Pet Pictures with Santa

Take your furry friends to Sandestin's Market Shops tomorrow to have their picture taken with Santa. I take my pugs every year, its a great way to support local animal causes as well as of course having a precious Christmas picture of your pets. This year the proceeds will benefit a local animal shelter. Pictures will be taken from 3 - 5 p.m. in the gazebo at the market shops. The market shops are located just east of Destin past the Silver Sands outlet mall.

Southern Coast Concierge

Looking for a little more hospitality awaiting you in your vacation condo, beach home or cottage when you arrive? Maybe you want to send a special gift to someone while they vacation in Destin, the Beaches of South Walton or Fort Walton Beach. Leave it to Southern Coast Concierge in Destin, Florida. They specialize in amenity packages, equipment rentals, grocery shopping and gift baskets. Be sure to ask about their FAMILY FUN, ROMANCE, Girls GetAWAY and custom packages. Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals is excited to have them as a new favorite partner in business!

Southern Resorts Welcomes Splash Resorts

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals welcomes more Splash condo accommodations onto our vacation rental management program. Our inventory is growing with one, two and three bedroom beach front condos in this premier Panama City Beach resort. With spectacular views and an abundance of amenities, including poolside bar & grill, lazy river, children's interactive Aqua Play Pools with water slides, fitness room overlooking the beach and so much more, it is an ideal family destination any time of year. Visit this winter and take advantage of our Mini Week Special - Stay 3 nights get the 4th night FREE!

Keep your eyes on the newest shopping development in Panama City Beach, near Splash. Visit videos and plans for Pier Park here!

Half-Pint Hoots

While in Port St. Joe for the holiday weekend, I had a chance to truly appreciate Natural Florida. Most of the area is undeveloped, leaving lots of room for our wildlife to flourish. From the deck of my Barefoot Cottage, I could take in all of the natural beauty that Florida has to offer and now that the sun is setting earlier, the creatures of the night are coming out earlier as well. Right after dinner I heard a sweet, whinny-like noise outside. We don't have wild horses in this area so I was sure there was an Eastern Screech Owl I should look for. Standing only 8 inches tall, they're a little difficult to find while the sun is going down but by locating what direction their song is coming from, you can usually spot them in a tree crevice or on a branch. The upstairs deck of the Barefoot Cottage was the perfect height to be at eye level with this peculiar little owl. It was sitting in a pine tree, blinking, about 7 feet away from my face. What a thrill!

The Eastern Screech Owl is well distributed throughout the Eastern United States and their color varies from gray to reddish brown. One of the smallest members of the owl family, they feed mostly on very small rodents, bats, and flying insects even sometimes catching and eating prey in-flight! They frequently inhabit sparsely wooded forests and urban areas but are not a common sight because of their size, camoflage, and the faintness of their song. Quiet Port St. Joe was the perfect place to get a good look!

Christmas on the Coast

With Thanksgiving just a day behind us, Christmas season officially starts. I, honestly, would LOVE it to be year round.
I often long to return to a big city during this particular season with all the lights, decorations, things to do and, of course, shopping. While I still do, I have also watched our beach community develop and offer so much for locals and visitors. The shopping in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Sandestin and Beaches of South Walton is incredible and getting better every year. The tree lightings, boat parades, and ballets are just a few wonderful events helping us celebrate the season. If you want a small town view, try Defuniak Springs' Christmas Reflections. This spectacular light display with over 4 1/2 million lights surrounding beautiful Lake DeFuniak in Historic Downtown DeFuniak Springs starts tonight and runs through Christmas. Another event to jump start the Holiday season is tomorrow night at one of my favorite places - the Village of Baytowne. After Santa’s magical arrival to Baytowne Wharf, join Mr. Claus and friends for the lighting of the Village Christmas Tree! From 5:30pm - 9:00pm, enjoy live music and other fun, holiday activities, including a special holiday fireworks display over the lagoon in the Village's Events Plaza. Look to this blog for more wonderful events as the unfold, or visit Southern Resorts' Event Calendar for a big picture look at what may be happening in Destin and surrounding areas, including Panama City Beach and Port St Joe. I hope the spirit of the season is with everyone and you can enjoy all that our community offers!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am looking forward to spending time with my family & the day long cooking marathon. I will probably take a quick retreat to the beach in Destin in the late afternoon for a mini break from the kitchen before the countdown to dinner begins. I am thankful to be able to enjoy our great beaches, Miramar Beach to be exact for a quick break or a day of relaxation.

Sandpiper Serenade

While visiting Sandpiper Cove today, a chorus of squeaks and peeps caught my attention. I stepped out on the balcony just in time to see a group of Least Sandpipers land on the beach and scurry down toward the water. Their swift little legs seem to always keep them two steps ahead of the waves as they probe the sand for crustaceans, aquatic insects, and clams. Their mesmerizing dance with the tide could hold my attention all day. If you ever get a chance to sit quietly on the beach for a while, they will begin to hunt close to you but, the balcony of Sandpiper Cove is just the place for me! I wonder how they chose the name...

Woodpecker Walkabout

One of my favorite places to be in the Destin, Florida area is the Beaches of South Walton. There are so many nature trails and designated wildlife preserves that it makes the perfect vacation spot for a nature enthusiast. On a recent trip, I was fortunate to spy a Red-cockaded Woodpecker which has come very close to being extinct in recent years. This area was originally settled as a logging community and the local birds, especially woodpeckers, suffered greatly during the late 1800's to the mid 1900's.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers were pushed almost to extinction because they only nest in mature, Longleaf Pine forests. And if that's not enough, while most woodpeckers carve nests into dead trees, the Red-cockaded woodpecker must inhabit a live pine tree that is infected with Red Heart Disease, a fungus that softens the core of the tree. After mass clearing of our longleaf pines, they were replaced with juvenile shortleaf pines which proved to provide a faster turnaround for the lumber industry. Luckily, efforts were put into place in the late 1980's to prevent further damage to their habitat and they have recently been moved from the Florida Wildlife Commission's Endangered Species list to the Species of Special Concern list.

On a walk through our forests, several indicators will let you know that you are in the presence of a Red-cockaded woodpecker family. You will probably first hear the song of the Red-cockaded woodpecker. After you recognize it's quick, cheerful, chatter, you should start to look for the nesting tree which will stand out if it has Red Heart Disease. It should have fungal conks around the trunk of the tree and it will also appear whiter than the trees surrounding it. Red-cockaded woodpeckers also drill little holes just under their nest to let sap trickle down the tree and deter potential predators so look for a ring of sap as well.

If you stay for a while, you may see much more than just a woodpecker. They are a vital part of our fragile ecosystem. They live in family groups that all care for their young together and juvenile males that have not paired off stay to help raise following clutches as well; so it is not uncommon to see a cluster of them busily flying back and forth to the nest feeding the hungry little faces that are peeping out. Old nests are also used by an abundance of other forest creatures such as the Eastern Screech Owl, Raccoon, Wood Ducks, Chickadees, and several other species of woodpeckers.

Good luck birdwatching!

Beautiful Winter Weather in Destin, Florida

I spent the majority of my day yesterday on the beach in Destin. The beach is absolutely wonderful this time of year. The water is so blue & the skies seem just as bright. I had the beach all to myself & it was so peaceful. I came across a few almost whole sandollars & a perfect little shell. Treat yourself to a mini-break to the beach in between Thanksgiving & Christmas!

Southern Resorts would love to help you find the perfect place!

Snowbirds on Florida's Gulf Coast

It is that time of year! Snowbird Clubs on Florida's Gulf Coast are gathering to meet and get the winter season underway. From Fort Walton Beach, to Destin, to the Beaches of South Walton, on over to Panama City Beach and Port St. Joe, vacation beach condos, homes and cottages are filling up with Winter guests from the colder, northern areas.

In Destin, the annual "welcome back" Ribbon Cutting, took place yesterday at The Roost at the Destin Community Center on Stahlman Avenue. Other days in November for registration will be on both Mondays, Nov. 19 and 26, from 1-2 p.m. For more information on the Destin Snowbird Club, visit here.

In Walton County, the first registration of the membership will be Monday, Nov. 26, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Faith Assembly Church on Geronimo Street, Miramar Beach (on the back side of the post office). For more information on the Walton County Birds, visit here.

And, check out the schedule for the Winter activities and outreach programs for Panama City's Snowbird Organization.

All these groups offer wonderful opportunities for fun and social networking. We are glad to have you back. If you are looking for a place to stay, Southern Resorts has the best rates on beautiful beach condos, homes & cottages.

Jones & Company Tonight!

Jones & Company will be performing at the Village of Baytowne Wharf this evening for the Wednesday Night Concert Series. Listen to some of their soulful sounds here. Jones & Company is one of Destin, Florida's favorite bands. Once again they were voted Best Musician/Vocalist/Band from Emerald Coast Magazine's Best of the Emerald Coast Readers choice poll. The weather should be perfect this evening for an outdoor concert, 70 & clear skies. The concert will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Events Plaza.

Southern Resorts adds Beach Homes

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals just added more new beach homes to their existing inventory of homes and cottages in the Crystal Beach community of Destin. Side by side, the La Ti Da and Pearl homes both feature private pools, partial Gulf views, and short walk to the beautiful Destin beaches. Just a short distance away, the Cobia Cottage, also with private pool, resides. All three homes provide wonderful accommodations for your Destin vacation and are centrally located to great shopping at the Destin Commons and all the fantastic dining in our area. So, if you are looking for a vacation location for your next family getaway, reunion, or even corporate retreat, look no further! Southern Resorts!

An evening with class and taste at Royal B - Destin, Florida

Saturday I surprised my husband with a date at Royal B restaurant in Destin, Florida. We dressed up and really looked forward to an evening without the kids. We were happily surprised when we arrived. The greeting was outstanding and this was just the beginning. We treated ourselves to a royal dinner and it was outstanding. Every bite melted in our mouths. The service was outstanding. They really know what they are doing and we will definitely be back (hopefully soon...)

Rodent Rendezvous

The beautiful fall weather we are having makes a great setting for a night trip to the beach in order to try and catch a glimpse of our endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse.

This subspecies of the Beach Mouse is one of eight other subspecies and is only known to have populations in three locations: Shell Island, Grayton Beach, and Topsail Hill State Preserve. These nocturnal omnivores burrow in the dunes under the cover of sea oats and shrubs but during this time of year, their fall breeding season, they frequent the edges of their habitat where the density of cover is sparse. So now is a great time to try and see this cute little guy who, sadly, might not be around much longer.

Habitat loss, feral cats, and hurricane damage to their habitat have caused the Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse to be on the Endangered Species List since 1985. Since then, several things have been done to increase their population. The dunes they live in and the sea oats and grasses that build and stabilize them are federally protected and several acres of Gulf Coast beachfront property have been designated as protected to prevent further human encroachment. There are also breeding programs in effect to assist the population. Preservation of this species is detrimental to the health of our coastal ecosystems.

A sighting of one of these adorable critters is a rare event and a fun time searching for them too! Unlike the common house mouse, the Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse does not delve into homes and garbage sites. Instead, they rely largely on the health of our coastal ecosystem and the dunes that give them shelter. Everyone can take a part in helping them by following a few simple rules:

• Never walk on or disturb the dunes in any way, stick to designated paths and boardwalks


• Never pick sea oats or any coastal plants


• Properly dispose of all trash while visiting the beach


• Spay and neuter household cats and keep them indoors

Hopefully I'll spot one tonight!

Boogie Art Car Show II

I did take my daughter and two of her friends to the Baytowne Boogie Art Car show today in Destin at Sandestin, actually, and had a great time. We started off at the crazy decorated cars and trucks. We saw a guitar car, all kinds of painted cars and the Bubble Truck. This truck had gadgets everywhere that you could use to create bubbles, big and small. The girls loved it. We then spent the next hour or so in the ice skating tent. This was a real treat to these southerners from Destin. The girls do not get many opportunities to feel ice beneath their feet. They went around and around that ice. It was wonderful, not too crowded. There were even a few that looked like they knew exactly what they were doing. Then, it was off for ice cream and then to the playground. The afternoon ended with admiring the art wall featuring art from the local schools in Destin and the Beaches of South Walton. Yes, we even found the piece my daughter painted. It was a wonderful afternoon and again, fantastic weather for the kids to be out and about. There really is so much to do in the Destin area during the fall, whether it is relaxing at the beach building sandcastles or venturing out to one of the centers for shopping like the Village, taking advantage of fun events & festivals like this!

Baytowne Boogie Art Car Weekend

My friend Tina told me about an event in Destin that I must have overlooked. The Village of Baytowne in Sandestin hosted today and tomorrow until 3pm The "Baytowne Boogie" Art Car Weekend. It consists of a Kids Art Party in the Plaza, Free Ice Skating, Creation of Kids’ Art Car & Art Wall and an Art Car Display in the Village. The Village hosts lots of events and it is somewhere that both my 8 year old daughter and I love to go. I 'll be sure to take her there tomorrow and let you know how it was. If weather is any indication, it will be wonderful. We had another perfect day in Destin, Florida. Sunny, in the 60s. According to http://www.weather.com/, it looks like more of the same for tomorrow.

The Magical Arrival of Santa Claus

Santa Rosa Mall in Ft. Walton Beach will host the "magical" arrival of Santa Claus during the mall's annual Breakfast with Santa this Saturday, Nov. 10. Niceville High School’s Opus One Choir will perform holiday favorites followed by a Holiday Magic Show by Zakari the Magician who will make Santa magically appear in his finale! Following the breakfast, Santa will take up residence in his new Holiday Castle in Center Court, just inside the front entrance to the mall. Santa will be available daily for photos through Christmas Eve, during mall hours. This special holiday breakfast is sponsored by Crackers and Santa Rosa Mall. The festivities will begin at 9a.m. The breakfast is complementary for children under the age of 12.

Holiday Lights in Concert in Destin

This spectacular Christmas production of lights and music, will be unveiled on Sunday, November 18 at 5 pm at Silver Sands Factory Stores. This visually spectacular presentation features an amazing display of colorful lights synchronized to your favorite Christmas songs and will run nightly throughout the holiday season from Nov. 18 – Dec. 25 from 5pm to 9pm. Holiday Lights in Concert takes place at the Christmas tree located in the Courtyard at Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH. Throughout the holiday season, this ongoing event is free and open to the public. The Silver Sands mall is one of the largest outlet malls in the nation. Set in east Destin, it is the destination of many visitors and locals throughout the year. Everyone that stays in Destin and surrounding areas has probably shopped there before. So, take a break from big city life, travel to Destin this winter and do all of your Christmas shopping while enjoying the incredible beauty of Destin beaches in the winter. Southern Resorts can help you find the perfect accommodation for you and your group. Start your search here.

Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting at Destin Commons.

The Destin Commons is kicking off the holiday season with a remarkable transformation to unveil a nostalgic and memorable “Norman Rockwell Holiday” throughout the Commons. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 9, in a fire truck with a police escort into Destin Commons Center Plaza where he will magically illuminate the 50’ Christmas tree. Professional Broadway actors from New York City will present a live song and dance show, “A Holiday to Remember”. The decorations throughout the Destin Commons reflect the work of America’s favorite artist, Norman Rockwell with a brand new Santa station, Holiday street lamp banners & lights that twinkle up and down Main Street. There will also be exciting and educational Norman Rockwell multi-media interactive life sized vignettes located throughout Destin Commons.

Farm Day in Defuniak Springs Florida

We sure live in an area that has it all. Saturday my kids, their friends and I went to the annual farm day in Defuniak Springs. Not really knowing what to expect, we were happily surprised when we arrived. The whole event took place at a farm with lots of animals such as donkeys, horses, birds, pigs, sheep, you name it and it was there. Lexi, my three year old, loved playing in the buckets of corn. All children had an opportunity to experience the farm life and the day ended with a bon fire. Everybody brought a covered dish to share. With the hamburgers and hot dogs supplied, there were plenty of good food. I highly recommend to go there and bring your family next year.

Sunday, I went to the beach in Destin and, as always, it was beautiful. We had it all this weekend, experiencing both the farm life as well as the beach. I could not wish for anything else.

Pelican Pause

As I admired the view of the East Pass and the Destin Bridge from the Emerald Grande this morning, a majestic flock of Brown Pelicans flew right by me in a large, impressive formation. They rounded the jettys and then one by one plopped into the water with hopes of a big catch. With a wing span of about 50 inches, the Brown Pelican appears large even at a distance and it's a wonder how they can manage to look so graceful. Seeing them in large numbers is always refreshing because their population has been threatened by improperly discarded fishing equipment, pesticides, and litter. I hope I continue to see a steady increase in their population as I search for more creatures to view from our Southern Resorts' properties!

Biking in Destin Florida

The weather is perfect for a long bike ride in Destin, FL. My husband and I are off for a relaxing ride in the Crystal Beach community of Destin. Along Old (or Scenic, rather) Hwy 98, we have miles of bike baths with the beach in view as well as a delightful look at the charming beach cottages and beautiful condos that fill this area of Destin. If you are visiting, there are rentals close by. Or, try the bike path along Scenic 30-A in the Beaches of South Walton. The path there is a lot longer and very picturesque. Southern Resorts' favorite partner Big Daddy's Rentals has an assortment of bikes from which to choose. If you are planning a trip to the beach, visit them here.

The Destin World Cup

The Destin World Cup Offshore Powerboat Races presented by Legendary, Inc., Destin Commons and The Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. is a seven-day offshore race of the Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association (OSS). The biggest, loudest and fastest race boats will converge on the Gulf of Mexico, October 29th - November 4th, 2007. This exciting extended-weekend event will include spectacular parties, great local entertainment, not to mention the best in offshore racing with over 40 boats in 7 categories. It is really cool to see them miles away down the beach. People are flocking to Destin beaches to see them And, what perfect weather and water conditions. Not many places offer perfect white sand beaches, warm emerald green water and temperatures in the mid 70s in November.

Anyone get a closer look at the races or video them? Let us know! Tune in to Live Race Broadcast on 92.7 FM(broadcast can only be heard within 5 mile radius of racecourse) or http://www.talkoffshore.com/

Locals Appreciation Weekend at Sandestin

The Locals Appreciation Concert Series will showcase nine of Destin, Florida’s favorite artists for three musically-charged days at two of Sandestin’s popular venues, The Market Shops at Sandestin and The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

I caught Reed Waddle's set this evening at the Village. It was the perfect night to listen to his soulful music. Tomorrow Saturday, November 3rd, during the day Jones & Co. and Echoes of Elvis will perform at The Market Shops at Noon and 2 p.m., respectively. More music will follow at 4 p.m. with Zack Rodoski taking the stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, followed by Cadillac Willy at 6 p.m.

Start the day on Sunday, Nov. 4 at The Market Shops at 2 p.m. with Michael J. Thomas will be playing at the Market Shops on Sunday at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m. Hubba Hubba will be performing in The Village of Baytowne Wharf, followed by Dread Clampitt at 6 p.m. For more information, please call (850) 267-7140.

Visit the Market Shops of Sandestin or the Village of Baytowne Wharf this weekend and enjoy the great music & perfect weather.

Florida Seafood Festival

This Friday & Saturday, November 2nd & 3rd, the Florida Seafood Festival is underway in Apalachicola, Florida, just 20 miles east of Port St. Joe. The Gates open at 10 a.m. with musical entertainment from 5-9 p.m. On Saturday, there is the Redfish Run , Parade , On the Hour Crab Races (kids under 12), Oyster Shucking Contest followed by Oyster Eating Contest and Music Entertainment with Headline Sammy Kershaw closing the event. For more information on this Florida Gulf coast festival visit http://www.floridaseafoodfestival.com/. For more information on Port St. Joe and the Barefoot Cottages visit http://www.barefootcottages.com/.