Some Thankful Thoughts...

Did you know that science proves that practicing gratitude can actually make you happier?!!!

This is great news! So I thought I would take a little break to share some of the things I'm thankful for...

Tea break with a sweet snack...

The colors of fall...

Black cats with pumpkins (Isn't Minnie a cutie pie!)...

Black cats named Pumpkin...

Sharing Brunch with the Hubs (and Remy)...

I'm thankful for FAMILY and FRIENDS...

The beach...

Art...

Traveling and experiencing new cultures...

Sunset...

And SUNRISES...

Flowers...

Good Coffee...

Sharing wine with Family and Friends...

Mickey waffles- big and small...

Seeing hearts in the most unlikely places...
Love notes from God...

I could go on and on. There are so many blessings around us.

Good and pleasant things to occupy our minds...things to be grateful for!!!

What is on your list?

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Knee Deep in the Water Somewhere...

Gulf Island National Seashore.

"Cause now I'm...
Knee deep in the water somewhere
Got the blue sky, breeze blowin wind through my hair
Only worry in the world
Is tide gonna reach my chair?"
- Zac Brown Band
"Knee Deep"

Is the tide going to reach my chair???

I have always heard, and truly believe, that time at the beach works like a balm to your soul. There is something about hearing those waves and feeling the sun on your skin that seems to bring peace and renewed outlook on life.

Last week, the Hubs and I made our way to the Gulf. This trip could not have come at a better time. Life got really stressful all at once: the loss of Mason, stuff at work, etc. So, off we went in search of that sweet peace that comes when one is near the sea!

We spent our week eating, drinking & cooking through Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL and Perdido Key, FL. On our way we found this great little brochure...So we HAD to try it!

The first stop on our journey was, in fact, Bates House of Turkey. When I was little my family always took vacations to the Gulf and we ALWAYS stopped at Bates for lunch on the way down. And who am I to break with tradition???

Yes- I have a Bates House of Turkey Shirt. It says, "Eat Turkey, Feel Perky!" on the back.

Their turkey is good! Really good! A lot of people traveling to the beach use it as a lunch stop and then like the turkey so much that they buy extra for sandwiches at the beach. Bates packs it up for the journey and off you go. They also ship. Check them out: Bates House of Turkey

The next spot to try from the brochure was Cosmos: Cosmos Restaurant and Bar

One word: GO! These guys won the Wine Spectator Award in 2013, and the dish that makes the top 100 in AL is a #1 in our book- Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish!

A glass of Lagaria Pinot Grigio (their house white- it is bright and citrusy..wonderful for summer!), and Firecracker Shrimp (think Bonefish Bang Bang Shrimp...its very similar- delicious).

Me and the Hubs enjoying wine at Cosmos.

This is a WIN! Banana Leaf Wrapped Sea Bass with Cosmo's Grits (Creamy Polenta) and Fresh Veggies. 

The fish is tender and delicious! Cosmos uses a house-made rub that is out of the world good!

As a start to this week's look at Gulf Coast Eating, Drinking & Cooking...well, this is a great way to start!

Coming up this week...

Beignets and Parasailing (we think its a great combo!)

The Gulf Restaurant...it, no kidding, looks like an Oasis

And a peak at Fort Morgan Menus from 1912...the stuff that's on these menus might surprise you...

It's La Bonne Vie Y'all!