1. Low country boil. I had never even heard of this meal. But now it’s pretty much a hospitality staple that I am served at least once a month. It’s the easiest way to feed a large group of people very delicious food at one time. Basically in one huge pot you get water boiling and add ingredients one at a time in a certain order so that everything cooks the right amount of time. Ingredients are potatoes, sausage, fresh corn on the cob and fresh shrimp. (Fresh shrimp means you went to the local dock and bought it right from the boat where they caught it the same morning, or if you are friends with Tyler Marion, you caught it with him after dragging a net in the Savannah River at 4am.

2. Shrimp and Grits. I had grits a couple times growing up, but it certainly was not on every menu of every restaurant I went in. They were instant and served like oatmeal. Here, you can order grits for breakfast or dinner. Grits prepared various ways, including deep fried, served with cheese and bacon bits or gravy. There is no other breakfast that can even compare to the shrimp and grits breakfast at the Breakfast Club on Tybee.

3. Pimento cheese. My dad always liked this, so I was used to having it as a snack on crackers. But never anywhere else. Here it is very normal to grab a tub of pimento cheese and pork rinds to share with friends. Oh, and it’s not like there is just one brand…you have choices of pimento cheese and various flavors too . This can be found on an appetizer menu at many restaurants too.

4. Boiled peanuts.  The first time I saw this, I was like… Really? Why would anyone boil a peanut? Well… Its because they boil them in a very salty and flavored brine which makes them perfectly yummy! But you have to think bean or legumes when eating them, not peanut. And be prepared to eat the whole bag.

5. Bloody Mary’s. Yes, I have had one before, I think I was on an airplane travelling somewhere…. But here its also on regular breakfast menus at most establishments. Many places even offer a Bloody Mary buffet, where you build your own complete with bacon, pickled okra, and olives. Now Savannah has her very own bloody Mary mix, you have to get some! It’s brewed and bottled by a friend of ours, Chef Jeremy Diehl. Now being served at a whole slew of restaurants across Tybee and Savannah.

6. Boiled kale was my favorite veggie growing up. And the way mom made it, it was healthy for me. Here, mustard greens or collard greens are served more than kale. They are slow cooked all day simmered in bacon grease,vinegar and sugar. Not quite the healthy greens diet, but they are wonderful, especially with smoked Boston butt or fried chicken.

7. Hoppin’ John. This is a dish made with field peas, (similar to black eyed peas, but a little smaller) rice, onions and ham hock or smoked pork. It is traditionally served on New Year’s Day and said to bring good luck. 

8.Boston Butt Fundraisers. Every nonprofit fundraiser that will be extremely successful will include selling some type of smoked Boston Butts. Which are lovingly nurtured overnight while drinking beer and telling stories. We have been to three such events…all sponsored by local churches.

9. The saying “Bless your heart” doesn’t mean anything close to the way it sounds.

10. Miz Wen. Whether you are married or not, you are called Miss, which is actually pronounced Miz followed by your first name.

11. Different kinds of frozen water. Local convenience stores and restaurants actually use the kind of ice they carry as a marketing tool. “Chewy Ice” or “Nugget Ice” is obviously way better than just plain ice. There are stores that sells chewy ice by the bag. This would have come in handy 11 years ago when ice was my main pregnancy craving and I would go through a 7 lb bag in two days. Watch this.

12. Insulated drinkware. I guess since it still gets hot in Virginia, but there you run from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car and back again, there is no need for insulated cups or koozies. In the south there are a multitude of ways to keep your libations chilly. Most everyone has a favorite koozie, and they usually carry it with them. Socializing with drinks happens multiple times a day and many times, outside in the heat, and you gotta keep your drinks nice and cold. Tervis and Yeti are specific brands of insulated drinking cups.  you can personalize with your favorite team or hobby or interest. My choice of beverage insulation is the bottle keeper. You can order them through this link.

13. Drinks to go. When leaving a bar or restaurant, your server will ask you if you want a drink to go. Savannah and Tybee are only two of about ten places in the country that have no open container law. Meaning you can walk around with an open alcoholic beverage, as long as it is in a 16oz plastic cup. The local liquor stores actually sell single solo cups at the register for a few cents a piece.

14. An abundance of stand-up bass players. Due to the lack of music venues in Stafford VA, we did not get to experience much live music. Here we have the pleasure of listening to a couple bands a day or night and there are more bands with stand up bass players than I’ve ever seen. The Trainwrecks, Velvet Caravan, City Hotel, Crazy Man Crazy, The Accomplices, Johnny Octane. Innocent Gun Trio, Damon and Sh#t Kickers.

15. Gullah people. Dafuskie is an island north of Tybee that is accessible only by boat. The native people there are called Gullah. They have their own language and culture. We have become friends with a Gullah native. Sally Ann is a chef and teaches Gullah cooking to preserve the culture of her heritage.

16. Parades. Occasionally there was a holiday parade in Fredericksburg VA, but I never went cause I avoid traffic at all costs. On Tybee we still have an occasional parade, but there is one for every occasion. Mardi Gras, St Patrick’s Day, Irish Heritage, Pirate’s Fest, Christmas, Martin Luther King, Rainbow Fest, Beach Bum, Mermaid Parade, Hero’s Day.

17. Costume Box and Mardi Gras Beads. Whether it’s a parade or a holiday, there is usually some kind of costume party to go with it. Tybee people dress up for events and create events to dress up for. Mardi gras, Tybee Prom, Halloween week, Pirate’s Fest, St Patrick’s, Polar Plunge, Tybee Idol…

18. Redneck Margaritas.
Every good picnic includes a pitcher of Redneck Margaritas. One part tequila, one part frozen limeade, one part sprite, one part beer, mix in a pitcher and pour over ice.

19. Sandspurs
Little pieces of evil. These are the seeds that a type of sand grass produce. They are tiny spiky balls that will get lodged in your feet and cause you to come to a complete halt when walking to the beach. Or if you are a dog, they will get buried into your fur and have to be cut out.

20. Gnats. Even tinier pieces of evil that come out early in the morning and at sunset. They have a circular teeth that cut into your skin like a round saw blade.

21. Dolphins. Another site that I never get tired of seeing. Many times when shooting a wedding on the beach, or just watching the sunset, dolphins come to show off their beauty. 

22. Sand… E-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e
Living 150 feet from the beach we have sand everywhere. In our shoes, floor, bathtub, car, bottom of my purse…you name it there will be sand there.

23. Chicken and Waffles
Another meal I had never even heard of this before. There are restaurants dedicated to this southern cuisine. I have even been to weddings where this was the main entree.

24. Live oaks and Spanish moss. From the first time we drove into the city of Savannah, we were captivated by the enchantment of her beauty as the Spanish moss was dripping from the branches over the ballast stone streets. I never get tired of seeing it.

25. Coast guard helicopters. Everyday a couple times a day, is the familiar sound of a Coast Guard Dolphin making its rounds.

26. Movies being filmed every couple of months. Spotting celebrities in our favorite hangouts. Since we’ve moved here the following have either stayed on Tybee or were filming on Tybee. Zach Efron, Robert Dinero, Antonio Banderas, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Channing Tatum, Aubrey Plaza and Sponge Bob to name a few.

27. Open air golf cart taxis, pedicabs and the Savannah Slowride which is a 12 person bicycle bar. Where you can burn the calories as you consume them.