The Tracking of our released Sea Turtles

I just spent the evening attending the kick off meeting for the Tybee Sea Turtle Project.  Every morning from May 1st until the early part of October a volunteer from the project walks the Tybee beaches at 6AM looking for any newly sea turtle nests.  You walk the entire length of the beach and if you're lucky, will find a freshly laid sea turtle nest.   Remember- we need everyone's help to turn off  outside lights - not just lights on the beach but as many outside lights as possible to help cut down on the light glow that distracts turtles on the beach when they come to nest.

We also talked about the two  rehabed sea turtles that were released on Saturday after the Turtle Trot 5K fundraiser. Even better- you can track both the turtles because there is a satelitte attached to their shell - just like the turtle pictured above!  It's very , very cool .  The Website Seaturtle.org  then click on the picture as shown above. Our two released turtles are Mr. Hyde and Kera.  See how far they've already gone!

Mermaid Morning Bliss Coffee is almost ready to be sold and remember- the proceeds will be going to support sea turtles in Georgia and around the world!

PS- this is my 500th Blog posting!!!!!!!!!!

My Community Garden Plot has begun!

My Community Garden plot is finally ready for her little seedlings. I've worked the soil, I've added organic cow manure. I've added organic chicken manure. I even have a lead on organic rabbit manure! I've added compost, I've shifted the soil to get out anything that's not organic.  And all this is a raised bed 8x4!  I've also been inspired enough to start working my own front yard here @ Mermaid Manor.   I decided I had enough space here and enough sunshine here to add another mini vegetable and herb garden.

I bought my seedlings at a little store in Downtown Savannah that I'm sure has beeen selling plants and seeds for decades.. On the corner of Victory Drive and Bull Street, Tywala and her father have been helping out experenced and new gardeners for a long , long time.  She helped me out tremedously and was as excited as I was about my two new little gardens!

These pictures are of my seedlings as well as the outside of the shop.  I came home on Saturday and planted them right away and fortunately it rained both Saturday and Sunday so my little plants are off to a GREAT start!

The owner of the shop happy to be working with gardeners all day long!

All these little seedlings just waiting for their new homes!

This is the Tybee Life!

This is a picture I took of one of our guests who was staying @ Under the Tybee Sun Cottage. I pulled over my car, jumped out, took my handy Blackberry with a camera and shot this picture!   Living the Tybee Life- even if only for a few days!

Look at this great fun New Art @ Seaside Sisters!

Who doesn't want a picture of a Golden Retriever surfing hanging in your beach cottage! Or a piece of Pirate Art!

This handpainted art is from a North Carolina artist from the Outer Barnks who creates original art on pieces of wood.  The art is fun, cheerful and best of all, under $100!  We have mermaids, seaturtles and yes- pirates and dogs.   Everything fun and quirky beach art should be!  This is the fun for me to be part of Seasisde Sisters- to be able to support regional artists and to spread the joy of art- affordably!

Families LOVE Tybee Island

We are so thrilled that so many families choose to come to Tybee Island for their Spring Break. It really is the perfect vacation for everyone! This picture was taken down at the South Beach of a family who stayed with us a couple of weeks ago.

Second test

We are testing our mobile blogging

what's happening in my Tybee World

I"ve found that now that we are in season , I am very busy just handling the day to day business of working with our potential guests and our existing guests making sure they are all set and going to have the best possible Mermaid Cottage Experience they can.   We have a great team, but this still is my business and each and every one of my guests are indeed just that- guests to my homes. Doesn't matter if the homes have different owners, you all are coming to MY homes in my mind! Crazy I know, but it's how I think.  Example- we have the most delightful repeat guests flying over from Ireland to visit their son, grandkids and one of their 6 Daughters who are in the States.   We all know what happened in Iceland ( though I truly hadn't turned TV on since last Thursday and was shocked when someone said at the Savannah Breast Cancer walk on Saturday about the Volcano!) and this has of course affected travel.

Mr. Coogan picks up the phone and calls me regularly from Ireland ( doesn't that just fascinate you!  Your cell phone rings and it's someone calling you from half a world away!) with updates- seems the volcano is still so un predictable they don't know when they will be arriving!  Good thing his daughter is here from Boston and enjoying Tybee Daze!   We're keeping our fingers crossed they'll be here on Tybee safe and sound soon.

My long winded point to this is that I am so busy right now I'm not able to Blog on a daily basis like I so enjoy.  However I have found a work around!   If you notice on the right side of the blog- there is my Twitter updates.   Twitter must have been custom made for ADD Adults like me that love the 140 character limit so you can get your thoughts out short and sweet.  I am "tweeting" at least once a day on quick updates on Tybee, what's happening- using this for all sorts of reasons.  So even if the Blog has a week old post- I still have a tweet that is brand new and current.

Another way to stay in touch with us is via our Mermaid Cottages Facebook page.  If you're on Facebook  you can go to Mermaid Cottages and "friend" Mermaid Cottages.  Unlike other businesses on Facebook, I have "friends" not "fans".  Friends seem so much friendlier!

I'll keep on Blogging but if you need your daily Tybee Fix, please read the tweets on my blog ( or follow me on Twitter under Mermaid Cottages ) and visit us on Facebook.

Enjoy these beautiful pictures- I took these with my little blackberry camera in my phone- this is the front of Mermaid Manor.  Aren't these flowers just wonderful!

Tybee's Amazing AJ's Dockside Restaurant

Like all coastal communities, restaurants come and go. Tybee is no exception. However, really good restaurants that serve excellent food, have friendly and good wait staff and most of all have owners that really care survive slow winters and even worse- really busy spring and summer season.  AJ's here on Tybee is in the later category.

The two owners- Alan and Jackie Burns live "above the store" and this is what they do. Run a really good operation.  The location has something to do with their sucess, it sits on Chatham Ave and 14th street directly on the Back River so the sunset watching is just like Mallory Square in Key West, but with better food and not all the street performers.  The sunset is the same show and just as good.  AJ's also sits in the middle of the neighborhood which I personally love.  If I lived right next door, I may not love it so much, but I think part of the sucess is that it's sorta tucked away and so many people can walk there. Which is a good thing because last night parking was truly at a premimum. Cars were parked everywhere and the wait was at least 2 hours last night. No one really seemed to care and the mood was good natured all around. I guess it's because people know the food is so good it's worth the wait.  That crispy scored flounder alone is worth it!

I know all this because while out walking Danny I saw two of my favorite  local couples coming to eat dinner there- Nancy and Tony and Chris and Pat.   I was especially happy to see Tony and Nancy because our guide dog puppy prior to Berkeley that we sponsor was names Tony to honor their son they lost two years ago.   I had an update on Tony- he's finished his inital work with his puppy raiser and has gone back to Guide Dog training at the Southeastern Guide Dog School.   Tony commented on what a big strong dog he'd become and I said- of course- he's a Petrea!  Both Big Tony and Little Tony are/ were big guys and it makes sense that the puppy Tony would grow up the same way!

Tony and Nancy had some great news to share- their son Mason is engaged to be married. Many of you know Mason - he works with Tybee Island Plumbing and since many of our cottages are older cottages, they tend to receive visits from TI Plumbing!   Tony told me she is not from here.  I said- Tony- you mean you're letting Mason marry a Yankee??   Tony looked at me and said- no, we say she's a Midwestener. Sounds so much better!   I laughed and agreed!

Congrats to the whole family and I'll keep everyone updated when Tony graduates from Guide Dog School. Tony and Nancy both would like to attend the graduation so we'll share all this joyous news when it happens

The Carnival has come to town this weekend!

Spring has truly sprung on Tybee.  The flowers are in full bloom, azaleas everywhere are pinks and reds and whites.  The lilacs are purple everywhere you look hanging from the trees.  I even saw a couple of pairs of Green Herons looking for places to nest. Sadly, the pair from last year has not nested in my palm trees, but I'm still hoping they'll return.  At least I know what they look like!

Best of all- the carnival has come to town. No,, not the usual Tybee Circus of daily quirky characters living their lives, but a real carnival just like they created last summer for The Last Song.   This picture is from the movie, but we still have in the parking lot of the Ocean Plaza Hotel a carnival with rides and games and family fun.  I rode down last night to check it out and it really was quite special.  The lights, the music, the happy kids.  I'm planning to ride the ferris wheel myself tommorrow!

In keeping with The Last Song events, some local Tybee restaurants have also put together a seafood festival on the pier on Saturday.  The weather is perfect- still having blue skies and sunshine and NO HUMIDITY!   Visit their website to learn more about the "1st Annual 37th  Tybee Seafood Festival"   The locals are planning to show off how great Tybee Seafood is to our full house of visitors.   We have more guests here from all over the country then ever before and the island is smiling at all of them.  Enjoy!

Savannah Style- The Book is finally here!!!

We are so excited!!!   Our own Paula Deen and Brandon Branch's book comes out today- April 6th!  Not only is this a beautiful book, but they feature several of our Mermaid Cottages in the book.  The photo shoot happened last year and really turned out beautiful as you will see in the book.  All this info is on paula's website and I could not have said it better myself, so I didn't!  I even included the book signing schedule so you can get your very own copy of the booked signed by Paula and Brandon. They'll be signing books @ the local Sam's Club the end of April.   Congratulations to them both and be sure to tune into the Today Show on Wednesday ( not sure which hour) to watch Brandon on TV!!!

"Paula Deen’s Savannah Style Book Release

With its lush gardens, stately town houses, and sprawling plantations, Savannah is the epitome of old Southern style, and who better to give you the grand tour than Paula Deen, the city’s most famous resident and anointed Queen of Southern Cuisine?


In this gorgeous, richly illustrated book, Paula Deen shares a full year of Southern living. Whether it’s time to put out your best china and make a real fuss, or you’re just gathering for some sweet tea on the porch at dusk, Savannah style is about making folks feel welcome in your home. With the help of decorator and stylist Brandon Branch, you’ll learn how to bring a bit of Southern charm into homes from Minnesota to Mississippi. For each season, there are tips on decorating and entertaining. In the spring, you’ll learn how to make the most of your outdoor spaces, spruce up your porch, and make your garden inviting. In the summer, things get more casual with a dock party. Sleeping spaces, including, of course, the sleeping porch, are the focal point of this chapter. In the fall, cooler weather brings a return to more formal entertaining in the dining room, and in the winter, attention returns to the hearth, as Paula and her neighbors put out their best silver and show you how they celebrate the holidays.



Paula loves getting a peek at her neighbors’ parlors, so she’s included photographs of some of Savannah’s grandest homes. From the vast grounds of Lebanon Plantation to the whimsically restored cottages on Tybee Island, you’ll see the unique blend of old-world elegance and laid-back hospitality that charmed Paula the moment she arrived from Albany, Georgia, with nothing but two hundred dollars and a pair of mouths to feed. And she isn’t shy about giving you a window into her own world, either. From her farmhouse kitchen to her luxurious powder room, you’ll see how Paula lives when she’s not in front of the camera.

Packed with advice and nostalgia, Paula Deen’s Savannah Style makes it easy to bring gracious Southern living to homes north and south of the Mason-Dixon Line.


"Brandon Branch is a playful Southern gentleman. His style is equal parts Yankee chic and Southern elegance all muddled together in a monogrammed mint julep cup. An invitation to one of his Savannah dinner parties is the equivalent to getting the golden ticket from Willy Wonka. Brandon holds the position of Design Director for Paula Deen Enterprises and serves as Paula Deen's Personal Assistant. Look for his newest book, co-authored by Paula Deen, Paula Deen's Savannah Style, available Spring 2010.

Paula and I are thrilled about our new interiors book, Paula Deen's Savannah Style, releasing April 6th, 2010 from Simon and Schuster. Nearly a year in the making, it has been a labor of love for all three of us...Paula, myself and this jewel of a city we call home, Savannah."

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, New York, NY


Savannah Style book signing 7:00-9:00 PM. Barnes & Noble, 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY, Store tel: 212-253-0810.



Thursday, April 8, 2010, Atlanta, GA

Savannah Style book signing 7:30-9:30 PM. Borders Books and Music, 3637 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, Store tel: 404-237-0707.



Friday, April 9, 2010, Cumming, GA

Savannah Style book signing 6:00-8:00 PM. BJ’s, 1725 Market Place Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041, Store tel: 770-781-8735.



Sunday, April 11, 2010, Philadelphia, PA

Savannah Style book signing 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Wegman’s, 600 Commerce Dr., Collegeville, PA 19426, Store tel: 484-902-1500.



Monday, April 12, 2010

QVC Check local listings for times and channel.



Tuesday, April 13, 2010, Charlotte, NC

Savannah Style book signing 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Store tel: 704-525-9239.



Wednesday, April 14, 2010, Nashville, TN

Savannah Style book signing 7:00-9:00 PM. Davis Kidd Books, 2121 Green Hills Village Drive, Nashville, TN 37215, Store tel: 615-385-2645.



Thursday, April 15, 2010, Birmingham, AL

Savannah Style book signing 7:00-9:00 PM. Books a Million, 757 Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL 35209, Store tel: 205-870-0213.



Friday, April 16, 2010, Plano, TX

Savannah Style book signing 6:00-8:00 PM. Legacy Books, 7300 Dallas Parkway, Plano TX 75024, Store tel: 972-398-9888.



Saturday, April 17, 2009, Houston, TX

Savannah Style book signing 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Costco, 12405 North Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77064, Store tel: 832-912-2353.



Monday, April 19, 2010, Los Angeles, CA

Savannah Style book signing 6:00-8:00 PM. Vroman’s Books, 695 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, Store tel: 626-449-5320.



Tuesday, April 27, 2010, Savannah, GA

Savannah Style book signing 6:00-8:00 pm. Sam’s Club, 1975 E. Montgomery Crossroads, Savannah, GA 31406, Store tel: 912-352-3330.

The Hangover- Tybee Island Version

We don't allow prom parties, singles parties, spring break parties- any parties where it's all young people without adult supervision. Not just us, but all the vacation rental companies on Tybee.  It just makes sense to not have people out of control.  But sometimes one gets past us....

That's what happened this past weekend.  I should have known- three cars in front of one of the cottages usually means alot of people, but I didn't see any signs of activity all weekend.   Plus it was Easter weekend so I can't imagine a spring break group here for Easter.   Until Sunday check out....   We had a call and our housekeeper said the guests weren't answering the door.  But all the cars were there so she knew they were there.  She let herself in and .......    Bachelor Party remains. Including the boys who were actually men. Adult Men. Adult Men who had seen the movie The Hangover...   The house was not destroyed by any means, it was just really, really , really messy. And the men were not moving!  They were incredibly hung over!  Kathy goes into the kitchen and makes them coffee and basically her military training stepped in. She lets them know it was time to leave! And they got dressed and left!

The funniest part of all this is when I called the guest Sunday night to let him know we were keeping the security deposit because of the extra cleaning required.  I could tell that 12 hours later he was still hung over but was super sweet and told us to go ahead to charge his card. He kept apologizing and thanked us.  Monday- we try and run the credit card and it's declined.  So I call again and this time ( 24 hours later!) he's not hung over and starts to tell me the story of Saturday night. I am laughing so hard because I think all these men who saw the movie are trying to re create the movie!  As he told me, he has absolutely no idea about what happened from about 8PM Saturday night until mid day on Sunday. And the only reason why he knows his credit card is over extended is because when he called the credit card company to ask why they had declined our charge- they told him he'd spent $500 at  strip club in South Carolina.  A strip club that he has no idea how he got there and how he spent the money!  He told me his best friend didn't want to go to Las Vegas for the getaway but wanted a relaxing weekend on Tybee with his buddies.  But somewhere along the line I guess he was talked in to a less quiet weekend!   The good news, I haven't found a tiger in any of the closets nor has Mike Tyson come looking for his lost tiger!   As we say- it's never a dull day on Tybee with our cottages!   The best news- the guests who checked into their cottage at 4PM never had the slightest idea of what escapades went on just the night before!  Kathy- great job and keep up the good work on cleaning our homes!