Peanut Butter Pie

Your eyes are seeing clearly.... the picture is of the peanut monument located in Blakely, Georgia. This southern Georgia city depends on the peanut as its main source of revenue. The State of Georgia produces nearly half of all the peanuts grown in the U.S. each year.
If you love peanuts and peanut butter, try the recipe below from Emeril's stash of recipes. Chocolate and peanut butter, a match made in heaven!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pie

1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate cookies
1 cup peanut butter, in all
1/4 lb. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
2 3/4 cups heavy cream, in all
6 ounces semi-sweet chopped chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cookies with 1/4 cup peanut butter, mix thoroughly and press into 9 inch springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 min and then cool. Whip cream cheese and sugar until smooth, add rest of peanut butter, milk and nuts. Whip one minute more and set aside. Whip 2 cups heavy cream and fold into peanut butter mixture. Pour into crust and chill for two hours. Mix rest of cream and chocolate in saucepan over low heat stirring until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and cool for two minutes stirring constantly. Remove the pie from the springform pan and place on wire rack over parchment paper. Pour the chocolate topping over the pie covering sides and top. Refrigerate for two more hours until set. Yum!

Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse.

Georgia: State Symbols

State Symbols of Georgia:

State Tree: Southern Live Oak
State Bird: Brown Thrasher
State Crop: Peanut
State Fish: Largemouth Bass
State Fruit: Peach

State Flower: Cherokee Rose
State Insect: Honey Bee
State Gem: Quartz
State Vegetable: Vidalia Sweet Onion
State Wildflower: Azalea - above photo: Flammeum X Calendulaceum

Shop Til You Drop! My FAVES!

Atlanta is HOT for all types of shopping! I will be listing some of my favorites from time to time, so be sure to check back often!

The following shops are located in the heart of Buckhead and are within what we call "earshot" of each other. Be sure to visit them all, especially around the holidays for fantastic decorations, decor and furniture, food gifts and just genuine good stuff!

Boxwoods - A wonderful shop for gifts, fresh orchids, furniture, accessories, etc.
100 East Andrews Drive, 404-233-3400

Bonnie White - An upscale sophisticated women's shop for the latest from Europe.
87 West Paces Ferry Road, 404-233-7234

Circa Lighting - A beautiful collection of chandeliers, pendants, etc.
www.circalighting.com - 22B East Andrews Drive, 404-233-4131

Now & Again - Consignment shop for those with great taste!
56 East Andrews Drive, 404-262-1468

Plantation Shop - English style furniture and accessories including imported antiques. Children's shop located in the back. 96 East Andrews Drive, 404-841-0065

These are just a small sampling of wonderful shops in this area for exploring. You may need lunch so plan on going to one of the best places in town. The Swan Coach House serves lunch in a true southern atmosphere and is still one of the favorites among the local ladies. Also be sure to explore their gift shop and art gallery. Have fun!
www.swancoachhouse.com - 3130 Slaton Drive NW, 404-261-0636

Cumberland Island: Paradise Untouched!

Cumberland Island is a rare untouched paradise for those that love nature as it was years ago. In the 1960's, development along the Ga. coast was booming and an effort to save the island was launched. Finally in 1972 legislation was passed to make this unique preserve a national seashore. Public access is limited and reservations are necessary to explore the island. Ferry service leaves from St. Marys three times daily for camping, hiking and exploring the island's history. You will see wild horses, an abundance of coastal birds, white beaches, palmetto forests, majestic live oaks and the ruins of Dungeness, a Carnegie estate from the 1880s. Come and explore the Golden Isles from Savannah to Jacksonville where huge expanses of marshland is punctuated by small islands and a unique history with a colorful past.
www.cumberlandisland.com
www.stsimonsguide.com
www.nps.gov
www.bgivb.com
Check our sidebar ad from Amazon for the book: The Seasons of Cumberland Island

PIE TIME: Southern Pecan

Well, it is pie time in the south! During the holidays it is a Georgia tradition to bake wonderful pies including a southern favorite, Pecan. There are many wonderful recipes available and you can take the basic one below and "tweek it" to fit your desires. But I usually stick with the basic recipe printed years ago by the wonderful Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. I have tried many different ones and they are all yummy but still enjoy this basic recipe.
Have a great holiday!

Southern Pecan Pie

3 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
dash salt
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1 cup pecans halves or chopped
1 unbaked deep dish pie shell

Beat eggs, sugar, salt, corn syrup and butter thoroughly and add pecans. Pour in unbaked pie shell and bake at 350 degrees approx. 50 min. until knife inserted halfway to center comes out clean. Pie will firm as it cools. Enjoy!
Ways to "tweek": add different nuts, add choc. chips, add 1 tsp. vanilla or bourbon!

The Atlanta City Pass: Six Attractions for One Price

Atlanta City Pass: If you are coming to visit and plan on seeing several venues, you may want to look into the Atlanta City Pass. The pass is sold through citypass.com or you can purchase at any of the listed venues. The price, as of this blog is $64.00 and is quite a savings as the entrance to the Aquarium is $29.00. You can be admitted into six different sites for the one price pass. (kids are $45.00 for pass). Sites to visit on pass:
1- Georgia Aquarium - Immediate entry included
2- World of Coca-Cola
3- High Museum of Art
4- CNN Studio Tour
5- Fernbank Museum or Atlanta Botantical Gardens
6- Zoo Atlanta or Atlanta History Center

www.citypass.com

See you there!

The Georgia Aquarium: An Abundance of Marine Life

The Georgia Aquarium! When you visit the Georgia Aquarium, you are bound to see things you have never seen before! With eight million gallons of water, there is an abundance of sea life for all to enjoy. Besides, this year it is the only place to see lots of water in Georgia! Visit their website for more information and pricing. It is also part of the Atlanta City Pass. Check our article on this information.

Shown is the Leafy Sea Dragon found in the Indian Ocean near Australia. Can you see him among the kelp? The fun fact is that the male gives birth to all young (mmmm great idea!). See more sea life pictures below. www.georgiaaquarium.org

One of my favorites is the beautiful Sea Star! If you visit the Georgia coast, you may see one of these on the beach or in a tide pool. They are five-armed and have hundreds of suckered tube feet for gripping rocks and prey. If they lose an arm they can grow a new one, not bad for a simple organism without a brain!

The Humphead Wrasse is found near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. They live long lives and can reach up to eight feet long and weigh 400 pounds. They are recognized by the green color, fleshy lips and prominent bump on their forehead. He is so cute!

The Garibaldi Damselfish is the mascot of the Georgia Aquarium and the largest of its species. You can find this bright orange fish in the eastern Pacific near California and Mexico. It hangs out near reefs and is extremely territorial causing it to sometimes attack larger fish.

Beluga Whales are found in the artic and sub-artic regions and their nickname is "sea canary". They are warm blooded and breathe through the blowhole on the top of their head. They cannot breathe through their mouth but can hold their breath for 25 minutes. Living, hunting and migrating in pods makes them one of the more social of the sea world.

See more photos and info at: www.georgiaaquarium.org

GEORGIA DOME: Located In The Heart Of Atlanta

The Georgia Dome! A spectacular addition for the many venues in Atlanta! The Georgia dome is the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world and was finished in 1992. The dome is not only the home of the Atlanta Falcons, but also hosts the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the SEC Football Championship. Other events include concerts, Super Bowl XXVII and XXXIV, Final Four Championships, the Olympics, trade shows and many other non sporting events. The dome covers an area of 8.9 acres and has 1.6 million square feet. The roof is 290 feet high and is made of 130 teflon coated fiberglass panels covering 8.6 acres. If you have the chance to attend an event in the dome, it will be a memorable experience. Check the website: www.gadome.com for more fun filled facts and upcoming events.

CALLAWAY GARDENS: Fantasy in Lights Tour

CALLAWAY GARDENS! I am so lucky to live within an hour of this wonderful place! If you have never been to Callaway Gardens, then you are in for a treat. This garden first opened in 1952 and has evolved into a 13,000 acre resort of golf, swimming, hiking trails and some of the most beautiful gardens in Georgia. There are continual activities year round for the entire family and every day in Callaway is very special. But I am here to tell you about the famous holiday celebration: Fantasy in Lights!
Every night from November 16th until December 31st, the gardens are alive with lights that can be seen from an open-air trolley or the comfort of your own vehicle. The admission includes the whole garden so you need to make plans to spend the day at Callaway and end it with the light tour. Reservations are recommended as this is a very popular event. There are also many restaurants available within the gardens and also in the town of Pine Mountain.
Look for more info on Callaway activities through the year and don't miss this Christmas extravaganza!

Find more information at www.callawaygardens.com
Callaway Gardens is located south of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

SOUTHERN LIGHTS: A Savannah Holiday Tradition

SAVANNAH!! One of the most beautiful cities in America! And now you can make plans to enjoy the festivities during the holidays. Savannah is a wonderful place to visit anytime but especially during the Christmas season. Lights and decorations are adorning most of the city and you will feel as though you stepped back in time. So spend a few days in one of the most historical and beautiful cities in Georgia and enjoy the many tours offered as well as all the holiday activities. I am mentioning some of the more popular events, but be sure to check the website:www.savannahvisit.com.

Nov. 24th - Savannah Harbor lighted boat parade & fireworks

Dec. 1st - 3rd annual lighted parade

Dec. 7th - City Market open house 6:00 -9:00pm
(carolers, Father Christmas, holiday treats)

Dec. 8th - City Market Christmas for Kids 11:00 - 2:00pm
(petting zoo, storytelling, treats, face painting,etc.)

Dec. 14th - Merchant 6th annual open house

Dec. 15th - Southern Lights gallery hop

Dec. 31st - Rockin 50"s New Year's Eve at the Savannah Theater

Performances all month are available at the Savannah Theater for the Christmas Show. Check local listings and times. 912-233-7764

Enjoy the holiday!

BOOK REVIEW: Peachtree Creek

Peachtree Creek, Atlanta's major watershed, is ignored by most residents on a daily basis as it passes through affluent areas as well as polluted culverts. Dave Kaufman spent 13 years paddling the creek and researching its history and the effects on the Atlanta area. He shows you historical images and color photographs from the past to the present and how it has shaped the history of the area. This book is a fascinating read for all interested in local history and conservation. For those of us who are long time residents of Atlanta, we have seen the changing of Peachtree Creek from a trickle to a torrent in just hours. Kaufman suggests ways to a more sustainable stewardship of Peachtree Creek. Consider this book as a great gift item for the holidays. You may find this book on our sidebar ad from Amazon.

ATLANTA BRAVES: $1.00 Seats (No Kidding)

A trip to Atlanta would not be complete without a visit to Turner Field to take in a baseball game. What an exciting place to visit! Turner Field is a state-of-the-art facility with a feel of old time baseball. The stadium holds 50,096 fans and includes a museum with the Hall of Fame. Go to the Atlanta Braves website for lots of information and be sure to check out the section on 101 things to see and do at a Braves game. The best part of being a Braves fan are the $1.00 skyline tickets . These seats are available only a couple of hours before game time and are on a first come basis. I have used these several times myself and what a way to go! Feel free to walk around the stadium during the games as there are several standing areas available too. Check website for more information: www.atlantabraves.com. Opening day 2008: March 31st! See you there!

GRITS: Southern Ice Cream!

Grits.....You either love em or hate em! I love grits but it did take time to acquire the taste! But now I could not imagine a breakfast without them. Okay so here is the grits lesson:
1) You do not put sugar in your grits!
2) They need plenty of salt and pepper.
3) Must be served very hot.
4) Lots of butter!

The best grits you can buy are from the Nora Mill Granary in Helen, Ga. These are stone ground from dried, hulled and locally grown corn kernels and includes the germ of the corn. Check their website for other flours and grains as well and don't forget to visit the mill if you are ever in the area. www.noramill.com

Nora Mill's Low Country Shrimp and Grits:
3 cups of cooked grits
4 T. butter
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 lb. shrimp cleaned
salt and pepper

After cooking grits, heat butter on high in covered skillet just until it browns. Add green onions and shrimp. Cook and stir for one minute. Add salt & pepper and then cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
To serve: Put a mound of hot grits on plate and top with shrimp and butter sauce. Enjoy!