Everything Tastes Better at the Beach

September 9, 2009 Chill in the air making me hungry.

Cooking for families and friends is a favorite activity for everyone at the beach. Many of our guests talk about their favorite recipes and time-honored tricks and traditions for feeding a hungry crowd. Long time guests The Ivesters love the Orange Pancake recipe they found in one of the cookbooks in our house library. Our friends The Smiths have devised an ingenious flow chart that divides the cooking and carrying chores among their 16 family members without overlapping purchases. Our family must have Paula Deen’s shrimp and grits at least one night and steaks from Gary Lee’s Market another night. Share your amazing tricks and delicious recipes with us and we will post them in our new Recipes tab.

Thanks to The Ivesters for telling us about this recipe for ORANGE PANCAKES from A Taste of Heaven published in 2003 by Christ the King School, Atlanta.

"A perfect getaway for a family of multiple interests! Watched the Olympics with all eyes on Michael Phelps! We enjoyed the golf, downtown, pool, and beaches. Great relaxation, and family bonding. Thanks for a great time."

-Family from Texas

"We were a bit concerned about a family vacation in an historic landmark, but this is a beautifully livable house. Cooking was a pleasure in the best equipped kitchen we’ve ever had, and we’ve had 20 years of experience. It was as if our hostess had anticipated every need! Loved the good taste in the décor, the wonderful garden, the outdoor shower and the cooling pool."

-The Hall/Sweets Family, Ky, Tn, Va, Ga, & NC

"Wow. What a great place. You can walk on the Beach towards The Lodge and hear the bagpipes, or go into town on Sunday for the Movie in the Park or Best of all not even leave & hang out by the pool. Thanks for the wonderful oasis to Relax & Rejuvenate from the Rat Race. P.S. Wished I could stay forever."

-Urban Dweller

"We had a wonderful 30th birthday celebration in your welcoming home. My son & his family and friends are ready to do it again soon. Thank you for sharing it all with us!"

-The Harters, Jacksonville, FL

"We enjoyed ourselves so much in your beautiful home! Loved St. Simon’s, the beach, bocce ball on the sand, golf, scavenger hunt, the lovely pool, and beaches – and last but not least – the food! We really lived on the back patio."

-Families from MN, AZ, CO, FL, & WI to celebrate 55th wedding anniversary

"Every summer our Grandfather graciously treats the entire family to a fun filled vacation. Somehow we stumbled onto St. Simons and this beautiful home! This week has been amazing – from beach walks, kayak trips & shark fishing to just relaxing by the pool and playing euchre on the deck – we are leaving here with wonderful memories & a pretty good tan! Thank you so much for opening your home to us!"

-The Coryells, Ferrells, Fahertys & Francis Family

"We loved the house. It was perfect for our family reunion. After a rough beginning (Tropical Storm Faye) causing flight delays and questionable weather – we were pleasantly surprised with a great weather week. The pool was awesome! The children and adults loved swimming in it morning, noon and night. We found all sorts of wildlife on the beach. Walking into town, shopping and miniature golf were great. We loved the pumpkin bread at Barbara Jeans. The little kids table worked out well as we ate lunch & dinner outside by the pool. Thanks for sharing your house!"

-Three generations from Boston

"Thank you so much for opening up your home to us. This is an awesome place and we had a wonderful time – all fourteen of us!"

-Sisters of the Yam, Memphis, Atlanta, St. Louis & De, Va & Fl

"What a fabulous house to have our girl retreat and family birthday party! We loved the historic charm and convenient location. Even though all of us have been to St. Simons over the years, this is the first time we’ve all been together to create new memories, and we’re so looking forward to coming back to this beautiful house! See you next time!"

-Sisters and their daughters from Atlanta

"What a wonderful week! We loved:
- sleeping by the pool under the fans
- flying kites on the beach
- watching the shadows of the live oaks thought the shuttered windows
- walking to the shops for ice cream, lotion, whatever
Thanks for your thoughtfulness & warm hospitality. We want to come again"

-The Ivesters, Georgia

"We had a wonderful Family Vacation! We all enjoyed the Pool and the location near the village & Pier. The week passed too quickly. Hope to come back!"

-The Childers, Kentucky and Virginia

"The rich history of the place could be felt all around. You feel secluded, yet you are right in the middle of everything. We enjoyed every minute of the stay. The pool, jacuzzi, even the local restaurants. Loved it all."

-The Davis Family

"Thank you for the wonderful accommodations helping our family celebration to be a success!"

-The Newman Family, Fl, PA, NJ, NY, VA, MD, OH, IL, MI and England!

"The pool was phenomenal, as our week was a scorcher! Visiting the beaches, playing mini-golf, walks into town, and SHOPPING, were also enjoyed. We even had to sleep with the lights on after being spooked by the wonderful stories on the lighthouse ghost tour ….a must tour! After discovering toads, frogs, cats, lizards, and crabs we were wondering what other wildlife we’d discover next. Though we’ll be departing a little sandier, tanner, fatter, and more relaxed, we will hold on to these Kodak moments for a lifetime!"

-Grandparents in Florida brought together their kids and grandchildren from Illinios, Wisconsin, and New Jersey.

"We had a great 50th wedding anniversary, thanks to Strachan Carriage House – which comfortably accommodated our family of eleven including my wife and I, three children and four grandchildren. The location is great and there was much to do resulting in the week going by too quickly. We love the island. Thanks for sharing your wonderful home with us for a great vacation."

-Grandparents in Florida; family from Texas

"Happy New Year! Eleven of our family spent a relaxing week here during the holidays with lots of laughs, great excursions and really good food. ..We embraced the close proximity to town and the water. .. We even ventured to Savannah for a night. Playing games in the evenings brought us all closer and bonded generations of ages from 17 to 75! The people in St. Simons are some of the friendliest we’ve ever met on our many travels! "

-Guests from FL, WI, and France

"Can’t think of a better place to spend time with great friends!"

-The Allens, FL

"Our three generation family spent a wonderful five days over Thanksgiving at The Strachan Carriage House. We could not have been at a more comfortable, convenient and historic location. Many wonderful meals were prepared in the kitchen – very easy. We walked the beach, main street, lighthouse – all so close. The third generation cousins will have so many memories of this family reunion. Thanks for sharing your fabulous quarters."

-Familiy gathered from FL, TN, AL, GA, and Nebraska

"My wonderful family surprised me with 4 glorious days in this beautiful home to celebrate my 70th birthday. We were 24 in number & each one so special to me…The memories of these days will forever remain with me & bring a smile when I remember..."

-The Huseonica Family, NC, GA