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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.
A Day in Redfern Village
The Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals team has years of experience in both St. Simons Island property and St. Simons Island living. In this series of blog posts, we’re digging in to our vacation specialists’ expertise to uncover unique activities and hidden gems only available on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Today, we present our must-see locations during a day of shopping in Redfern Village. Located just north of the Frederica/Demere traffic circle on Frederica Road, Redfern Village is no longer content to take a back seat to the Pier Village. Packed with unique shops and restaurants, you can easily spend the day shopping and snacking your way through the other village.
Tibi Outlet – This chic women’s clothing store stepped right out of Manhattan and into Redfern Village on St. Simons Island. Amy Smilovic is the owner and fashion designer behind the “Tibi” label. She has a New York City studio (which was featured in a scene in The Devil Wears Prada) and sells the Tibi line in boutiques and major retailers across the country. Amy grew up on St. Simons Island and blesses her hometown with the Tibi outlet store. Her clothes are inspired by the island’s bright colors, bold prints and classic style. And not only will you love the prices, you may also stumble across a one-of-a-kind sample!
Gogo Jewelry – Gogo Ferguson is the great granddaughter of a Carnegie steel baron, who once owned property in Georgia’s Golden Isles with many of his Gilded Age counterparts. Today, Gogo is a jewelry designer who finds beauty in nature. She casts gold and silver from animal bones and sea life, creating unique statement pieces. You can almost imagine Gogo walking along the beaches and island trails stumbling across interesting shapes that most of us would overlook. When you visit her shop in Redfern Village, be sure to ask exactly what you’re looking at—you’ll be surprised at the beauty of a silver rattlesnake vertebrae or armadillo sternum.
Viola’s Market – At Viola’s Market, experience layer upon layer of interesting finds—furniture, books, accessories, jewelry, plants, décor and even Georgia olive oil. With a casually elegant and vintage style that celebrates the coast, you’ll be able to take home a bit of the island style with you.
Our Hodnett Cooper insiders have many more shopping recommendations, so stay tuned for more unique tips.
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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Join the ladies of Hodnett Cooper at Ziggy Mahoney’s on March 24, 2011 for an unforgettable evening… the third annual Bustier Cabaret, a fashion show benefiting the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life.
Tickets are $10 in advance, available at Hodnett Cooper (520 Ocean Boulevard), or $12 at the door. Live music by “3 of Us.” A great time for a great cause!
What: BRAS FOR THE CAUSE, the 3rd Annual Bustier Cabaret
Where: Ziggy Mahoney’s – 206 Retreat Village (Winn Dixie shopping center), St. Simons Island, Georgia
When: Saturday, March 24, 2011, 7:30-9:30 pm
Why: Benefiting the American Cancer Society
We really enjoyed this two-part article in the Florida Times Union written by Bill Besser. After six years of investigative travel and countless discussions, he and his wife have narrowed their retirement location to two island spots: St. Simons Island, Georgia and Sanibel Island, Florida. With his wife leaning toward St. Simons and Bill leaning toward Sanibel, the articles detail their consideration process. They agree to decide after a tie-breaking visit to each island. With a love for both destinations, they consider housing costs, healthcare, the community, activities for the grandchildren, opportunities to get involved, restaurants and fishing.
Clearly struggling with the decision, read through their process to see which of two islands they’ve chosen to call home.
Part 1: St. Simons Island, Georgia
Part 2: Sanibel Island, Florida
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.
The Darien Waterfront Wine & Gourmet Shop is located in the Shops at 107 Broad Street in historic district of downtown Darien, Georgia. They have a wide variety of wine, beer and cheese.
While you are in the store picking out a wine, don’t forget to check out their selection of gourmet food, including Buckhead Certified Angus Beef Steaks, Alaska Wild Caught Salmon, Bahamian or Maine Lobster Tails, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Center Cut Pork Chops, Ashley Farms All-Natural Chicken, and other fine meats. Their grocery selection also includes locally caught Georgia Wild Shrimp, along with Georgia made Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese and Sugar Marsh Cottage Gourmet Chocolates. Most of their offerings are top-of-the-line and on the expensive side. The Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese is one of our favorites. It is fine hand crafted brie cheese made in Thomasville, Georgia.
Directly behind the store is the Waterfront Wine Bar with a beautiful view of the Darien River. It is open from 5 to10 every Friday and Saturday night. Enter through the Wine Store, then sit down and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, along with an hors d’ oeuvre or desert while you watch the boats go by and the sun set over the river. Their wine & beer list includes an assortment of red & white wines from around the world, either by the glass or by the bottle, import & domestic craft beers, and sparkling & dessert wines. Pair one of them with an antipasto plate, artisan cheese plate, crab cake plate, or a dessert plate. There may even be live music at times!
Be sure to sign up for their email list for notice of special events and wine tastings.
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!
Barbara Jean’s is a family run, multi-unit restaurant operation that began here on St. Simons Island in 1988. Jim & Barbara specialize in both seafood and made-from-scratch, home-style cooking. There is little doubt that they are best known for their Crab Cakes, but their Southern entrees and vegetables are great. At Barbara Jean’s they make three different fresh breads and up to fifteen vegetables daily. They also have three homemade soups on the menu daily, and that always includes their truly incredible “She Crab Soup.” Each day they hand batter and cook to order every fried product, and those include Chicken Fingers, Chicken Fried Steak, Fried Fish Fillets, Chicken Fried Chicken, Fried Shrimp, Fried Catfish and Coconut Shrimp too!
My personal favorites are the meat loaf and the country fried steak. The service is impeccable, the ambiance is lovely, and the food is to die for. It’s rare that a restaurant can pull off both seafood and home-style cooking and do both very well, but Barbara Jean’s does just that. Expect long waits all day long in the summer. I recommend you put your name in at the door and then take a stroll through the Village to the pier to work up a good appetite. You will need it with all the food and bread they serve you!
