There Goes Connie

Learning from Passionate People – Cajun Cooking with Cosmo’s Chef Jack Baker in Orange Beach, AL

02/23/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Steve and I recently attended a cooking demonstration by Chef Jack Baker at Cobalt in Orange Beach. Chef Baker is actually referred to as a Corporate Chef because he oversees the kitchens and culinary creations for Cobalt, Cosmo’s and Luna’s — three of the wildly-popular restaurants owned by Brian and Jodi Harseny. Baker and Brian Harseny have been friends for 22 years, and that friendship has led to some wonderful dining experiences for guests to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Cooking demonstration at Cobalt led by Chef Jack Baker.

Chef Baker shared that he was born and reared in Tuscaloosa, starting his kitchen career as a dishwasher at Boy Scout Camp when he was 11 years old. He migrated to the Gulf Coast in 1991, got a degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training at James H. Faulkner State Community College and has been a Sous Chef or an Executive Chef ever since. Baker is married and has a college-age son. Cosmo’s is the oldest of the restaurants owned by the Harsenys, and Chef Baker was very involved from its inception.

Chef Baker uses mirrors to demonstrate his techniques.

He won the Best Chef of Alabama Competition in 2013 at the Wind Creek Casino and has placed near the top several times in the World Food Championships. His creation Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish made the list of “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama.”

According to Alabama.travel – “Jack Baker, the corporate chef for Cosmo’s, says many of the menu items are inspired by his own childhood favorites. Baker credits his mother and grandmother’s Filipino heritage and his Southern upbringing for his cooking style. Traditional Filipino cuisine can range from simple fried fish to elaborate paellas and whole-roasted pig. These traditions combined with the heartiness of Southern cuisine makes Baker’s skills in the kitchen diverse and unique.”

And, according to the Cosmo’s website — “Corporate Chef, has mastered the essence of true Southern cooking. His love of French cuisine and his passion for down home fare are evident in every dish he creates. His love of the south can be attributed to the over-abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the bounty of fish and game that he uses in all his dishes.”

Because Mardi Gras was on everyone’s minds when we attended our class, Chef Baker taught us his tricks for preparing Blackened Catfish, Dirty Rice Base (which is mixed later with Jasmine Rice or Risotto) and Remoulade Sauce. I was happy to FINALLY learn the secrets of blackening fish: 1) A well-seasoned, hot cast iron skillet 2) Fish, chicken or meat that is dredged in melted butter and sprinkled liberally with creole spice (he prefers the one by Paul Prudhomme, famous New Orleans chef) 3) No oil in the skillet, just the butter from the fish 4) Expect a LOT of smoke from that hot skillet and the butter 5) After blackening (not burning) on both sides, you finish by placing the fish in a 375-400-degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

Chef Baker taking time to answer many questions.

After talking to us (while he worked creating incredible aromas in the room), each of the attendees was served a generous portion of the dishes to rave reviews.

Blackened catfish, Dirty Rice and Remoulade Sauce

It is such a joy to watch someone who genuinely loves what he does and is willing to be a teacher.

As I was thinking of a Bible connection, there were plenty of women cooks who came to mind — Martha in the New Testament (Luke 10:38-42), Sarah, at the urging of Abraham, making the cakes of meal for their three angelic visitors (Genesis 18:1-15), etc. But, several men stand out, also.

Genesis 19:1-3 – Lot prepared a feast for 2 angels who came to Sodom.

Genesis 25:29-31 – Jacob prepared a stew for his brother Esau.

John 1:9-15 – Jesus Himself prepared a breakfast for His disciples, not only to feed them physically, but to strengthen their faith, to give instructions, and to restore His relationship with Peter.

Take a few minutes to enjoy these passages. Preparing food for others is a wonderful way to serve and minister.

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. 🙂

Learning from Passionate People — Soap Makers in Orange Beach

02/16/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

I love meeting people who are passionate about what they do, the business they own, the products they create. There’s a sparkle in their eyes and a contagious enthusiasm in their voices and personalities. During the next several weeks, I want to introduce you to some of the people I’ve recently observed.

ALI AND RUTA QURESHI

Owners, Harmony Creek Farm, San Roc Cay in Orange Beach, AL

Harmony Creek Farm, San Roc Cay in Orange Beach, AL

Their motto is “Life Is Short! Use Good Soap!” And the Qureshis make really good soap.

Ali and Ruta Qureshi enjoying their soapmaking business together.

Ali and Ruta had their farm and business in the D.C. and Virginia area until about a year ago when they decided to relocate to Orange Beach. Generally, Ali takes care of the front of the store, helping customers, stocking shelves, etc. while Ruta makes the soap in her laboratory/workshop/teaching area in the back. Occasionally, Ruta’s 88-year-old mom even gets in on the fun and is referred to as “a mold-lining queen.” Ruta says that her interest in soap-making emerged as a great combination between the craftiness her mom had and her father’s background as a chemist. She smiles when she talks about a Pakistani and a girl from North Dakota meeting when they were both students at George Washington University in D.C. When they first met, she had no intention of actually dating him, but she was immediately attracted. And, the rest is history.

Ruta, in addition to making 6-7 batches of soap per week for the store, teaches two types of classes. One is “Introduction to Cold-Process Soapmaking” and the other is “Fizzing Bath Bombs,” which is particularly fun for Girls’ Day Out times, Birthday Parties or family time. In the Fizzing Bath Bombs class, students can customize their bombs with different fragrances, colors and botanicals and then take the bombs they make home. The cold-process class is more of a demonstration/explanation/observation event, but students still leave with a luxurious soap bar of their own choosing. The whole store smells AMAZING!

Ruta Qureshi shows a few of her tools.

Adding the color to a batch of soap.

Ruta emphasizes the importance of using high quality products on our skin, which is actually our largest organ. At the same time, she doesn’t think soap has to be boring. It can actually be very artistic and beautiful. She begins with a combination of olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil (important for a good lather) and combines those oils with the exact amount of lye. Precautions have to be taken when using lye, but “you can’t make soap without lye.”

She shared that lemongrass is their #1 selling soap, among other tidbits such as “lavender is a well-behaved oil” while “cinnamon is a cranky oil.” I had no idea!

Their main customer base is derived from those who come into the store (and they offer a Frequent Buyer card), but their on-line orders are growing. They also have some high-end customers. For example, they created a cherry blossom soap for the VIP clients at the Ritz-Carlton in the DC area wrapped in beautiful origami/rice papers, and they just created some custom Valentine’s Day soaps for the Ritz in New Orleans. What about Mardi Gras-colored soap that smells like king cake? Oh my!

Cherry blossom soap smells divine.

Beautiful papers for wrapping a custom soap order.

Mardi Gras soap that smells like King Cake.

Valentine soaps waiting for New Orleans clients.

All of their soaps are vegetarian, and most are even vegan, except for a few which contain goat’s milk or honey. And, did I mention that they even make soaps for dogs and cats?? My resident veterinarian approved the ingredients list. 🙂

Harmony Creek Farm even serves the needs of 4-legged customers.

They are happy to make custom soaps for wedding favors, showers or special events and will make a special color and scent with a custom label or tag.

Contact Ali and Ruta at 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd. #114, Orange Beach, AL 36561. The phone number is 251-974-7627 (SOAP) and the website is www.harmonycreekfarm.com.

Those of you who are blog subscribers know that I generally share a devotional/spiritual insight in my Friday posts. Today I’d like to remind you of the story of husband/wife Aquila and Priscilla whose story is found in Acts 18 of the Bible. They were tentmakers who worked together and were very instrumental in helping Paul in his ministry in Corinth and later Apollos in Ephesus. Take time to review their story. (The chapter is short and very interesting). I thank God for people who set examples in the past, and I pray God’s blessings on Ali and Ruta Qureshi’s marriage and their business.

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.

5 Ways Captiva Island Will Captivate You

02/05/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

With a total geographical area of a mere 10.5 square miles and a year-round population of only 379, you may wonder what makes Captiva Island such a special destination. I want to assure you that it is worth the airfare to RSW (Fort Myers airport), the rental car to drive an hour further and the $6.00 toll fee to access the impressive bridge connecting the land mass of the State of Florida with the sister islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Once you are on the islands, you will not want to leave.

SUMMERTIME WHEN THE CALENDAR SAYS WINTER. Winter in Alabama has been brutal this year. Yet, on Captiva Island, we had 70-degree balmy breezes and blue skies. We arrived during a relatively quiet lull in activity, but locals assured us the place would be in high gear from the first week in February until Memorial Day. Snowbirds regularly spend six months of the year flocking to Captiva and Sanibel. About the only months of the year that are NOT suggested for visits are August and September. During those months, it is hot, hot, hot, the mosquitoes love it, and many businesses take a break.
SERENITY. Bird-watchers, fishermen, and boaters will be thrilled with the environment. Nature abounds in the conditions found on the island. Nearby J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Sanctuary is a first-class educational facility for learning more about the wildlife and the many varieties of birds. It is SO peaceful. Golf carts and bicycles are more numerous than cars, so the noise pollution is practically non-existent.
SEAFOOD. Oh, my. Don’t worry about finding wonderful food in such a small place. There are lots of delicious choices with wide menus. Steve and I wanted seafood, and we were able to find it for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast. But, you can also find steak, chicken and vegetarian choices if you’d prefer. One word for fellow Southerners who visit — don’t look for sweet tea or many items that are fried. This island will help you with your attempts to be more healthy. In addition to the fish, you’ll find lots of fruit/veggies and flat trails and streets for walking.
SUNSETS. On a particularly beautiful late afternoon, we joined several dozen folks who gathered at the end of Captiva Road to watch the sun go down. The spectacle didn’t disappoint. In the last few minutes, the colors grew spectacular while seagulls and pelicans dove for their supper. When the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, the spectators broke out in spontaneous, respectful applause and then walked quietly away.
SEASHELLS. Without a doubt, this is the lure that draws me to the area. The number and quantity of seashells are unmatched in any other place I’ve ever visited. I would particularly recommend Bowman’s Beach (slightly across the bridge into Sanibel) and Turner Beach (right past Blind Pass at the Sanibel end of Captiva). In both of these places, you have to pay $5.00 per hour to park. When (not if but when) I return, I will spend lots of time on Turner Beach with a shovel, a net and plenty of shell-capturing tools.

Here are some websites to begin your own research for a future visit (click on each name): Captiva Island Inn (where we stayed), Keylime Bistro, RC Otter’s Island Eats, Old Captiva House, The Bubble Room and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille where we ate.

Beauty in Brokenness

02/02/2018 By: CCPearson3 Comments

Thirty years ago, I was borderline obsessed with seashells. My husband and children will testify to the truth of that statement. I researched and found that Sanibel Island near Fort Myers, FL was one of the best shelling beaches in the world. I found an affordable resort on the beach where we could stay and booked a trip for all five of us. The kids were fine with it. They just wanted to build sand castles and swim in the resort pool. Steve just wanted warm, sunny days and maybe a place to throw out a fishing line. But, me? I wanted to find as many seashells as humanly possible in the days we were there. I dug in the sand, and I waded out into “the deep.” Well, it was deep for me, because I can’t swim. Whenever I could persuade Steve and the kids, they put on goggles and searched with me. We found hundreds and hundreds of shells, enough to discard those that weren’t absolutely perfect. We even went live shelling. Remember this was before such a thing became illegal in Florida. As a result, we had some of the prize specimens: horse conchs, worm shells, alphabet cones, angel wings, sundials, turkey wings, fighting conchs, pear whelks and Scotch bonnets, to name a few. Oh, how I wish I could find the various crafts I made with many of them, but, alas, too many moves have occurred during the intervening thirty years.

Last week, Steve and I had a chance to go back to the area, this time to Captiva Island which is attached to the end of Sanibel by a short bridge. There was much I wanted to explore for my travel and food writing, but we were able to squeeze in a few hours of shelling on three different beaches. I was struck by the differences in what I saw as beautiful and “keepable” on this last visit.

Treasures freshly washed onto the shoreline on Captiva Island.

I spotted many gorgeous PIECES, shells that had once been highly prized and wondrously shaped that didn’t quite make it to the shore unscathed. I grabbed several dozen as they rolled through the surf, cleaned them up and brought them home.

Broken shells from Captiva Island.

They represent something important to me. I am not the same person I was thirty years ago. I have been broken at times by life’s circumstances, and my body is certainly more broken that it was in my younger days. Many of my friends have recently been facing all kinds of brokennesses in their lives, as well — loss of a child, knee and hip replacements, open heart surgeries, divorces, deaths of spouses, harsh cancer diagnoses and treatments, unwanted changes in their living situations, etc. etc.

As I was searching the Scriptures and pondering why I found these broken shells so beautiful, I ran across these words by Debbie McDaniel in Crosswalk.com:

“Here is truth. Just because we’ve been broken doesn’t mean that we are thrown away. Just because we’ve been broken doesn’t mean that we are un-usable, set up on a shelf. Just because we’ve been broken doesn’t mean that we are forgotten.

Brokenness has the power, unlike anything else, to bring forth new beauty, strength, and inspiration to others. Because it’s often in those moments that we’ve tasted deep suffering, that we noticed, we were made for more. There’s more. There’s purpose.

The scars of life, the healed wounds, the deep lines, they all have stories to tell. . . .” Read the entire blog post here.

I believe that God still sees me as beautiful, usable and strong, and He sees my friends the same way. Fellow broken people reading this, be encouraged.

(Verses in the New King James Version)

Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Isaiah 66:1-2 – “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.’ “

Stay tuned for more thoughts about seashells next week.

Tiny Hogansville, GA Wants You to Visit

01/29/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Tiny Hogansville, GA boasts a population of slightly more than 3000 people but has been called “the prettiest little city in Georgia.” If you are in LaGrange, West Point, Newnan, Columbus, GA or Auburn, Phenix City, AL — in other words, the west Georgia/east Alabama part of the southeast, I believe you’ll enjoy taking a detour and finding downtown Hogansville. After all, it’s only 3 miles off the interstate.

If you schedule a visit for the 3rd Saturday in October, you’ll be among thousands of visitors to the annual Hummingbird Festival, featuring food and crafts vendors, an art contest and a dog parade. I think the tiny, but very industrious, hummingbird, is a very appropriate symbol for Hogansville. Fiberglass hummingbirds, painted by local artists and having a wingspan of three feet, dot the landscape at major points of interest around the town and form what is becoming a fun Hummingbird Trail as visitors try to find all of them. The birds are painted in a theme that matches their location.

Unique antique shops, bookstores and boutiques line Main Street heading toward the railroad track, and a train depot dating back 110 years anchors the whole shopping district with Station Coffeehouse, Great Southern Pub (for burgers, fish/chips, chicken/waffles, etc.) and a large venue space for Market Days, live entertainment and even weddings. Stop into Born Again Antiques. It’s almost like a museum with lots of repurposed furniture. Karvelas Pizza Company is moving to downtown soon. It’s one of those places where you can watch while the dough spins.

Born Again Antiques

I recently had a heavenly cup of hot chocolate and a delicious breakfast sandwich at Station Coffeehouse.

Station CoffeeHouse

Afterwards, I wandered the town with my camera enjoying the painted murals, the shops and the search for Hogansville’s symbols. Families will enjoy the Tower Walking Trail and outdoor classroom, in addition to reading about the painted hummingbirds.

I also spotted a pretty B & B — Hogan House at Rose Hill Bed and Breakfast — a place I’d love to check out further during a future visit.

Hogan House B & B

I applaud the leaders of Hogansville for their efforts to put this remarkable town in the spotlight.

Time to Share: A Market, A Kitchen Gadget and 4 Cookbooks

01/26/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

The Bible uses the word “share” and the concept of being generous throughout the entire Book.

Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Proverbs 22:9 – ” The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”

Romans 12:3 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Today I thought it might be time for me to do some sharing of my own. You might not want to check out all of my suggestions, but maybe at least one will strike your fancy.

A MARKET — A & V Seafood Market, to be exact.

I first heard about this “great place to get fresh seafood” during a cooking class held by Chef James Boyce at Cotton Row in Huntsville. Recently, I had a chance to check it out. The name is derived from the couple who own the business, Allen and Vickie Nguyen. The small shop at 2000 Cecil Ashburn Dr. SE is on the right as soon as you turn left from Carl T. Jones Highway onto Cecil Ashburn. Yes, it smells fishy, but all of the products are carefully iced, and the store is immaculate.

Vickie Nguyen, A & V Seafood Market owner

I had a great conversation with Vickie who obviously enjoys her business and her customers. She was quick to make accommodations for customer preferences, and Steve and I appreciated the large selection. We walked out with a dozen oysters, large filets of grouper and salmon, some tuna dip and 4 large scallops. We prepared the salmon and oysters for dinner that very night, after enjoying an appetizer of tuna dip and crackers. I have a recipe all picked out for the grouper and hope to imitate a YouTube video I saw of Chef Boyce preparing scallops. Can’t wait! If you are a seafood lover, I think you’d enjoy visiting this market. It is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A KITCHEN GADGET — MiTBA Salad Cutter Bowl.

Do you sometimes avoid making a fresh salad for your lunch or dinner because you dread all of the vegetable chopping involved? If so, this is a gadget you might want to check out. I ordered mine from Amazon after seeing it on Facebook.

Basically, it is a colander with cutting grooves and a base. You put your salad fixings in the colander, wash and drain them. Attach the base, then, using a long sharp knife, cut through the grooves in one direction. Twist the base slightly, then cut through the grooves again. Voila! Your salad is chopped and ready.

The size is perfect for two people. To make salad for more people, you might need to go through the process a couple of times. A sharp knife is essential.

It’s not expensive, and I recommend it. I expect we’ll eat more salads as a result.

4 COOKBOOKS.

Yes, I am one of those people who LOVES cookbooks. That doesn’t stop me from Googling or using Pinterest to find something specific, but I still enjoy reading cookbooks. I especially like the ones written by people I know or cookbooks featuring regional specialties in places I have visited. In the last few months, mostly through my travel/food writing adventures, I have acquired 4 new cookbooks that are beautiful and are filled with amazing recipes I’m eager to try.

Pizzazzerie Entertain in Style – I first learned of this one because my good friend Kay Dekalb Smith shared on Facebook that her daughter Evin Krehbiel was the photographer. Her photos are stunning. The book is filled with gorgeous table settings. I have my eyes on two recipes in particular that I want an excuse to make soon: Bacon and Pecan S’Mores and Hot Chicken Salad. Those of you who know me well, know that I’m a HUGE chicken salad fan, so it’s natural that I spotted the one in this book.
What Can I Bring? by Elizabeth Heiskell. I had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth at an event in Birmingham and watched her make her signature Tomato Pie. She has a very engaging personality, and her Tomato Pie was awesome. Elizabeth appears often on The TODAY Show. You might want to check out some of the episodes and watch her at work.

I baked two Chocolate Chip Bundt Cakes from this book during the holidays, and everyone appeared to enjoy them. This book includes plenty of Elizabeth’s anecdotes and is a lot of fun.

3. Morning in the Mountains. This book has been compiled by members of the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association. Steve and I will be staying in a couple of these B & B’s in a few months. The photos and the recipes have us salivating already. Almond Streusel French Toast is on my must-make list for an occasion soon. It sounds so good. You can order your copy through this link.

4. Gumbo Love by Lucy Buffett. I got this beautiful book when I was covering the World Food Championships in Orange Beach back in November. It seems that every visitor to the Alabama Gulf Coast makes their way to LuLu’s Restaurant at least once while they are in the area. This is her latest cookbook, and it tells lots of great stories, and she offers good advice for making gumbo, of course, as well as all kinds of seafood and Gulf specialties. I plan to use her recipe for Grouper with Balsamic Butter Glaze on the big filet I brought back from the A & V Seafood Market. It looks like a winner.

So, here are my recent findings that I wanted to share with all of you today. The kids gave me an Instant Pot for Christmas, and when I shared that info on Facebook, many friends were quick to share recipes and advice for using it with me. Their efforts made me feel good. Hopefully, learning about this seafood market, the salad cutter bowl or these cookbooks will make you feel good, too.

Culture and Entertainment in LaGrange GA — Museums to Waterslides with so much in between

01/22/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Whether you are going to cheer on the Auburn Tigers for a football or basketball weekend, or maybe you’ve spent a day or two at Callaway Gardens and have a few more days of vacation, or perhaps you want to escape the pandemonium of Atlanta’s traffic for awhile — may I suggest planning a day or more in LaGrange, GA. This town with a population of slightly more than 30,000 will startle you with its variety of cultural attractions and its entertainment possibilities.

Folks who claim LaGrange as their hometown are serious about the historical significance of their heritage. That is evident to visitors as soon as you ride into the downtown square. The focal point is a statue of General Marquis de LaFayette surrounded by a fountain. The story goes that when General LaFayette visited this land in Georgia, he remarked to General Troup (for whom the county is named) that it reminded him of his estate in France, an estate he called LaGrange.

LaFayette statue in the center of LaGrange.

The Legacy Museum on Main contains many artifacts and murals depicting life in LaGrange since its beginning. A fascinating display features the life and accomplishments of Horace King, a man who was born a slave but earned his freedom by becoming a master bridge builder. A replica of one of his covered bridges using a Lattice Truss design is on display. In the Legacy Museum you will also hear of the “Nancy Harts,” a group of women whose efforts convinced the Yankee invaders to spare homes in LaGrange from being burned to the ground during the Civil War.

Display in the Legacy Museum.

Replica of a Horace King designed bridge.

The LaGrange Art Museum, a few blocks away at 112 Lafayette Parkway, is housed in a Victorian-style jail built in 1892. The building itself is an interesting work of art but so are the 440 pieces collected inside, many of which emphasize American Southern art.

Also in the downtown area, you will find a state-of-the-art movie theater complex, many antique stores, clothing and gift boutiques and the Sweetland Amphitheatre at Boyd Park. During the winter, Sweetland becomes a popular family ice rink, but throughout the year, it is a 2500-seat concert venue. In the past, Willie Nelson, The Temptations and The Charlie Daniels Band have appeared with many other headliners in the works for this coming summer. A look backstage at the pre- and post-concert digs for performers made me wish I could be in such a band . . . at least for a day or so. 🙂

Sweetland Amphitheater in Boyd Park.

Sweetland Ice Rink.

Green room backstage at Sweetland Amphitheater.

Vintage decor in a Sweetland Amphitheater green room.

Quirky decor in the green room at Sweetland.

A couple of interesting art and culture-related facts associated with LaGrange:

LaGrange has more Andy Warhol prints per capita of any town or city in the United States, thanks to the collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran.
MOST LIKELY the song that was sung to us as children and we have always sung to our children “You Are My Sunshine” was written by LaGrange native Oliver Hood in the 1930s. And, speaking of music, when you plan your trip to LaGrange, be sure to check the website for the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. (Yes, this town of 30,000 has an orchestra!). You might be lucky enough to get tickets to one of their performances. The next one on the calendar will be on March 20th.

BIG NEWS for LaGrange is the upcoming opening of GREAT WOLF LODGE GEORGIA, scheduled for summer of 2018. This will be a world-class resort with 500,000 square feet of entertainment, dining and lodging options and will showcase a 93,000 square foot water park. LaGrange will be on everyone’s radar once that happens.

Have I enticed you to seek out LaGrange, GA? I truly hope so. And, by the way, a gorgeous new Courtyard by Marriott opened in the town square in mid-December of 2017. The rooms and amenities are topnotch, and the location is perfect for exploring everything I’ve described in this post.

Brand new Courtyard by Marriott in LaGrange, GA

I told you previously about some great restaurants in town, and about Hills and Dales Estate and the Biblical History Center. You’re all set. Enjoy your trip!

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