More Christmas Events

Yesterday we saw the sun! It was beautiful!! :) And we wanted to make the most of having NO rain, so we finally headed to Mobile to tour Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The Christmas lights display has been touted to be fantastic and the home, also.

Dick, Pat, Randy & I left home a little before 2pm because Pat needed to do a little shopping at the Eastern Shore Centre and, since that was on our way to Mobile, we stopped there on our way. Shopping was done by 3:30 and we started talking about where we were going to eat. We had decided to do a late lunch/early dinner as we'd be walking around Bellingrath during the dinner hour.

Around the Eastern Shore Center, there are lots of restaurants to choose from. We'd eaten at a couple of them before, so we wanted to go somewhere different. We decided on Wintzell's, known in this area for its seafood, more specifically oysters. Now, none of us are big oyster eaters, but seafood is always a hit. We were not disappointed!

Pat had a fried seafood platter, Dick had gumbo, I had shrimp wrapped with bacon and cream of crab soup, and Randy had a cheeseburger (yes, I know it was a seafood place, but what can I say?). All of the food was very good. Oh, Dick, Randy & I also had an apple crisp with ice cream for dessert - that was YUMMY!

Now, we were ready to continue to Bellingrath for our tour. To tour both the gardens and the house, it cost $19/adult. To tour them separately, the cost per adult is $11/gardens only and $8/house only. We felt the $19 admission was very reasonable considering the extensive Christmas lights display and the half hour house tour.

Beautiful sunset on the way to Bellingrath

I have no pictures to share with you because no photography is allowed inside the house AND it was nighttime and my camera takes lousy night pictures without some kind of tripod. Check out the website for some pictures. But, trust me it was FANTASTIC!! Randy estimated the walk through the lights display was a mile to a mile and a half. Worth every step and dollar.

We plan to go back in March to tour the gardens again when they are full bloom. Many pictures will be taken then, I promise!

This morning was the Jubilee Pickers' Christmas party at Mike & Kathy's home. They built their home with entertaining in mind. You walk into their huge family/great room and then into their huge country kitchen. Their home is decorated in "horse." :) Kathy is an avid horsewoman and everywhere you turn, you are reminded of that. It's great! Her saddles are set up around the perimeter of the great room and the furniture is comfy leather sofas with throws over the backs. You also are made aware of Kathy's great love of music and books. Mike & Kathy have made their home very welcoming and it exudes their love for others and the Lord. I'm always thrilled to have the opportunity to be in their home.

Entering Mike & Kathy's home

Another view of the great room

Looking back toward the front door - look at those bookcases!

Half of the kitchen (with Mike)

Kathy & Mike, our wonderful hosts

Our Christmas party is always filled with music and food. :) We play music for a couple of hours, then we dive into the goodies everyone brought. It is a feast, to be sure. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the layout of entrees and desserts. So good. And it was great to spend that time with these wonderful folks.

Randy & I came home from the Pickers' party and just vegged for the afternoon. I know my tummy was so full from lunch that I couldn't move fast if I had to!

Dinner this evening was at the clubhouse. (Are you seeing a theme here????) It wasn't fancy, but it was good - ham, green beans, baked potato, salad, drink and dessert. And all for just $6! Can't beat that. We got to sit with Darrell & Judy and that's always a good time. Darrell was a good do-bee and helped out in the kitchen. Such a nice guy. :)

That's it! Forty-eight hours in just a few paragraphs. Can't believe this time next week we'll be at my sister's and it will be Christmas Eve!! And that also means that we'll be seeing the grandkids!! WooHOOOO!

Until the next time . . .