Without a little one at home you loose track of the popular kid icons, so we had to do a little research on Toy Story. The result was a small gluten-free yellow cake with buttercream icing, adorned with none-other than Buzz Lightyear. Gluten-Free cupcakes spelled out the birthday boy‘s name. Chocolate and yellow cupcakes decorated with Mr Potato Head, Sheriff Star badges and green three-eyed aliens fed the other guest.

For our older birthday boy, we sculpted a chef with his foot on a soccer ball holding a surf boy. The cake was a 3-layer coconut cake with coconut icing.

Can‘t wait to see what next week brings. In the meantime … To infinity and beyond!

I was so excited to see Santa after all these years, I could barely wait for all the kids to get through the line to see Santa, so I could talk to the old coot about that little mix-up back in 1964. (I asked for an erector set and Lincoln logs, got a tea set and a pink barbie coat). But just like most kids who wait anxiously to whisper in Santa ear, I was pretty tongue tied when it came my turn.

I asked Santa for affordable Health Care. It turns out that the old guy in red has similar issues. As he put it, “200 elves, they’re all short with bad knees, you can imagine the rates I has to pay.” I know my insurance doesn’t allow for hang-gliding, parachute jumping or family visits of over 4 days, so I guess his insurance rate is right up there with stunt doubles and race car drivers.

The trophy for the Chili Cook Off. Just Deserts for the Winner!

Salt Aire Bakery cake for the cake walk.

Anyhow, we heard there was a cake walk, so you know we had to get in that. And, when the town asked Salt Aire Bakery to sponsor the Chili Cook Off, we jumped at the chance to create the winner’s trophy. You guessed it, the trophy was cake. Spice Cake (in honor of Chili). There were 6 chili competers and plenty of chili eaters. Dennis Harrington took home the trophy for best chili with Peggy Schivonne coming in a close second. I tasted all the Chili. They were all good. I’m glad I didn’t have to judge.

All joking aside, the town and new Parks and Rec Chick, Amanda Rose, did a great job putting on the event. My hat (and my antlers) are off to all involved.

Apparently, the iceberg was not real and I can not go on with this hoax any longer. Like many of you I have taken photos of this beach and over the years have amassed quite a collection.

In my work as a graphic designer I have access to photo enhancing tools that I use occasionally with an attempt at humor. The ”Holden Beach Iceberg” was my April Fools joke some years ago that no one was fooled by but some smiled.

I am constantly reminding myself that I must never use my talents for evil. With that in mind I have selected my favorite images and digitally enhanced them to create a “coastal collection” for sale at Salt Aire Trading.

I’ve also made available a FREE Sample for you to download and see the quality. Hope you’ll drop by and take a look! CLICK HERE

Online takeout might seem a little intimidating to some but to millions of restaurant customers it’s here to stay. For the big chains like Domino’s, Chili’s and Pizza Hut it’s one of the first things you see when you visit their websites. Being able to place your order online with our local restaurants means that they could compete toe to toe with the big boys.

There are many reasons for restaurants to offer online takeout.

• Increased customer satisfaction & loyalty.
• Increased customer purchase frequency.
• Eliminated or reduced labor costs associated with manual order taking.
• System accepts both online & traditional coupons.
• Integrates directly to select POS systems.

But what are the advantages to you the customer?

• You receive what you’ve ordered – order taking errors are eliminated.
• No more busy signals or being put on hold -  frustration eliminated.
• You can view entire menu & all special offers.
• The restaurant’s system remembers your orders, allowing order recall.
• Estimated carryout times are provided to you.

Looks like a win win proposition to me. After all, Domino’s is bookmarked in my browser. Why not your favorite local restaurant?  We’d like to know what you think. Whether you are a local or plan on visiting this summer, would you us this service?

[polldaddy poll="4648864"]

In a few weeks we’ll post your responses. Incidentally, one of Salt Aire Living’s Featured Restaurants is preparing to take the plunge with online ordering! For restaurants interested in online ordering you don’t need a website. Oh, and it’s also compatible with smart phones.

See you soon … Salty.

A Transition to Winter

At the end of August Holden Beach’s summer population goes from 15,000 to about 900. Some would even question the population of 900 if they were to take a walk on the beach or drive down Ocean Boulevard in September. They change the speed limit back to 45 mph on the west end just past the pier. At the same time the predominantly one-way traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway picks up tremendously with yachts and sailboats heading back to warm southern regions.

Crowds of vendors and visitors  pour onto the beach for the “Festival by the Sea” during the last weekend in October. Like a tide they wash in on Friday and wash away on Monday.

Holden Beach is favorite gathering place for friends and family. During Thanksgiving folks taking a stroll on the beach can actually smell roasting turkeys. Watch the bridge the weekend before Christmas and you’ll see an assortment of vehicles with trees tied to the tops or loaded on trailers. After the Christmas celebrations many of those trees are placed on the beach to gather sand and hopefully create a new dune.

After that the residents of Holden Beach do what the bears do. Settle down for the long (hopefully mild) winter.

We’ll see you in the spring!