Mardi Gras Celebration Benefit for the Arts

Royal B in Destin, FL is holding a benefit dinner tonight from 6pm to 10pm featuring traditional New Orleans cuisine and the live music of Michael J. Thomas & Sean Dietrich Jazz Trio. There will be an open bar and a silent auction. There will also be a prize for the best Mardi Gras cocktail attire.

Annie

Annie is coming to the OWC Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville, FL! The classic story of Little Orphan Annie will start at 7:30pm on the main stage and the box office will open at 5pm. Featuring the original Broadway score, Annie is sure to warm the hearts of veteran fans and captivate a whole new generation of viewers. Don't miss this all-new production that Variety calls "A winner!" and Chicago Sun Times called "As engaging as ever...a handsome, entertaining, and engaging production."

Reed Waddle At Baytowne, Sandestin

Our Featured Local Artist, Reed Waddle will be playing in the Events Plaza at the Village of Baytowne Wharf on the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort tomorrow night from 6-8pm. Reed's soulful island style represents the vibe of Destin, FL perfectly. He has toured all over the United States writing and recording with John Oates of Hall and Oates, opening for Stephen Kellogg and Tim Reynolds, and he's even been featured on the Travel Channel. We're fortunate that our critically acclaimed local celebrity still stays close to home and delights us with his enchanting live performances. Give his tunes a listen and prepare to be captivated by his Soul Shine Wednesday night!

Leapin' Lizards!

While visiting the Barefoot Cottages to view their new Green At Barefoot Cottages, I noticed several Green Anoles sunning themselves near the bushes and sidewalk. The chilly weather this time of year makes it a little difficult for our reptile residents to keep warm unless they are hanging out in the sun. Green Anoles can morph their color from bright green to brown to grey depending on their mood, temperature, or health and not their surroundings like their chameleon counterpart. Males are distinguished from females by a bright red dewlap that they extend to attract females or proclaim territory while doing a series of little push-ups. They are really fascinating, adorable little creatures. It was such a pleasure to see so many of them at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St. Joe!

Henderson State Park

Destin and surrounding areas are home to some of the best state parks. My husband and I took advantage of the warmer than usual January day and rode our bikes. Within a short ride is the Henderson Beach State Park. Located at the west end of Crystal Beach, this pristine piece of land is home to more than 6,000 feet of scenic shoreline bordering the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. With pathways, pavilions, boardwalks and even bath houses, it is a perfect place to soak in the beauty of the beach and the nature around it. If you are visiting Destin beaches, stay close to the park at Dunes of Crystal Beach or Crystal Dunes to the east and Silver Shells and Sterling Shores to the west. Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals manages these and several others within walking distance.

Maybe next weekend we will try the new Greenway Trail at Santa Rosa Beach that just opened last Thursday in Walton County. Click here for an article about it's opening.

I went to my favorite Destin sunset spot last night, The Whale's Tail. Located right across the street from the Majestic Sun, it has a walkover so you don't have to cross Scenic Highway 98 to dine directly on the beach. It has been there for over 20 years entertaining locals and visitors with it's casual, friendly atmosphere. They open at 7AM and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My favorite time to go is right before sunset. The beach is usally clear and all the different birds are swooping and diving right at the shoreline. The view of the sunset off the Whale's Tail outside deck is incredible! Sometimes it's so good everyone on the deck cheers as if they'd just seen a firework display. Definitely breathtaking and something everyone should experience.

Kitchenique Cooking Class

Tonight at the Kitchenique store in the Sandestin Market
Shops Chef Shane Quinlan from the Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe will be giving a lesson in Tropical Cuisine. If you'd like to enhance your cooking skills while having a fun evening out and a delicious dinner, this is the place to be! On the menu (or lesson plan) tonight is:

Crab Calloway: Coconut Crusted Lump Crab Cakes, Asian Slaw, Sweet Chili Mustard Sauce and Cilantro Oil

Shoal Bay Snapper: Macadamia Nut Crusted Yellow tail Snapper and Lemon Garlic Grilled Broccolini with a Wasabi Soy Butter Sauce

Pineapple Upside Down Vanilla Cheesecake with Caramelized Gold Pineapple and a from scratch Caramel Sauce

The cost is $48 per person for a cooking lesson, dinner, and a priceless side of fun!

Pizza at Helen Back

We are fortunate along Florida's Gulf Coast to have such a large selection of award winning, delicious food. Some of the best places in our area are off the beaten path with unique character and atmosphere all thier own. I had lunch at Helen Back Cafe today and it amazing! If there is a sports event you would like to watch, it is guaranteed to be showing on one of the big screens at Helen Back while you enjoy some of the best pizza on the Gulf Coast. I highly recommend getting every topping and sharing with a friend - or twelve!

Helen Back is also in an extremely convenient location. It is right across the street from one of my favorite condos in Fort Walton Beach, Summer Place. You can also pull your boat right up to the docks and stop for lunch. If you ever get a chance to take a vacation on Okaloosa Island, make sure you take a break to enjoy a meal and a game at Helen Back. They also have awesome live music on Wednesday nights! You will definitely be back for more!

Turtles Return Home

In the Star Newspaper in Port St. Joe, Florida, Marie Logan writes a great article about green sea turtles that were returned home to their natural environment last week. These turtles had been rescued from the waters of St. Joseph Bay by a group of "wildlife agencies, turtle patrols and other volunteers over a period of four days" after being "cold stunned" by the extremely cold temperatures that hit Florida's Forgotten Coast early in January. About 20 people apparently gathered at the beach to witness and cheer the turtles return to nature. Gulf World's Stranding Network in Panama City was home to them as they prepared for their return.

It is wonderful to read about people's commitment to these animals. I have vacationed in Port St. Joe at the Barefoot Cottages or in Cape San Blas for a number of years during summer. It is remarkable to be snorkeling, looking for scallops, and look over and see that a sea turtle is swimming nearby. Thanks for looking out for them!

To read the complete article on the turtles' return, click here.

Royal B Mardi Gras

One of Southern Resorts' Favorite partners, Royal B Restaurant, in Destin, is throwing one of the best Marti Gras parties around the Emerald Coast. The festivities are Friday, January 25th and begin at 8:30 PM. Celebrate the New Orleans way with live entertainment, dancing, costumes and the amazing New Orleans style cuisine of Royal B. Make your reservations now!850.269.1741 or sales@royalbrestaurants.com.

Surfing on the Panhandle

Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast can have nice, surfable waves, especially in the winter. Yesterday at key breaks in Destin, Fort Walton Beach and the Beaches of South Walton, tough surfers who could handle the cooler water and air temperatures were out in numbers.

Panama City Beach usually has a great line up, too.

These surfers were having fun despite the grey morning. Luckily by noon, the sun was peaking out and the day turned pretty.

This spring Southern Resorts may begin working with Ride on Surf School, owned by local surfers offering surf lessons. It is a wonderful sport to learn!

For current surf conditions, you can always check official NOAA buoy readings and for a real time view of the beach in Destin, visit Southern Resorts beach cam!

Bridal Shows

The Emerald Coast, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach and the Beaches of South Walton is a popular wedding destination. January and February are likewise popular months for bridal shows in Northwest Florida.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals showcased our properties for guest accommodations and even two wedding venues at the Lupine Home and Barefoot Cottages in Port St Joe at the Gulf Coast Bridal Faire last Sunday, January 13th at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island.

If you are a bride, groom, mother of the bride or in any way associated with the wedding industry, visit some of these shows for great ideas, contacts and help with planning:

Sunday, January 20th - Bridal / Prom Expo at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.

Sunday, February 17th - Bridal Show at the Hilton, Sandestin

Saturday, February 23th - St. Joseph Bay Bridal Expo, sponsored by Panache & Petals by the Bay.

Southern Resorts will be there, too, offering great discounted rates for brides and visiting guests. For more information, contact groupsales@southernresorts.com.

Oh Deer!

While biking in the Seacrest neighborhood this weekend, I stopped by The Oyster and the Pearl when I was surprised to notice something moving in the brush near the house. As I crept closer, a young White-tailed deer was just as surprised to see me! It froze for a second, as did I, before leaping over a saw palmetto and bounding off.

White-tailed deer are common in this area but they usually only come out around dawn and dusk and are so skittish that it is not often you get an up-close encounter. They actually have a pretty hearty population due to their lack of natural predators. Wolves and Florida Panthers have declined in numbers because of hunting and human encroachment which has allowed the White-tailed deer population to flourish. Bobcats and coyotes are now their only threat to the occasional fawn.

The 19th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off

The Market Shops at Sandestin will host the 19th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off tomorrow from 11 a.m.-3 p.m in the gazebo courtyard. The day will be fun-filled with live authentic Cajun and Zydeco music by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Tickets will be $15 & a portion of the net proceeds benefit The United Way. This will be a great opportunity to taste some of Destin & surrounding areas best gumbo recipes & you will have a chance to vote to determine this years winner.
The competition is usually very fierce!

Snowbirds Flock to Emerald Coast

Our Northwest Florida Daily News did a great article on our visiting winter guests we lovingly refer to as Snowbirds. Destin, Fort Walton Beach and the Beaches of South Walton have their own clubs that meet and organize events for these visitors from the North. Thousands of Snowbirds flock to our beach communities on the Emerald Coast of Florida seeking the warmer climate and wonderful rates in our beach homes, cottages and condos.
Look to Southern Resorts' website for Snowbird Happenings, links and specials.
For the Daily News' article click here.

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

Enjoy Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band this evening at the Village of Baytowne Wharf from 6-8 pm. Chubby Carrier is undeniably "The World's Premier Zydeco Showman”. Prepare to be funkified and zydecofied by Chubby and his band. There are traditional roots in Chubby's zydeco, but him and his band expands the sound for all ages. This is truly a new level of "swamp funk" that is going to start rising from the mists of the bayous and taking the country by insidious invasion. Join the zydeco fun at the Village Events Plaza tonight! The Village of Bayowne Wharf is just East of Destin, Florida & convenient to many of Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.

Welcome Grandview at Long Beach

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals is pleased to announce the addition of Grandview at Long Beach #802W to our vacation condo inventory. As its name implies, the views from this upscale beachfront condo are grand, incredible even. On the west end of Panama City Beach, each accommodation has generous balconies overlooking the Gulf. With spacious floor plans, large beachfront pool deck and central location to wonderful shopping, dining and golf, Grandview is the perfect family vacation destination.

For more beach homes, cottages and condos along Florida's Gulf Coast, visit Southern Resorts.

Sunset With The Dolphins

It warmed up this weekend as it usually does on our beautiful coast so we decided to take a sunset cruise on Destin's Original Sea Blaster. It is always so much fun and Captain Larry gives an informative tour of the Destin Harbor and then a thrilling ride through the Gulf of Mexico. To top off the fun, a whole pod of Bottlenose Dolphins followed us for most of the trip, jumping and playing in the wake of the boat. Captain Larry always knows exactly where to go to find them.

The Bottlenose Dolphin ranges in length from 6 to 13 feet and can weigh up to 660 pounds. They live together in family groups called pods that usually contain about 12 dolphins. It was an incredible experience to see all of them swimming right next to us for such a long time! They were so close I could clearly make out every feature, even their ever-smiling mouths that they are notorious for. The Sea Blaster is always an incredible experience, I was able to get great pictures and I can't wait to go back!

Eden State Park

We went today with my favorite photographer - Marla Carter - to Eden State Park to photograph my three daughters. I have been to the park for art festivals and weddings and am always surprised each time with the beauty of the setting. Marla, knowing the best locations, showed me spots I had never noticed. It is a beautiful location to shoot. If you are visiting the Destin and Beaches of South Walton areas, take a little tour. (It is an easy drive from one of Southern Resorts many properties.) The trees and view on the dock are magnificent. If you do want a photographer while you are here, contact Marla in advance. If you want to see samples of her work, visit her site http://www.marlacarter.com/. Sometimes I just go and look for new photos. She captures an incredible view of people. Her husband Shane is also a great photographer and specializes in beach portraits - a must if you are visiting Destin's beaches!

Remember the Gumbo Contest Tomorrow

The Destin Fishing Museum is hosting this competition tomorrow at the Destin Community Center. Anytime is a great time for gumbo in my book, but the cooler weather makes it even more perfect. Stop by from 11:00 - 2:00. It is open to the public for $10. Hope to see you there!

For more such contests, update your calendar with the 19th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-Off at the Market Shops of Sandestin on January 12th from 11:00-3:00 and the 10th Annual Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off on Feb 16th.

Stinky's Fish Camp Cooking Class

Tommorrow evening from 6-8pm Stinky's Fish Camp Chef/Co-Owner Brannon Janka and Assistants Sean Lee and Cortney Winterrowd will be teaching a class at Kitchenique at the Market Shops of Sandestin. This will be a great opportunity to create some of the Fish Camps wonderful food. If you have not visited Stinky's Fish Camp in Santa Rosa Beach before it is a really interesting place. The front room/bar area is reminicent of true fish camps, slightly dark with wood paneling & there is a screened in patio area where you may dine outdoors. The last time I went I had the Stinky's Stew which is delicious blend of Shrimp, Mussels, Gulf Fish, Crab Legs, Wine, Tomato,Lemon, Garlic Broth with Roast Potatoes and Corn & is accompanied by a pressed Crab Po'Boy Wedge. Stinky's is a great place to join friends and have a nice casual evening. You may view their website here.
Stinky's is located off of 30-A East of Destin, Florida. If you stay in Southern Resorts Bawdy Blue house you would be able to walk to the restaurant.

Ice Skating at Baytowne Wharf

We had guests visiting us and all of us needed a break from the Holiday food so we decided to go to Baytowne Wharf this past weekend. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at ACME Oyster House. If you have not had their crab claws you should. They are huge.
Afterwards we took the kids to go ice skating. We had a blast. It has been years since I was on a pair of ice skates. I highly recommend everybody to come and give it a try. They are still opened until Jan 27th. It is a great family event.

Once again what a great place we live in. We have it all! Warm weather, beautiful beaches, the latest in shops and delicious dining and now even ice skating.... It cannot be better.

Marie Babin

Destin Lifeguards take a frosty swim

Lifeguards from the Destin Beach Safety Patrol will ring in 2008 today with a Polar Bear swim. For the first year, the lifeguards have formed a Polar Bear Club to take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico on New Year’s Day to help raise money for the beach safety patrol’s summer junior lifeguard program. They will take the plunge at 11:00 am behind the Crab Trap Restaurant in Destin. The Crab Trap restaurant will be offering food and drink specials during the Polar Bear swim. A donation of $10 is requested for those who attend the event. Come out and support the Destin Safety Patrol Junior Life guard program and enjoy the 1st day of the New Year on the beach.