Hunting Season!

Fall equals hunting season in North Carolina!  Many understand the humor in the sign below!  Starting with dove, then deer and duck.  The excitement builds, well for the men in my life anyway!  I am more of a gatherer than a hunter!

It is fun to see lots of fun items on Pinterest that are perfect incidentals for the Hunters in our lives!  Fun gifts such as Hunting Camp Soap, Heated Socks, and Rutt Wipe Toilet Paper!  Orange toilet paper to avoid fire in the fanny is critical!  Now let our sportsman begin what they believe they were born to do!

 

 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

I work for Peanuts!

On Pinterest,  I have a Board with favorite North Carolina Artist!  One of which I shared with you before!  Fen Rascoe is very talented! 

"Better Days"

I decided to share this painting and post by Fen because I love the NC Peanut history shared by Fen in his "Better Days" blog post about his North Carolina neck of the woods.  

The photos below were taken in my hometown during the 1950's when Enfield NC was the Worlds' Largest Raw Peanut market and the streets were lined with peanut trailers during the fall.  I love the smell of Fall, which for me in Eastern NC is the smell of peanuts being dug up in field after field!  When I was a little girl, I had a t-shirt that said "I work for Peanuts!"

If you follow my blog you know Fall is a favorite time for my family!  Just last weekend we dug up beautiful Halifax County Peanuts for an annual peanut boiling! 
We freeze the boiled peanuts to enjoy all year long, especially at NC State Football games! 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

 

Jen Jen

 

Summer Supper!

Recently, I stopped by a friends house at the beach just before a summer dinner party!  She had a crab soup tureen full of sunflower as the centerpiece!  I loved it!  It was such a great tablescape I wanted to share it with you!

Fresh from Willis Seafood Market and Quin's Produce at The Friendly Market!  Yummy Shrimp and Squash fritters made this dinner party a big hit full of local flavor!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Chef Camp!

Last week I had the pleasure attending Chef Camp with kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina!  The very talented East Carteret High School Teacher, Susan Way was our host! She did an awesome job with the camp!  I loved seeing the kids faces light up as they cooked and even cleaned!  The kids worked so well together in four groups! 

The kids sauteed stir fry and as you can see here, pizza and tie dye cupcakes!  The kids learned how to create fresh dough for the pizza's!  We used Blue Ribbon Corn Meal from Lakeside Mills, serving the Carolina's since 1736! 

The kids loved learning to cook and eating what they prepared!  They are begging to attend again next summer!  What a great group of kids!  I am looking forward to volunteering again!  I learned just as much as the kids!

 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Front Street at Stillwater!

It is no secret our favorite waterfront dinner spot is in Beaufort!  The Front Street Grill at Stillwater has a view that with one glance depicts the true beauty of Beaufort!

I suggest you start with a drink from the Rhum bar and an app to die for!  Scallops served over corn relish! I hope this dish is a special when you visit!  They also have a great wine list!

My husband and my Dad's all time favorite is the crab cake and filet!  It does not get much better than this although if you ask me the baked oysters are the perfect start!   My Mother votes for the grouper and the goat cheese salad!  I guess this is a dead give away that everything on the menu is yummy!  Like us,  this will be a frequent summer night!

 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Chefs 105!!

I want to thank you for the emails while I was away!  I had no idea I would be missed!  I did miss sharing all the North Carolina summer fun with you!  As wonderful as technology is, it is not fun when a blogger has computer troubles!  I went back to using a desk top for my day job but had to take a little break from SSCS!  I will pick up where I left off!  Below is a photo from Chefs 105 in Morehead City!  It was a nice night for dinner outside and a bottle of Decoy!  The sky was so pretty and the charter boats had flags flying representing a successful day off the NC Coast! 
I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the sticky NC salt air and soak in a "little" vitamin D before the season is over!!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Barta!

The Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament is always a great time on the Beaufort NC Docs!  This year was no different!  The kids had a blast!  It was a huge success as so many came out to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina!  Tred Barta is an inspiration to all!  His positive attitude and determination is such a great influence on us all! 

Thank you, Tred Barta for all you do!

 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Summer Jam!

This year was my fourth year Chairing the Summer Jam with The Tams fundraiser for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina!  This event is so rewarding for everyone,  raising money for the kids while having a blast!  What a grand night for all!

Thank you, Adrianne's Hair Studio, Al Williams Properties, Andrew Roby Coastal, Century 21, Austin Norris, Hyman's Landscaping, The Exchange at Mansfield Shopping Center, EJW Outdoors, H.A YOUNG Contracting, Outer Banks Tennis Contractors, Port City Motors, Pro Environmental Services, and Standard Insurance and Realty and Patti Norris of Edgewater Linen for gathering the awesome raffle items.

As The Tams sing,

"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"!  

Hope you will attend the next Summer Jam with The Tams!
We are already looking forward to Saturday June 23, 2013!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Happy Birthday, USA!

It was a great July 4th celebration with neighbors, friends and family at Atlantic Beach North Carolina!  Our neighbors are our friends too which is why the July 4th parade is such a treat on our street!  I love Holidays!  Especially all the fun details!  This year we had a little party at our house after the parade!  It was great fun with the Atlantic Beach fireworks topping off the evening!

It was a perfect day celebrating USA!!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Old Salt!

We had a great dining experiance at the new Beaufort spot, Old Salt!  What a charming place this is!  Old Salt is in the building long accupied by the Net House.  What a welcoming group this is!  I cannot wait to return to visit our new friends!  I am addicted to their strawberry vinaigrette too!  It is divine!

The atmosphere is great!  I love the renovation with all the tin and old wood!  The port holes and rustic light fixtures add to the feel of a salty sailboat!  Barbara, one of the owners was behind the bar during my visit but I understand she is often in the kitchen as she is known for her homemade desserts! 

The menu is wonderful! 

 The Old Salt Gathering Place

"Where sailors of yesteryear recount their adventures and tell tall tales!!"

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen



Fresh Fish!

You cannot beat a dinner party with friends who bring fresh fish they just reeled in off the coast of North Carolina!  We decided to marinate the Mahi in ginger dressing topped with a little fresh parm and broil until golden bubbly!  It really was delicious served over mixed greens with roasted broccoli and fresh corn! 
I also prepared lemon asparagus pasta!  The original Pinterest recipe called for orzo but they were out at the Food Lion on the Island!  I substituted bow tie and increased the dressing amount especially the lemon zest!

Lemon Orzo Salad on Pinterest

One of my favorite past times is offshore fishing!  I am so happy on a clear smooth NC day fishing with no land in site!  The water is a deep beautiful blue!  When the dolphin are biting that is the most fun!  They are such colorful fish!  This is an old pic of me reeling in a dolphin!  My hair was growing back after Chemo.  This was during The Kelly Wagner Lady Angler Tournament before the start of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. 

 So fun!  See my big smile!

In memory of the General by DJ Ray Melton!

 

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Summer Solstice!

The official start of Summer begins today at 7:09pm to be exact!  The Summer Solstice is when the sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.  Today it is hot hot hot in North Carolina!  It is a perfect day at the beach with a nice breeze!  What are you doing on the longest day of the year?  We are grilling out, enjoying fresh North Carolina seafood and veggies with friends!  Our dinner guest and dear friend and I love fresh tuna!  I prepared a favorite salad inspired by my Realtor/Chef friend Laurie Daniel!   As you know by now we love her divine dishes!  The Ahi tuna cubed then tossed in a mixture of honey, lime juice, orange juice, fresh chopped ginger and a dash of soy is one of her best creations!  I LOVE it!

We serve the tuna over mixed greens or my personal fave is arugula!  It is truly one of the most refreshing summer sides!  You should head to your local seafood market ASAP!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Martini Time!

Today is National Martini Day!  I personally love to sip a traditional martini just a little bit dirty but I also love trying different drinks, especially refreshing cocktails during this North Carolina heat!  I also say for a party to be complete a signature cocktail must be served!  According to The Ultimate Holiday Site, when you order yourself a martini you're telling everyone around you that you are a person of class and style!  
In honor of the summer season I thought I would share the Bikini Martini!  Since I can no longer wear a bikini, please pass the shaker!  

"Bikini Martini" via AllRecipes.com

Combine rum, vodka and pineapple juice in a drink shaker. Shake firmly until frothy. Pour in a martini glass, add a touch of grenadine in the middle. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Summer Soft Crabs!

Everyone in my family, especially my Mother and my local husband love soft shell crabs!  We like to purchase from AB Seafood Market!  If you do not mind listening to my husband describe the proper way to clean soft crabs, then you too would enjoy the crab fry at our house!  We also love the soft crabs at Chefs 105 if you are headed out to dinner!  They know how to clean the crabs very well!  Believe me,  my husband asked!

I love serving on my favorite crab plates from Mears Etc Etc!  I only wish there was a Texas Pete bottle on them instead of Tabasco!

 Served with Broccoli slaw and fresh green beans!  It does not get much better than this!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen