I caught up with local resident Lisa Hinds, artist/owner of House of Art in Grayton Beach, for this week's SouthWaltonScene.com Q&A where she shares about how she discovered South Walton, that she was a contestant on the T.V. reality show The Amazing Race, where she likes to dine in South Walton and more! You can learn more about Lisa, too, on her website here. Enjoy!
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How long have you lived in South Walton? You were born and raised in....
I moved to Seagrove after discovering it on my way to Disney World with my sons, Justin and Hunter. Destin was halfway between Orlando and Houston so we overnighted here. The only beach we had ever been to was in Texas...Crystal Beach, Galveston, etc. where the water is a lovely shade of brown and stings your legs when you walk in it, not to mention the amazing tar balls that get stuck between your toes...(PLEASE NO OFFSHORE DRILLING IN THE PANHANDLE!!!)
When we woke the next morning and opened the drapes, I felt as if I had been transported to the Islands. It was one of those perfect beach days....crystal clear calm water....that beautiful shade of azure blue rimming sugar white sands. The boys and I just stood there. Of course NO one wanted to go to Disney World, but we did, and on our return to Texas I found 30A and picked up every brochure from every real estate company along the way. That was the summer of 1993.
Born and raised in southeast Texas on the border of Texas and Louisiana in a small town called Bridge City.....which little of exists now as all but 12 homes were washed away in Hurricane Ike last year.
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You already live at the beach - where do you vacation?
Interesting question as most people know who live here you get asked that often. I've vacationed at other beach destinations - one of my favorites is The Cove on Eleuthera in the Bahamas - but once you get to the beach, are sitting under an umbrella with a book and cocktail in hand, I wonder why I left home in the first place. So now when I "vacation" I usually head for either New York, Chicago or LA.
What book(s) is on your nightstand?
The Bible, Joel Osteen's Become a Better You and a book given to me by a dear friend of Gordies that recently passed away...."West by the Night" by Beryl Markham.
If you were to come back as someone else, who would you be?
Honestly, I can't imagine being anyone else. I've lived a very interesting and amazing life which continues to this day....so I'll pick me...and do it one more time ;)
What is your single greatest achievement so far?
Easy. Being the mother to two AMAZING sons, Justin and Hunter. They are and always will be the light in my eyes, they keep my constantly reaching for the stars with my feet on the ground. Opening the House of Art was a HUGE achievement for me, was a dream come true. BUT, third to that was being cast on Season 9 of The Emmy award-winning reality show, the Amazing Race, which continues to be a wild ride!
What is your favorite restaurant in South Walton?
Whew, hard one. We have SO many great restaurants. First one that comes to mind is Borago which has been on the top of my list for a very very long time. Also, George's at Alys Beach...I always "misbehave" :). And for the absolute beauty of the place - Fish Out of Water.
What 2 things can you not live without?
Justin and Hunter.
What would you do if you won $1 million?
I've already made a promise with the Man upstairs on this one....after I paid Uncle Sam, I'd give half of it away. Then I'd put the rest in the bank and continue to live my life.
If you could change one thing about yourself, it would be...
I'm extremely critical of myself, I'm working on that. AND for some strange reason my best friend calls me "The Dictator".....I must have issues there as well!
You are granted one wish. What is it?
That my sons live a long, happy, fulfilling, worry-free life filled with love and laughter.
The best thing about South Walton is....
My friends who are now my family.
What is the greatest love in your life?
I'm beginning to sound redundant....My children. But, as a hopeful romantic.....I may not have met him yet :)
What are the most important qualities in a friend?
Honesty, loyalty, sense of humor, gratitude, dependable, selflessness...
Would you say happiness is found or made?
Both, I believe that God has a plan for each of us, a journey that does not always go where we want it to go....but I attempt to live in the moment, and find happiness there as well.
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