By Patricia Lee
When I was growing up, my Daddy hunted Quail. We always had wild Quail as Christmas Eve dinner either fried with beer batter or baked in a wine sauce. Both were incredibly yummy and worthy of any 5-star restaurant! It was a very fitting dinner for an Alabama family which we very much enjoyed. Daddy’s health does not allow him to go hunting anymore, but I will forever cherish those memories. I asked our Destinites Facebook group what were some of their holiday traditions and here are some of their replies:
1. “Christmas Eve, we read a story from a Christmas book I purchased (a different story every year). Everyone reads a page and passes the book around. We also have to wear a Santa or Elf hat while reading. My kids, grandkids and whoever is with us has enjoyed this family tradition. Then we each tell what we did to help someone or family. I ask my family, kids and grandsons to do a good deed each year instead of a present to me. Even my children who don’t live here FaceTime us and tell us what they did to help someone.”
2. “Bellingrath Gardens every year.”
3. “Boat Parade on the Harbor.”
4. “We’ve done a low country boil for Christmas dinner for the last 12 years and oysters on the grill for Thanksgiving.”
5. “I love the NWFL Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker.”
6. “We have an artificial Palm Tree we decorate with beach theme ornaments we collect from our travels around Florida.”
7. “Shrimp Boil for Christmas meal.”
8. “We love to go walk our dog around Destin Commons because it’s closed.” (Christmas Day).
9. “Peppery Oyster stew on Christmas Eve.”
10. “Always hang my 14×20 crab picture crafted with sticks and wearing his Santa hat.”
Please remember that the holidays are not necessarily a fun, happy time for everybody. Keep that in mind and reach out to those who may be having a tough time. Be the reason that someone smiled and forgot their troubles even if just for a few minutes. Your gesture could make the difference in someone deciding to stay in this world or leave it. Always be kind…always.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season no matter how you celebrate and a happy New Year! If you are a local and have not joined our private Destinites Facebook group (5400+ members), I invite you to do so at www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites and/or sign up for our monthly email newsletter at www.Destinites.com.
Patricia Lee, Creator: www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites
Owner: www.Destinites.com
Views: 0
