Thursday, March 17, 2011

SOME NEW VOCABULARY TO US OKIES...

is what we discovered on a short Spring Break trip to Alabama! We decided to use some Marriott points and go to the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort at Point Clear, Alabama. This is in Mobile Bay, about 45 minutes from the beaches of Gulf Shores. We discovered a beautiful place with lovely people, delicious food, and a wonderful little downtown in Fairhope. Here's what we learned:

JUBILEE - a rare occurrence once or twice a year when the weather conditions are just right and an abundance of fish, crabs, etc., get caught up and wash up on the beach and can't get back out to sea. Everyone comes out, even if it happens in the dark of night, when they hear "Jubilee!" and people ringing bells, to come gather fresh seafood. This did not happen while we were there, but I saw lots of pictures and articles about it.

BEIGNETS - donut holes freshly made with powdered sugar on top! Yum. We went to a place that was featured on my husband's favorite Food Network show, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," to get them. They serve them with a fresh lemon you squeeze all over which makes a lemony icing.


LIVE OAKS - the hugest trees with short trunks and long reaching branches, some that dip to the ground. We saw some centuries-old ones that were just gorgeous!

BOILED PEANUTS - so I never tried them, but they looked like green beans in ziploc bags. Let me know if you've had these before. We just couldn't imagine eating peanuts with the shell on them.

MARDI GRAS - So, I know about it, but did you know the first Mardi Gras was held in Mobile, Alabama???

ALLIGATOR ON A STICK - Fair food for them!

Y'ALL - used even more in Alabama than Oklahoma!!! And almost every lady talks like Paula Deen.

MORE LATER...got a boatload of laundry to do!

8 comments:

The 5 Arbuckle's said...

So basically the fish and crab are committing suicide. Did anyone think they might need counseling?

Looks like you had fun. Did you try the alligator?

Gena said...

Those beignets and alligators on sticks are making my mouth water. Seriously. Glad you were able to get out of town for a few days!

Lori said...

The beignets and the big old oak trees SO remind me of New Orleans! Neat that you explored a new part of the country :)

Catherine said...

Sounds really great! Although listening to Paula Deen cracks me up -- I'm worried that if I went to a place where most of the women talked like that, they might lock me up for being crazy! When really, that accent just gives me the giggles for some odd reason. Naw -- for those beignets I might just choke down the giggles. Glad you had fun!

OK Chick said...

I feel very educated! It looks like you guys had a great time.

Lori said...

How neat! Glad you had a great time! The alligator on a stick certainly looks like chicken, but I don't think I could eat it. :)

Melanie said...

So glad you got to spend some time in Alabama. After living here for most of my life I must say I've never seen alligator on a stick. The boiled peanuts are great...but you don't eat the shells. Even though they are boiled in the shells, you remove shells and just eat the peanuts.

Alyssa said...

Oh my!! I've forgotten about boiled peanuts!! They were THE thing we HAD to try when we moved to Florida. I think they are horrible...slimy...slippery...ick. I prefer roasted/salted Planters version. But your trip sounds so great!!