I’m heading to Washington, DC……

I’m so excited…. I’m on my journey North heading to DC ( stopping along the way to visit friends and family) to be part of this great Democratic Process of Peaceful Transfer of Power. I do not have tickets to any event, but plan to be at the Lincoln Memorial for the Sunday free concert ( Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Arthea…..) I’ll hopefully be part of the National Service Day on Monday, but most of all I’ll be one of the Millions of Americans standing in the cold @ 11AM on Tuesday when the new President is inaugurated. The parade starts 2PM and I also plan to be on the street cheering on all those marching bands ( maybe getting some ideas for our Marching Mermaid parade unit for the Tybee Parades!)

I drove up to Charlotte, NC last night staying with Penny. Incredible dinner at a little Viet Nam restaurant and getting all caught up. She just returned from two weeks in Egypt and spent time at one of my favorite museums in the world- the Egyptian museum in Cairo…. then I left Charlotte to drive further North to my parents for the night. The Interstates I was on- I77 and I81 were full of tour buses and cars heading to DC as well. Many of them had markings all over them, DC here we come, Our date with history 1-20-09, just lots of fun!

Katie and I went to the Clinton Inauguration 16 years ago and we adored the experience despite the bitter cold. She can’t get off work ( that’s what happens when you become an adult sometimes) but I’ll be meeting other friends in the city and staying with my friend Donna who is kind enough to open her home to me.

I’ll be updating everyone on the experience ( nightly if my fingers have thawed out enough from the cold!) Here is a link to see more of the details of what will be happening over the next few days.

http://www.pic2009.org/pages/schedule/

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Youtube and Mermaid Cottages

Ok all, this is the participation part of the blog. We need your feedback. We’ve posted three You tube video’s of our cottages- A Mermaid’s Tale, Under the Tybee Sun and then a video of one of our families walking from these two cottage past Nora’s Cottage ( since they are all side by side on 2nd Ave) . I really love You tube as many of you know ( you can find a video on anything in the world you want it seems!) and my goal is to have video’s of not only all the cottages, but have my guests, my homeowners and anyone who is inspired to post a video of their Mermaid Cottage experience on You tube.

Here’s where I need your help…..
I’d like to ask you to click on the link here and watch the three video’s and rate them. I’d also love your feedback- was the video clear and easy to see? What other cottages would you like to see next on You tube? Do you want us to talk about the cottage or just show the home like we did here? I value your thoughts and feedback and really look forward to any and all comments.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mermaidcottages

Thank you all!

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We have a Weekly Farmers Market!

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!

Can you hear the whooping and hollering! Can you see the dancing in the street? Drum roll….. Savannah officially now has a weekly farmer’s market with local produce, most ( if not all ) is organic and grown by small family farms in the area. Here is the info about the Market as well as the info on where you can sign up to be part of their email distribution list.

I went yesterday for the first time and was so happy! I just love farmer’s markets and being part of a community event. This completely fit the bill, including an excuse to get to go into downtown historic Savannah. Even the location of this farmer’s market is special.
I purchased organic brown eggs ( same price as what I usually pay at Publix) organic turnips, lettuce and peppers, plus some handmade lavender soap! Best of all was knowing that not only am I going to be eating local, organic food, but I’m also supporting my neighbors who farm. You don’t get that warm and fuzzy feeling at Publix! Here is their newsletter….

January 12, 2009
The Market at Trustees’ Garden Newsletter

The Market Local Seasonal Shopping List
FRESH THIS WEEK!
Kale
Strawberries
Turnips
Tomatoes
Bok Choy
Arugula Mixed Greens
Mustard Greens
Buttercrunch Lettuce
Speckled Trout

Lettuce

Market this Wednesday January 14 (4:00pm – 7:00pm)
Located at
10 East Broad StCharles H Morris Center (behind the Pirates House Restaurant)

Local farmers and craftsmen unite to provide Savannah with the freshest organic produce and great homemade crafts & goods.

In 1734, on a high bluff overlooking the Savannah River, James Oglethorpe planted a garden to nourish a young city in a new world.
In 2008, Charles Morris assumed the cultivation of Mr. Oglethorpe’s garden to nourish a great city
for the whole world.The Market at Trustees’Garden is an effort to revitalize this rich legacy of Savannah. It is an attempt to reinvigorate the first experimental garden of the Unites States of America.

As we reach frosts of the season and tender fruits and vegetables go into hibernation until spring, many greens, like kale hit their peak. During the warm summer months, greens are sitting ducks for their many predators, including rodents, insects, and birds. As a protection mechanism, greens emit a bitter taste to discourage nibblers. When the weather cools down, there are far fewer of these threats to contend with, and so winter greens reduce the production of these bitter chemicals and get sweeter and sweeter. Kale, a member of the cabbage family, is the most robust of winter greens; some plant biologists consider its hardiness unmatched by any other vegetable. Kale also tolerates a huge variety of soils and temperatures. While young leaves can be enjoyed raw in salads and slaws, more mature specimens benefit from cooking before being eaten.Until the middle ages, kale was the most prolific edible crop in Europe, and it obviously has endured, as seeds have migrated from continent to continent. Kales, like other dark, leafy greens, are steeped in vitamins A, B, C and K, beta carotene and even calcium, as well as sulphoraphane, a chemical believed to be an effective anti-carcinogenic. Consider cozying up to kale this winter!

For more information about the market contact:
The Market at Trustees Garden
Maria Castro (912) 443-3253

http://www.trusteesmarket.com/

Hope to see all of you next week at the market!

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A Breakfast Club Tradition… A shot of crown

We have two wonderful guests staying at Surf Puppy Cottage this week who came to Tybee to get married. They love “shabby chic” and purposely wanted to stay at Surf Puppy because the pictures looked exacatly like what they wanted in their dream cottage! Our friends at Tybee Island Wedding www.tybeeislandwedding.com married them on the beach on Saturday ( Stephen Palmer is an acutal minister besides being a wedding planner) , they had their wedding dinner at The Sundae Cafe, one of our best restaurants on the island. Best of all, the groom went to have breakfast by himself Saturday morning and sat at the counter ( the best seat in the house.) Ordered a big breakfast, ate and happening to mention to the locals at the counter he was getting married that afternoon. From out of no where came a big bottle of adult beverages and they sat him back down and poured him a shot. A Breakfast Club wedding tradition they told him!

Day was perfect, in the 70’s ( yes in January) and they’re off on their happy life together! Thank you for allowing us to share in your wedding celebration!

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A Tybee Saturday night, Champagne , Mink and Teva’s

We started the New Year off great with our now annual Mermaid Cottages January Celebration. ( we decided after last night this needs to be annual AND in January!) We included everyone who works with Mermaid Cottages, helps with Mermaid Cottages , stays at Mermaid Cottages , members of our Mermaid Cottages Facebook group and just other dear Tybee people and friends! Dutton Waller was the host cottage and people showed up! In droves! We had guests ranging from in age from the 80’s ( Mrs. Williams, Curly and Dee) to the single digits ( Nevon and Fallon.) The weather was perfect, cool, but not too cold, full moon and white lights all over the wrap around screened porch and as requested- positive attitudes only. No grouches! I decided that despite all the bad economic news, we’re going to treat our world as one full of abundance and we have what we need to not only survive, but to be very happy! And we were happy Saturday night!

The food served was munchies- there will be a completely separate blog on the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding…. lots of good stuff including Back in the Day cupcakes, Mary Lou’s Gooey Butter Cake, Castaway Coconut Cake and Tiara Miso courtesy of Fio and Michael who are staying at Flip Flop Cottage. Champagne, beer and wine added to our cheerful attitudes!

I asked people to wear sparkles and many complied. Our favorite was the home owner of Fiddler on the Creek. Katie wore her mom’s 1950’s sparkly jacket with mink cuffs. Katie is a huge animal person but we all agreed your mom’s vintage jacket was ok to wear . She topped off her stunning jacket in true Tybee Style…. Teva Sandals.

Lots and lots of fun, so much so the party that ended at 11Pm didn’t end until after midnight. I literally was going around turning off the lights saying goodnight. Nevon and Fallon, our single digit aged guests actually found a bed to crawl in and fall asleep. Smart girls!

Now we’re on to planning our very first Mermaid Cottages parade entry …. stay tuned!

These pictures are courtesy of Sherri Simmons who takes pictures for Savannah Now. You can see all the party pictures by going to http://www.spotted.savannahnow.com/ Thank you Sherri!
Lastly, here is an excerpt from an email my very talented artist friend, Pam Martin sent describing the party that I’d like to share:
“I have to tell you that what I will remember most, is as I was leaving for the evening I looked back up at the home and actually paused in the driveway – the home was warmly uplighted, and the incredibly fat full moon was gazing at herself on the river, and you could hear the wonderful conversations and laughter carried on the Atlantic breeze. I actually thought to myself that the original owners of this home must have been very satisfied this night to know that their home was once again so loved by someone special like you and that happiness and life was flowing back into it. What a wonderful gift, indeed!”
Thank you Pam, I agree, Blanche Waller is smiling knowing that her beach house is full of happiness and love still!

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