While we, at the Green Door, will be celebrating in a somewhat restrained style (we will not be proposing marriage to any unsuspecting men, not us!), there is a chance that we’ll be sampling a Leap Year Cocktail, invented at London’s Savoy Hotel on Feb. 29, 1928.

Leap Year Cocktail
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur
1/4 oz lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish

Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Stir well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

February in Apalachicola is ideal, to say the least. From spring-like conditions with a have-to-see-to-believe-it blue sky to blazing sunsets enjoyed on the porch of the Gibson, you never know what you might encounter. Though you don’t really need any help, we have some suggestions to let you savor February in Apalachicola:

• Try out a new restaurant. Nope, this doesn’t necessarily mean a restaurant that just opened, but simply one that is new to you. No matter how many times you’ve cruised through town, there’s always one place that evokes the remark, “I really need to try that place.” Do it.
• Catch a show. The Dixie Theatre has a full season of music, comedy and stage productions, providing an opportunity to immerse yourself in another world, if only for a few hours.
• Catch up with friends. It’s after the holidays, the relatives are gone and the house has regained a sense of normalcy. This is the perfect time to catch up with friends that you haven’t seen since the Seafood Festival in November. And yes—they want to catch up with you, too.

We hope you come visit Apalachicola in February, or whenever you can make it. Make sure to stop by The Green Door and say hello!

Let The Green Door help you take the guesswork out of Valentine’s Day shopping.

This bouquet is the perfect gift. The flowers will never droop, die or fade away—just like your love.

Show the depths of your heart (and your burning desire) with this signature soy candle from the Green Door. The heartfelt sentiment emblazoned on the front is an added declaration.

Your love is timeless—help keep track of your joyous days (and important occasions) with a 2012 Amy Friedman calendar. The original artwork that adorns each month is suitable for framing.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these items, or are searching for additional artwork or items, contact Amanda at the Green Door at 850.653.1424 for more information.

The shrimp boats lined up on Water Street, their giant nets dangling, are an iconic sight in Apalachicola. Amy has decided to highlight this part of the seafood industry in some of her new paintings.

I not only love the colors in this painting, but the rugged brush strokes and coloring of the boat evokes the beauty and hardship of the ocean.

And, to be fair, you can also see the other side of the story!

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these pieces, or are searching for a piece for a specific space, contact Amanda at the Green Door at 850.653.1424 for more information.

It’s an opportunity we just couldn’t resist. When this 1960s era Serro Scotty Sportsman trailer rolled into our life, it was love at first sight.

See the turquoise top? Yep, that’s how most life-changing choices come to us (in various shades of turquoise). We’re outfitting this baby in true Green Door style: fun prints, cool shades and lots of seaside savvy. We’ll be taking this show on the road, so stay tuned to see when the Green Door might roll into your town!

–Sebastian the Crab, “The Little Mermaid”

While we may not live “under the sea,” we do live close enough by to feel that life truly is the bubbles here at the Green Door. Taking a stroll through the store, it comes as no surprise that so much of what we love is either from the sea or influenced by it.

This lovely letter is festooned with aquamarine limpets; auger shells and conchs also play a part in this mollusk medley.

This sassy siren is really what inspired the Sebastian quote above. She makes me believe that “all of the fish is happy” and that there is a wild party going on below the waves–I’m just waiting for my invitation.

A basket full of sea stars will light up a room. Yes, sea stars. Technically, they’re not fish, so starfish is a misnomer. This nifty little fact brought to you by a visit to the Georgia Aquarium.

Come on into the Green Door to get a glimpse of our treasures from under the sea. From mollusks to mermaids to other marine material, we can satisfy your thirst for saltwater spoils!

This is one side of an old glider. Look at the great colors from the layers of paint and the character of this piece. It could make a great foot board for a twin bed. What do you think?

This is actually another piece from the same glider, standing on end. Turn it horizontally and this could be a unique cornice for a window treatment–especially with soft, gauzy curtains to create contrast.

These are actually tin roof tiles that we found on a trip to Fairhope, AL. There are so many possibilities, but at least some of these are going to be turned into scales on a giant fish.

What are your favorite rusty finds?

Amy’s marsh scenes are perhaps some of her best-known work. I love each one because, as with the marsh itself, no two are alike and each captures the spirit of the area as well as Amy’s mood at the time. These images are part of the reason that Apalachicola stole Amy’s heart–I think these paintings might steal your heart as well.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these pieces, or are searching for a piece for a specific space, contact Amanda at the Green Door at 850.653.1424 for more information!

Let’s start with luminaries: starting on Friday, the streets of downtown Apalachicola are lined with luminaries from 4 – 8 p.m., casting a soft glow on the historic buildings of town. Merchants are open late and the strains of familiar carols will float along the breeze, courtesy of a cadre of carolers.

photo courtesy of Historic Apalachicola

In true Apalachicola tradition, Santa arrives on a shrimp boat at 4 p.m. at the City Dock on Water Street. Our salty Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes and holiday music will be shared.

Not to be outdone, both the Orman House and the Raney House will be decked out in holiday finery and will be open for tours. Docents in period costumes will lead visitors through the early history of the county.

The festivities continue through the weekend with holiday programs, caroling, appearances by Santa (for children and our furry friends), a performance at the Dixie Theatre, a pet parade and a special Tree of Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday.

The holidays are our favorite time on year at The Green Door. Be sure to visit the store to see our festive decorations, say hello to old friends and share in the warmth and spirit of the season.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy oysters is “on the wall.” Nope, this isn’t a new culinary technique. Instead, I like keeping a reminder of Apalachicola and its local delicacy on my wall, courtesy of Amy.

Here are a few of her new works, celebrating the humble oyster.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these pieces, or are searching for a piece for a specific space, contact Amanda at the Green Door at 850.653.1424 for more information!