Eddie Crone, a Tybee original

Tybee recently lost one of our Tybee Citizens. Eddie Crone was someone who loved Tybee. He loved living here, he loved being part of the community and he cared about keeping Tybee the unique and special place it's always been. While I may not have supported him as a political candiate, I always admired him for speaking his mind, no matter where the chips fell. And all of us on the island, no matter if he was our candiate ornot, loved seeing the bigger then life size "waving Eddie" come election time. Waving Eddie appeared all over the island.

This is the obituary that appeared recently in the Savannah paper. Donataions in his memorary can be made to the Tybee Island American Legion ( call them @ 912 786 5356. Thank you Eddie for your years of service and for caring about the island and her people. We honor your memorary.

"As a Tybee Island City Councilman, Ralph "Eddie" Crone was known to walk out of a meeting in sheer disgust when proceedings rubbed against his no-nonsense style.

But he was also a tireless champion of the island, its people and its history. On Friday, that's what friends and fellow islanders remembered most as they mourned him.

Crone, 70, died early Friday at Hospice Savannah Inc. after battling cancer most of last year.

"He had a big heart, which I don't think a lot of people saw," Mayor Jason Buelterman said. "He got a lot accomplished for Tybee, and he'll be sorely missed."

Crone served three terms on council from 2003 to 2009 and also headed the council's infrastructure committee. His most enduring contribution may be one of historical preservation.

Cullen Chambers, executive director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, said the restoration of the 1906 Fort Screven Guard House wouldn't have happened without Crone's involvement.
Every morning without fail Mr. Crone was down there checking on the progress of that project," Chambers said. "It wasn't just about the history. It had a lot of personal value to people in the community. Eddie more than anyone recognized that."

Like the Guard House, Chambers said, Crone was unpretentious, solid and reliable.

"He is the last of a breed," Chambers said. "You got the real deal with Eddie Crone."

Tybee Councilman Paul Young was elected the same year as Crone, but his environmental activism put him at the opposite end of the spectrum of Crone's strong personal property rights position. Despite their differing philosophies, Crone often gave his unused travel and training budget funds to Wolff. In 2008, it was Crone's $1,000 that allowed Wolff to attend training with the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, and last year, Crone passed along $600 so Wolff could represent Tybee as a member of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

"Some of the things that really helped us move forward as an island are due to his generosity," Wolff said.

Day in and day out, most on the island didn't know Crone as a politician. They knew him as the morning cashier behind the counter at Chu's on U.S. 80. While he may have reveled in presenting himself as cantankerous and opinionated, many found a generous, fun-loving side, too.
Lisa Butler knew Crone for almost 40 years, and in the past nine worked with him at Chu's, where she is the manager. As a retired shipping industry manager, Crone didn't need to work, she said, but he opened without fail.

"This man worked seven days a week and opened the store every day for nine years," she said.

"The store opens at 5 a.m., but he would get there at 3:15 a.m. to open early for special customers.

"The man is truly an icon of Tybee," she said. "He's going to be very missed."

Old Surfers really make the best fish tacos!

The lamps at Taco Surf- old Mexican Straw Hats!!!

The menu


The fish tacos - heavenly!!!


Everytime we head to the West Coast and Southern Cal, we make a beeline to Taco Surf. The best fish tacos anywhere and I am a collector of Fish Tacos. The blend of flavors, the fresh fish- all adds up to a mix of tastes that I adore! The decor of Taco Surf is upscale surfer dude- well not exactly upscale surfer dude- but just plain old surfer dude!! Thank you Taco Surf

PS: when you come to Tybee, Marlin Monroe's actually makes some pretty darn good fish tacos as well!

Be Kind......The Ben's Bells Project

The 1st stop as we cross the country on the way to Georgia is Tucson, AZ to see my nephew Ryan who is a freshman @ University of Arizona. In addition to spending time with him and give him a hug and telling him how much we love him and cherish him, we also had the chance to go to Ben's Bells and voluteer some of our time.

This is the most amazing organization and I have really been impacted by their mission. Ben's Bells started when Jeannette and Dean Packard lost their son Ben just before his 3rd birthday. They experienced so many acts of kindness by strangers and friends that they created Ben's Bells which is a community art project to demonstrate and encourage kindness.

Each bell is made by hand - they are really like windchimes and include clay beads and metals tinkling bells. The clay components are kiln fired and then the Bells are assembled. 100's and 100's of these bells are made every year. Volunteers can just walk into the Ben's Bells studio and help cutting out the clay components, painting and assembling the bells. Then twice a year, the assembled bells are hung randomly throughout the Tucson community and beyond for people to find and take home so they can then pass them on to someone as an act of kindness.

As the Ben's Bells project says, "The Ben's Bells Project empowers each of us in creating community, inspiring hope, and spreading joy - simply by being kind."

We had a wonderful time volunteering at such a wonderful organization and spending time being part of a "community".

Meyer Lemon Pie

How delicious does this pie look! And notice the beautiful flowers!

Jan is one of our very talented mermaids. Not only is she a great housekeeper, but she takes her work very personal and treats the cottages like they were her own beach cottage. She's also a super cook and chef! She'd emailed me this story about the Lemon's from Tybee and I received her permission to post the story and recipe. If you're lucky enough to stay @ Mermories on the Beach, then you'll have these fabulous lemons right outside your front door of the cottage!

"Tybee Island is known for many wonderful things - our beautiful beaches, cottages and community among many other joys. This year I came to know another bounty of our island - incredible fruit! I am originally from the suburburbs of Atlanta and I know that the only fresh fruit I had ever picked was scopenongs from my backyard - however this year on Tybee I have once again fallen in love with a Meyer. No, not my husband Bobby Meyer - but a lemon named Meyer. I had heard about Meyer lemons, even had a taste from my neighbor (ok - she gave me two slices) - however not until this season did I realize the flavor of these lemons and other citrus grown in Tybee yards! "Memories" one of Mermaid's recent additions is just down the street from my house. I have never seen as many lemons on a tree - big and beautiful lemons - Meyer lemons are actually a hybrid of a lemon/orange - and the juiciest lemons I have ever tasted, I have never been "excited" about a lemon before - but when you juice one of these - ya get over a half a cup of lemon juice! I'm a good cook - never been known as a baker and I want to share this recipe for a Meyer Lemon Creme Pie - straght from Paula Deen.'

RECIPE
Graham Cracker Crust
1 1/2 cups graham crackers, 1 stick butter(melted). 1/3 cup sugar
Mix finely ground crackers w/ sugar and melted butter - press into pie plate to make crust (be sure to not make to thick around the sides)

Lemon filling:
1 can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk, 1/2 cup fresh Meyer Lemon Juice(or fresh lemons - never that outta a bottle) 3 egg Yolks - blend well with mixer

Meringue topping
3 egg whites 1/4 tsp cream of tarter (blend this w/ mixer till fluffy) then add in 1/4 cup sugar and blend until fluffy

Place Meringue topping and use spoon to make pretty flips in meringue!

Bake 350 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes - till meringue is slightly brown.

This is best when chilled and set - but my Meyer could not wait and it was still tasty a lil warm!

My Afternoon in Beverly Hills

A few years ago I was introduced to one of the best hair salons in the country from my friend Cindy. Juan Juan Salon Sean and Ellie are a brother/ sister combo who are truly the stylist and colorist to the stars. And a few ordinary people like myself! They always make me feel so incredibly welcome and not at all like a duck out of water. I've over heard some pretty fascinating conversations while sitting waiting for my highlights to set from the powerful hollywood executives that also frequent the salon. We're all there for the same reason, to have our color look sunkissed and natural and have our cut be one we can re create when we get home- which thanks to Sean's mastery, I'm indeed able to do. I also have my eyebrows done by Stephanie G- she is an eyebrow and makeup specialist. For those of you who have never had your eyebrows done professionally- the difference it makes in your appearance is eye opening ( excuse the pun!) In fact, Stephanie is going to be an occassional guest blogger giving us normal folks some make up tips we all can use. She'll start this very soon- so check back with us!

After I finished, I walked across the street to Saks Fifth Avenue so see if they carried Jo Malone. For those of you who read this blog regularly, you might remeber my blogging about how much I not only love the fragrences, but love the packaging! It's half the fun! The wonderful lady who helped me is also a fellow blogger ( I tell you, I love discovering those of you out there who blog - you keep appearing in the most fun places!) Kate is also going to be a guest blogger- so be on the look out for her blog posts on tips on fragernce and maybe some occassional food/ recipe ideas / tips!

So, despite the ran and despite the crazy amount to park a car ( $15.00 for 3.5 hours!!!) I had a great afternoon in Beverly Hills!

After my time

The West Coast Paula Queen Party- Southern and Sinful!

The welcome for our guests- Paula and Michael!

Our centerpiece, Fresh Flowers and boxes of butter!

Turkey Bacon wrapped around the saltine cracker.
The Finished Product! Yummy!






We decided to show these west coast ladies what all this wonderful southern cookin' was all about! We invited some friends over with the email invite entitled- "Southern and Sinful". The food was classica Paula and in fact our centerpiece was the empty boxes of butter we used for the cookin'. The food included one of our favortie appetizers- Saltines wrapped in bacon and parmesan cheese. Yes, I know, it sounds not so good, but I've now served this for three parties and it just disappears like you can't believe. This being California and all that, we decided to use turkey bacon and I will now use that bacon from here on . Not as greasy and you feel you can eat more and not feel guilty. We also make Buffallo Chicken dip and for dessert- Chocolate Bread Pudding. The ladies just loved everything! Thank you Paula for continuing to inspire us with your food! And remember- all these recipes and more are on Paula's website Pauladeen.com so please visit!

Blue Plate Oysterette, Santa Monica

Yet another wonderful meal here in California! We dashed between the rain drops to have a great luncheon. I know there are some great restaurants out there, but for style, great food and just a spirit- I love eating here in LA. This is a charming little restaurant right on Ocean Drive in Santa Monica. We had two great sandwiches- a New England style Lobster roll and an Ahi tuna sandwich on a fresh bagette. Charming and with that fresh ocean air , what a great lunch! Blue Plate Oysterette

We found our Blogger Friends from the Rose Bowl!

I adore how the Internet works! I have "google alerts" set up so any time anywhere on the Internet mermaid cottages or anything remotely sounding like mermaid cottages appears, I get an alert. The very fun ladies we met at the Rose Bowl blogged about us and the google alert showed up. I'm so glad we found them and I hope you'll enjoy their blog on a regular basis!

Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals: The CupCake Wars.... Sprinkles or SusieCakes?

www.susiecakesla.com
www.sprinkles.com

I'm not the only crazy blogger!

One of my very favorite things to do in life now is to take my used hand me down digital camera and take a few pictures and then post them on my blog. While at the Rose Bowl flea market, we had Mom sit down and relax while we walked all around, knowing she would be tired and would enjoy people watching just as much. Here are two very fun ladies who Mom happened to sit beside. But best of all, when I asked if I could take their picture and post on my blog (because they were really so much fun to talk with!) they both started to laugh like crazy!! Turns out they also are bloggers and do the exact same thing as me and thought it so great that I wanted their picture for my blog!

The CupCake Wars.... Sprinkles or SusieCakes?

Peace and Cupcakes- what else is there!
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Happiness is a cupcake from Sprinkles
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The Sprinkles Cupcake Display
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A Box of Sprinkles Cupcakes
Mom holding a box of cupcakes AND a whoppi pie from SusieCakes
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SusieCake cake being made

Susie Cakes Cupcakes and cookie display




I love cupcakes. I'm normally not a cake person unless it's something interesting- Corrie Hier's Carrot Cake from the Deen Family Cookbook is an exception, but just plan old cake is not of terrible interest. Cupcakes are a different story. It's because they are small and tasty, but most of all, because they have a big dollop of icing on top. Usually real icing,none of that fake lard stuff .


LA is the home of cupcake only stores. Sprinkles proudly lays claim to bring the world's first cupcake bakery and the lines prove it. My first experience was there a few years ago and I could not believe the lines of people out the door to buy a cupcake. They were ( and are) handcrafted and use things like sweet cream butter, bittersweet Belgian chocolate but the flavors are just outrageous. And all the cupcakes from Sprinkles have a modern candy dot on top or rich chocolate sprinkles from France. These are an American classic with a very delicious sophisticated update with no preservatives, n trans fats or anything artificial. Therefore you need to eat these the same day they are made and NEVER refrigerate their cupcakes. SusieCakes is equally as wonderful, but also make cookies and cakes. Their colors are my favorite- seafoam green and their cupcakes just as yummy.

On this trip, we've been to both SusieCakes in both their Brentwood and their Calabasas location and then Sprinkles at their Newport Beach location. These pictures show our pure happiness with eating a cupcake at both places. However, we did have a whoppi pie @ SusieCakes as well...

Here's the reason why I love to travel. Inspiration. The Sprinkles people welcome each person who walks in the door and always ask how can they help the next "guest." When was the last time a sales person in a store called you a guest. And..... they have a secret word of the day. If you know the secret word and are one of the first 25 or 50 who walks in the shop that day, you receive a free cupcake. For example today's word was "tropical" and the first 25 guests received a free Lemon Coconut Cupcake. The secret word is only posted on their various Social Media marketing outlets. I love this idea, I love the who concept behind it and will use this inspired idea very soon with Mermaid Cottages. So you'll need to follow up on Twitter and Facebook to see what we do with this fun, fun, fun idea!

Be sure to visit both SusieCakes and Sprinkles websites and enjoy!

Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals: Junker's Mecca- The Rose Bowl Flea Market

Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals: Junker's Mecca- The Rose Bowl Flea Market

Junker's Mecca- The Rose Bowl Flea Market

I finally made it. I've read about it for years. I've always admired Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic fame who sopped there and create her empire of totally luscious homes and tell the world about her finds. My famous writer friend, Mary Kay Andrews (www.marykayandrews.com )told me if I could make my schedule work, I definitely needed to go. But who knew that the gods, stars and moon would align and I would happen to be in Southern California on the weekend the famous Rose Ball event would be happening. I was so excited!!!!! But not excited enough to show up @ 5AM when the mart opened. We arrived late morning and believe me, there was still plenty of fabulous stuff to be found.

WHAT FUN!!! I called Seaside Sister Susan and Mary Kay as I was about to walk in just because our of most of my friends- they would appreciate what I was going thru. I did not call Jane, because she would have told me to buy everything possible and rent that U haul to bring back with me. And I didn't need anymore encouragement to do just that.

It was a bit overwhelming at first because there is so much stuff everywhere. But I do know if I lived in CA, I would be a regular and you would figure out your favorite vendors and form your pattern and really work the booths. There was tons of Mid Century Modern of which I am not a big fan. I'm much more the Shabby Chic, Rusty Crusty person. I did see some great things that I loved. One of these pictures showes these beautiful old bottles with seahorses and other beautiful shells on top. The biggest purchase was the beautiful vintage fabric shams made from linen and other soft dreamy colors. The three pillows will be gracing my slipcovered sofa @ Mermaid Manor when I'm back home. BTW- if you have never been to Rachel Ashwell's website or stores (she's actually down to only two- one in Santa Monica and one in NYC) treat yourself. I buy her things at Target and they are great, but there was always something about walking into her actual shop and seeing the visions she creates. I also thought it ironic, one of the things I purchased at the flea market was one of her books- I already had a copy , but couldn't resist $5 for another one. www.shabbychic.com)

One of the things I did not buy was these amazing vintage French posters. There were two I loved, but the price was $500.... Each. But the pictures were great! We also found a $5.00 vintage Chinese parasol for mom to enjoy and keep the sun off.

I am so glad I made this trip- another check off my bucket list!!!

The Santa Monica Farmers Market. Ahhh.... I"m so happy!

Every Wednesday and Saturday some of the best small farmers come together on two street corners in Santa Monica, CA to sell their proud crops. Almonds, Olive Oil, Dates, fingerling potatoes, artichokes, Asapargus, the list goes on and on. I love this place. I love all these passionate people who love to grow things and then sell them, I'm sure not at much of a profit. There are more and more farmers markets like this around our country and I'm delighted to support them!!

We purchased these little baby potatoes in all these amazing colors- purple! Olives stuffed with bleu cheese, Freshly pressed Walnut oil. Almonds coated in Orange and Honey! Baby greens that were in the ground yesterday. Such a treat for the eyes and mouth!

Parisian Macaroons...."Everything your mother warned you about"

This will be a couple of blog entries because the restaurants I've eaten in just three days will require more then just one blog... plus the joy of being a tourist, even in as hip a place is LA is that I can take pictures right and left and everyone here- who all think they are stars in waiting anyway- are happy to pose in a picture! So no worry about embarrassing anyone I'm with because this whole community is camera happy!

We ate lunch in this delightful little sandwich/ Parisenne macaroon/ croissant bakery place in Brentwood. Open air ( no bugs or humidity to worry about!). Curry Chicken Salad with a croissant that was of course made with pure butter. I don't remember when I last ate a croissant and I forgot how good they are. The little restaurant was very vintage shabby chic, very much how our cottages are decorated, but the prices!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! He goes to junking stores and flea markets but because he's in LA, he can ask for the prices and gets them! However, the grand finale was...... Parisenne style macaroons. Meringue cookies light as air which were the sandwich top and bottom and in the middle was this creamy gooey coconut macaroon. The colors were like candy- all pastels, but I know I can find a recipe and try and make them myself. The owner of the restaurant was so charming- and don't you love his t shirt! What a way to kick off my meals in LA!!!

Visit their website when you get a chance , you'll thank me for this! www.laprovencecafe.com

Hollywood comes knocking @ our door

The phone rang a couple times on Wednesday @ my sister's house. Each time the caller asked to speak to Ryan Callahan (my nephew's name). My nephew is a freshman at the University of Arizona and was back in Tucson beginning his 2nd semester.

The 1st caller paused when my sister said he wasn't home and she said "I don't think I'm calling the right Ryan Callahan. Is this the house of Ryan Callahan the producer?" My sister laughed and said no. Although they live in LA and it seems that everyone is a writer, director, producer, or actor, my sister and her husband are in the medical field. And both nephews are not involved in the "business".

The 2nd time the phone rang and the caller asked for Ryan, my sister asked what was going on. The caller said "You know the show The Bachelor don't you?" And of course, since we love reality TV, we do indeed know of the show although my sister had not watched it this season. The caller then went on to say there is a big scandal on the show and that the Ryan Callahan she was looking for is (or was) a producer on the show who apparently had an alleged "inappropriate relationship" with one of the young women vying for the affections of the The Bachelor. WOW! WOW! WOW!!! And... to make things even stranger, Ryan Callahan the producer, has a brother named Tim Callahan. So strange --- my brother in law is named Tim Callahan.

My sister had a fun filled conversation with the caller who turned out to be a reporter for the online tabloid www.Radaronline.com and she even offered to help my nephew Ryan get an internship at the tabloid when he was back from college. ONLY IN LA!!!!!

If you want to learn more about Ryan Callahan (the producer), go to www.radaronline.com OR go to www.TMZ.com and scroll down until you see the blurb about the Bachelor and Ryan Callahan. BTW - TMZ stands for The Thirty Mile Zone which represents the 30 mile radius around LA which is where so much of the celebrity activities occur.

Katsuya truly is the sushi bar to the stars!!

Yes, I knew it! Katsuya truly is the place to have sushi!!! Even though my personal evening of fabulous sushi was celebrity free , our favorite teenager and her boyfriend- Liam ( who yes- she met while filming The Last Song on Tybee! )- Miley was there last night!!!

But our gal, being the very confident person that she is- did not dress up like all those others I saw the night I was there. Jeans and a black jacket were plenty for her.

The Disney Media Machine is really starting to heat up as well about the movie. Miley was on the cover of Seventeen Magazine in December ( the month she turned 17) and she talked about how in about 10 years she can see herself leaving the biz and moving to Tybee Island. Love it!