Heron Hideaway's New Deck!

Heron Hideaway is the Tybee retreat of Charlotte and Paul- two of our homeowners who live in Dallas, but get here every chance they can. They love this island and as soon as they can retire and more here- well- that day can't be too soon for us! We want them on Tybee full time! Their home is beloved and it showes. They've take alot of time to create a true nest here on the island and is full of Charlotte's original art and other very fun and wonderful finds which makes this Mermaid Cottage a treasure to behold!

They are constantly adding improvements to the home and the latest project is the third floor deck which over looks Horsepen Creek. This is a snap shot of the project- they are working very hard to complete the project and as soon as we have the new pictures of the glorious views from the decks, we'll be posting them. Not only can you see the birds, dolphins and others that make their home in the salt marsh, Charlotte told me that there were Manatees spotted right next door at the home of Captain Elizabeth of Tybee Island Charters! One of our favorite places to see the waters around Tybee. Not only are she and her husband Captain Cecil fishing guides, but they also offer eco tourism trips as well as dinner sunset cruises now on the Back River.

We'll keep you posted on the updates on the Heron Hideaway Deck!

A lazy day on the dock watching the tide roll out

I love the salt marsh. I love how the colors change with the seasons. I love hoe the pluff mud ( marsh mud) smells in low tide. I love how the birds and the fish and the fiddler crabs and the other marsh creatures live and eat and love the marsh like I do. The tides here on Tybee are some of the highest on the Eastern Seaboard and the tides in the salt Marsh rise and fall to dramatic levels. When it's low, the bottom is one big mud flat. You can actually watch the tides go down if you sit long enough!

We finally had a taste of Spring today with the sun and the blue skies and the warm breeze. We literally just out on the end of Bobby and Suzanne's dock and watched all the marsh activity which included watching the tides. Victor and Fran, our snowbird friends from Michigan and Sista Jean from West Virginia joined mom and I for our afternoon. I wish all of you could have been there with us to just relax and enjoy this beautiful scene.

Vintage Trailers - what amazing uses!

I love vintage trailers. I'd love to find one to restore and park in front of my home. Not for any reason other then I just love how it would look! I can't find one to restore- so any leads anyone has- please, please , please let me know. As long as I can trailer it back to Tybee and then start the restoration process, I'm there to pick it up!

On our road trip, we spent time in the Seaside, Florida area. We stayed at a vacation rental owned by one of my long time industry friends- Brown Eyed Girl Beach House. The home was great and if you're ever looking for a home in the area, please check this rental out!

Seaside is wonderful on many, many levels. I still love Tybee, but there were things about this place I loved. These trailers and their new lease on life was one of those things. They are lined up right in the town center of Seaside and are now being used as cupcake shops, BBQ shops, coffee shops and even a organic farmer's market style cafe. Add to this the plants, flowers, awnings and great seating and you have a place that everyone wants to come and experience. Keep in mind I was there in the middle of the winter and they still were incredibly appealing and inviting.

I'm keeping my search open, who knows, my next venture maybe a cupcake shop set up in a vintage airstream!

2992 miles....

Thanks to everyone for welcoming us back to Tybee. We drove a total of 2992 miles on our across the road trip- from Northridge, California to Savannah, Georgia. The trip was truly memorable for so many reasons and I highly recommend this to everyone who's said to me- of I wish I could do this! Air travel is a miracle of modern man and a great way to get around, but there's something to be said to physically moving yourself across this amazing country of ours. The topography alone is worth the trip to see how vast and big our country is. I'm still thinking about how flat and wide and quiet the Interestate was in Arizona and New Mexico and how that same highway becomes busy and full of people the closer you get to the east coast.

One of my 10-10-10 adventures is now checked off the list!! Thank you to all my Marriott friends who where so generous with helping me with my travel accomodations and thank you to sisse, Mom and Donna for being part of the mini van!

The Last Song Church's new life!

The Last Song Church which we love so much is about to embark on her new life as a wedding chapel on Tybee! She'll be moved to a great location right across from SeaSide Sisters on Highway 80 and will be up and running by October 2010 as a wedding chapel and special events facility!

Today is a very important day in that process- there will be a press conference and reception to welcome everyone to see what's going on. I hope if you're reading this, you'll be able to come join us and see everything. The church sits directly across the street from Fish Camp Cottage and we'll be here and would love to say hello to anyone who wants to come by and see the cottage. Our gate is open!

Here's the info on today's event:

WELCOMING THE TYBEE ISLAND WEDDING CHAPEL - TYBEE ISLAND'S NEWEST VENUE HOLDS A VIP MEDIA EVENT -
ANOTHER RECESSION BOOST FOR THE LITTLE ISLAND THAT COULD

Tybee Island is moving on up indeed. The Tybee Wedding Chapel will be the site of a press conference and launch event as Tybee becomes the next national wedding destination with this new venue. Formerly used as a set for the feature length movie filmed on Tybee in Summer of 2009, this new improved Chapel will be moved to Hwy. 80 and take front and center as Tybee's latest attraction. Dignitaries and VIP's from the Capitol will be on hand to share why this is an important and bold economic move for Stacye and Lannie Jarrell, owners of The Tybee Wedding Chapel and Oceanfront Cottage Rentals on Tybee. The Jarrell's believe this new venture will positively impact Tybee's future. Many venues, towns and even historic buildings through out the US are reinventing themselves to become wedding destinations. Some make this effort for sheer financial survival. The revenues created from weddings span venues, lodging, restaurants, retailers, florists, transportation and many other small businesses.

Time: 1:30 p.m. - Invocation by Pastor Darrick Fitzgerald of New Mercies Christian Church
Location: 603 13th Street (Corner of 13th St.& 6th Ave.)
Tybee Island, GA
VIP Confirmed Speaker list - Press conference begins at 1:30 p.m. - 603 13th Street Tybee Island - note: Parking near Chapel held for Media in attendance
• Special Guest, Bill Thompson, - Georgia's Deputy Commissioner for Film, Music & Digital Entertainment - Topic: How the film actually came to Tybee/Savannah and the impact of location film shoots for Georgians.
• Representative Jimmy Pruett, Eastman, GA - Topic: Economic impact of the Chapel for the region.
• Senator Buddy Carter, Pooler, GA - Topic: The Tybee Wedding Chapel - Optimism and creativity during tough times results in positive change.
• Mayor Jason Buelterman, Tybee Island - Paying it forward pays big dividends for a small community like Tybee. What commitment like the Jarrell's can mean. How support, sowing and embracing a vision can be the difference in surviving & thriving during tough times.

Elephant Seals, One of my 10 to do's for 2010

I like this picture so much, I copied it twice!!! Look at that happy mama and baby!
Thousands have come to this part of the coast to mate, give birth and grow strong.

I just love Marine Mammals. I love dolphins and whales and seals of all varieties. I really love these elephant seals! This is my second trip to visit them, they come a shore in Jan- March to the Central California coast to bred, give birth and give their young the right start in life.

. I decided that I wanted to do 10 things this year that I've always wanted to do or have already done and want to do again. This is one of them.... I was born Oct 10th, 1955 and this is the year I turn 55. on October 10th, 2010. 10-10-10! Pretty good huh!

Enjoy these pictures and if you're ever in California in the winter months- be sure you make the trek to see this amazing natural phenomena. Next Januray Cambria, CA will be having their 2nd annual Elephant Seal Festival and I've already told the organizers I want to come back next year and volunteer. Not sure what they need me to do, but I know I'm back for the Elephant Seal birthing season for yet another year!!

Galatoire's Shrimp Remoulade

In honor of Who Dat Nation and their big win, I'm sharing some more wonderful goodies from NOLA. Here is the recipe for Shrimp Remoulade direct from their restaurant and yours to enjoy.
We didn't take a picture of it, but it was delicious...


Shrimp Remoulade
Shrimp Rémoulade is in every New Orleans girl’s arsenal of favored dishes for relaxed entertaining. Serve this simple dish on elegant china and it’s fit for a king- Mardi Gras or otherwise. This is our most popular dish and most frequently requested recipe. Bonus for the home cook: The sauce is definitely best made a day in advance and refrigerated, then all that’s left to do is toss in the shrimp and plate and serve. It’s a snap to make, yet it’s always impressive.

¾ cup chopped celery
¾ cup chopped scallions (white and green parts)
½ cup chopped curly parsley
1 cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup ketchup
½ cup tomato purée
½ cup Creole mustard or any coarse, grainy brown mustard
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, or to taste
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Spanish hot paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ cup salad oil
4 dozen jumbo (15 count) shrimp, peeled, boiled, and chilled
1 small head of iceberg lettuce, washed, dried and cut into thin ribbons

Mince the celery, scallions, parsley, and onions in a food processor. Add the ketchup, tomato puree, Creole mustard, horseradish, red wine vinegar, paprika, and Worcestershire. Begin processing again and add the oil in a slow drizzle to emulsify. Stop when the dressing is smooth. Chill for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Correct the seasoning with additional horseradish, if desired after the ingredients have had the opportunity to marry.

In a large mixing bowl, add the sauce to the shrimp and toss gently to coat. Divide the lettuce among 6 chilled salad plates. Divide the shrimp evenly atop the lettuce and serve.

Serves 6

You can also find more recipes from this Grande Dame Restaurant on their website Galatoire's

PS- you should also try their bread pudding recipe... word has it this dessert may make an appearance @ a certain Mardi Gras Brunch this weekend....

We ate our way thru NOLA. Really.

In honor of Superbowl Sunday, here is my tales from New Orleans. WHO DAT! WHO DAT! WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT THEM SAINTS!!!

I love the city of New Orleans. I always have. I've been lucky enough to travel there over the years many, many times with Marriott. I've put many a large group and convention there. I was there 4 months after Katrina hit to help put business back in the hotel because tourism is a huge part of the economy of that community and city. I haven't been back since I left Marriott and have been wanted to go back and help put some money into the economy. No seriously, I really wanted to shop , eat and spend money there because I know how dramatically it affects so many people.

One of my favorite people has a a very big job in NOLA, heading up sales and marketing at the hotel. Mark and Jennifer have been friends for almost 20 years and when I told them we were coming to the city, they took care of our reservations in a very special, big way. A suite overlooking the Mississippi River and all of the French Quarter. Plus time with them exploring the city along with their most delightful kids. Mom took one of the post Katrina tours which are being offered- her two biggest take aways- how big the affected area was in the city and the incredible 100 homes Brad Pitt is working so hard to build in the city.

We also got completely caught up with the Saints frenzy as they get ready for Super Bowl this weekend. This story couldn't have been written any better. The quarterback and coach both live in areas of the city that are being rebuilt. The entire team is chanting: Who Dat! We just loved being part of all of this, including buying our share of Saints "stuff". Mardi Gras Saints beads, Who Dat T shirts and sweatshirts- we will be cheering our lungs out come Sunday for "our team".

And the food and meals... K Pauls. Galatoire's. Cafe du monde. Even the Marriott's restaurant 5 Fifty Five has world class New Orleans cookin'. We ate at KPauls and ended up the evening taking pictures with the chefs and culinary team. And if all this wasn't enough, the hotel even sent up an entire cart of food and goodies for us to enjoy. Oh yes, Aunt Sallie's Pralines... Lordy, the food just didn't stop.

And on our way out of town and on to the next stop- we found a Mardi Gras Warehouse for wholesale beads and other must have trinkets. Prices were about half of what they were in the French Quarter.

I still love this city, the people, the spirit, the good humor of all, and the food! Next time I won't wait quite so long to return....

Buc-ees- Excellance in Rest rooms and Turkey Jerky

I love people who really love what they do and even better, take great pride in excelling. We found a rest stop on steroids- Buc-ees on the I 10 interstate on the outskirts of San Antonio who does what they do so very, very well. They have a gas station and rest stop along the lines of South of the Border on the border of North and South Carolina, but this is Texas style. Just like Walmart, they have greeters who direct you to where you need to go. Need one of any type of jerky- right this way. Need tshirts- right this way. Need a yummy jalepeno sausgae cheese biscuit hot from our ovens- right this way. The bathrooms are clean and fresh, the gas affordable and between the three of us- we spent close to $150!!! Not including the gas! Be sure you check it out if you're in their neighborhood. As their slogan says " Everything you ever needed, You just didn't know it!"

Warming Wrists

As promised- here is our blog post from one of our new "guest bloggers". Kate is available via email or phone should you have any more follow up questions about fragrance and not just Jo Malone.

'Greetings form the Jo Malone Counter at Saks Beverly Hills! What a pleasure to run into Diane on this rainy, slow day! One of the things I love about fragrance is all of the weird things you learn about smell and scents. The trivia that I shared with Diane today was all about trying on cologne. When you apply a scent to your wrist, never rub it in. It will break down the perfume oil and won't smell as good or for as long. Instead, what you really want is heat. Heating the elements of any fragrance will bring it to its best sniff, so pressing your wrists together will release a better aroma. Or you can always fall back on Coco Chanel's old adage, "Put perfume where you want to be kissed!"

Let me know if you want more or less or want to talk perfume some more!
Thanks for the opportunity to play!"

-Kate

Kate Linington
Cosmetics
310-887-5475
kate_linington@s5a.com

9600 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills CA 90212

BK's Hot Dogs and Tacos

I love to find Diners, Drive Inns and Dives just like Guy from the Foodnetwork does. The more local color, the better for me! We're staying at the JW Marrioct Starr Pass here in beautiful Tucson and had dinner at Melissa Kelly's Signature Restaurant, Primo the first night. While there, I read that Melissa's favorite restaurant in Tucson was a local place called BK's Hot Dogs and Tacos.

When we finished dinner, I went over to thank the chef's at the open kitchen area. I asked them if they'd heard of this place and all three of their eyes lit up. I took that as a very, very good sign. They all chimed in this was one of their favorite places to eat, but the one young chef said- are you sure that's where you want to go? I responded, any place that causes a chef's eyes to light up is somewhere I want to eat! We found the restaurant- about 8 miles from the resort in a rather sketchy part of town.... There were lots of people there and besides, we weren't going this far to turn back now! The menu was all in Spanish, but there were lots of pictures. We ordered the hot dogs with the works. This included bacon, beans, onions, jalapeno peppers and lots of cheese. The tacos were the soft version- with it's on taco fixin's bar to add what ever you wanted. Which we did!!! 5 of us ate til we were stuffed and the total came to $24.25!

Best of all... come to find out the Food Network is actually coming there next week to shot a feature on the show! How much fun is that!