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Here at Hodnett Cooper, we’ve long ago thrown out our New Year’s Resolutions and good intentioned diet plans. In our midst, we have Miranda Loehle, also known as The Island Baker.
Miranda has been at Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc for ten years. She’s always loved baking and the rest of us have happily been her new recipe test panel. Famous for her creative cupcakes and mini pies, any one of us can tell you that they are absolutely divine. Miranda recently launched a side business, The Island Baker—now more folks can be a part of our cupcake adventures.
Miranda is a cupcake pioneer, always trying new, daring recipes. On Monday, she came in with six boxes of mini cupcakes—all new recipes that even Martha Stewart wouldn’t think of. Of course, we tried them all.
2. Pistachio & Rosewater: a rosewatercupcake topped with a pistachio cream cheese icing infused with rosewater
4. White Russian: a kahlua infused cupcake topped with a kahlua and crème icing
6. Lavender & Honey: a vanilla cupcake brushed with honey topped with a lavender honey cream cheese icing
8. Oreo: a chocolate sour cream cupcake with bits of oreos topped with a cookies and cream frosting
10. Chocolate Bacon: a chocolate cupcake with bits of bacon topped with a chocolate Nutella buttercream icing
12. Honey & Goat Cheese: a honey cupcake topped with a creamy goat cheese icing infused with honey
Yes, bacon in a cupcake! And it was good.
Miranda gets her inspiration from recipes online, flavors she likes and suggestions from friends and facebook fans. “What I love most about experimenting with flavors is that they are different—in a good way. They are fun, trendy flavors that you have to be adventurous to try, but in the end, you’re glad you did,” says Miranda.
While not all are a home run with everyone, we each seem to have a favorite. “My favorite was when Miranda started experimenting with her ‘IntoxiCakes’ recipes. There were mojito cupcakes, margarita cupcakes and even an Irish car bomb cupcake.”
For years, Hodnett Cooper has been lucky enough to have first dibs on Miranda’s treats. Now the rest of St. Simons Island and Brunswick can order from The Island Baker. Trust us, as her R&D team we can say for certain, they’re delish.
The Wall Street Journal and Moody’s Analytics forecast 6.4% growth in sales in the St. Simons Island/Brunswick, Georgia market
In a May 5, 2012 article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Vacation Homes Beckon,” author Joe Light outlines factors affecting vacation home sales. With vacation home markets showing signs of recovery, buyers who have considered purchasing a vacation home feel a new sense of urgency to act while prices are low and inventory is declining.
Buyers who plan a vacation home purchase as a long-term investment are taking advantage of low interest rates, even though prices may not have bottomed, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The article names nine markets that are “primed for a breakout” based on five-year price forecasts from Moody’s Analytics. Those markets include vacation home hot spots such as Napa, California, Santa Barbara, California, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and St. Simons Island, Georgia where the projected growth is among the highest at 6.4% per year.
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. on St. Simons Island confirms the momentum in the market dynamics. “People who have long considered purchasing a vacation home on the Island are beginning to act,” said Mary Bryan Fields, Managing Broker, “they have been sitting on the sidelines, are closer to retirement, and plan to act before they are priced out of the market.”
Winnie Skarpalezos, who represents a beachfront home with a list price of $2.1 million on St. Simons Island says she has seen an increase in interest in the house. “We hear the same factors mentioned in the Wall Street Journal article—potential buyers want to take advantage of low prices and low mortgage rates. Plus, this particular house is in a vacation rental program with $125,000 in rental income on the books for 2012. This is an additional offset that buyers can consider in resort destinations like ours.”
St. Simons Island beachfront home listed at $2.1 million
As Mary Bryan Fields concludes, people who lamented not buying in the late 1990s—before prices skyrocketed—are now able to get a “do-over” in real estate. “Now is their chance to buy at 1999 prices in a very desirable Island location.”
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. currently employs more than 40 real estate professionals and services 400+ exclusive listing contracts in Coastal Georgia. Additionally, Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals, Inc. manages more than 400 vacation rental residences on St. Simons Island, Georgia. For more information, please visit Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. online or call toll free at 888-638-4750.
Painted Buntings are currently arriving here on St Simons Island. We spotted one in our Sea Palms West neighborhood using the iBird Yard Plus HD app for the iPad to attract them. We were able to get a photo of this beautiful bird. Painted Buntings have also been spotted on Little St Simons Island at feeders across the Island.
The Painted Bunting is found in thickets, woodland edges and brushy areas, along roadsides, in suburban areas, and gardens. The male was once a very popular caged bird, but capturing and holding a Painted Bunting is now illegal. Populations are declining on the East Coast where habitat is being lost to development and the species is at risk of being listed as threatened or endangered. Their breeding range includes Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Carolina, Louisiana and northern Mexico. The male Painted Bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America. Its colors–dark blue head, green back, red rump and under parts–make it easy to identify, but it can still be difficult to spot since it hides in foliage even when singing. The plumage of female and juvenile Painted Buntings is green and yellow-green, serving as camouflage. Once seen, the adult female is still distinctive, since it is one of the only truly green birds native to the United States.
Be on the lookout for this brilliantly colored songbird currently making its migration north.
St. Simons Island, Georgia has a rich history spanning from Native Americans to Spanish Missions to the Plantation Era through today. For several days this month, UNF archeologists searched oceanfront Neptune Park for evidence of a lost Spanish mission. Archaeologists searched for the Santa Cruz y San Buenaventura de Guadalaquini Mission that was located on the south end of St. Simons Island from 1606 until 1684.
Historical documents indicate the Spanish mission was located on the south end of St. Simons Island and UNF archaeologists believe Neptune Park and adjacent lighthouse area was a prime candidate because of the deep, natural channel just off the beach, where ships could get close to land.
The archaeologists were looking for evidence of Spanish pottery, pieces of olive jars and Spanish tableware suggestive of a mission site. After digging a grid of holes, the team found no signs of the 400-year-old mission at the Neptune Park site. The dig did, however, uncover plenty of Native American pottery.
In the second half of the 16th century, Spain established religious outposts in Florida and Georgia in order to spread Christianity to native inhabitants. Today, some of the mission locations are known, while others remain lost.
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Recently there have been a number of deer sighting all over St Simons Island. The deer are more prevalent on the less populated north end of St Simons Island, but recently they have been spotted all over the Island.
European fallow deer are found here on the Georgia Coast and come in three colors—dark brown, white and spotted. Just because a female fallow deer is one color does not mean her offspring will be the same color. In fact, she could give birth to any of the three color phases. Male fallow deer have a palmed antler much like that of a moose. If the antler is nine inches across, it is considered to be a good-sized antler. These antlers will fall off each year and regrow in the spring. Their first antlers typically are unbranched spikes. Deer two to four years of age usually produce slightly larger antlers with more points. Their antlers become palmated and have many points once a buck reaches five or six years of age. Antler size usually increases as bucks grow older. Deer five to nine years old produce the largest antlers.
At birth, fawns have a coat slightly darker than the common color phase spotted with white. Newborn fawns weigh about eight to eleven pounds. Adult females (does) weigh between 65 and 100 pounds; adult bucks usually weigh between 175 and 225 pounds. Does tend to reach their maximum size between four to six years of age and bucks reach maximum body size at five to nine years of age. Fallow deer live in herds of around 70 members and prefer to live in wooded and marsh areas. They eat grass, leaves, nuts, berries, corn and bark.
We are happy to share an island with these beautiful animals. Visit Arkive for more fallow deer information and photos.
In the last week or so there have been a numerous starfish on the St Simons Island beaches from Massengale Park south to the St Simons Island Pier. The starfish get caught up in the Johnson Rocks at high tide.
Starfish are beautiful animals that can be a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, although all resemble a star. Even though they are commonly called starfish, these animals are known more scientifically as sea stars, as they’re not fish. They do not have gills, fins or a skeleton. Sea stars have a tough, spiny covering and a soft underside. If you turn a live sea star over, you’ll likely see its’ hundreds of tube feet wiggling.
These iconic marine animals are fascinating creatures. Sea stars move using their tube feet, and have an advanced water vascular system that they use to fill up their feet with seawater. They do not have blood, but instead take in seawater through the sieve plate located on top of the sea star, and use that to fill up their feet. They can retract their feet using muscles or use them as suctions to hold on to a substrate or the sea star’s prey.
Georgia Olive Farms, an agricultural cooperative formed in 2009, in Lakeland, Georgia is the leading East Coast producer and marketer of olive trees and Georgia Olive Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil. In 2011, Georgia Olive Farms conducted the first commercial harvest of olives east of the Mississippi River since the late 1800s. The olives harvested were pressed into extra virgin olive oil, which is marketed under the Georgia Olive Farms label. Right now there is a very limited supply of the 2011 harvest of the Chef’s Blend of Georgia Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Georgia Olive Farms is working with farmers and investors to provide sustainable, locally produced olive oil to east coast consumers.
The efforts of Georgia Olive Farms should result in a significantly reduced carbon footprint for olive oil consumed on the east coast. Each year, Georgia Olive Farms will be the first to harvest olives in the United States and can provide the very freshest olive oil to U.S. consumers, especially on the east coast.
While most may assume that growing olives in South Georgia is a radically new concept, south Georgia olives are, in reality, a tradition older than our nation. In archeological excavations of 16th century Franciscan settlements from Florida up through Georgia, olive pits have been found. Also, in the early 18th century, British settlers arriving to St. Simons Island, Georgia found olive trees growing alongside oranges near the lighthouse. These olives were most likely brought to the new world by Spanish explorers as far back as 1526. It is known that Spanish explorers sailed with olives aboard, and they are attributed with introducing the sour orange to the east coast of America.
Olive Affairs is located in the downtown historic district of Darien, Georgia at 106 Broad Street. Olive Affairs features fine gourmet olive oil, vinegars and other olive-related products. They also carry a very limited supply of “Georgia Liquid Gold” which is a 2011 harvest of a chef’s blend extra virgin olive oil from the Georgia Olive Farms in Lakeland, Georgia. They also sell their Award Winning Gourmet Olive Tapenade, Vegan Olive Tapenade, Italian Olive Oils, Gourmet Modena Aged Balsamic vinegars, muffaletta sandwiches, breads and much more. Next time you are in Darien, stop by and check out this very unique shop.
Hodnett Cooper is thrilled that Southern Living magazine, the preeminent source for Southern culture, travel, events and lifestyle, has named St. Simons Island one of its favorite spring vacation destinations. In the article, Southern Living describes St. Simons Island:
“The beaches and golf courses of this Atlantic escape vie for king of the island. About 80 miles north of Jacksonville and 85 miles south of Savannah, St. Simons has multiple golf courses, pristine coastlines, and plenty of outdoor activities to fill those sun-drenched Spring Break days. If you’re bit by the shopping bug, venture to the island’s southern tip to Pier Village to pick up an extra pair of sandals or an easy beach read. Local restaurants specialize in seafood dishes, and The Coastal Kitchen offers a raw shrimp and oyster bar.”
Southern Living goes on to describe accommodations through Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals:
“Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals offers condos and villas for couples or families on any budget, including daily and weekly rentals.”
We look forward to sharing St. Simons Island with Southern Living readers who have not yet been to our island…during Spring and all year long!
Last year, Barron’s reported an upswing in sales volume and prices of second homes among the affluent market. Barron’s ranked fifteen locations for beauty, comfort, convenience, a range of lifestyles and—most importantly—value. Sea Island, Georgia was ranked Number 1.
At the same time, many affluent buyers continue to adopt a “wait and see” policy when it comes to purchasing real estate, and luxury home and apartment rentals are on the rise.
At the center of the two developments is Brett Flanagan, Residential Rentals Manager at Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. “We have a growing number of high-end second home owners on Sea Island who are willing to place their home in a professional rental program,” explained Flanagan, “combined with a growing demand for luxury rental properties so people can ‘test drive’ the area.”
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. currently has five Sea Island cottages in its residential rental program (by tradition, even the most extravagant homes on Sea Island are referred to as “cottages”). Two cottages were rented quickly and are currently occupied by families considering a real estate purchase. Another three properties are currently available, ranging from a 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath home for $5,000/month, to a 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath home that rents for $12,000/month. “These homes have extraordinary, distinctive features such as an artist’s loft, gourmet kitchen, private swimming pools and separate guest homes,” said Flanagan.
In addition to exquisite features, residential rental cottages on Sea Island have access to membership privileges at Sea Island Resort. The 84-year-old resort and club underwent a complete rebuild of its iconic Cloister Hotel, beach club, and tennis and spa facilities. Since then, Sea Island, The Cloister and The Lodge (Sea Island’s golf destination on neighboring St. Simons Island) have racked up an impressive portfolio of awards: both hotels are Forbes Five-Star Award winners; resort golf course, Seaside, is ranked a “Top 100 Course” by Golf Magazine; and The Georgian Room at The Cloister is a Forbes Five-Star restaurant.
“We are finding there is a demand for residential rentals on Sea Island, where residents can experience a luxurious home, the resort facilities and activities, and can get a feel for the community before choosing to purchase a home or second home,” explained Flanagan.
Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc is the largest real estate company in the Golden Isles. Hodnett Cooper Real Estate Inc.’s Residential Rentals division features a constantly expanding inventory of over 365 properties and employs four residential rental specialists. For more information, please visit www.hodnettcooper.com, http://www.hodnettcooper.com/resrentals.htm or call toll-free 888-638-4750.
