What's Cooking October 2022 Vacation

Back from vacation and so glad I went. I left on 10/11 from Atlanta after my appointment with Kimberly. I planned to eat lunch in Newnan since my appointment was early. I got to Positano Pizza about noon and had a delicious white pizza.

I was in no rush and planned to stop a little out of the way at a German shop in Alabama. I didn't need lunch but got some almond cookies for dessert and a bag of lemon ginger Haribo candy. Back on the road.

I got to my bed and breakfast about 5:30 central time. So cute! And David and Eric, the owners, are very nice. I got to my room, asked for a dinner recommendation and relaxed a little. Porch view.

Dinner was at The Tin Top, close to Magnolia Springs. When I arrived it was packed. At the hostess stand the woman ahead of me was told there was an hour wait. My turn, I had only 1 in my party and I was seated immediately. Yay!

I ordered oysters for my appetizer of course and a fish dish for dinner.

I got seated because my server had some large parties and I just fit in. My server was excellent! Very busy place, such great service.

Slept very well Tuesday night, had a nice breakfast Wednesday morning, wonderful fresh fruit and headed to the pitcher plant bog. Gorgeous.

A nice loop trail with, I guess, the bay at the end with pelicans.

Pitcher plants are beautiful I think and I took many pictures. Just one more here.

Just as I got to the end of the loop, over to the parking lot and into my car, it poured. I was covered. Since it was raining so hard, I decided to drive to Foley and check out the model train museum. The train setup was closed but I checked out the caboose and of course the stove in the caboose.

I strolled through some antique stores and headed back to my room to read, knit, nap. Perfect.

Dinner was at Jesse's with more appetizer oysters and a fish special that was good. Service was good but more fake caring than what I experienced at Tin Top. The server was nice, available but not genuine. I had a good meal but wouldn't go back. I'd go back to Tin Top.

Thursday I went back to the train museum since the model train display wasn't open Wednesday. Yes, I did take the scavenger hunt paper to look up about 45 items in the display. It took me a while and I needed about 4 clues from the volunteers but I found everything.

Then I went to Gulf Shores, parked at the state park and dipped my toes in the Gulf. Also checked out the pier, looked for sharks, manatees, no luck. But sun and water excellent.

I also decided that my choice of places to stay was perfect for me this time. While planning, I thought about staying in Gulf Shores on the beach but went with quiet at the bed and breakfast. Maybe another visit will be on the beach.

I headed to Fairhope to check out the museum there. Barbara and Earl were also staying at the B and B and said it was a nice place to check out. Loved it. Had a nice informational tour with a docent and spent more time than I thought. Didn't take pictures, just forgot.

I was hungry, it was about 2:30, and the art gallery person (nice fiber exhibit) and the museum receptionist both suggested Tamara's. Very good food and very good service. I got the fried green tomatoes with crab topping and was too hungry to remember a picture.

Since I had such a late, big lunch, I decided to stop at Piggly Wiggly ad pick up stuff for a room picnic later. No going out. I got some cheese, prosciutto, hummus, fancy lemonade. Again perfect. Some knitting, some reading, lots of relaxing.

And then it was Friday and time to drive home. Breakfast before I left and then on the road. First stop pecans. I purchased some pecan meal, small pieces and treats.

Next stop turkey farm. I picked up hickory smoked turkey breast that is delicious. Just after entering Georgia I was delayed by an accident but had filled the car, used the restroom and bought some iced tea so just drove very slowly.

Back to Eastern time and I got home about 6:30. Hungry of course! Sourdough bread from the freezer, romaine from the porch, turkey from my stop. Very good sandwiches and chips for dinner.

I was going to grocery shop Monday after vacation but decided to use what I have. I discovered we had a lot when husband checked out the freezer before I left. Husband had a pasta dish, pork verde and Korean pork while I was gone.

Saturday we had sausage stuffed peppers with frozen ravioli and jarred sauce for dinner. Sunday morning I made biscuits, gravy and scrambled eggs.

Sunday dinner shrimp (from the freezer) tacos, black beans with leftover pico, a slaw with cabbage, carrots, orange bell pepper, olive oil, vinegar, seasoning. Delicious.

Trying to go several more days without shopping. Don't want to waste what we have and groceries cost money. I have pizza and salad planned, porcini pot roast from the freezer, salmon pasta. I like having food in the pantry and freezer but no hoarding. Time to make use.