Nov 2008

OK, ladies, if you are having a hard time getting your hubby to commit to coming to the Alabama Gulf Coast so you can get an early start on your seasonal shopping, sit him down at the computer, direct him to www.thebeachiscalling.org and have him click on the “Fishing” tab. When the drop-down menu opens, help him find the “What's Biting?” section. There are a year's worth of archived articles there, and they have interviews with local charter captains about what's biting and how to catch it.

Bull reds (redfish), trout and flounder are among the draws this time of year. And remember, with the mild daytime temperatures, a fishing excursion can be a relaxing way to while away some time, say, while your honey hits a few shops, boutiques and specialty stores.

The two of you can go back to the home page and then hit the “Packages & Deals” tab to look for specials.

Just remember, with the right bait, you can land him hook, line and sinker!

I love to be a great hostess, and I love to have people come stay at my home. Sometimes, circumstances don't allow that. Maybe there are too many people and not enough house; maybe there are friends (and we do have some of these types) who just feel more comfortable in their “own” accommodations. They love to spend time with us, hang out, catch up, shop, sightsee, whatever – but then be able to feel as if they aren't “overstaying their welcome” by going to a hotel, condo or other rental facility. Hey, if it means they come more frequently and stay an extra day, we're good with it.

We know we have friends we'll see a lot more this time of year than during the summer. They will take advantage of the great rates to be found on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and they'll make several visits.

I have a plan for the next trip. I'm going to propose a boy/girl weekend. The gals will take over the rental, and we'll make sure to get one of the “shop 'til you drop, then hit the spa” packages” available at www.thebeachiscalling.org. The guys can have the house to themselves, and we'll have three days to catch up, chill out and plan for Christmas!

It's almost time! The day after Thanksgiving, Orange Beach hosts its “Lighting of the Island Christmas Tree” ceremony. It's at 6 p.m. At 4550 Main St. After the tree lighting, festivities move to the Wharf, where wee ones can have a free photo made with Santa himself!

( Wharf also will be host to the Pleasure Island Christmas Parade at noon Dec. 13.)

If holiday lights make your season a bit brighter, plan a trip to Bellingrath Gardens while you're here.

“Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights” starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Eve. There are more than 3 MILLION twinkling lights and 835 set pieces in 12 major scenes. Here's the best part: This year, there's a brand new set dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico! It's called “The Under Water Garden,” and it shows jellyfish, squid, fish, crab, seahorses, starfish, stingrays and sea lettuce. Doesn't that sound amazing? Details are at www.bellingrath.org. I can't wait!

The dishes are washed, the leftovers are (finally) all put away, and the tidying up is complete. What's left to do before Thanksgiving Day draws to a close? Break out the sales papers, baby! We've got shopping strategies to plan!

No, I'm not kidding. This takes pen-and-paper planning. There's the list of early birds versus Johnny-go-laters. Then there are the Wharf hounds versus the Pinnacle peakers. Bargain hunters versus find-it-fasters. Meals, rest stops and trips home to unload bulky items have to taken into consideration as well.

That's one of the (kazillion) great thinks about living on the Alabama Gulf Coast. We're so close to so many places, and the options are almost limitless.

We have friends and family members who come down a couple of times a year specifically for shopping. They hit the Tanger Outlet Centers for clothes and shoes, the boutiques and locally owned stores for gifts, the markets for fresh fish and seafood, and the list just keeps going.

This Thanksgiving, if you're visiting me, go ahead and have that extra slice of pie. Trust me, we'll be working it off during Black Friday!

With the holiday season here, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the shopping and the cooking and the wrapping and the baking and the decorating and the stuff. So make a pact with your best gal pals to spend an afternoon or an evening – a day, if you can – just hanging out together and having a good time.

Maybe you'll go shopping; maybe not. Maybe there will be mani-pedi appointments; maybe not. Maybe there will be pasta, coffee and chocolate; maybe ... OK, there will be pasta, coffee and chocolate!

You'll trade recipes. You'll admire shoes and handbags. You'll brag – just a bit – about the kids. And for a few hours, you won't be somebody's mom, or wife, or boss, or assistant. You'll be somebody's friend.

It'll be over too soon, but you'll enjoy it longer than you can imagine.

Make the time. It's worth it.