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It's Time to Get Your Holiday "Spirits" On!

Now that it's starting to get pretty chilly down here at the beach all of us at Willow are starting to get excited about the holidays and all of those little traditions that we love to do each year. One of my favorite things to do around this time of the year is drink Starbuck's Caramel Apple Spice. Whether it's on the go or while I cozy up with a new book and take it easy, I always look forward to this delicous drink around this time! I decided to ask everyone else at Willow what their favorite holiday drinks are and wanted to share the recipes with all of you!! 

Celia's (Owner) - Cranberry Mojito

Click here for recipe!

Cindy's (Owner) - Champagne

Aren't these flutes amazing?! Click here to purchase. 

Rebekah's (Seaside Manager) - White Chocolate Egg Nog

Doesn't this look delicious?? Click here for recipe!

Abbie's (WearWillow Manager) - Caramel Apple Spice

This recipe is from Our Little Coop. Check it out here!

Tiffany's (Rosemary Manager) - Pumpkin Pie Martini

A perfect way to start the holiday's off! Recipe. 

Now that we've shared our favorite drinks with you, we would LOVE to know what yours are!! - Abbie XOXO

 

 

Something a lil Spicy...

because of this tiny 6" precious lil blessing, I am craving all things spicy 

So if you are too or if you are having me over to your casa, maybe have these on hand. 

or

You will thank me. OMG, delish. Morgan, I could kill you for introducing me to the jalapeno pretzel chips. One, because I finish off the whole bag in one day, and two, because you can only get them at Walmart (goes against my ban of ever having to visit Walmart). 

Anybody have any other yummy things to share ?????

Rosemary's Good Eats!

Rosemary is the most quaint and beautiful little town and you can't not fall in love. In our opinion, Rosmary also has the best selection of restaurants to chose from on 30a. You can park your car for vacation and literally never have to leave.  

We get asked about where to eat more than any other question, so here ya go:

With the busiest season just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to give our out-of-town shoppers a little insight to the restaurants in Rosemary Beach. They are all in walking distance from Willow...what better way to spend your summer evenings than to come by Willow then head to a cozy little cafe' or tapa's place!

Onano Neighborhood Cafe' - Italian Cuisine, only open for dinner.

Edward's Fine Food and Wine - Our newest edition...the food is wonderful!

Cowgirl Kitchen - Great for lunch or take-out and perfect for kids!

La Crema Tapas and Chocolate - Don't miss dessert at La Crema!

Paradis - Delicious fine-dining!

Sugga Pies - If you can't make it for lunch, make sure to grab a freshly made cupcake.

Wild Olives - Perfect stop for a bottle of wine and cheese. You can also pack a picnic for the beach from here!

Summer Kitchen - One of RB's fav's. It's that good!

Restaurant Paradis

Fabulous fine dining and a very fun bar. (the only full-serve bar in Rosemary..watch out for their martini's)!!! Amazing food and people. Must have reservations and maybe leave the kids at home this night. 

and of course...DOG MAN DU! You can't leave Rosemary without trying one of Dog Man Du's famous hot dogs!

Turkey Day menu block???...here ya go!!!!

 

Only a few days left until that one day of the year when we (maybe) don't count calories and allow ourselves to have a nap in the middle of the day and not keep it a secret!!!  Kav and I traveled south (yep south of our beach), to another beach, Naples, to spend an early Thanksgiving with his family. I love Thanksgiving and have always been a HUGE volunteer in the kitchen.....to clean only!! Never have I been much of a fixture at the ole stove for cooking. So Kav thought I had a fever when I volunteered to cook Thanksgiving ALL BY MYSELF for his family. 

Well if you know me, once I've said I'm going to do something...I'm gonna do it. So I was in deep trouble. I turned to the trusty Southern Living in the airport on the way down and picked out the menu below. Not to give myself a pat on the back, but OH MY GOSH, it was delicious. My favorite was the Creole Dressing and Crannberry Salsa and Kav's fav was the Collard Greens, Squash Casserole and turkey (he said it was a 3-way tie). 

Everyone had a fav, but I "think" they loved it all. We had a tiny bit of dressing left over and that was it. And no one got food posioning today. The Tucker's have decided to keep me around. 

So IF I CAN COOK AN ENTIRE THANKSGIVING DINNER ALL BY MYSELF....ANYONE CAN!!!!!!!! (print out these recipes...promise you won't regret it) 

Good Luck and Happy Eating. xoxox -celia

APPLE-BOURBON TURKEY & GRAVY

• 4 cups apple juice
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 (12- to 15-lb.) whole fresh turkey*
• Cheesecloth
• Kitchen string
• 4 celery ribs
• 4 large carrots
• 3 small apples, quartered or halved
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Stir together apple juice and next 2 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• 2. Remove giblets and neck from turkey, and rinse turkey with cold water. Drain cavity well; pat dry. Place turkey in a large roasting pan. Dip cheesecloth in apple juice mixture. Wring dry. Cover turkey with cheesecloth; pour apple juice mixture over cheesecloth, coating completely. Cover and chill 12 to 24 hours, basting occasionally with marinade.
• 3. Preheat oven to 325°. Remove turkey from pan, discarding cheesecloth and reserving 3 cups marinade. Sprinkle cavity with desired amount of salt; rub into cavity. Sprinkle desired amount of salt and freshly ground pepper on skin; rub into skin. Tie ends of legs together with string; tuck wingtips under.
• 4. Arrange celery and next 3 ingredients in a single layer in bottom of roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on celery mixture; pour reserved marinade over turkey in pan.
• 5. Bake at 325° for 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices and shielding with aluminum foil after 2 hours and 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Remove from oven, and let stand 30 minutes.
• 6. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, reserving 2 1/2 cups pan drippings. Pour reserved drippings through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large measuring cup, discarding solids.
• 7. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add drippings, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring mixture occasionally, 5 minutes or until gravy thickens. Add up to 1/2 cup chicken broth for desired consistency, if desired. Stir in salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve turkey with warm gravy.
• *Frozen whole turkey, thawed, may be substituted. 

CREOLE CORNBREAD DRESSING

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package andouille sausage, chopped
• 8 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 large celery ribs, diced
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 medium-size green bell pepper, diced
• Cornbread Crumbles
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms, diced
• 1 cup dry sherry
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cups chopped toasted pecans
• 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 large eggs

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Sauté andouille sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add green onions and next 3 ingredients, and sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in Cornbread Crumbles.
• 2. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, and sauté 3 minutes. Add sherry, and cook, stirring often, 5 to 6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half; stir in parsley. Stir mushroom mixture, toasted pecans, and Creole seasoning into cornbread mixture.
• 3. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs; add to cornbread mixture, stirring gently just until moistened. Divide mixture between 1 lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish and 1 lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish.
• 4. Bake dressing at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Ingredients

• 2 pounds haricots verts (tiny green beans), trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound shallots, halved lengthwise and peeled
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Preparation

• 1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.
• 2. Melt butter and brown sugar with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add shallots, and sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar, and sauté 10 minutes or until shallots are golden brown and tender.
• 3. Increase heat to medium-high; add green beans, and sauté 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

WILD RICE WITH MUSHROOMS

Ingredients

• 2 (6-oz.) packages long-grain and wild rice mix
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 12 ounces assorted fresh mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Marsala
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

• 1. Prepare rice mix according to package directions.
• 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion, and sauté 7 minutes or until golden. Add mushrooms and salt; sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add Marsala, and sauté 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir mushroom mixture and parsley into prepared rice.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 navel orange, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

• 1. Pulse cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
• 2. Pulse orange zest and next 5 ingredients in food processor 3 to 5 times or until orange, ginger, and pepper are finely chopped. Stir into cranberries; cover and chill 2 to 24 hours.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

COLLARD GREENS

For the squash casserole and collard greens, I used  secret family recipes, so you're on you own here!

And wash it all down with this yummy twist on a regular-ole mimosa:

CLEMENTINE SPARKLER

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups cava or other sparkling wine, chilled
• 3/4 cup fresh clementine juice, chilled
• Clementine slices (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Combine cava and juice. Garnish with clementine slices, if desired.

and even Annabelle made a new bestie...

(thanks SL...my first Turkey Day menu...for brand new family..off without a hitch)

 

Best Sandwich Ever

This will be short and sweet.

I just had the best sandwich, maybe ever. I was in Seaside and heard a rumor about an airstream trailer in the back of Ruskin Place. So, we strolled back and there she was:

I ordered the Mediterranean Shrimp sandwich on fresh French roll...OH MY LORD!! It is fabulous. Grilled and perfectly seasoned shrimp, feta, red peppers, fresh tomato, basil...perfection. If you are on 30a vacationing, it is worth the trip to get one of these sandwiches.

Just walk down the path next to Great Southern Restaurant (on the square in Seaside) and head straight back. Look out for the Dietrich's Fine Food airstream trailer. Meet Jaime and get her to hook you up. Cash only and she is only there through July 4th. 

You may also need to get the home-ade banana pudding to finish off. You can thank me later.

-signing off..(fat & happy).

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Hope your day is filled with lots of LOVE and most importantly lots of chocolate!!!!!!!!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

From our Willow heart to yours...Happy Valentine's Day.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
 

eat your beans & greens y'all.

Ask a hundred or a thousand Southerners (and others across the United States) why black eyed peas and collard greens must be eaten on New Years Day, and you will get a variety of answers. Traditions change and morph over the years, but there is no doubt that eating black eye peas and greens is a truth held sacred by many including those who would never touch either a black eyed pea or a collard green at any other time of the year.

The Basic Story on Black Eyed Peas and Collards for the New Year

The way it gets told most times down South is that families must cook, serve, and eat some black eyed peas and greens on the first day to ensure good luck and prosperity. Most often, it’s said that the black eyed peas bring luck while the greens (being green) mean more money.

The most classic combination of beans and greens would be the black eyed peas and collard greens – both quite popular in the South. There are variations though, some families may find luck in lentils for example and more greenbacks with other versions of greens like spinach. And, in the deep South, Hoppin’ John may be the pea dish over black eyed peas cooked with a ham hock.

There are some minor variations as well including things like each family member must eat 365 black eyed peas or risk bad luck on one, some, or all days of the year not covered by a New Years black eyed pea. Most often, and fortunately for those who do not like legumes, most families call it good if even one black eyed pea is consumed before the end of the first day of the year.

Where Did This Strange (to Some) Southern Food Tradition Originate?

You’ll find as many tales as stars in the sky to explain why black eyed peas and collards are the dishes to eat on New Years Day. Many of the stories seem credible, but frankly it’s hard to say why and how the tradition started.

There are stories that slaves in the United States were sold en mass on New Years Day and that the peas brought luck in staying in one place or being sold as a family. But, that does not account for the prosperity (greens – money) which seems to favor the slave-owners.

There are also stories that American slaves stayed up on December 31, 1862 waiting for the bill that President Abraham Lincoln signed - the Emancipation Proclamation – to go into effect. They celebrated with what they had – black eyed peas, greens, and fat back.

Since the black eyed pea and greens tradition is shared across cultural and ethnic boundaries, it seems more likely that black eyed peas which keep well when dried and collards which are seasonal in the South in December/January made sense for a New Year meal. In addition, these dishes combined protein and vegetables for the balance that could often be lacking in diets of those who were not in the wealthy class. And, both were plentiful and cheap plus could be very tasty when cooked Southern style.

What are the Rules Today to Get Luck and Wealth on New Years Day?

If you want to get real technical and traditional, the best luck and wealth might come from raw black eyed peas cooked with a ham bone and fresh collards washed of the grit and cooked long and slow until limp and oh so yummy.

Traditions do change over time, so dried, frozen, or even canned black eyed peas are just fine. Same with the collard greens. You can even switch up the greens is collards are not available in your area. Spinach is a healthy green, and Popeye swore by spinach. Can’t go wrong there.

After the feast-a-thon that is Thanksgiving and Christmas, black eyed peas and greens can be a very healthy way to start the new year. Now, peas and greens can be doctored up and sure do taste good with pork fat and bacon grease, but some hot sauces which often do not have much (if any) fat can be used to add flavor.

Many families in the South today have Honey Baked Ham and Homemade Cornbread to go with black eyed peas and greens. And, a heck of a lot of folks buy canned black eyed peas and greens for a token spin at the lottery of life. In the end, it’s all about having a good time, a good meal, and some time with the family and friends.

Wishing you all a prosperity and lots of good luck in 2011!!!

 

Nola love

Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated one of our cities, richest in culture, New Orleans. Along with many other Gulf Coast cities, Katrina left her harsh mark that will forever be in our memory. Today my heart still goes out to all who suffered and still do because of the storm's impact. After the recent and still very traumatic Gulf Spill, I know it is more important than ever to show the Gulf Coast region some serious love.

As a Gulf Coast resident and small business owner, I know how much these areas rely on tourism for their livelihood. So I thought I would give you a few reasons to book a trip to New Orleans...and while you are there, just take a drive all along our beautiful coast.

 

If you have ever been to New Orleans, you know how exciting of a feeling you get driving over the bridge into the city!!! Now, what to do...

A few places to stay:

1.Soniat House(great bed & breakfast feel hotel in the French Quarter)

2. Windsor Court  (Just a few streets over from the Quarter, this is a nice luxury hotel with newly renovated rooms. Don't miss the fab Polo Bar for drinks and music) 

3. The Roosevelt Hotel(Just opened in 2009, Waldorf Astoria owned, must order a Sazerac, official drink of New Orleans)

Some drinks & dinner:

1.Cochon on Tchoupitoulas (go with a hungry tummy)

2. Jacques-Imo's(uptown. must have 5 in order to get a reservation, so plan on waiting a lil while for this hot spot. While waiting, walk next door to  Maple Leaf Barfor drinks and check out the uber-cool bar where some of the great brass bands began)

3. Domilise'sfor world famous po boys on Annunciation.

After dinner:

This is New Orleans, so the sky is the limit on what you can do and see after dark!! I am sure this won't be too hard to find, just ask anyone who has ever been and I am sure they have a crazy memorable night in NO that they "may" share with you.

Of course you could always just plan your trip around the reining Super Bowl champs, The Saints!!

 

Sept. 9  MINNESOTA VIKINGS (Thursday) 7:30 pm NBC
Sept. 20 at San Francisco 49ers (Monday) 7:30 pm ESPN
Sept. 26 ATLANTA FALCONS Noon FOX
Oct. 3   CAROLINA PANTHERS Noon FOX
Oct. 10  at Arizona Cardinals 3:05 pm FOX
Oct. 17  at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Noon FOX
Oct. 24  CLEVELAND BROWNS Noon CBS
Oct. 31  PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7:20 pm NBC
Nov. 7   at Carolina Panthers Noon FOX
Nov. 14  BYE
Nov. 21  SEATTLE Noon FOX
Nov. 25  at Dallas Cowboys(Thursday) 3:00 pm FOX
Dec. 5   at Cincinnati BengalsNoon FOX
Dec. 12  ST. LOUIS RAMS Noon FOX
Dec. 19  at Baltimore RavensNoon FOX
Dec. 27  at Atlanta Falcons (Monday) 7:30 pm ESPN
Jan. 2   TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Noon FOX

This is a guaranteed great time!!!

There are so many things always going on in NO that I could go on and on and on: French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest, White Linen Nights, Halloween, Saints, shopping Magazine Street (Amanda Talley Gallery) , WWII Museum, Hornets Games, The Quarter, or just the culture and architecture alone.

Look up one of your favorite bands and I guarantee they will be in New Orleans sometime soon.

Check out Munford and Sons on Friday Nov 5th and Saturday head over to Baton Rouge to see National Champs Alabama play LSU...what a perfect weekend!!
 

Love Zico

Over the weekend I tried something new, Zico coconut water. Coconut water is the new rave, so I have been sampling brands and up until now.....yuck!!! I tried to convince myself that I liked coconut water for all its nutritional values, but I really felt like I was drinking old milk. (sorry!)

Well my friend Ashley, who just opened the newest Pure Barre in Santa Rosa Beach, gave me a Zico bottle to try. Oh my gosh, it is delicious. Zico and the "others' I have tried are night and day. Zico also offeres flavored waters like citrus ...so yummy.

If you don't already know, coconut water is almost 3 times as hydrating as regular water and 1 serving has more potassium than an entire banana, among other vitamins. After a girl's weekend with all my Bama college friends, hydrating can be really helpful. :)

You can go here to find where to by, but if you live near me, just run into Pure Barre.

It was a Showdown {tomato that is}...

This past Saturday marked the third annual "Tomato Showdown" in Waverly, Alabama (that would be the smallest official town in the state of Alabama). For the 3rd year running, I was asked to be a judge. Of course I accepted my honorable position again.

 
  Many of you may be wondering, Celia + a tomato competition= huh???? Well, first of all The Showdown is hosted by my friends at Wickles Pickles which I have blogged about before...remember, the pickles that made me like pickles???

Secondly, every summer since I can remember, I have been in search of the perfect tomato. So I guess they consider me a tomato connoisseur, or they think I am good at judging! :)

So with live music and lots of tomatoes the judging began.

 
As you can see we judges took our jobs very seriously. There were some not-so-good maters and some really tasty ones. But when it came to the winner, the votes were unanimous. Congrats to Morley from Birmingham for the winning tomato. You can see above the highly coveted glass tomato trophy.

Also check out this site, they make super cool tees. Their print shop is located in the old Waverly town and they were selling these awesome tees.

Sorry I don't have more pics! There were lots of fun people and yummy food. If you think you can produce a competition worthy tomato then enter to win next year. That glass trophy would look amazing on anyone's mantle.

See ya next year!!!