Gulf Coast Vacay

I was able to take some vacation time last week to see my parents in the Gulf Coast of AL.  It was a wonderful time spent celebrating my parents 40th wedding anniversary.  My parents, AKA Rob and Brenda Jane, know how to throw a party. The first night, after my sister and brother-in-law arrived, we did a shrimp boil.  Their Louisiana native neighbor, Daryl, came over to lead the charge. Earlier that  day Rob and I went to a local seafood shop and bought 11 lbs. of extra large shrimp. The seafood shop had every size and kind of shrimp imaginable.  It was an amazing place! I could have stay their for hours.  After awhile the smell would have gotten to me, but still a cool place.

The rest of the trip was just as fun as the first night.  The next morning I was coaxed out of bed by the smell of creme brûlée french toast.  Seriously, creme brûlée flavored french toast?? My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  I started wondering how much weight I could gain and still have my plane take off on Sunday.  We traveled to Pensacola, FL that night for dinner at McGuire's Irish Pub.  It was a fun pub with a lot of history and money! Yes, money.  To be exact, $3 million worth of dollar bills are stapled to the ceiling.  I'll include a picture to prove this wacky decorum. If this place ever burns down, they are in big expensive trouble.  They serve Senate Bean Soup for .18.  They haven't raised the price since it was first on the menu in 1972.  If you order that as your stand alone entree, it's $18.  I shared fish and chips with my sister.  Pretty tasty and I didn't need to undo my top button in misery for the ride home.  When you're in the south, pain after eating is as normal as the sweet tea you wash it down with.

Like all the other food wasn't enough, Brenda Jane also made two cakes-carrot cake and triple chocolate with german chocolate icing. I think desserts are her speciality. And as usual she didn't disappoint.  How much weight can I gain again?  It's time to put the fork down and rest up for breakfast the next morning.  What's that sound?  Is it Jenny Craig calling?  No, but it should be.

The fruit and veggies were extra delicious and tasty.  When you buy produce in season everything just tastes better.  It tastes the way it's supposed to be- fresh and alive with flavor.


Before I stepped on the plane I had a sampling of fried green tomatoes, seafood gumbo, trigger fish w creole sauce.  And like any good mother, Brenda Jane, made homemade granola for our trip home.

I weighted myself this morning and much to my surprise I'd only gained one pound.  I considered that a success considering how much I ate and how little (or zero) exercise I did.  It's time to put my sweet home Alabama in the rear view mirror and the gym in my gps.