, played by Miley Cyrus, and her estranged father, played by Greg Kinnear, as they reconnect with each other through music during a summer in a quiet Southern beach town. The Last Song film also stars Kelly Preston and Liam Hemsworth and is produced by Offspring Entertainment for Touchstone Pictures, an alternative film label of The Walt Disney Company.

The Last Song is Sparks' first screenplay to be brought to film as well as Robinson’s feature film directorial debut.The plot, originally set in North Carolina like the novel, moved to Georgia after states campaigned for months to host production.

Upon beginning production in Tybee Island, Georgia and nearby Savannah, The Last Song became the first movie to be shot and set in Tybee Island. Filming lasted from June 15 to August 18, 2009 with much of it occurring on the island's beach and pier. The film was originally scheduled for release on January 8, 2010, but the film has since been postponed to April 2, 2010.





Miley Cyrus as Veronica "Ronnie" Miller, an angry seventeen year old forced to spend a summer with her estranged father.* Kelly Preston as Kim, Ronnie's mother, who raised Ronnie in New York City after her divorce.* Greg Kinnear as Steve Miller, Ronnie's father and former Juilliard professor and concert pianist who moved to Georgia after his divorce. During the summer, Steve reconnects with Ronnie through their mutual love of music. Steve also works to construct the centerpiece of the local church, a stained glass window, after the original was destroyed in a fire.* Liam Hemsworth as Will Blakelee, a skilled beach volleyball player and member of the local cool crowd, Will dreams of attending a top university and volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium. He is Ronnie's love interest.* Bobby Coleman as Jonah Miller, Ronnie's younger brother sent along with his elder sister to Tybee Island.* Nick Lashaway as Marcus, the leader of a gang of thugs who hustle money from beach carnival crowds through spectacular fire juggling performances.* Carly Chaikin as Blaze, a rebel[19] who befriends Ronnie when she is sent to Georgia. However, Blaze betrays Ronnie when she frames Ronnie for shoplifting a watch.* Adam Barnett as Teddy, a young thug adept at hacky sack and juggling, skills he uses as part of Marcus' crew to hustle money.* Nick Searcy as Tom Blakelee, Will's father.* Melissa Ordway as Ashley. Will broke up with Ashley after a two-year relationship shortly before the start of summer, and Ashley is desperate to win him back. Ashley is close friends with Cassie."

Back on Tybee from my first road trip of the quiet season

Just returned to my beloved Island Paradise late Thursday night in time to welcome and greet not one but SEVEN retired school teachers who are staying at the fabulous Paula Deen's Y'all Come Inn. These ladies have been friends and co workers for years and since they are all Paula fans, came down for a long weekend to enjoy Tybee, enjoy some great meals and to spend time together.

Tonight's highlight was dinner at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House. Part of the perks of renting Y'all Come Inn is guaranteed reservations at both The Lady and Sons and Uncle Bubbas. No waiting in line for our guests ( which for those of you who have waited you know this is worth it's weight in butter!!) The girls invited me and we walked in right on time and were immediately seated. Place was packed but our server came right over and took GREAT care of us!!! We ordered as appetizers the Char Grilled Oysters. I'd heard these were good, but that doesn't even begin to describe how yummy they were. Hot with parmesan cheese melted on top. OMG!!!!!!

As we are chowing down on our first course, none other then Bubba himself comes over to ask if we were the people making trouble at his big sister's beach house!!! The ladies loved it and everyone was talking at once. Such fun. Then- the even bigger highlight- Corrie Hiers- Bubba's daughter and Paula's niece ( and yes, the same Corrie who cuts and colors hair @ Towne Salon in Savannah AND has her recipes featured in the Deen Family Cookbook- yes- the Carrot Cake recipe creator!!!) comes over to say hello and show us her beautiful engagement ring! She takes after her Aunt Paula and loves her diamonds! This picture is all the ladies gathering around Corrie showing off THEIR rings. But we all agreed that Corrie's ring outshone us all.

Corrie told us a little secret - and remeber she's telling this to 7 Paula Deen Fans who know a zillion people so guess how secret this secret is going to be. Aunt Paula is planning the wedding reception so you know it's going to be a fairy tale come true. Lucky Girl!

We all ate till we couldn't eat any more, even took home doggie bags of food. The iceberg wedge with bleu cheese dressing, the Creamy Crab Stew, the fried shrimp- this restaurant was just terrific all around. Be sure you visit when you get a chance- it is worth the wait! www.unclebubbas.com Another fun surprise- the decor is really very well done. The tables and chairs are new vintage inspired kitchen table and chairs from the 1950's. Pictures of the Hiers Family are all around, you really feel like your in a family restaurant.

Thank you Bubba and Corrie for taking such great care of our guests!