HOLIDAYS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC

HOLIDAYS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC ARE GREAT!
When the turkeys are friend, the leaves are falling, the Christmas trees are everywhere fresh and beautiful, what more could you ask for? How about the smell of the ocean breeze? The sound of the waves crashing onto the sandy shores of the beaches? The salt air in the wind? It is all here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. It's the time to hunt the wild turkeys just as our fore-fathers before us. Time to dig up and harvest all the fresh vegetables; the pumpkins, potatoes, squash and corn. Have you ever pulled a sweet potato right out of the ground, brushed it off and eaten it? It is delicious!!! A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone. Peppers turn bright red and green just in time for the holidays and the hot peppers get hotter the longer they stay on the plants too! Here is the big difference in Holidays on the Crystal Coast of NC and other places. FRESH, DELICIOUS OYSTERS! SHRIMP! FRESH FISH! Now what to do with all of this bounty? Cook and enjoy, of course! Below are some of my favorite fall recipes to share with you.

RECIPES:
BUTTERMILK PIE! AWESOME!!! DON'T KNOCK IT TIL YOU TRY IT!
2 cups sugar
1 TB flour
3 eggs
1.5 Tsp real vanilla
1 stick of melted butter
3/4 cup buttermilk
Dash of salt
2 'Deep dish' graham cracker pie shells

Cream sugar and flour together; then add the rest of the ingredients
Pour into pie shells
Bake at 275 degrees 10 minutes; 300 degrees for 50 minutes



HOLIDAY BONUS RECIPE
OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER 'BEACH STYLE'
3 dozen fresh, salty oysters (cleaned and shucked)
1 pkg of chopped frozen spinach
4 green, spring onions
3 sticks of shopped celery
2 TBS finely chopped garlic
1 cup melted butter
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Tabasco pepper sauce to taste
white pepper and sea salt to taste
rock salt on which to place the oyster shells & oysters

Grind together spinach, green onions, celery and garlic; add melted butter & stir;
Add Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce

Place one oyster in each half shell on rock salt
Put 1 TBS of sauce on each oyster; sprinkle with bread crumbs and cheese
Dot with butter
Either broil for 8 minutes or bake at 450 degrees until lightly browned

HOLIDAY EVENTS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC

Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla
Event Date: Dec. 3, 2011
The annual lighted boat parade begins in Morehead City at 5:30 p.m., and arrives in Beaufort about 6:15 p.m. Awards to follow in Museum Auditorium. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317

HISTORIC BEAUFORT CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES
Event Date: Dec. 10, 2011
Event Time(s): 5-7:00 pm
Another way to get ready for the holidays this year is to visit beautiful homes, Inns and B & Bs in Historic Downtown Beaufort all "dressed up" for the holidays. See truly lovely decorations amid twinkling candlelight as you walk the festive streets of this quaint town. Hop aboard the BHA's English double-decker bus and sing with carolers as you travel to your destination. Tickets are $10 at the Beaufort Historical Association. For details call 252-728-5225 or visit the website www.beauforthistoricsite.org.

AND BE SURE NOT TO MISS ...

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Event Date: Dec. 10, 2011
Event Time(s): 10:00 am
Children of all ages join Santa for a Christmas story and enjoy breakfast before his arrival. Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation, 7500 Emerald Drive. Admission fee is one unwrapped gift per child or 5 canned goods per child.

You MUST pre-register by Friday, December 9th at 5pm to attend. Reservations will be accepted beginning November 1st. Sponsored by Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation. Contact Laura Lee Davis at 252-354-6350 or ldavis@emeraldisle-nc.org.

AND....THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF COASTAL CAROLINA PROUDLY ANNOUNCE....
"CHRISTMAS SHOW" Presented by Gaylon Pope
December 11, 2010
2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Joslyn Hall
$15 Adults and $12 for 15 years & under
GIVE A CHILD THE GIFT OF SMILE BY PURCHASING A TICKET TO THIS DELIGHTFUL EVENT!
Contact Gena Gilbert, MHC Sunshine Ladies Club, Advisory Board Chair - 252-659-2367

HOW IS YOUR WEATHER?
The weather here on the Crystal Coast of NC has been beautiful the past few days. The sun has been shining; the temps have averaged in the mid 60's and 70's during the day and dipped into the 40's at night. The fishing is great this time of year! Walks on the beaches are cool, comfortable and gorgeous. Golfers were out today in shorts and light shirts and blouses. Rain is predicted for tomorrow, however, we really need the rain so that's no problem. Thanksgiving everyone was running around in jeans and light jackets. We usually have a few days in mid to late February that might turn cold (to us cold is in the 50's) but several days even in winter are warm enough to go out on the boat; do a little island hopping; collect some sea shells and just enjoy walking along the beaches. One February I collected over 100 sand dollars for our daughter's wedding in the waters behind Shackelford Island. We were barefoot and loving every minute of it.

TIPS ABOUT INSURANCES WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW HOME

Did you know there are several types of insurance that are offered when you purchase a new home? Do you know the ones you need?
*Homeowners Insurance: This policy is sometimes referred to as 'Hazard' insurance. It covers the dwelling and the contents inside the dwelling in case of fire, wind, hale and theft and in most cases it covers the owners if anyone is injured while on the property. There are additional 'riders' that can be purchased to cover the additional values of jewelry the original policy limits. Most Homeowners Insurance excludes Flood Insurance which can also be purchased separately, although it is not always needed or required.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is an insurance generally required by lenders if the amount of money the buyers puts down to purchase the property (downpayment) is less than 20% of the contract price. This insurance covers the lender should the buyer default on the loan. PMI adds a considerable amount to the final monthly payment on the property. Once loan to value (LTV) has exceeded 80% check with your lender to find out the lender's terms for the PMI to be dropped.

Title Insurance is also often required by the lender and the buyer is required to pay for this insurance. It protects the lender if any losses incur against the title. Some buyers purchase it to protect their own interests as well.

Credit Life Insurance pays off the balance of the mortgage in case the buyer dies before the loan is paid off.

Flood Insurance is required by lenders when a property is located in an area that is subject to periodic flooding. Flood insurance may usually be obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Purchasing a home is a huge investment for most. Be sure to protect your investment! Consult a qualified local insurance agent or broker when buying insurance!

REMEMBER THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME ARE PRICE AND LOCATION!
You can't change the location but you can change the price! Always try to stay competitive and price your home below your competition!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!