I've been absent from blogland for the past two weeks. I hope you missed me just a little. We were on vacation with our family in Florida for a week and I was taking a little time away from blogging, a little down time. I can't wait to catch up with what all of you have been doing.
A sea of emerald green shining in the sun best describes the gulf coast. Coastal scenic highways running from Mississippi through Alabama and the Florida panhandle will take you to a southern paradise. Here you find beautiful small southern towns of old Florida and beaches filled with high-rise condominiums. You are sure to find whatever you love.
I have been coming to these beaches since I was a little girl with my momma, daddy and sister. Every summer we would pack up the car and head south. The beaches were scattered with cottages up and down the scenic roads, with a few hotels in the bigger towns. What a different world now! In Gulf Shores, AL, Pensacola Beach, Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida you have miles of high-rise condos. Then there is Highway 30-A! A ride down memory lane with its homes and cottages, no high-rise condos here. We love both.
We usually spend a week in May and a week in September here. The rest of the year we go for three and four night stays. This trip we spent our week in a high rise in Panama City Beach. I love to get up early and enjoy my coffee on the balcony while enjoying the incredible view. Our grandson Connor enjoys the pool and building sandcastles on the beach. We always plan a day to visit our favorite towns, restaurants and of course favorite shops.
I made a few photographs. Hope you'll pull up a chair, have a favorite beverage and join me as I look at my vacation photographs.
Panama City Beach
Our condo near restaurants and shopping but away from the spring break hang-outs
Childhood Beach Memories
A peek at my childhood scrapbook pages
Time spent on vacation with my Momma and Daddy
My sister made this sweet album and gave it to me for Christmas
Album by Kate Spade
Home Away from Home
in this Beautifully Decorated Condo
Plenty of room for a relaxing stay. Living room and dining area overlook a balcony with a view of the Gulf of Mexico
I love the details in the decorating. Just look at these coral pulls
Full size kitchen. Beautiful stainless appliances and granite countertops
Ready to make a day of it
Seaside
This was Mother's Day weekend. We spent it with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Seaside celebrates this weekend with "ArtsQuest," a festival bringing together artists from all over the world. Beautiful antiques, paintings, jewelry, and any artistic gifts for mom you can imagine. I was pretty good here. I didn't need a trailer to get home but my car was packed with all it could hold!
After all the walking and shopping we sure worked up an appetite. With so many great restaurants it's easy to find anything you want to eat. Casual to elegant and everything in between, something for everyone.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Blackened Grouper, no one does it like the gulf coast!
A little retail therapy, a must here
Jim and I both grew up enjoying vacations at these beaches. Now we enjoy sharing our memories with Connor while making new ones.
Fun, fun, fun with Connor at the beach
Thanks Momma and Daddy for beautiful memories
Remembering you both on your birthdays and Mother and Father's Day
I hope you enjoyed a little of the gulf coast through my photos. I would love to hear about your favorite vacation spots, do tell!
A beautiful sunset to a perfect day!
Go Here
for Memorial Day Beach Getaway
Linking here
Emily, thanks for sharing your recent trip to the beach. I especially enjoyed the peek into your childhood beach days. What a fun album from your sister! I like the idea of morning coffee on the balcony overlooking the Gulf and also early morning walks with sand between my toes. The sunsets are glorious, so I'll add sunset beach walks to my list as well. LOL
ReplyDelete~ Sarah
Oh Emily, I thoroughly enjoyed taking a peek of your wonderful trip through your photos. What a fabulous time you must've had along the gulf coast. Thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteLove all the photos and love this post@
Happy Summer! Well almost.
Makes me want to go on vacation right away...
Pat
Hello Emily
ReplyDeleteYour photos are wonderful and capture the beauty of the area. It is most inviting. The colour of the Gulf is just brilliant.
Connor is precious too.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a great week
Helen xx
Wow, what a lovely vacation. The beach is beautiful along with the condo. The stores are all wonderful too, I would love to check them all out. Thanks for sharing, lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an awesome trip this must have been. The condo looks awesome...and the shopping. I so love going to the beach but Mr. Sweet hates it. We used to go a lot, tho, when kids were little and then when grands were little. Loved seeing all your pretty photos. This post is chock full of delights.
ReplyDeleteOops, you forgot to add the **BLUE MONDAY link.**
ReplyDeletePlease insert:
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing your blues. I found myself sighing often.
I like your new header too.
Happy Blue Monday, Emily.
Beautiful! I've been to Panama City Beach many times. It's one of my favorite places to go.
ReplyDeleteDee
What a beautiful post, Emily. I always enjoy your music, too. Your condo looks fantastic. Great photos, felt as if I was there. Your new header is wonderful. xo
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI really love your photos. I now have a serious case of holiday envy ;-) I'm sure you bought some great stuff at that festival!
Oh myI get homesich right away when I see your Florida photo's. We have been In Florida about 15 times and I do miss it. WE always spent most of our time in Islamorade and Miami. No small hotels in Miami Sunny Isles any more, also more and more condo´s there. Well yes that is business.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week.
Wonderful shots, very cool blue.
ReplyDeletewhat a nice trip through your world! ... you are always welcome :)
ReplyDeleteMy vacation memories, from decades ago, were Brigantine on the New Jersey shore. Always fun, later with the kids to Cape Cod. The Gulf coast has the best seafood, although I only got as close to FL as Biloxi, the freshness of the fish and shrimp was what made it so great. I's like to go to that part of FL, being to the usual Gold Coast Florida in the esat. What a great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, the condo is charming. The sunset lovely and your family snaps quite simply wonderful. We are mountain people and just made reservations for a quick weekend near the National Park Cades Cove for me to take nature photos. Hugs, Olive
ReplyDeleteLove your beach post. So sweet to remember your family vacations with nostalgic photos. I am a southern girl also and live in south Alabama so I am very familiar with all your photos. You made great shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit. Just visited the most amazing garden I have ever seen today located on Lake Martin. I plan to post pictures from the garden soon.
What gorgeous beaches and water! You must have felt like you were in paradise.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Hi lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteI had a home in Port St, Lucie, Florida. a long time ago and sold it back in 1970 !! I MISS the Florida blue waters!! What a beautiful post, Emily. I always enjoy your music, too. Your condo looks fantastic. Great photos, felt as if I was back home~~ Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape. I hope you and your family have a wonderful week.
XXOO Diane
Emily!!! Those photos of you at the beach are adorable (as is Connor). Hey our family always went to Panama City for a week in the summer when I was growing up...I am partial but I don't think there is a more beautiful beach than Gulf Shores down thru Panama City Beach.We stayed at "The Reef Hotel"...it was right across from a wonderful amusement park. In recent years, we have been more to Santa Rosa Beach. I need to drive on down to PCB to see what it is like now. I saw your wonderful post at "Table top Tuesday".
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Lots of blue in there.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! Oh, what gorgeous pictures! I know you had a marvelous vacation and that little one is so cute!
ReplyDeletebe a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
shelia ;)
Wow you did a good job showing us the beautiful place you've been to. I love how blue the water is and the shopping I like what I saw ^_^
ReplyDeleteKim,MI
thanks for joining us with your wonderful photoserie :)
ReplyDeletefantastic shots!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Emily, thank you so much for the amazing vacation getaway I just took reading your blog. The Gulf Coast is totally the BOMB!! I use to live in Destin a gazzilion years ago, before it grew up so much. I still love it, but with it were not quiet so crowded. Use to be the best kept secret and some let it out! LOL. Thanks for the stroll down my memory lane also. I want to go back so bad and I am going one of these days! By the way, your blog is the BOMB! I love it, it is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteOh what a fun tour you took us on! This all looks so gorgeous! I would love to have been there enjoying all this fun and beauty. You took beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm trying to get into this whole "portion control" thing, and I'm doing pretty good. And THEN I see this post with all that wonderful food in monster proprotions (especially that fun giant ice cream cone...mmmm, ice cream!), and I want to just dive right into my computer screen!!!!! Wow, what a wonderful vacation! That condo! Yikes!!! You couldn't pry me outta there with a crowbar! It's good that you were positioned near all the fun stuff without having to endure the perpetual grunts, guffaws and giggles that come along with young people on Spring break. This is the ultimate in relaxation, comfort, style and pure fun!!!!! Uh, yes...my skin just turned bright green. Color me TOTALLY envious!!! :-) Welcome back, Emily!
ReplyDeleteOh my do I ever feel rested and refreshed girl!!! I truly feel like I've been on a mini vacation with ya though your wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm just thrilled ya'll got to do this. It looks marvelous.
God bless ya sweetie and have an awesome day.
Welcome home...you WERE missed!!! :o)
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely vacation with us, makes me yearn to get away NOW! ;) Love your childhood photos and memories, so charming.
ReplyDeleteHappy Rednesday!
Yes Emily you have been missed. What gorgeous views! Such a fantastic place to vacation. Love, love the scrapbook pages of you when you were a little girl. Conner's are so darn cute too! The shopping and food look fantastic. I have only been to Disneyworl in FL. I think I need a beach vacation.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jann
Such a wonderful assortment of photos.. looks
ReplyDeletelike you had a great vacation... I moved to the
Gulf Coast 6 years ago, one mile to Clearwater
Beach and I'm living in paradise for sure...
Nice post
Sandy
I love the Gulf coast. I need to go visit my Dad in Destin and find that wonderful shop with all the olive buckets and olive jars and dough bowls. My oh my.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fabulous trip. Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful images with us! Visiting you from WOW.
ReplyDeleteThis area is my idea of Heaven! I could spend a LOT more time there than is really possible. Looks as though you had a wonderful trip! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeletePat
You're a girl after my own heart! Loved the post. My family had a place at PCB when I was growing up. I have such fond memories. Now we mainly go to Orange Beach, AL and have great memories there too!
ReplyDeleteEmily, Thank for sharing your trip to the Gulf Coast. The beaches there are always so beautiful. I haven't been to Panama City since college days. LOL I'll bet it's changed a lot...and for the better. I'm so ready to go to the beach. Great photos and I love your memory book.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fully loaded post, there is so much to look at! I love the old pics of you as a child, they are so sweet. And wow, I love how the condo is decorated, those nobs and pillows are fabulous! Thanks for sharing Nan
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeletethat was a beautiful journey, thank you for sharing so many wonderful details. The sea pictures are gorgeous. I don't know who decided to chose blue parasols and deckchairs but it makes a really great view with the blue of sea and heaven. And I love the room decorations, especially the coral accents are heavenly.
Best greetings, Johanna
Wonderful! I've just found your lovely blog, and I'm a new follower ~ So nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Anne
What a wonderful vacation you had! I bet Conner will have so many happy memories when he grows up. You passed this on. Enjoyed the cyber tour you posted this week.
ReplyDeleteJoyce M
Thanks for taking me on a stroll through paradise. What a room, love love loved the pillows on the bed, the blue tables and chairs and umbrella's on the beach, and of course the fried green tomatoes. My fav.
ReplyDeletegreat vacation.
cindy@stitches
I just enjoyed a great little getaway with you on the Gulf coast. I live across the state and have only been over to the West Coast once as an adult. I believe we went as kids. Boy, I just love the thought of the cottages and yet the view from the condo was spectacular. Thanks for giving me something to consider doing sometime that's not too far away.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Your gulf coast trip looks so relaxing with all that sand and sun. All of the photos of the quaint shops would be my favorite area (other than the beach). Love all the red items for sale, the rooster is so neat. Sometimes we need respite from our everyday lives.
ReplyDeleteAnn
P.S. I love your header!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my! It looks absolutely astounding! I can tell you had a wonderful time -- especially loved the fun photo treatments and all the great shops. There's nothing like the beach for a break in the action -- I hope yours was terrific.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that my posts on France will probably resume tomorrow or Friday at the latest (blogger cooperating is a necessity). So stop by!
We love this part of Florida...in fact, we stayed at the WaterColor Inn a few years ago and loved it. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. "Our" vacation spot is Siesta Key, but we sure do like the Panhandle too! ~Zuni
ReplyDeleteEmily, You were in my old stomping ground and your post makes me home sick! We are headed to Destin in July to spend time with family. Next time you have to try the cheese grits at the Southern Cafe.. they are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in at Quirky Vistas and giving me feedback on the paint color and for your sweet comments on my back yard. So kind. Do come again. I'll be back for sure!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Beautiful Blues of places and things around:)
ReplyDeleteVisiting for Blue Monday- hope you can stop by:)
http://appleduffle.com/2012/05/lawn-mowers-manual.html
Wow. beautiful photos. I feel like I am with you on this fabulous trip. The beach, the food and the shopping....Wow.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and thanks for sharing. Linda
Looks like a fabulous vacation. You have me pining away for sady beaches and crystal clear blue water ...
ReplyDelete:)
Linda
Oh, I enjoyed every picture, from the scenery to the shopping to the food. So bright and colorful. I am longing for the sea...
ReplyDeleteSchool is finally out, and we are @ Lake Martin. YAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, especially of Seaside, one of my favorite places on earth!
I know y'all are having a great time!
I am so glad you are back :) It looks like a wonderful trip and I love those coral handles on the dresser in your condo!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Memorial Day!
blessings,
karianne
I have been transfixed by the beauty of this beach scenery. The colors are amazing - the sky so sparkling blue - so terrific to be able to get away to such a lovely place and enjoy your family - so glad you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
It looks like you had a wonderful time! The beach and sunset pictures are fabulous and the shopping looks fantastic. So glad you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous stretch of beach and I love the community. Looks like you all had a great time. Connor is so cute! Love that age! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry