Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sizzling Summertime at the Beach!

Summertime and the living is easy......

What would summer be without beach music?
Beach music has always been a part of our summer celebration!
These samples are guaranteed to make you want to head for the beach!

 Some of my fav's are  Carolina shag music
Steve Boone's Summer in the City,
Beach Boys Sounds of Summer & so many more!
 Remember this?
My fav Nat King Cole's

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
You'll wish that summer could always be here

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

I could sit here & listen to these samples all day!

What's your favorite Summertime Beach Music?

 We're saving a seat for you!



Sunday, July 18, 2010

Emerald Coast Shrimp

Nothing is more delicious than succulent Florida shrimp  -
fresh off the boat!

 
 These shrimp are so fresh they slept in the bay last night.

As promised, I'm sharing my Emerald Coast Shrimp Creole with you here.
No, you won't use all 30 lbs. of shrimp for this recipe 
and these shrimp freeze beautifully!

 
 Shrimp Creole
1/2 cup butter

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
1 Tbsp Creole seasoning
2 Tbsp tomato paste 
(I like more tomato taste, so I use more)
2-1/2 cups tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups clam juice or shrimp stock
2 Tbsp garlic, minced

2 bay leaves
cayenne to taste

Kosher salt to taste

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp white pepper
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 Tbsp Tabasco (or to taste)

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 lbs. peeled and deveined shrimp
¼ cup chopped parsley
½ cup green onion tops, thinly sliced
Melt the butter in a large pan over medium high heat. 
Add onions, celery, and bell pepper. 
Reduce the heat to medium and season with Creole Seasoning and a pinch of salt. 
Cook until the vegetables are soft. 


Add the tomato paste mixing well, and cook, stirring constantly, 
until the paste begins to brown, then add the tomatoes 
and another pinch of Kosher salt, if desired. Stir well.
When the tomatoes start to break down into liquid add the white wine, 
Turn the heat to high until most of the alcohol burns off. 
Add the clam juice or shrimp stock, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper,
white pepper, cayenne (to taste), and thyme. 
Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. 
Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire, and adjust the seasonings with Kosher salt, if needed. 
Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the shrimp. 
Do not overcook shrimp. 
Let them slowly simmer in the sauce until just cooked through. 

Enjoy!

If you would like a copy of the recipe, just click on the email link below
& I will be glad to share it with you.


We still have a few weeks left for your summer beach vacation!
Email us for rates & availability.
Phone: 850.543.9239 

We're saving a seat for you!




Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Destin celebrates Independence Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Long may she wave!
There will be so much celebrating in Destin you won't know where to begin.
Photo Emerald Grande
 There will be the traditional fireworks display over the East Pass.
Commander's Palace in Emerald Grande or any of the restaurants in 
HarborWalk Village is a great vantage point.

More fireworks shows will be in Bay Towne Wharf, Ft. Walton Beach, and Niceville.
Or join the Hilton Sandestin Beach’s patriotic Fourth of July party with spectacular beach fireworks and festivities on the pool deck featuring a traditional buffet dinner with all-American and coastal favorites.
You might want to just catch a few zzzzz's.......

or surf the waves!

Have a safe & happy 4th of July!

It's not too late to reserve your beach condo.
See photos & descriptions of our vacation rentals at
or send an email for rates & availability to

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Seashells and Wedding Bells


Nothing is more romantic and unforgettable 
than a beach wedding on the Emerald Coast.


Imagine the beach wedding of your dreams just as the sun is dipping into the shimmering
Gulf of Mexico or an incredible, starry night sky on the sugar white beaches of Destin as your backdrop.




There are experienced and creative consultants here to help you plan and design a beautiful wedding that reflects your personality, your style, your ideas, your dreams and your budget.

Some of the local Florida beach wedding consultants include:
Barefoot Weddings
Sugar Beach Weddings
Ultimate Beach Weddings
 




There are many locations to have your marriage ceremony or vow renewals all along the Emerald Coast beaches. There are several State Parks that also allow Beach Weddings that are free to use.  This is my cousin's wedding on the beach in Destin.


Footwear is important at beach weddings, since shoes don't work in the sand. We found these adorable Barefood Bridal Sandals at the Beach Theme Wedding Shop.  Pam just used silk ribbons wrapped to look like beach sandals and they were perfect.



Don’t forget that a Florida marriage license is required. You can contact the Clerk of Court's office for requirements.


Congratulations June brides!


Vacation rentals in Destin, Florida

Email us for rates & availability:  jeanne001@cox.net

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Dream of living the island lifestyle right on the Destin Harbor?

AVAILABLE NOW ~ YEAR LEASE!
 Only $1250/month
2 bedroom, 2 bath furnished condo right on the
beautiful Destin Harbor.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend Kicks Summertime in Destin, FL


It's Summertime at the beach in Destin!

Yep, it's official - Memorial Day kicks off our summertime season with a bang!
Complete with fireworks at the Emerald Grande.

Photo:  Emerald Grande
 Destin is packed with beach-goers, boaters, fishermen, 
bikers, yolo boarders, para-sailers!


There are so many fun things to see and do here on your beach holiday.
 You will never hear "I'm bored" from your kids!

These are some of our favorite activities:
Florida's Gulfaruim


The Track Family Recreation Center



They offer go-carts, mini golf, bumper rides, kid's corner and big thrills!


There is a section for smaller kids and for bigger kids.



And of course, a video game arcade!


Deal or No Deal paid off!!!

Check out this video of the new Honolulu Half Pipe:
Big Kahuna's Water Park



Plus the most exciting show of all Le Grand Cirque now playing in Destin!


Performers hand-picked from all over the world.



You cannot miss this !!!
 
Lighting at the entrance of Le Grand Cirque



If you prefer to simply veg, we're saving this seat for you!
Can't you feel the sand between your toes?

See our vacation rentals on our website at
Barefoot By The Sea in Destin.

Call us at 850.543.9239 to check rates and availability or email us anytime.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Le Grand Cirque Comes To The Emerald Coast

Wildly exciting news to kick off our Summer season!

We are thrilled as Le Grand Cirque makes its Florida debut on our
Emerald Coast this Memorial Weekend. 
They will be performing here the entire summer!

Photo Le Grand Cirque Destin

The jaw-dropping show includes performers, athletes, gymnasts from Brazil,
China, Russia, Mongolia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

The show will perform nine shows a week in the 1,053-seat Grand Arena
designed especially for this show at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.
  

  Performances include acrobatics, trapeze artists, balance and aerial acts, contortionists.
This show will have you on the edge of your seat.

For up-to-date news you can find the show on Facebook at Le Grand Cirque Destin.

Tickets start at $29.50 for kids up to $75 for gold seating tickets. 
Buy online http://www.cirquedestin.com or call 866/973-6910
or visit Silver Sands for discounted tickets.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
While you're at Grand Boulevard don't miss Mitchell's Fish Market, our favorite restaurant,
and two of our favorite shops:
PRETTY PLEASE MAGICAL CHILDREN'S CLOTHING

SANCTUARY CLOTHING  -  TRENDY STYLE
Grand Boulevard

WE'RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!

Visit our Barefoot By The Sea Vacation rentals to see our beach rentals!
 Phone us for rates & availability:  850.543.9239
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Friday, May 21, 2010

BLESSING OF THE FLEET 2010

 
Destin is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and
is home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in the state of Florida.
Our fishing fleet is the heartbeat of our community.



Last week the Destin Harbor was teeming with boats of all types for the 53rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet.  Over 130 boats lined up to receive their blessings from 13 clergy who participated in the blessing.  As they paraded by, blessings for safety, prosperity and future success were spoken over the boat and the crew.

Crowds lined the docks to watch more than a 100 boats receive blessings from ministers who prayed for safe & bountiful harvests for the fishermen.  One of the first boats was a Coast Guard vessel, which they blessed for standing between local shores and the oil slick.



The senior pastor of Immanuel Anglican Church,  Rev. Mike Hesse, has blessed more than 1,980 boats in the last 18 years.


Ship ahoy!



There were boats of all sizes & shapes, including majestic sailboats, dive boats, parasail boats, family pleasure & fishing boats, pirate ships and fishing charter boats.



Many of the boats were festive with decorations.


Some even brought their 'best friend'.


Decked out!


Lining up for the blessing






Feathered local



Gotta have some bling!



Blessings



The grand finale of the day was a delicious fish fry complete with all the trimmings.


Charter boats


Another heart-stopping Destin sunset!

We join the clergy & locals in wishing our fishing fleet a safe & prosperous 2010!
 


See our vacation rentals on our website at : www.barefootbytheseaindestin.com

Give us a call for rates & availability:  850.543.9239
Email:  jeanne001@cox.net
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