Houmas House: Luxury along Plantation Road in Louisiana (Revisited)

07/13/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

(I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com).

Houmas House Plantation: Extraordinary Luxury and Natural Beauty

05/30/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I just turned 66. Gasp! And, I’ve stayed in a lot of different hotel rooms. Notably, one was during a mission trip to Guatemala and cost $2.50 per night, which Steve deemed “highway robbery.” There was a bare light bulb hanging in the middle of the room, we slept on TOP of the sheets on the bed, and the shower had a crate on the floor to stand on rather than have cockroaches run across your feet. Seriously. I’ve slept under mosquito nets in Kenya where the outside grounds were being guarded by a man with a bow and arrow. On the other side of the spectrum, I’ve stayed in rooms overlooking Times Square, the crashing waves on the north shore of Oahu, the rolling surf of the Gulf of Mexico, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and one with the Capitol dome out the window. Most have been comfortable, convenient and served their purpose admirably.

A recent night in Louisiana stands out at the top, or certainly among the top 3 or 4 in my mind, in terms of purely luxurious furnishings in the room of an overnight cottage with astounding attention to details. Even the shower had a 12-foot ceiling and heavy crown molding!!! This was at the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow, Louisiana. Oh my. Do you have a splurge occasion coming up? Maybe a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary? Give this serious consideration. Not only will you be amazed at the quality of your room, but your tastebuds will be wildly satisfied by any of the three restaurants on the grounds.

Kevin Kelly, the present owner of Houmas House, actually lives in the mansion and is present often to make sure that the quality of accommodations, meals, gardens and tours of his home remains high.

Scenes from the gardens on the plantation grounds:

Scenes from inside and outside of the guest cottages.

Guest cottages added to the property 2 years ago.

Susan was our costumed guide when we toured the big house. She did a fabulous job of pointing out the phenomenal collection of art and antiques that Mr. Kelly has brought to this property. She told a fascinating story of the history of the home and the people who have lived there. Betty Davis stayed in one of the bedrooms while “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” was being filmed. As a special treat, I got to play that theme song on a very rare 1901 Steinway piano while Susan sang.

“Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte”

Steinway piano made in Germany in 1901

Scenes from the Big House:

100% free-standing, floating staircase

Houmas House Plantation is referred to as both “The Sugar Palace” and “Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road.”

Read my article in Epicurean-Traveler.com hereabout the Carriage House Restaurant, and take a look at my article in Trip101.com about the accommodations at Houmas House.

7 Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, Georgia – (Revisited)

07/09/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

7 Outstanding Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, GA

01/30/2017 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

Last April, Steve and I were invited to participate in a press trip to St. Simons Island, a place that was completely new to us. The purpose of the trip was to introduce travel writers and bloggers to a part of the Atlantic Coast which is unknown to many. We absolutely loved it! The setting, the resort, the historical connections, the quirks, the special people and the FOOD were all amazing. If you go — and I hope you will — let me mention 7 things you should not miss.

King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. I have written about it extensively here. But, I want to mention it again, specially because of the over-the-top cuisine of Chef James Flack. It helps, of course, that he has abundant seafood literally in his back yard (the Resort IS oceanfront), but his culinary skills and imagination take dishes to new heights. I don’t think I had ever seen such beautiful food, without even considering the incredible taste.

One section of historic King and Prince Resort.

Bounty from the Atlantic.

2. Cap Fendig. Whether you want a relaxed trolley tour on land or a boat tour to spot dolphins on your way to Sidney Lanier Bridge, Cap Fendig should be your go-to source. He is a native of St. Simons and knows the place through and through. We got to experience his knowledge in both settings and enjoyed him thoroughly. Such a great personality.

Cap Fendig’s trolley

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Boat in the port on St. Simons Island

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Cap Fendig’s boat

Cap Fendig teaching his guests about his island

3. Visit Christ Church on Frederica Road. Read about its storied history here. Such names as James Oglethorpe and John Wesley immediately get your attention. You’ll find descriptions of stained glass windows, one of which is an authentic, unsigned Tiffany creation, and of the gorgeous needlework wall hangings. And when you sit in the pews, you will enjoy knowing that former U.S. Presidents Coolidge, Carter and Bush may have sat in the same spot. The adjoining cemetery is also a fascinating place to spend some time. Be sure to find the burial spot of Southern novelist,Euginia Price. The words on her tombstone are: “After her conversion to Jesus Christ, October 2, 1949, she wrote ‘Light … and eternity and love and all are mine at last.” Indeed.

Pew in Christ Church

4. Visit Fort Frederica National Monument. Yes, this is the place where the British defeated the Spanish in 1742, which meant that Georgia remained a British colony. But, the National Park Service has expanded the guest experience to include much more. It is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day from 9:00 to 5:00. Plan to spend a couple of hours, and I guarantee you’ll come out feeling smarter than when you went in.

Fort Frederica

5. Go to the beautiful Visitors Center and see the mermaid tree spirit carved by Keith Jennings beside the building. There are other tree spirits scattered throughout the island. Ask questions in the Visitors Center or read more here. Don’t worry. We were told that these carvings do NOT harm the trees. Seems implausible, but that’s the information we got.

Interior of the Visitors Center

6. Visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, take the colorful, informative tour, and climb to the top if you’re feeling energetic. Lighthouses are not a part of our Alabama culture. Maybe that’s what makes them doubly intriguing to me. This one is really beautiful. And, of course, my Silver Fox made the climb.

7. Enjoy dinner at Georgia Sea Grill. This is another place to find delectable seafood prepared by an accomplished chef. Check out a few of the dishes we sampled with our tablemates. So, so good.

Look at the size of those scallops!

Georgia Sea Grill

Look at your calendar. Pick out some dates. Start planning a visit to St. Simons Island. You’ll be glad.

Whitney Plantation – Focus on the Plight of the Slaves (Revisited)

07/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

On this day after we celebrated our nation’s independence, it seems fitting to look back at a post I wrote about the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. The emphasis on the displays at the Whitney is clearly on those who were NOT allowed to be free or independent. I strongly recommend that you plan a visit. It will change you.

Whitney Plantation — A Focus on the Slaves

06/01/2016 BY: CCPEARSONCOMMENT

I can’t leave Louisiana’s Plantation Country without telling you about Whitney Plantation, probably the “most different” of them all. Begun as a sugar cane operation in 1752, it was finally opened to the public for the very first time in 2014, and has the distinction of being the ONLY plantation in Louisiana that is dedicated solely to educating the public about the slaves and the conditions under which they lived and worked.

Located on Highway 18 in Wallace, LA, you will not leave from a visit to Whitney the same way you arrived. The tour, the exhibits, and the surroundings will make a lasting impression. It’s very sobering to be confronted so graphically with the cruelty these innocent human beings endured. There are many museums dedicated to telling the story of the Holocaust, but this is the only place in the United States where the issue of slavery is dealt with so passionately and vividly. Interviews in the 1930’s with more than 2300 former slaves were conducted as part of the Federal Writers’ Project. The information and quotes scattered throughout the Whitney grounds and in the narrated tour are derived from those interviews.

John Cummings, a New Orleans lawyer and multi-millionaire who has become one of the largest landowners in the area, owns Whitney Plantation and is vehement about the need to educate people, not about the rich white people who inhabited “the big houses” with their art and fine antiques, but about the people who actually sweated, toiled and were beaten in the process of making those big-house-dwellers wealthy. He believes that “racism needs to become an antique through education.”

Mr. Cummings continues to put money where his convictions are through the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. They started with 12 black students and are now up to 88. Students attend classes 6 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. 11 months a year. Expectations are high, and black students are rising to the challenge. “What a change we can make (in this country) when we send more black men and women to college than to the penitentiary,” Cummings preaches.

Statues of slave children that are on the grounds are the work of Woodrow Nash.

Statue inside Antioch Church on the grounds of Whitney Plantation.

Statues of slave children by Woodrow Nash.

I strongly urge you to include Whitney Plantation in your itinerary whenever you are in this part of the country. An article in National Geographic calls it “The Plantation Every American Should Visit.” I agree.

3 Alabama Gulf Coast Restaurants I Highly Recommend (Revisited)

07/02/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com.

Today, since many of you will be headed to the beach, let me remind you of 3 restaurants I’d love to suggest.

3 Restaurants in/near the Alabama Gulf Coast that I Recommend “Hungrily” 🙂

03/21/2016 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

My Silver Fox and I found three WONDERFUL restaurants on a recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Two are relatively new, and one goes all the way back to 1958. They are not really in competition with each other. One is in Spanish Fort, one in Gulf Shores, and one in Orange Beach. Two are completely casual. One has a casual downstairs and a “dressy” upstairs. All three serve great seafood, but they each put their own spins on it and serve original recipes.

BLUEGILL is located on the Mobile Causeway within just a few miles of USS Alabama and the Battleship Memorial Park. The same owners also have nearby Felix’s Fish Camp. Both serve seafood, but they also have unique menus. BLUEGILL is famous for its Flaming Oysters. It has a capacity for 500 diners and offers nightly musical entertainment. By all means, go when you can take advantage of the gorgeous sunsets. Great food. Wonderful setting. Efficient staff. BLUEGILL was opened in 1958. Check out the website and read my fuller article here. Even Elvis liked it.

Grilled mahi mahi topped with crabmeat and cheese.

Sunset over the Mobile Delta at the back of BLUEGILL on the Mobile Causeway.

BLUEGILL Home of Famous Flaming Oysters, Spanish Fort, AL

2. BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS is 1/2 block off of West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL. You will love the fresh ingredients and housemade juices, dressings, and sauces. Owner Brent Sexton opened in November of 2014, and he is growing a very enthusiastic following. Indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of flatscreen TVs are available. Mike will hook you up with one of his special dessert creations. Key lime pie or red velvet cheesecake, anyone? Beach House was so clean. Everything gleamed. We were there for an early lunch. I’m sure it “hops” at night. Check out the website and read my article here.

Mahi mahi grilled tacos on pineapple slaw with fresh green beans and sauteed onions and black beans with spices and lime juice.

Beach House front sign — 1154 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL.

Interior of Beach House Kitchen.

3. FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA has a great location in a quiet cove. Chef Bill Briand is a recent nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award. He oversees both the downstairs DOCKSIDE location and the more formal UPSTAIRS dining room. The food has a cajun influence because of Chef Bill’s background, and it is delicious. Owner Johnny Fisher opened in 2013 and by 2014 and 2015, Fisher’s was already recognized by Southern Living as being one of the Best Restaurants in the South. If you are very lucky, you might be seated at a table served by Elena. She is a delightful girl from Moldova. I had never met anyone from Moldova before. Fascinating. Check out the website and read my article here.

The serene marina beside Fisher’s in Orange Beach.

Hummus with garlic and onions served with freshly baked pita wedges. Yum!!

Fisher’s server Elena from Moldova

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 4 – Zoo, Walking Trail, OWA, Welcome Centers and Museums

03/12/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

So, you’re planning a week of vacation at Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan for spring break, summer or fall break. We’ve already covered some lodging possibilities here, some great restaurant choices here, and an amazing Art Center here. Now let’s assume that you’ve been on the Alabama Gulf Coast for a day or two and you’ve gotten that first sunburn, just enough to let you know that you need to do something besides sunbathing all day. What then? What are other possibilities for fun and recreation in the area? Here are a few of the amazing possibilities:

OWA in Foley, AL. OWA is actually a Creek Indian word meaning “Big Water.” It is a new amusement park operated jointly by the Poarch Creek Indian tribe and the City of Foley. In addition to shops and several eateries, OWA now features 21 rides — 7 for thrill-seekers, 7 of a medium level, and 7 specifically for the very young set and their parents. Of course, many people visit the Tanger Outlet stores for bargains and throw rolls at Lambert’s while they’re in Foley, too, so you can certainly “make a day of it” if you like.
Both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have excellent Welcome Centers. They are filled with information and knowledgeable staff members. Ask your questions and gather brochures. You can even attend craft classes and lectures if you watch the schedule and time your visit accordingly. I attended a wire-working demonstration at the Orange Beach Welcome Center recently, and Steve and I both enjoyed a lecture about the Holmes Medical Museum and the Foley Alabama Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. Both of these could be good rainy day learning adventures.
Orange Beach Welcome Center

Tara Gifford of Blue Girl Beading demonstrates wire-working at the Orange Beach Welcome Center

Gulf Shores Welcome Center
Are you a history buff? Then, you’re sure to enjoy driving out to Fort Morgan to walk around the grounds of the State Historic Site and take in the exhibits in the museum.
Display at Fort Morgan State Historic Site
Do you like nature trails? At the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, you can get exercise AND bird watch simultaneously. The Jeff Friend Trail is actually a one-mile wheelchair accessible path if you want both the outdoors and a flat walking surface. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. The Gulf State Park is another great place for walking, jogging and strolling, plus the facilities are getting a major facelift.
Jeff Friend Trail at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Gulf Shores has a ZOO!! Yes. For some reason, I had missed this fact in past years. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo — often referred to as the “Little Zoo That Could” — is near Waterville USA and Zooland Mini Golf on Gulf Shores Parkway. The present facility is showing some signs of age, but a brand new zoo is under construction and is set to open in its new location very soon. Here is a link to an update on the new zoo.
Tiger at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

In addition to these suggestions, visitors can always find souvenir and beachwear stores, ice cream shops, bumper cars, fishing piers, shopping centers and boats offering charter trips. There is absolutely no reason to be bored. You can find plenty to do. Follow all the links in this post to get the details. OR you can just soak up the sounds of those waves, build sandcastles and eat fresh seafood. By all means, at least CONSIDER a vacation on the Alabama Gulf Coast. It’s stunningly beautiful and has something for everyone.

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 3 – Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach

03/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

It has been a long time since a place impressed me as much as the Coastal Arts Center did during a recent visit. I had no idea what to expect but drove up to an absolutely beautiful setting and a building bustling with activity on a Monday morning.

On the grounds of the Coastal Arts Center.

View from the back porch of the gallery.

Rear veranda of the gallery, overlooking Wolf Bay.

The actual Arts Center Gallery overlooks Wolf Bay and sits on the spot where the first hotel in Orange Beach once stood. Some of the elements of that 1923 building are still visible today. Former bedroom doors are now bathroom vanities, octagonal columns have become display pedestals, heart pine flooring is glimpsed in the Conference Room, and the original front door and some of the windows are now in the Gift Shop. The rest had to be torn down because of severe structural damage. The present structure is Southern to its core and perfect for extending Southern hospitality for weddings, concerts and corporate, public and private events of all kinds. What is even more remarkable is the fact that the facility is run completely by the City of Orange Beach (with the generous help of the Friends of the Arts non-profit group), and staff members, as well as teachers for various classes, are employees of the city. What a commitment the City of Orange Beach has made to its permanent residents, property owners, snowbirds who spend a few months each year AND the thousands of vacationers who flock to the Gulf coast for a week every summer.

Inside the gallery looking toward the entrance.

Chandelier inside the gallery.

Looking out the back windows of the gallery.

On the day I toured, the gallery, gift shop and offices were open and greeting guests, while classes in glass, ceramics and painting were in full swing in separate buildings on the grounds.

Gift shop in the Coastal Arts Center.

Pot of glass flowers created in The Hot Shop.

The Hot Shop offers Hot Glass Blowing under the expert instructions of Kerry Parks and Dan Rush, Glass Artists in Residence. The student in my photos was Jean Kocher.

Glass-blown ornaments in The Hot Shop.

Artists-in-residence with their student.

Student trying a new skill.

The Clay Studio is overseen by Maya Blume-Cantrell, Ceramics Artist in Residence. She offers students instruction in wheel-throwing or hand-building, or visitors may choose pieces that have already been created and paint them to their liking — called “pick-n-paint.”

Maya Blume-Cantrell in The Clay Studio.

Jane Sellier and other talented colleagues teach classes in acrylic, watercolor and oil painting.

Art Education Cottage where painting classes are held.

Students gathered around Jane Sellier during an acrylics painting class.

I urge you to visit the gallery and maybe schedule a class during your next trip to Orange Beach. This would make a great Girls’ Getaway while the men are off playing golf. How about a gorgeous new ornament for your Christmas tree that you made yourself?? And, by the way, I have my eyes on a lovely piece of art that I hope will find its home in my new house before long. I promise you’ll find temptations of your own.

More art works for sale in the gallery.

Art pieces for sale inside the gallery.

The Center is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you hurry, you can make it for the Festival of Art to be held on the grounds this coming Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11.

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 2 – Let’s Eat

02/26/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

For those of us who visit the Alabama Gulf Coast often, we tend to return again and again to our tried-and-true eateries. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that, because the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan is full of outstanding cafes and restaurants. On a recent visit, however, I was determined to try some new places that all turned out to be outstanding. You might want to consider one or more of these in a future trip. Two for breakfast, two for lunch, two for dinner and two for calorie-laden vacation splurges.

BREAKFAST

(Both of these are likely on their way to becoming chains because the formula for success appears to be working very well. However, as of right now, there are only a handful of locations and all are in the Gulf Coast area — some as far away as New Orleans).

RUBY SLIPPER

Located at 24151 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, Ruby Slipper opens every morning at 8:00 a.m. to serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. The concept started in New Orleans. According to a plaque on the wall: “The Ruby Slipper Cafe was inspired by a powerful sense of homecoming when we returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. To be back with family and friends in the city we love, well . . . Dorothy said it best: ‘There’s no place like Home.’ We feel that gratitude every day for our home, New Orleans.”

That sense of love for New Orleans is reflected in the menu: Catfish and Grits, Grilled Fish “St. Peter,” Chicken St. Charles, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu and Bacon Praline Pancakes, to name a few. I was in the mood for a fairly “normal” breakfast when I visited, so I ordered the Southern Breakfast (eggs, applewood bacon, grits, a fried green tomato and a biscuit). Just LOOK at the size of that biscuit!!

Look at the size of that biscuit!

As the crowds flock to the beach, Ruby Slipper, right across the street from several large condominium complexes, will likely attract a crowd. Arrive early or wait to have a late brunch or lunch. You WON’T be alone.

BRICK AND SPOON

Brick and Spoon is located near The Wharf at 24705 Canal Road in Orange Beach. It is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., also for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Travel and Leisure included it on its list of “Top 10 Breakfasts in the U.S.” Wow! A pretty high endorsement, don’t you think?

By all means, get a side order of beignets. They will be smothered in powdered sugar (leave your black pants back in the condo) and accompanied by a seasonal marmalade. Steve had an omelet while I chose the Oyster Bed — Poached eggs on an English muffin with a slice of tomato with succulent fried oysters and pecan smoked bacon. Amazing! Where else can you get fried oysters, poached eggs and beignets for breakfast?

Beignets at Brick and Spoon.

Poached eggs and fried oysters — called The Oyster Bed – at Brick and Spoon.

Fluffy omelet at Brick and Spoon

LUNCH

(Both of these recommendations are very popular with the locals. They look quite unassuming from the outside but have great food served in a casual, back-home atmosphere inside).

KING NEPTUNE’S

King Neptune’s is located at 1137 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, very near Zoo Road and within sight of Waterville U.S.A. It is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with lunch specials ($4.95 to $8.95) every day from 11:00 – 2:00. Seafood is featured prominently on the menu, but non-seafood lovers can find burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken, pasta and a very reasonably-priced kids’ menu ($5.00 and $6.00). One of their made-in-house desserts is fried cheesecake. Sounds positively decadent, but I’ll need to wait until my cholesterol numbers are much, much lower.

Shriimp with boiled potatoes and corn at King Neptune’s

4-vegetable plate at King Neptune’s.

We were extremely happy to find a half-price special on raw oysters the day we were there. The ones we were served were what I call “2-bite oysters” because they were so plump and juicy you couldn’t get them down with just one slurp. Ha! (Apologies to those who just can’t see the allure of raw oysters).

Raw oysters at King Neptune’s

DOC’S SEAFOOD SHACK AND OYSTER BAR

Locals flock to Doc’s for lunch. That’s no surprise when you see the vast menu selections and the huge portions! Shrimp, oysters, burgers, hot dogs, soft shell crabs — you name it. Doc’s will even let you create your own platter choosing 2, 3 or 4 from 8 different seafood and chicken options. A very special touch found at Doc’s is “U-Catch-Em. We Cook Em!” In other words, if you’ve been wetting your hook in the surf or the bay, or if you had good luck during one of the many fishing charters running every day, then just bring your haul to Doc’s. The cooks will fry your fish and serve them with the normal fixings for only $13.99 per person.

Shrimp salad at Doc’s

Ribs plus 3 sides, cornbread and roll at Doc’s.

Popcorn shrimp at Doc’s.

You can find Doc’s Seafood Shack at 26029 Canal Road in Orange Beach, and it opens every day at 11:00 for lunch and dinner. Don’t look for a sleek modern eatery. Doc’s has been in business since 1984. They proudly proclaim that “flip-flops are welcome.”

DINNER

BILL’S BY THE BEACH

Located at 300 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, the upstairs dining room at Bill’s By the Beach has a great view of the Gulf to enjoy while you dine, so you might want to time your visit to arrive before sundown. Monday through Thursday, Bill’s opens at 11:00 to serve its lunch guests, but on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can arrive at 9:00 a.m. for brunch. The owner is Bill Henry, and the culinary magician is Chef Rudy Rudolph. Chef Rudy placed in the Top Ten of the Chef competition in the World Food Championships held in Orange Beach last November. He knows how to prepare seafood very well, but according to our server and some reviews I’ve read, he also is a wizard with steaks.

View of the Gulf from the dining room at Bill’s By the Beach.

Bill’s offers an Early Bird menu Monday-Friday for under $10.00.

Steve and I shared the 4 Cheese/Spinach/Artichoke/Blue Crab appetizer and the Wild American Shrimp Platter with sides of gouda grits and a glazed sweet potato. Both were outstanding!! The tomato jam drizzled on top of the cheese dip was a special surprise. So good.

4 cheese, spinach, artichoke, blue crab appetizer at Bill’s By the Beach

Shrimp, gouda grits and glazed sweet potato at Bill’s By the Beach.

VILLAGIO GRILLE

Villagio Grille is at 4790 Main Street at The Wharf in Orange Beach. It opens every day at 11:00 for lunch and dinner but also serves Sunday brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cuisine is described as Italian fusion. Guests may order appetizers, sandwiches, steaks or seafood, but they also offer “flats,” which are pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven right in view for diners to watch.

Wood-fired oven at Villagio Grille

We were in the mood for something extra special. Steve chose the night’s special — Blackened Grouper with Bacon, Spinach Gnocchi — and I order the Brown Butter Group with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Squash Succotash.

For dessert, we shared a slice of Florida Orange Cake, one of the newest desserts on the menu. It consists of 5 luscious layers with cream cheese frosting and a strawberry coulis. We had enough to share and STILL took half of it home with us.

5-layer Florida Orange Cake at Villagio Grille

SWEET VACATION BONUSES

When you’re at the beach, enjoying all of the luxuries of a vacation, you might just want to plan one extra-special, calorie-laden, visual-masterpiece for dessert at THE YARD MILKSHAKE BAR, 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway (#330 in Pelican Place), Gulf Shores, AL. They have a large selection of ice creams that can be made into all kinds of edible works of art. Check out The Turtle, one of their milkshake specialties. This is the pint-size and is most definitely shareable. You even get to keep the jar. 🙂

The Turtle, specialty shake at The Yard Milkshake Bar in Gulf Shores.

And if you need “just a little something sweet” to give you a burst of energy, stop into the Chocolate Corner at 200 West Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores.

Chocolate Corner in Gulf Shores

Chocolate makes everything better. 🙂

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is calling your name. Make your plans to visit SOON!!

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 1 – Lodging

02/19/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Since Spring Break is only a few weeks away and ALL of us hope the cold, dreary winter is almost over, many will be turning their thoughts to putting a trip to the beach on the calendar and making some reservations. Alabama happens to have some of the best beach access in the world!! Sugar white, powdery sand that is infinitely walkable and soft for sunbathing — oh my. Bring it on!

Thanks to the forward thinking of the City Fathers in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and those who have invested heavily in the area, there are now seemingly endless choices when it comes to lodging along the Alabama Gulf Coast. From beach cottages to RV parks, from tent camping to hotels with kitchenettes, and from 1-bedroom condos to beach houses that will sleep 42 people, practically every budget and sleeping/housing need can be accommodated.

If you go to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan or Perdido Beach often, you may have found some places you like, but allow me to suggest a place and a rental company you might not have used in the past. We had a very pleasant experience with them and will definitely plan to use their services in the future. Harris Properties Management. You can check out their listings here.

Here’s the way they choose to describe their company:

We are a boutique-style rental company. With this being said, we are more selective with the units that we bring into our program, meaning that our guests will only get the best properties that can be provided. With us being a smaller company (currently managing 98 properties with more on tap to be added in the coming year), we know our guests and owners by name and are truly able to give them a great guest experience. We like to say that we are in the memory-making business.

Steve and I spent 3 glorious nights at the Mustique Condominiums, the last high-rise at the far end of West Beach — 2000 W. Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores — one of the luxury units managed by Harris Properties. All of the condos in this building have 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, making it perfect for a multi-generational family vacation or a group of couples who enjoy traveling together.

Exterior of Mustique.

Dining room and kitchen.

There is an indoor pool and a fitness facility on the second floor and a fishing pier, large outdoor swimming pool and hot tub at the rear of the property. The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, and a large laundry room with a full-size washer and dryer. I liked the fact that once payment arrangements were made, we were given a code to use to access our condo. Then another code was used once we left on check-out day to notify them that we had left and the cleaning crew could come in.

Looking down on the pier, swimming pool and hot tub.

Large laundry room.

One of the guest bedrooms.

Our absolute favorite feature at Mustique was the location which provided incredible views. From the front balcony, we could see the sunrise, the sunset and the crashing waves, and from the back balcony, we could enjoy the boats and the bay. From the kitchen window, I could see both the bay and the Gulf, along with West Beach Boulevard and the line of colorful beach houses.

View from the kitchen window.

Closeup of the pier extending into the bay.

Large outdoor pool

Sunset from the front balcony.

Mustique is away from all of the noise and traffic but still within a comfortable walking distance of Beach House Kitchen and Bill’s By the Beach. There are only 2 units on each floor and plenty of guest parking is provided.

One of the two beautiful master bedrooms.

The price for a typical WEEK in the high season is $3,697.00, but for a whole MONTH during the low (snowbird) season it is $2,745.00.

Never fear. If that’s a little steep for your budget, then Harris Properties also manages basic beach cottages, duplexes and smaller condos. They pride themselves on having “something for everyone, in all walks of life.”

Do I have you dreaming of summertime?

Stay tuned next week for some great restaurant suggestions in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. 🙂

Celebrate Mardi Gras – Huntsville’s Po Boy Factory and Crafts with Beads

02/12/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Tomorrow is the culmination of all the hoopla in Mobile, New Orleans and in towns along the Gulf Coast. Fat Tuesday. Craziness galore. Beads, parades, green/gold/purple everywhere. Maybe you’d love to be in on all the fun, but don’t have the money or the time off to drive south. Well, Huntsville offers a great alternative at the Po Boy Factory, 815 Andrew Jackson Way NE. From a decor, atmosphere and food perspective, you’ll think you’re there.

This place is VERY casual — a paper and plastic kind of eatery. The ceilings are adorned with logos of recognizable sports teams, and the walls are covered with Mardi Gras-themed posters and symbols. Po Boy Factory has gained quite a reputation, especially with the locals, and was hoppin’ even at 1:30 on a Friday afternoon.

A family-friendly Bourbon Street. 🙂

The prices are extremely reasonable, and the food is authentically Cajun and very delicious.

Undeniable touches from Louisiana.

The gumbo is spicy, full-flavored and chocked with goodness.

Thick, rich gumbo.

The batter on the oysters and fish was extra tasty. When I inquired, I learned that the secret is corn FLOUR, rather than cornmeal. It made a big difference. It was light, and you could really taste the fish and oysters.

Lightly-battered fish and oysters.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without sampling their bread pudding, served warm and swoon-worthy. Oh my!

Bread pudding to die for.

Po Boy Factory is closed on Sunday and Monday but opens at 11:00 Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

And one more thing. Maybe you’ve been to a Mardi Gras parade in the last few days and are wondering what in the world to do with all of those beads. I took a fun class last week in Gulf Shores led by a very creative lady named Dorie Parsons. Check out her website here.

Dorie Parsons with a display of her Mardi Gras bead creations.

Dorie has compiled a booklet with instructions for many creations using the beads. In describing some of her work, she said to “think of the beads as paint,” and you can see how she did that in some of these photos. Contact her through the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance to order a copy. The Alliance is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The number is 251-948-2627.

A flamingo covered in Mardi Gras beads.

Learning some basic techniques with Mardi Gras beads.

I’m sure someone there can tell you how to get one of Dorie’s books. She also teaches photography classes if you want to improve your skills while you’re at the beach.

I strongly suspect that some of her ideas will be implemented in our next Cousins Camp, but shhhhhhh. It needs to be a surprise. 🙂

A wreath FILLED with Mardi Gras beads.

Thoughts from a Shellseeker

02/09/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

As I confessed in last Friday’s blog post, I absolutely LOVE finding seashells. So, that makes Captiva Island and Sanibel almost utopia for me. When I’m searching for shells, the rest of my problems fade away. I’m not worried about the new house getting finished or a dozen other daily consternations. I’m not worried about my aches and pains or what is going to happen as Steve and I get older. I just focus on the ebb and flow of the tide and what treasures are being washed ashore. For me, it’s almost a religious experience. Most certainly, the act of being a shellseeker causes many spiritual thoughts and applications to emerge.

Cat’s paws or kitten’s paws

To be successful as a shellseeker, it’s important to prepare. Before we flew to Captiva, I bought some cheap tennis shoes I could use to wade along the shore. With so many broken pieces strewn about and embedded in the sand, it can be both painful and dangerous to walk barefooted. Flip flops are useless. They will just come off and float away. A shellseeker needs some kind of shoes that will withstand lots of water.

Southern Surf Clam and Channeled Duck Clam

I anticipated finding treasures, so I had a bag in which to collect them. Again, it needed to be suitable for water and very lightweight. I wore sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Even though it was January, I wore some travel pants which could be converted into shorts with a quick zipper on each leg below the knees. I had to be able to get out to “where the good shells were.”

I researched which beaches on the island were reputed to be the best for shelling, and I headed toward them.

Venus clams

It takes a little time to develop what I call “shell eyes.” In other words, during the first few minutes, or maybe even the first day, of shelling, you don’t really know what to look for. You’re tempted to grab anything and everything. But, after awhile, you begin to look for certain colors, certain shapes that might be sticking out of the sand with the hope that the rest is buried just beneath the surface. And, what is really special is noticing a shell that rolls back and forth with the tide. THAT’S the sign that one of the sought-after shells may have made it to the shore.

Cockle shells

It’s actually dangerous to stand in one place for very long when you’re shelling. On beaches with lots of shells, the surf causes the sand under your feet to erode quickly, and you can easily lose your balance and be toppled over, getting drenched and embarrassed in the process. It’s important to keep moving.

Atlantic slipper shells with the little pocket inside.

“Perfect shells” come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. Cat’s paws, scallops and cockles were probably the most numerous ones I found, but just because they were plentiful didn’t make them any less wonderful and delightfully-designed. One shell, though, in particular was my “prize” for this shellseeking time. It was a Florida cone — small, but with intricate swirls. Somehow, with lots of endurance and good fortune, that shell made it all the way to the shore without being crushed or broken. Quite a feat. And quite a happy find for me.

Florida cone

So, what were the spiritual applications and parallels I found while being a shellseeker?

To be successful in other areas, I need to prepare. My heart needs to be prepared for worship, for ministry, for sharing my faith, for teaching and for being taught. When I am doing my work, I need to be mentally and physically prepared, and I should show up with the right equipment.
God wants me to see people, circumstances, life situations through HIS eyes. I need to develop “God eyes.” Too many times, my eyes are full of prejudice or preconceived, erroneous notions. Often, they’ve been filtered by politics, my background or even through social media. Instead, if all of those layers were peeled away, what would God see in the purest form? That’s how I want to learn to see.
“If you don’t change, you die.” That’s a phrase I heard just recently by a very successful business owner. He knew he needed to keep learning, moving, observing and determining how best to meet the needs of his customers. Yes. Absolutely, we are to be immoveable in our convictions and in our allegiance to Christ. But, in other areas of our lives, it is vital to keep learning, to keep growing, and to keep moving for maximum mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.
“Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” People come in many colors, shapes and personalities. God sees perfection in all of us. If I’m a “scallop,” then hallelujah, I am loved by God just as much as a “Florida cone.” He created beauty in endless forms for His purposes and for our enjoyment.
Calico scallops.

The Bible tells us to be prepared for the Lord’s return — Luke 12:35-38, and to put on the whole armor for fighting the battle against Satan – Ephesians 6:10-18. God’s Word reminds us that God doesn’t look as man does, but instead He looks at the heart – 1 Samuel 16:7. I could give you more references, but I think you get the idea. What activities or hobbies do you have that teach you spiritual truths? I’d love to hear about them.

Shaped like Angel Wings, but smaller.

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