1/27/2009

Date Night

A contribution from Ms. Beachin'.

OK readers I have to admit I am a foodie, but not in the commonly accepted definition of foodie. I cannot list all the ingredients I taste on my plate nor can I tell the difference between an ’89 and a ’98 chardonnay. I do know the difference between Chablis and Chardonnay but that’s as far as it goes. But I can tell when my taste buds are happy and lately they’ve been very happy.

Friday is “official date night” for my husband and me. It is when I don’t have to cook and we pledged not to discuss mundane items such as “cost of gas”, when is the mortgage payment due, and “do I need to run to the market and get milk?”

My only rule is we do not go to fast food take out, other than that we can go bargain basement or “gee I hope the credit card can handle this bill” type of places to eat.

This week it was Mexican. Other than quick over the border trips to Tijuana and Rosarita Beach I can’t say if I know authentic Mexican cooking or not. But after eating in many of the local area Mexican restaurants my favorite is Tequila’s located in the Bruno’s shopping center in Gulf Shores. It is tucked into the corner near Coastal Video. (remember to pick up a DVD before going home). They recently expanded and waiting time is minimal.

The chips and salsa arrive on your table as the menu is handed to you. Great munching while figuring out what you really want to eat. When it comes to Mexican food I am a safe eater. Hot to me is not a flavor. The California burrito is wonderful, filled with chicken (steak is an option) rice, refried beans, lettuce and sour cream. It is more than enough for 2 people and priced at just $8.99. I have to confess I am eating the leftovers as I write this blog. My husband also referred to as “hon” is a chilies rellenoes fan. This dish is hon’s all time favorite and he orders it every time. His plate can also feed 2, but typically male he can inhale it all and not gain a pound. Leftovers is just not in his vocabulary.

Dinner including a glass of wine cost about $22, to me that’s a bargain in tourist town.

Hasta Lavista Baby!

1/22/2009

Traditions


The South is full of family traditions. We'll continue one of ours this weekend at the Senior Bowl. Beachin Brett and I have attended many Senior Bowls, it's a great event with the finest senior college football players in the country gathering in Mobile to be coached by NFL coaching staffs.
Soon to arrive on the scene is another of our family traditions, Mardi Gras. From our new favorite spot at Phoenix West, we'll make the short drive to catch the parades in Mobile and Fairhope. We'll probably ride the bikes to the parades in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and hop on the ferry to catch the parade at Dauphin Island.
Stay tuned for updates on the parades, and of course my review of the game.
See you at the Beach!

1/11/2009

January 2009 Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore the speckled trout are being caught in deeper bends and holes in the creeks.

Sheephead have made a strong showing with good catches being reported around the rocks and the Perdido Pass Bridge on live shrimp.
The vermilion snapper and trigger fish are being caught in depths of 110’ to 120’ on cut squid. There have been a lot of catch and release red snapper on all public reefs.

Quite a few tunas are being caught around the rigs jigging, trolling and chunking. Most of the yellow fin tunas are in the 40 lb to 60 lb range with an a occasional larger fish.

Good catches of black fin tunas are being caught on diamond jigs at most of the rigs.
Reel Surprise Charters has relocated to SanRoc Cay Marina in Orange Beach,AL. We have assumed the management of the charter office and the dock store. SanRoc Cay Marina is a full service marina with four restaurants, retail shops and full service salon.

Capt. Randy Boggs
www.reelsurprisecharters.com

1/05/2009

A Word from Beachin' Mom

As a mom I am always looking for a way for me to relax and the kids still have fun. My latest scam (sorry I meant plan) is to book a beach vacation in Gulf Shores AL for the family. I am tired of staying in a hotel room where I don’t get a lot of personal space so renting a condo is looking really good to me.

The door to the master bedroom gets quietly closed while the kids hang out in their own bedroom or the living room.

My children are old enough to make cereal for breakfast and pour their own milk from a premeasured glass I leave in the fridge. (This is a great spill prevention trick I learned with my oldest son Brett). My children are early risers especially when the beach is calling them. On the other hand, mom, likes to sleep in late (hopefully 9AM).

The vacation rule is “let mom sleep” and you can wake her up only after you ate all of your breakfast. This usually works out well for me. Dad may have to wake up and supervise TV watching but he’s really good about it and as long as SportsCenter is on he’s a happy camper.

It is so much easier for the family to eat-in in the mornings and we save money by using the kitchen to store snacks and munchies.

Dinner is usually out on the town and the family looks forward to trying a new place each night.

If we eat in, I have lot’s of heat ‘n eat recipes that gets me in and out of the kitchen really fast, and then we all have ice cream out on the patio.

Me, my family and Ben & Jerry…..hmmmmmmmm what a great way to end the day!

1/03/2009

2008 in the Rearview

2008 was a great year. Great concerts, great weather, no majorstorm activity for our area, a mild winter. But I think 2009 will be even better. There'll be friends and family visiting as always, great weather in the greatest place to vacation (or live, if you're as lucky as me) in the South. There will be good times, good friends and much more.
I hope to see you here this year.
As Always, See You on the Beach!!