~Nothing Unnoticed

If we could only grasp the magnitude of His love for us.

This verse reminds me of the preschool song,

God loves the little children....

all are precious in his sight.

Fixing my sight on Him,

Karen

Back to Reality ~ AFTER ~ Point Clear, Alabama

No better way to begin,

than by sharing a quote from a bellman,

 "we make it happen here at the Grand".

From the moment you enter the gates

and circle to the front doors of the Grand Marriott at Point Clear

you have entered true traditional southern hospitality.

There is no need to leave the resort until it's time

to return home.

This past week I was given the opportunity to

"tag along" with my husband on a company trip.

And, no the couple you see in the picture below

 is not yours truly.

Point Clear, AL is located close to Fairhope

 and its name depicts the location,

as it rests out on a point in Mobile Bay.

The grounds at The Grand are very beautiful and

well maintained.

I could not help but realize & appreciate the "work" that takes place all night as you sleep in the quiet.

The flowers were soaking up the sun and enjoying the humidity.

"can't say the heat & humidity was pleasurable"

A brick paved walkway surrounds the resort

 almost to the entirety.

Great for bicycles and 

midnight strolls with the sweetheart.

Hammocks for relaxing.

swings overlooking the bay

to enjoy during the cooler late evening hours

we had a meet & greet reception

at this outdoor reception area upon arrival

a spectacular view of the bay

dining at its finest

several restaurants with the most

delicious food & the presentation

of the meal amazing

indoors or outdoors

We attended a dinner at the very top

where the brown shutters are in the windows.

The view was breathtaking.

You may request to dine in

The Secret Garden for a special occasion.

~~~

Birthdays, Engagements, Anniversaries & Celebrations

~~~

We did not do this ~ but, our 25th Anniversary is up ahead ;-)

In the Secret Garden the table is set with beautiful

china, crystal and linens, a journal is brought to the

table for recording your celebration, 

while dining you can read of others special moments

spent in The Secret Garden.



Each afternoon at 4:00 sharp

the cannon is fired to salute today's

military and those who have passed through the

 historic hotel through the years.

The ceremony begins with a military band

marching around the property and ending at the Cannon.



The first hotel was built in 1830 at Point Clear.

In 1860 the hotel was used as a military hospital,

after the Battle of Vicksburg.

A Confederate Cemetery, adjacent to the hotel grounds

is a resting place for more than 300 soliders who died

at Point Clear.

Enjoy the remaining pictures.

The hotel was closed in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina

and reopened in November 2006

 following a 50 million dollar renovation.

a family enjoying a game of golf

after brunch on Sunday

I saved the best for last :-)

Be sure to make plans to enjoy

the most relaxing part of the stay.

The Spa at the Grand

The entrance to the Spa.

Hotel rooms are also available above the Spa.

A variety of services are available at this magnificent place.

The Quiet Room is indescribable.

The BEST yet!

 it does the body good to rest awhile

Hope you have enjoyed reading of my

memories and the beauty captured.

I am sharing the link to this

wonderful place.

Karen

Southern Living Magazine

is offering a Post-Labor Day Rate

for the

Grand Hotel Marriott Resort

at Point Clear, Alabama

in September 2011 magazine

you must have the booking code: L9Z

In no way or means compensated

 by Grand Hotel, Point Clear, AL or Southern Living.

Linking to:

A Southern Daydreamer for

Excitement Filling the Air~

Going to be gone for a few days~

 planning, packing and preparing~

Just a little hint

of the destination spot...

Breathtaking sunsets, beautiful flowers

& relaxation.

See you in a couple of weeks!

Karen

~Pottery

when we acknowledge our Father,

the Creator of the Universe

and cry out Oh Lord,

we become as clay

in His hands

moldable and shapeable.

We humble ourselves,

realizing His skills as The Potter

are  shaping us into beautiful vessels

to be used by Him.

May your weekend thoughts

 be turned towards Our Creator & Potter.

Giving Him praise!

Karen

Linking to: Spiritual Sundays

Scripture & Snapshot



{everything's peachy}

Our neighbor shared some peaches with us.

Peeled & Cut up Peaches

Water & Sugar Added

Simmered until tender

This recipe is a basic cobbler recipe,

but with a topping to add it over the top!

butter in pan

(love this old enamel pan - perfect for shelling peas in)

Ingredients gathered

Mixed by hand and placed into the pan.

But, wait!

Do you see the sugary shiny ingredient on top?

Sugar and vanilla blended with a fork and placed on top,

makes for a crispy sweet topping.

Warm - straight from the oven.

How do you like yours?

Warm

with Ice Cream

without Ice Crean

or

Cold

???

I prefer mine the next day,

after it has chilled in the refrigerator.

The next time you make a peach cobbler,

you try adding the sugar & vanilla on top.

See what you think!

Linking to:

Inspiration Friday

Foodie Friday

Today is August 4, 2011



I'm not one when it comes to

 journaling, blogging, posting, sharing ...

to get silly,

too sentimental,

or simply too personal.

But, I want to share this day with you.

It started out the same as usual.

BUT,

 I hear no sounds coming from this

BECAUSE

this one

HEADED OUT TO SCHOOL!

I had to share this day,

because it is a special one!

He is in HIGH SCHOOL.

Did I forget to say

~9th Grader~

(where did the time go?)

SO NOW

it is quiet,

mom can have her

 peanut butter & banana sandwich for lunch

no cooking for the hungry boy

until dinner - (supper-time)

AND IT'S

I was in a hurry snapping the pictures against his will,

(not the best pics in the world)

but you can see his personality shining through in this

one - if you look closely!

Just hope he gets "alittle" more serious at school!

He is my Simple Pleasure today.

Full of FUN all the time!

(and his mom's getting her Senior Discount this year)

Can't you just see me asking for this when he and I go

out to eat.  Bet, I'll have to slip around to request one!

HE will crawl under the table.

Hope you day is filled with fun & laughter.

Linking to: