THANKSGIVING MADE EASY

Life seems to be so hectic and not everyone has time after working a full day to come home and prepare for a traditional dinner.  Family is spread out all over the globe and families spend time either in their home base or travel elsewhere to see family and friends.  The LowCountry is known for good old Southern comfort food that warms the spirit and the soul.  If you are traveling to this area for the holidays and want to have some sort of tradition, but don't want to cook, here are some shortcuts to enjoy both traditonal and non traditional ideas!

“The more grateful we become, the more we experience grace in life.”
Eric Handler
November is a month known for its gratitude. It is the beginning of a season that makes us more aware of the blessings, people, and opportunities that surround us.
I am grateful for this chance to live in an age where it is possible to find so many amazing projects, ideas, and movements with just a few clicks of the mouse. We’ve never had the ability to be so connected to innovation before, so I feel like it’s only right to share the goodness I’ve come across.

Bluffton Oyster Company is not exactly a traditional dinner of turkey and pumpkin pie, but one thing that is tradition here in the South is a good old fashioned Oyster Roast, LowCountry boil or barbeque. 

BLUFFTON

The History of The Bluffton Oyster Company

A Family Run Operation Since 1899

The Bluffton Oyster Company actually sits on reclaimed land, built up by more than a hundred years of discarded shells from previous shucking operations. The oyster business thrived in early Bluffton and throughout the 1920’s, with five different oyster operations in the area. Now the Bluffton Oyster Company remains the last hand-shucking house in the state of South Carolina.

We specialize in fresh local seafood; oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, fish filets, soft shell crabs and live blue crabs. All oysters are harvested & shucked by hand. We employ 15 Oyster pickers and up to 12 oysters shuckers daily.  Come on in today! 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 63 Wharf St. 843-757-4010.
www.blufftonoyster.com

About BBQ Xpress

Known to many locals as the best BBQ in South Carolina, Choo Choo BBQ’s little red caboose has been a part of Bluffton, and the Lowcountry, for nearly 20 years.
Owned and operated by the Blankenship family, Choo Choo BBQ serves-up fine quality southern cuisine, cheerfully prepared by folks who understand hospitality.
Offering traditional oak wood smoked, slow-cooked and hand-pulled pork, chicken and baby back ribs, Choo Choo BBQ’s specialty sauce is served on the side for those who take their BBQ experience seriously.
Choo Choo BBQ also prepares several savory, home-cooked side dishes to compliment your meal.
Located at 129 Burnt Church Rd., just south of Hwy. 278, the gateway to Hilton Head Island, Choo Choo BBQ has long maintained its reputation as being one of the best purveyors of traditional BBQ anywhere!

If you would like the Blankenship family to smoke a turkey for the holidays, they will have 12 - 14 lb turkey available for pre-orders only. Call for detail!

(843) 815-7675

Hours: Tue. through Sat. 11am. - 7:30pm Closed on Sunday and Monday.

 http://choochoobbq.net/

The Cottage

The Cottage Café is located in the historic district of Old Town
Bluffton, South Carolina, on Calhoun Street. It exemplifies both old
world charm and the warm hospitality of the South.

  They have a great variety of specialty breads as well as  gluten-free loaves, upon request
  Pie, Tarts, Cookies, Bread Pudding, Pound Cakes,
Whoopie Pies, Cheesecake,
Dessert Bars, Coffee Cake, Cupcakes, Corn Bread, Granola,
World Famous Scones, Muffins, Brownies, Shortbread, and
of course, Cake, Cake, Cake!
Everything baked fresh, from scratch, by hand. 
For special orders, we kindly request a minimum of 48 hours
(843) 757-0508
http://www.thecottagebluffton.com

HILTON HEAD

SIGNE'S HEAVEN BOUND BAKERY & CAFE

A trip to Hilton Head is not complete unless you have sampled a slice of Heaven low country style.  Signe's has made it easy for your family to dine in your convenience of your home, villa, vacation rental or for employees who are working and want to share a bit of tradition, in the workplace.

Signe's  has the whole bird as well as the fixin's as well as Brunches, Suppers, family style veggies, bisquits, cake, cookies and her scrumptious pies on the island as well as Royal Holiday Cakes.

Thanksgiving pick-up is Wednesday 21 and will reopen on Friday

Call (843) 785-9118

http://www.signesbakery.com/

SAVANNAH

  A line gathers each morning at
107 West Jones Street. At 11
o'clock, the doors of 107 open
and the lunch crowd finds seats
at one of the large tables-for-ten
shared by strangers. Tabletops
are crowded with platters of
fried chicken and cornbread
dressing, sweet potato souffle,
black-eyed peas, okra gumbo,
corn muffins and biscuits. The
menu changes daily so regulars
can have something different
every day. Stop by and enjoy the
special pleasure of a meal shared
with neighbors and strangers.
There is nothing more welcoming than to sit down to a table filled with home-cooked food, with family, friends or strangers (you won't be strangers for long). - "Pass the chicken!"

The table, set for us before we sat down.

Mrs. Wilkes' is pure and simple. 

• Line up before they open (um... the line gets LONG, so skip breakfast and get in line)
• Sit down at a table (tables of 10).
• Wait for the blessing, especially the first seating, no matter what you believe... you will want to THANK someone for this food.
• Now, PASS THE CHICKEN!!! And then pass EVERYTHING else.  I think we were passing food for a solid 10 minutes before we gave up.
• Enjoy!!!  Talk to the people about the food, figure out who those strangers are, pace yourself!

  Inside Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, four generations of the Wilkes family platters of Mrs. Wilkes' legendary fried chicken, beef stew and biscuits. Friends, family and fellow diners pass bowls brimming with her butter beans, collard greens, mashed sweet have worked the ground-floor, keeping the restaurant's tables laden with potatoes and banana pudding.
Mrs. Wilkes' Dining room will be open the day before 
Thanksgiving, so if you want to experience a true Southern family style dining expereience, then I would recommend.
107 West Jones St
Savannah, GA
(912) 232-5997
http://www.mrswilkes.com

BEAUFORT

  BARBARA JEAN'S RESTAURANT 

What’s for Thanksgiving?

BY DON VARNADOE

There are many stories about what could have been the first Thanksgiving and where it happened and what foods were used in those celebrations. To give us direction, the United States Congress in 1941 established Thanksgiving to occur annually on the fourth Thursday of November.

Usually, we think of the celebration that the Pilgrims and Indians had as the first Thanksgiving and we think of turkey as part of the food. Historians indicate that turkey, as we know it, was not a part of that celebration. However, traditionally we seem to think of turkey as the leading meat for the annual feast of thanks.

If you are looking for a change, Barbara Barta of Barbara Jean’s Restaurants has some suggestions and they are all great! How about crab cakes or pork loin and some She Crab soup? Well, your next thought should be, where do I get these items or how do I make them? The answer is easy.

So that you can enjoy the day, Barbara, her husband, Jim, and their Southern-trained staff will help you. Their restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to serve you, or you can call in for a “pick up,” or some items can be ordered online at www.barbarajeans.com and be prepared at home. Barbara is so dedicated to her customers that she has turned her family Thanksgiving over to her daughter, Lisa. To go along with her big meal, Lisa makes cranberry-orange sauce and bakes cranberry nut bread.

The Thanksgiving menu at Barbara Jean’s will offer roasted turkey breast and pork loin roast with a special apple-rosemary sauce to go with the cornbread dressing and fresh vegetables. Dessert will be peach cobbler- Yum Yum!! Now if you are still looking for something different and passed on the crab cakes and She Crab soup, how about the coconut fried shrimp and some chocolate stuff? As always, there will be freshly baked pumpkin bread, homemade wheat rolls, and sweet jalapeño corn bread.

www.barbarajeans.com

Credits to:

Bluffton Oyster Factory

Choo Choo BBQ Express

The Cottage

Signe's Heven Bound Bakery

Mrs. Wilkes

Barbara Jeans Restaurant

 

DAUNTING ADVENTURES IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

Savannah is home to an abundance of history, art, charm and culture, but yet has been recognized as the most haunted city in the United States. October is the time of year to experience daunting tales of the city that speaks at night with ghost tales in a variety of different ways.  The tours listed below are unique and have had the highest ratings from various credible sources such as "Southern Living Magazine" and "Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures". So if you dare to proceed.....listed below are some unique approaches for some paranormal phenomena activity to engage in whether you are a local or tourist to the Savannah, Georgia area.

Walking Ghost Tours in Historic Savannah, Georgia

Don’t miss out on our haunted tour of Savannah’s spooky Moon River Brewing Company. Built in 1821, the Moon River Brewing Company is notoriously haunted, with strange accounts of angry ghosts attacking its staff and patrons widely circulating. This unusual building is spooky enough to have caught the attention of television’s most renowned paranormal experts. In fact, on the 2005 Halloween special, our friends, the Syfy’s Channel’s Ghost Hunters, visited Savannah’s most famous ghostly hotspot. In 2009, the stars of Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures chose the brewery as the sight of their “lockin” and had quite a fright! On our award-winning ghost tour, we will also take a quick stop into 17Hundred90 Inn, featured on A&E’s My Ghost Story in 2011.

“My friend and I did the Boos & Brews Tour with Chad and it was AMAZING. He was captivating, but SO knowledgeable. I have never been on a tour where the guide has known so much about the city. I learned more about Savannah during that 2 hour tour than I learned after 2 years of living an hour away.”
As if these thrills and chills weren’t enough, on Tara’s BOOS AND BREWS haunted tour you can also enjoy adult beverages available for purchase on-site. “To Go” cups will be provided so you can keep your drink with you all evening long.

Nightly Tour Time 8pm
Tour is 2 hrs. long
Tour price $20
Monday-Saturday (Closed Sunday)
This tour is for ADULTS ONLY.
Gratuities appreciated   For larger parties, consider signing up for our GROUP TOUR.

Tara’s BOOS AND BREWS ghost tour departs nightly at 8:00PM from:
McDonough’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
21 E. McDonough Street
Located next to the famous Savannah Theater and  a half a block from Colonial Park Cemetery

http://www.taratourssavannah.com/boos-and-brews/

‘Ghost-Hunters‘ and ’Most Terrifying Places in America‘.

Top 10: “Creepy Places in America“

Top 10: “Most Haunted Attractions“

Are you ready for the Ghost Tour that takes you Inside the Most Haunted home in Savannah?

What will You experience on the Paranormal Tour of the Sorrel-Weed house?

Spend about 90-minutes Inside the Mansion and Carriage-House…

Hear the tales of Conflict and Death in and around the home.

See and Hear what TAPS recorded during their very first Halloween Special!

Savannah Ghost Tours:

_____________________________________

‘Ghost Hunting Paranormal Tour’

Tour lasts about 90-minutes taking you through the Sorrel-Weed Mansion & Carriage House.

Tour Times may vary (starting after 6:00pm)

Please call for Reservations: 912-257-2223

Adults age 13-Up: $25  | Children age 7-12: $10

_____________________________________

2012 Halloween Special:

Savannah Halloween Ghost Tours:

Halloween 2012 in Savannah… Which Ghost Tour are You going to be on?

If you are looking for True Paranormal Experiences and Your chance to capture Evidence from the other side…

Then the Ghost Hunting Special at the Sorrel-Weed House may be Exactly what you are looking for.

The True Ghost Hunting Experience, using the same Equipment as Professional Ghost Hunters.

This will be a very interactive guided experience. Learn how to properly use the equipment and how to draw out Activity (if you dare). We will evaluate some of the recordings & images during the investigation, so you will know if you captured anything Paranormal.

Already experienced in Ghost Hunting? Great, bring all of your own equipment as well. We will divide up into smaller groups and investigate different areas of the house, then switch around through-out the night.

Group size will be Limited.  ( Maximum of 15 )

Dates available:

October 19th thru October 31st

Starts at 11:30pm ][ (Lasts about 3-4 hours.)

Ages 12-Up only.

Price is $47/each ][ (Pre-Purchase Required)

For Reservations & Questions, please call us at:

912.226.3373

You can also contact us by email at:

http://savannahtours.net/savannah-halloween-ghost-tours/
http://youtu.be/AIVlLn3g8dw

_______________________________________

BLUE ORB GHOST TOURS

Winner

Certificate of Excellence

2011

Blue Orb Ghost Tours

• Welcome to Savannah: named by the American Institute of Parapsychology as America’s Most Haunted City.
• Blue Orb Tours uses classic story telling and compelling current research to show you why.
• Our tours run 7 nights a week with convenient start times at  9pm and for those seeking late night fun- 11pm.
• We have several types of tours to choose from and all start locations are located in the beautiful historic district.
• Our tours are usually 90 minutes in length, leisurely paced with stops, seating and photo ops along the way.
• Most tours are conducted by Tobias McGriff- founder of Blue Orb, Savannah Paranormal and a twenty-year consultant to investigative groups.

The Zombies Tour is truly a premium adult Savannah pleasure.

Tobias conducts all of the Zombie Tours and is Blue Orbs Founder and host of “Savannah Paranormal” on WTKS 1290. With over eight hours of material to offer on this route it’s never the same experience twice. Reservations are necessary as this tour is often booked to capacity.

The Zombies Tour is an 18 and older tour that gives adults the opportunity to tour with other adults and was named “Best Savannah Ghost Tour 2011” by The Destination Guide. The stories are edgy and uncensored, more in depth and definitely creepier. Stops on the tour vary and are at the discretion of the guide and group.

Blue Orbs most popular tour and has been ranked as the #1 Singles/Nightlife attraction on multiple local websites. Savannah’s open container law lets guests on the tour “get one to go” before beginning the tour. Restroom access is available before and after the tour at Gallery Espresso, McDonough’s Pub or Parker’s Market.

The tours success is attributed to guests knowing they will always tour with Tobias, will be able to tour with other adults only, hear the material uncensored and have access to a late night option with alcohol available, minus the bar scene.

http://blueorbtours.com/

http://youtu.be/_OqAT0CQXhY 

 

 

Credits to:

Blue Orb Tours

Ghost Hunters @ Sorrel Weed House

Tara Tours of Savannah
Southern Living Magazine

LIVING THE LOWCOUNTRY LIFETYLE

The Low-country is surrounded by some of the best nature scenes that I have ever experienced and a new way to explore is to get out on the water by the power of your own spiritual destiny.  Yes, anyone can put a motor on or sail into the waters, but to engage into the unexplored waters guided by the grip and thrust of the power of your own is by holding a paddle in your own self discovery. The inter coastal waterway has many hidden pathways that you can navigate and a great way to discover them is getting out on a kayak.  Tranquility and Serenity  are intertwined in an endless journey in discovering wildlife and don't be surprised if you see a dolphin or two. 

Another great way to engage in the open waters as well build you core muscles is to try your hand and learn the latest craze,  Stand up Paddle board along the beautiful May River. 

This is the perfect time of year to try either of the two since the weather is an ideal!  I personally prefer sunrise, sunset or if you dare, Moonlight Kayaking.

Eric Burns of Marshgrass Adventures and Sea Island Paddling Society can by your guide since his former office contact was 1-800-find-me-on-the water.  He recently relocated to another great treasure in the Low-country which is located at Calhoun Street in Bluffton, SC.  Calhoun Street is home to the "Church of the Cross", Art galleries that feature Art Walks and collections from local artists,  Farmer's Market and two wonderful restaurants that are "The Cottage" and "Vineyard 55" that both serve ambiance, great food and Southern Hospitality.

All of Eric's tours with both of his companies do provide the equipment and he has the greatest rates in town.  He also has formed Kayak and Sea Island Paddling Society Meetup Groups.  So, if you are a local that is eager to try something new or wants to find and meet new friends that share the same common interests.

You can contact him at (843) 684-3296

 Meetup Group information:

http://www.meetup.com/Sea-Island-Sea-Kayaking-Meetup-Group

He also has a kayak company that is called MarshGrass Adventures and you can reach him at the above number and is also a great resource for tourists.  

" Your dreams will never fly until you spread your wings"

Special credit and thanks for Eric Burns of Marshgrass Adventures

Spiritual Journey to Mind, Body & Soul

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY - HEAL & NOURISH YOUR MIND, BODY & SOUL

Hilton Head has much more to offer than, Golf, Tennis or a family vacation.  It can also be a sanctuary where you can build awareness with your inner spirit.  It is often overlooked to just take the time for peacefulness and what better way is to explore our true connection than to explore a journey within ourselves  in  a beautiful island oasis just steps away from the ocean.
I personally discovered meeting with a Chiropractor (Dr. Thomas Cole) here in Hilton Head, who had such a human, gentle guidance for healing me from a tragic accident I recently had.  I think this experience was a soulful journey for myself and thought I would share my own personal insight to a journey I am about to explore and I wanted to share some wonderful professionals in healing the mind, body and soul.  So if you are a local or tourist that is seeking a Chiropractor, he is located at 14 New Orleans Rd, Hilton Head and can be reached at (843) 842-7575. He also suggested that massage would compliment my healing process and he introduced me to a massage therapist that is conveniently located just a few steps away from his office and was voted "Best Massage for 2010".  If you want to go  on your next visit you can get a 60 Minute Massage for only $60.00 or a Signature Facial for $65.00.  Also, located on premise is a Nutritional Consultant that can offer you guidance for a healthier well being and will offer a free Nutritional Consultation.  You can also just walk up the stairs and be connected to a Yoga Studio that offers Herbal Consultations and Self Care Workshops.   The beauty of this studio is it is a 100% donation studio which means you pay what you can afford and typically most of all the Yoga Studio are not affordable to many different budgets.

artofyogahiltonhead.com

artofmassagehiltonhead.com

Local Author new Cookbook - October Feature

Since the weather is getting cooler, I thought I would explore and incorporate local authors of the Lowcountry that signified some savory samples for you to try.

Lifestyle    

Pat Branning publishes new coffee table cookbook

“The South is a place where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter, macaroni and cheese is a vegetable, front porches are wide and words are long. Pecan pie is a staple. Y’all is the only proper noun. Chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy. Everything is darlin’ and someone’s heart is always being blessed.”
— “Shrimp, Collards & Grits,”
by Pat Branning
Author and food columnist Pat Branning, who used to live in Salisbury but now lives in Hilton Head, S.C., has released a new book: “Shrimp, Collards & Grits: Recipes, Stories and Art from the Creeks and Gardens of the Lowcountry.” The book release coincides with the Beaufort, S.C. tricentennial year.
Branning published a lowcountry cookbook in 2009, but the recipes, story and art are all new in this one, she notes.
In addition to almost 200 lowcountry recipes, the full- color coffee table cookbook features 150 fine art paintings by such noted Southern artists as Ray Ellis, John Carroll Doyle and Joe Bowler among others.
Branning will be a featured author at this year’s Charleston Food and Wine Festival March 3-6. She will be signing advance copies of her new book there Friday, March 4 and Sunday, March 6.
The book retails for $34.95 and pre-sales are going on now at www.mycarolinacooking.com and www.starbooks.biz.
The book will be available in bookstores in mid-March. The Literary Bookpost can accept pre-orders.
To celebrate Beaufort’s birthday, a limited, signed commemorative edition in a slipcase will be offered for $60.
Nathalie Dupree, author of 10 cookbooks and two-time James Beard Award winner, has said called Branning a “charming storyteller who combines the unmistakable Southern cadence of stories swapped across the dinner table with delicious Southern recipes.”
Branning used to be Women’s Editor for WSB Atlanta and a hostess for South Carolina ETV. She used to host daily broadcasts on food and entertaining, teaming up with great chefs from around the country while developing a passion for anything Southern — particularly cooking.
Today, Branning works as a freelance writer, cookbook author and food editor for the BeaufortTribune.com.
Her website is www.mycarolinacooking.com, a source for recipes, art and stories about the lowcountry.

Cahill's Market

 Labor of Love has been spread upon the Cahill farm.    Experience local organic produce that is sold on site in their restaurant that specializes in some good old fashioned Fried Chicken accompanied by your choice of two sides of various freshly made vegetable dishes.   They also have their very own pear trees on their native land and love to share a unique "pear cobbler".  Another unique feature is various selections of fresh and local produce, salad dressings, jams and jellies, bbq sauces are sold  on-site Country store.

They are conveniently located on Rte 46 and you can bypass the market while taking the scenic drive to your vacation destination whether you are coming from Savannah, GA or Hilton Head, SC.

http://cahillsmarket.com/