Get-Away

Jeff and I ran away at the end of Febraury to my favorite place on earth: the salty, breezy, sunny Gulf of Mexico.  Specifically, Destin, of course. 

And if you know me well at all, you've probably been with me to my precious family restaurant, Nick's, for some crab claws and fresh oysters.  Straight outta the bay that this little dive sits on.  The wood paneling my great-Uncle Frank hung, and brown tile floors my grandfather, PawPaw laid, fifty years ago, make it what it is today.  It's the "Cheers" of Hwy 20, I suppose.  So if you're going to take the Mid-Bay bridge you should stop just shy at Nick's on the Bay, and ask Trey for a cold one.  (But no moonshine, please....no moonshine.....)

 Jeff and I had 2 dozen oysters, 2 pounds of crab claws, 1 pound of jumbo shrimp (heads-on), and 17 hushpuppies.  And lots of fun talking smack with Trey and the locals.  After that, the Hilton Resort was calling our names. 

The next morning, we met my beautiful cousin Sarah (another Nick--we're all over Fort Walton, people) and one of her girl frannnds for brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe.  Whoa.  I didnt need to eat for 48 hours after that one.  But I could have skipped my meal all together, and just listened to her talk all morning. 

I am so proud of this young lady.  For those (two readers) who dont know, Sarah lost her brother, my cousin, in November.  He's a year older than her, and actually would be 20 tomorrow.  I am blow away by her strength.  I know this is not how she imagined her Senior year start and end, but I cannot imagine a better, stronger guardian angel than her brother.  And Sarah, you rock on, sister.  I loved spending time with you!!

 (btw, Sarah's shirt says "I got my crabs at Nick's" .....nice, right?  That's the restaurant, Nicks.  She works at the other Nicks, Nick's on the Beach, for Frankie, Trey's dad.  If you'd like a family tree or t-shirt mailed to you, let me know ;) ha!  )

We hit the outlets all day long, and burned off that lobster omelet I ate for breakfast.  We also burned J's credit card.... whoops.  Time for date night!  And when I dress up, which is rare, of course, I bust out the tripod.  Thank goodness I have a patient boyfriend.  See.....

 We did actually clean up well, and even running in heels along a wooden deck, I managed to get in the picture before J said "last call! load up!"

 Now date night consisted of seeing a play.  In DeFuniak Springs.  Oh yeah, baby!  And I couldnt think of a place I'd rather be in Walton County!  My cousin Rachael (yes, another Nick) graduated last year from UF in theater, and had her directorial debute at the theater there and she directed Steel Magnolias!!  Well, you better know I wouldn't have missed that one for the world!  I'm so proud of you, Rach, and Mama Connie was one fine assistant too!!

 Sunday, we made one last trip back over "the long bridge" to Nick's, for one last round of crab claws.  (I'm afraid we had as much shrimp in the cooler on the way home  as clothes from the outlets!)  My XO college girlfriend Erika and family came across to bay to join us, apparently they're old Nick's fans too-small world!  My sister came over from Mobile too, and headed to see Rach's play after lunch.  Lunch was so much fun, while us girls played with Sloane and her worms, and the boys....well, I dont know what they did....talked guy stuff by the bait house, cleaning fish or something.  Who knows. 

My sister rocks my world.

 Sloane hiding.  EZ-so glad yall came to join us!  If you need someone to sweep in and completely blow your mind away with her mad interior design skillzzzz, she's your woman.  But get on the waiting list, she's the bomb diggity.  :)

Great weekend.  Much needed.  Wish I could hit replay.  Love my family.  Love my friends.  Love the beach.  Oh, and love those crab claws.