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Liquid Sunshine: Perfect Pineapple Rum Slushies for Poolside Sipping

By
Leslie Byars Register
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Ready for spring and all the fun that comes with longer days and warmer weather? Get in the spirit with this frozen cocktail. Whether you are at the lake, beach, or your own backyard, Pineapple Rum Slushies will have you kicking back and tuning in to your favorite Yacht Rock station in no time. Cheers!

Pineapple Rum Slushies
Pineapple Rum Slushies

Leslie Likes:
The pineapple chunks act as the ice in this drink. They make the drink even creamier without diluting it—and you won’t deplete your ice maker!

Pineapple Rum Slushy Recipe

Serves 4 to 6

4 cups fresh pineapple, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup coconut milk (not lite)
1 cup dark rum, plus extra for lime floaters if desired
Pineapple wedges and orchid blooms for garnish
Limes halves for floaters, optional

Place bite-size pineapple into a ziplock bag, and place in the freezer. Allow to freeze for at least an hour.
Place frozen pineapple, coconut milk, and rum in a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, orchid bloom, and rum-filled lime half if desired.

Learn from Leslie:
For the floater, simply hollow out half of a lime, and fill with rum. Place on top of the drink. Submerge lime before drinking.

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Continued Elegance: The Next Chapter in a Huntsville Home Makeover

By
Cathy Still McGowin
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A decorating project doesn’t always happen at once. Sometimes clients prefer to take on one room or one section of a home at a time. Such was the case with Rebecca and Brad Bawcom, designer Kelly Butler’s Huntsville clients. “We started with just a few rooms six or seven years ago,” Kelly says. “We worked well together, so it’s always nice to have people who come back for the next phase.”

This round, Kelly and the Bawcoms continued the project by extending the scope to the living room, entry hall, a new outdoor room, and some bedrooms and baths in the color scheme they adored. “Rebecca loves blues, and so do I,” Kelly says. “We found a couple of fabrics we both loved, and I pulled the rest together from there.” In addition, Kelly and her client focused on mixing in antiques such as the chest in the living room, something Kelly says adds warmth and a layered look that you can’t get when everything is brand new.

Living room
Photography by Jean Allsopp

Make Yourself at Home

“The living room originally had two sets of French doors with half-moon transom windows,” Kelly says. “But my clients wanted to bring in more natural light and make the new screened-in porch addition more accessible.” To accomplish the request, the designer added a third set of French doors and replaced curved transoms with straight-edged windows for a crisper finish. A classic blue-and-white color scheme with pops of green and gold—as well as some French notes in the mirror and chandelier—creates a layered, cozy space that still feels sophisticated. The four pieces of abstract art are by Birmingham artist Cecily Lowe.  

Desk

Hang it Up

In a niche just off the main living spaces, framed abstracts and landscapes hang above a dining-table-turned-writing-desk from Scott Antique Markets. “Some of the pieces were purchased on travels, and we filled in the blanks for others,” Kelly says. “The Bawcoms love art, so this was a perfect spot to do a gallery wall of collected pieces.” Playing to the color scheme in the art, Kelly updated an antique armchair with Schumacher’s Lotus Garden. She used the pricier fabric on the back and covered the front in a blue velvet performance fabric for durability and longevity. On the desk, a trio of blue-and-white Chinoiserie ginger jars corral around a Bird’s Nest fern. A pair of sculptural lamps flank the vignette.

Entry

Make An Entry

Kelly refreshed the entry hall walls with a fresh coat of paint (Healing Aloe by Benjamin Moore) to tie into the blue schemes throughout the house. She polished up the trim with a crisp coat of white. A new ceiling fixture (Visual Comfort) is perfectly aligned with an antique barley twist gateleg table, a piece that offers plenty of room for display while allowing easy passage between rooms. On the floor, Kelly layered a smaller vintage rug atop a sisal to add depth and ground the space.

Covered porch
Covered porch

Behind the Screen

No Southern home is complete without an outdoor living area. The Bawcoms finally took the plunge and added a screened outdoor room outfitted with a kitchen, seating area, and dining space. “Rebecca and Brad love to cook and entertain,” says Kelly. “This porch is easily accessible from their indoor kitchen and offers plenty of room for prep and storage.” Seating from Southern Home helps the space feel more like an extension of the interiors, while heaters in the ceiling make it usable year-round. Sconces over the grilling area are by Hudson Valley Lighting. The beaded board ceiling is painted Woodlawn Blue by Benjamin Moore.

Bedroom
Bathroom

Total Refresher: Bed and Bath

Sometimes, all a space needs for an update is new finishes. “We kept the same basic layout in this bathroom but introduced marble countertops, new tile floors, polished nickel plumbing, and brass sconces,” Kelly says. “We used a favorite Schumacher fabric on the window (Acanthus Stripe) and pulled a soft blue color from the fabric for the ceiling.” The bedroom transformation resulted in a soothing space with varying shades of taupes, blues, and whites. An upholstered headboard in a linen fabric adds softness.

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Step Back in Time: Historic Hollywood Home Tour 2024

By
Paige Townley
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The Hollywood Garden Club is excited to host the first Historic Home Tour since 2020. One of the original Over the Mountain neighborhoods, Hollywood was the vision of developer Clyde Nelson. In 1924, he paid $109,800 for the land that would become “Birmingham’s Master Subdivision,” a planned community of Spanish Colonial Revival style homes, and later English Tudors. At the time, lots sold for $1,800–$3,700, and completed homes sold for $15,000–$35,000. As part of the plan, the neighborhood enjoyed economic advancements such as the first natural gas pipeline over Red Mountain and the area’s first busline, along with the upscale Hollywood Country Club (later destroyed by fire). In 2002, the Hollywood Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For tickets to the Historic Hollywood Tours of Homes click here.

Photography by Mary Margaret Smith
This year’s tour features three beautiful homes, two Spanish styles and one Tudor, that have been renovated to today’s standards without compromising the integrity of the original designs. TOP PHOTO: The Nelson House, 205 Bonita Drive. BOTTOM PHOTOS: The Davidson House, 312 English Circle.

About the Homes

Built in 1929, The A.V. Smith house maintains its original footprint with updates made by residential designer Brian Jernigan.

The A. V. Smith House
220 La Prado Place
This charming brick Tudor cottage and detached carriage house were originally built in 1928. Very few changes were made to the interior or exterior until the current owners purchased the house in 2016. The redesigned home has newly vaulted ceilings in the living room, foyer, and kitchen nook, as well as a brand-new kitchen. The limestone floor in the foyer is original to the house as is the front door. The fireplace was reworked, adding a mantel that came from the carriage house. The gorgeous table in the kitchen nook was built from wood also salvaged from the carriage house. The two-story carriage house, which had fallen into disrepair, was completely rebuilt on the site of the original structure.

The Nelson House
205 Bonita Drive
This 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival holds historic significance as the personal home of Hollywood’s developer, Clyde Nelson, and as one of the first built in the community. Designed by George P. Turner, the architect for many of Hollywood’s original residences, this two-story gem features original beamed ceilings in the living room, archways in the foyer and den, four sets of French doors, a large open porch with tile floor and fountain, limestone mantel, stucco walls, and a terra-cotta roof.

The Davidson House
312 English Circle
This 1926 two-story Tudor Revival is one of the original homes on English Circle. The owners have stayed true to the historic charm of the home, which includes a multiple cross-gabled roof, a detached two-car garage, and metal casement windows throughout. The leaded glass in the front bay windows and many architectural items throughout the home were added by former homeowner Mary Adams of the popular Mary Adams Antiques in Homewood. An addition was made in the 1980s. The current homeowners are art lovers, and the home is currently full of beautiful collections.

More Home Tours Across Alabama

Text by

Paige Townley

A home tour is so much more than a stroll through houses; it’s a journey into the very heart of Southern hospitality and heritage. These tours provide an opportunity to discover the hidden stories behind meticulously preserved estates. Cities across Alabama are opening up the ornate doorways of their historic homes this spring. Whether you’re a history buff or more of an architecture aficionado, these tours promise an enchanting journey through some of Alabama’s most spectacular residences.

 

 

April in Talladega Pilgrimage Tour | April 12-13
For tickets, schedule, and more information: aprilintalladega.org

Talladega’s Silk Stocking District, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases a range of architectural delights, from Queen Anne to American Craftsman. Four of those homes, along with the First Presbyterian Church, will take center stage this April on the Pilgrimage Tour. At each stop, visitors will learn all about the structures, most all which were constructed pre-1900 and even feature many of the original furnishings.

 

Birmingham Parade of Homes | April 26-28 & May 3-5
For more information birminghamparadeofhomes.com

Whether you’re seeking helpful design ideas to build a new abode or simply enjoy exploring the latest home trends, the Birmingham Parade of Homes is the can’t-miss opportunity to check both boxes. This year’s tour gives guests a peek inside more than 65 fabulous new-construction finds at various price points throughout the city, each featuring a range of architectural styles, must-have amenities, and fabulous floor plans.

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St. George Island: Your Ultimate Destination for Coastal Serenity

By
Cathy Still McGowin
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Once you cross the Four-Mile Bridge to this barrier island on the Florida Panhandle, time is only measured by sunrise, sunset, and the blissful moments in between.

No more than one-mile wide at any point, St. George Island offers plentiful views and easy access to both the bay and the Gulf. All the homes enjoy coastal breezes while ushering in the sound of the waves. Photography Courtesy of Collins Vacation Rentals collinsvacationrentals.com

When Alice Collins, owner of Collins Vacation Rentals on St. George Island, first stepped on the remote 28-mile island 50 years ago, she arrived by boat. “It was very undeveloped,” she says. “There were no roads and very few residents. My husband and I ferried over a dune buggy to get around.” Part of Florida known as The Forgotten Coast, the island began gaining slow momentum when a bridge extending from Apalachicola replaced the ferry in 1965. Due to this easier access, Alice decided to make the island her home and a place that others could enjoy too. Starting small, she bought a lot, built a house, and began managing a handful of other properties. Now, her portfolio extends to more than 300 homes, all awaiting vacationers looking to experience beautiful beaches and a slice of Old Florida.

First built in 1833 and later relocated to St. George Island after it collapsed into the ocean, The Cape St. George Lighthouse Museum and Giftshop is open for tours. Plan ahead to schedule a tour during a full moon climb.

Yes, development did reach the island, but thanks to considerate zoning laws, there are no high-rises, no nightclubs, and no waterparks. Still, there’s plenty to do. Spend hours on the beach shelling and sunbathing (dogs are welcome!), or explore the 9-mile state park at the west end of the island by foot, bike, or kayak. Be sure to keep an eye out for bald eagles, ospreys, and dolphins. Climb the winding stairs to the top of the island’s lighthouse for unparalleled vistas. And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, enjoy the nature center and trails at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Loggerhead sea turtles return to their nesting grounds on St. George Island to lay eggs between May and November. Volunteer with the St. George Turtle Patrol to learn the rituals of sea turtles. Lucky visitors may even get to help with a nest hatch.

Hungry? Dine out at one of the locally-owned restaurants. You won’t want to miss lunch or dinner at Harry A’s, Paddy’s Raw Bar, or Mango Mike’s—or the local musical talent they host. Stay for one more song while the kids run over to Aunt Ebby’s ice cream. Then let them pick out an old-school airbrushed T-shirt at St. George Island Trading Company.

Named America’s Best Beach in 2023 by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, St. George Island enjoys views of the bay and Gulf. Using 50 criteria to evaluate hundreds of beaches every year since 1991, Dr. Beach says that St. George has “some of the whitest, finest sand in the world. The water is crystal clear and clean, far from any sources of pollution on this offshore barrier island.”

Prefer to stay in? There’s no need to tote a cooler from the mainland. Simply shop the well-stocked Piggly Wiggly for fresh seafood, high-quality steaks, and delicious produce. Don’t feel like cooking? Call Chef Ian Williams of Your Table Your Chef for an at-home catered dinner. For daytime excursions, place a picnic order with Captain’s Corner Store and Deli.

At night, step outside to enjoy the stars. The clear view makes it easy to see why St. George Island is close to achieving International Dark Sky Places Certification.

Here are 5 Collins Vacation Rentals properties that are extra special!

Aisle of Palm
5 Bedrooms  –  5.5 Baths  – Sleeps 21  – Private Pool –  Beachfront – Elevator
Amazing outdoor pool area
 
Kumquat May
6 Bedrooms  –  6.5 Baths –  Sleeps 18  –  Private Pool  –  Beachfront – Elevator

Headed West
6 Bedrooms  –  6 Baths  –  Sleeps 21  –  Private Pool  –  Beachfront  –  Elevator
 
Soft Shoes
4 Bedrooms  –  4 Baths  –  Sleeps 10  – Beachfront  –  Private Pool
Perfect home for a smaller family and located within walking distance of the Island businesses, lighthouse and bike path
 
Beachfront Benefits
4 Bedrooms  –  4 Bathrooms  –  Sleeps 14  –  Beachfront  –  Private Pool  –  Elevator

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Early Blooms: Top Southern Perennials for Your Spring Garden

By
Katelyn Bahr, horticulturist for the specialty gardens at Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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Add texture to your early garden with these Southern perennials. We asked the Horticulturist team at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to share their favorites. It’s time to start planting!

  1. Polygonatum biflorum, or Smooth Solomon’s Seal, features sprays of small white flowers peeping from beneath smooth leaves in late spring. The Latin name comes from the term “many knees,” referring to the knobbly-shaped rhizomes that make this plant an easy one to propagate. Solomon’s Seals are typically used as foliage plants and add an interesting architectural element when planted beside bleeding hearts, ferns, and hostas.
    Growing conditions: partial to full shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil 
    Size: 1–6 feet tall
    Zones: 3–9
  2. Dicentra eximia, or Wild Bleeding Heart, is a long-blooming perennial that adds a delicate texture to the garden with its intricately cut blue-green leaves. The heart-shaped flowers appear in early spring and continue sporadically until the fall. It thrives in filtered shade but will tolerate more sun if kept well watered. Once established, it will tolerate occasional periods of drought.
    Growing conditions: partial to full shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil.
    Size: 10–16 inches tall
    Zones: 3–9
  3. Delphinium tricorne, or Dwarf Larkspur, is a multi-stemmed herbaceous perennial in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, featuring loose clusters of blue to dark purple flowers in the spring. Blooming for about three weeks, Dwarf Larkspur would create a spectacular display in a spring woodland garden. While it is attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, it’s ignored by deer and rabbits!
    Growing Conditions: full sun in moist, well-drained soil
    Size: 12–18 inches tall
    Zones: 4–9
  4. Monarda punctata, or Spotted Beebalm, is a dense mounding perennial with tall bloom spikes that can reach up to 4 feet in height. Each flower spike is made up of a whorled composite of blooms and bracts that range in color from white to pale lavender to yellow with speckles of maroon throughout. This plant does best in full sun and attracts a wide variety of pollinators. While all Monarda are known for their pleasant aroma and attractive flowers, this species has a unique pale color and a conical bloom.
    Growing conditions: best in full sun
    Size: 3 feet tall
    Zones: 3–9 
  5. Hibiscus laevis, or Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallow, is an herbaceous perennial with showy, hollyhock-like flowers that easily attract butterflies, bumblebees, moths, and hummingbirds. The whitish-pink flower petals open by day and close tightly at night. This plant is great for wetland gardens, bogs, or pond areas, but it also does well in fertile garden soil. While the plant has a large rhizomatic root system, it also spreads easily via seed.
    Growing conditions: thrives in full sun in medium-to-wet soil
    Size: 4–6 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide
    Zones: 4–9

These perennials, as well as trees, shrubs, natives, and more, are available for purchase at the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale April 11-13. Plants are propagated and grown with care by dedicated volunteers. Visit bbgardens.org/spring for more information.

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Lake Season Launch: Discover New Attractions at Lake Martin

By
BHG Staff
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The water level is rising, and so are exciting new happenings at Russell Lands on Lake Martin and surrounding area. Here’s what the season holds.

Kowaliga Restaurant
Accessible by boat or car, Kowaliga Restaurant, a longtime Lake Martin favorite, offers a family-friendly atmosphere and fantastic views.

Home Opportunities at Russell Lands

After an overwhelming response to the two initial property releases at The Heritage, Russell Lands on Lake Martin has announced the next collection of roughly 30 waterfront estate homesites alongside Wicker Point Golf Club. The community boasts more than 1,500 acres along 12 miles of pristine Lake Martin shoreline. Once complete, it will include approximately 250 waterfront homesites and 130 wooded interior lots. Already under way, one of the amenities in The Heritage is The Benjamin, a waterfront residential lake club scheduled to open summer 2025. The clubhouse will include an indoor event space, catering kitchen, and event bar, along with a fitness facility and expansive views of the lake from covered verandas. Outside, The Benjamin will feature saline pools with an adjacent grill facility, eight tennis courts, a tennis proshop, and eight pickleball courts. Guests will enjoy an event lawn, covered pavilions, firepits, a waterfront beach area, and a community dock system.

Wicker Point Golf Club
Wicker Point Golf Club

The Wicker Point Golf Club will enjoy its first full season since opening September 2023. The 18-hole Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw-designed course embraces the natural beauty of the land with pine plantations, meandering creeks, and lakefront holes. The Craftsman-style clubhouse, designed by Hank Long of Henry Sprott Long & Associates, features a wraparound porch with views of multiple holes and the lake. A stand-alone golf shop, complete with pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms, includes a “wind down” room, with a lounge area and adjacent bar.

Dining Out at Lake Martin

Fanny Goldmine Diner
Opened in 2023, this counter-order restaurant at Russell Crossroads offers a variety of classic diner favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The original SpringHouse restaurant will begin dinner service on Friday and Saturday nights out of the Fanny Goldmine while awaiting a rebuild.

Fanny Goldmine Diner at Lake Martin
Russell Crossroads is the community hub for Lake Martin. Here, you’ll find Catherine’s Market, Fanny Goldmine Diner, and The Russell Crossroads Naturalist Cabin. The Town Green at Russell Crossroads offers live music every Friday night from May through September.

BRU 63: Lake Martin Coffee Shope

Situated inside Catherine’s Market, this go-to-market at Russell Crossroads is a full-service coffee shop that includes traditional favorites like cappuccinos, iced coffees, cold brews, espressos, and frozen drinks.

Lake Martin Pizza Co.

The popular Dadeville-side restaurant recently opened a second location in Alexander City on Highway 63. Perfect for takeout or dining in while enjoying the live music scene, this family-friendly atmosphere offers pizzas handmade from scratch, garlic knots, cheese bread, and more. The full bar has up to 16 beers on tap, party drinks, specialty cocktails, and wine.

Grain & Leaf: Cocktails and Frozen Treats

A few doors down from Lake Martin Pizza Co. on Highway 63, Grain & Leaf offers spirits, wine, cigars, mixers, beer, and gifts. Stop in for sunset cocktail supplies while the kids cool off in Rita’s with Italian ice or frozen custards.

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Redesigning a Seaside Cottage with Contemporary Touches

By
Lynn Nesmith
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House exterior
Photography by Jean Allsopp

For a week’s vacation or as a second home, there’s a lot to like about spending time in Seaside. After owning a place for several years in the popular beach town, a couple decided it was time for updates and turned to 30A interior designer Paige Schnell of Tracery Interiors.

Constructed in 2006, the house reflected the charm of Seaside’s architectural aesthetic and boasted a congenial layout that had served the active family well, as both their own getaway and a rental property. Approachable and familiar, the wood-framed structure features a straightforward gable roof, tall windows, Bermuda shutters, and wide steps leading to a deep front porch.

Front porch
The back door sees a lot of traffic and is designed with the beach in mind. A protected alcove offers easy access for beach bags, swim toys, and chairs. Hooks provide a convenient place to hang wet towels and bathing suits.

Built of timeless materials with good bones and a gracious open floor plan, the house had endured years as a vacation rental. As a result, the interiors definitely needed updating. Like many vacation homes on 30A, the main living spaces happily reside on the upper level to capture breezes and afford privacy. “We accentuated these positives and reconfigured certain spaces to make the most of what was there without adding square footage,” says Paige.

Living room
Kitchen
Primary bedroom
(LEFT) Just inside the front door is the downstairs den. A woven, round, ottoman-style coffee table; a comfy sleeper sofa; armchairs; and a furry rug fill the space. (CENTER) The center of social living is one grand space on the second floor. Merging the former kitchen and a cramped dining area, the new design features a generous island with flexible counter space that accommodates six stools. (RIGHT) The primary bedroom with its more neutral palette invites tranquility and relaxation.

Just through the double glass doors, a conversation area offers a welcoming introduction of things to come. Bathed in natural light streaming through tall windows that extend to the floor, this cozy den, outfitted with a plush blue rug, a comfy blue sleeper sofa, and a painting of 30A’s iconic tree canopy along Western Lake, offers a gathering spot on the first floor. Balancing tradition and durability, Paige transformed the original pine floors that had yellowed over the years. Now sanded, refinished, and bleached with a soft whitewash, the heart pine is the color of aged driftwood.

Primary bath
In the primary bath, sleek tiles, fluted white oak cabinets, and a tower storage unit make for a luxurious retreat in the same space as the original.

A sunny stairway ascends to the second floor. In keeping with the easygoing attitude of a beach house, interiors marry the best aspects of a contemporary plan with furniture placement spelling out functions that create a sense of balance. Front and center at the top of the stairs is a kitchen suited for casual entertaining. A sleek white range hood, white shaker cabinets and a large dining island establish a fresh look. The existing antique brick floor, now cleaned and refinished, is a pleasing counterpoint to the white horizontal wood paneling and exposed trusses.

Living room
Guest bedroom
(LEFT) The living room window treatments introduce an appealing splash of color. The peaked ceilings and exposed trusses painted white add volume and give the continuous living areas a sense of spaciousness. (RIGHT) The guest bedroom strikes a balance of simple sophistication with a layering of coastal blues and greens.

With its marriage of classic Seaside style and contemporary appointments in nearly every room, this beloved cottage is more captivating than ever.

An abstract palm wallpaper pairs with the existing vanity updated with a bright coat of green paint and new brass fixtures.

 

Resources

Interior Design: Paige Sumblin Schnell and Anna Kay Tisa of Tracery Interiors, Rosemary Beach, Florida www.traceryinteriors.com
House is available for vacation rentals: Splendor in the Sand www.homeownerscollection.com

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4 Beach-Friendly Recipes for Your Next Getaway

By
Leslie Byars Register
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My vacation starts the minute I back out of the driveway. I try to avoid grocery shopping as much as possible while away. When traveling by car, I pack my pantry essentials such as spices, coffee, milk, olive oil, trash bags, etc. The last thing I want to do when I get to the beach is to get back in the car and wander aimlessly through a foreign grocery store gathering my provisions while everyone else is sitting on the beach.

One of my go-to vacation recipes is Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Bites, the perfect snack or breakfast bite to make ahead and put out by the coffee pot. Another favorite is BLT Pasta Salad in a Jar, one of the easiest lunches ever. Since you just grab and go, it’s much less work than pulling out all the sandwich fixings—repeatedly! Cocktail-Size Crab Imperials are an impressive appetizer when baked in the shells on a bed of rock salt. You will not want to miss these.

My husband, Jon, is also sharing one of his Sunday night creations—a family favorite often requested by the girls and me. Jon’s Cajun Shrimp and Pepper Linguine is sure to be a big hit with your whole family on a stay-at-home night of the trip. It combines simple ingredients with fresh shrimp from the Gulf—can’t beat that.

With planning and a little prep before your next getaway, you’re sure to spend less time grocery shopping and more time relaxing with your toes in the sand—and drink and food in hand.

Jon’s Cajun Shrimp and Pepper Linguine

SERVES 8

1 1/2 pounds medium-size shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons Creole seasoning (Jon uses Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (this is not a typo)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large sweet onion, finely diced
2 cups white wine (Jon likes Chablis for cooking and drinking)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 bunch chopped green onions, reserving the tops for garnish
12 ounces linguine
1/4 cup half-and-half
Salt and pepper to taste
Warm crusty bread

Place shrimp in a large ziplock bag; add Creole seasoning, seal, and toss to coat the shrimp evenly. Set aside.

Fill a large pot with 6 quarts water, and bring to a boil while preparing the sauce.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, allowing it to bloom (Jon’s words). Add butter; when melted, add sweet onion, and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add white wine, and bring to a boil. Add shrimp, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until pink. Remove shrimp from the pan with tongs or a slotted serving spoon, and place in a bowl. Set aside. Add peppers and green onions (reserving tops for garnish) to the skillet, and return mixture to a boil; cook until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.

Drop linguine into the boiling water, and cook according to directions. When pasta is almost ready, add the half-and-half and half of the shrimp to the skillet. Using tongs, add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet, then add the shrimp. Toss to combine. Cook for another minute or until heated throughout. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with green onion tops, and serve immediately with warm, crusty bread.

Cocktail-Size Crab Imperial

MAKES 10 SERVINGS

10 (5-inch) natural seashells for baking
1 (4-pound) box ice-cream salt (rock salt)
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon grated yellow onion
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash of hot sauce
1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Panko
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges for garnish
Assorted crackers and celery for serving

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease the baking shells, and place on a baking sheet covered in rock salt.

In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat; add flour, whisking until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and onion, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove sauce from the heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, and next 6 ingredients.

In a separate saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add crabmeat, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the sauce. Spoon mixture into baking shells, about ½ cup each. Sprinkle with cheese, Panko, and paprika.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Broil for a minute or so for desired brownness if necessary. (Watch carefully!) Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately with assorted crackers and celery sticks.

Learn from Leslie:
The baking shells are readily available on Amazon for about $15 for a box of 10.

BLT Pasta Salad in a Jar

MAKES 6

6 quart-size jars with lids
Olive oil
Creamy BLT Dressing (recipe below)
8 ounces seashell-shaped pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, finely chopped
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 hearts of Romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped

Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil in the bottom of all 6 jars. Top with 2 tablespoons of Creamy BLT Dressing. Layer the pasta next, dividing evenly among jars. Top with tomatoes, then red onion, bacon, and lettuce, in that order, lightly packing if needed.

Seal with lids, and refrigerate until ready to serve. When serving, pour into a shallow bowl or plate, tossing to completely coat all the salad ingredients.

Creamy BLT Dressing Recipe:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
Dash of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use. This can be made up to 2 days ahead.

Learn from Leslie:
There is a method to the layering order. Be sure to follow directions closely. Adding the lettuce last will keep it crisp until ready to eat.

Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Bites

MAKES 24 (1-INCH) BALLS

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/3 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup ground flax seed
1 cup mini chocolate chips
3 tablespoons honey
Mini muffin liners

Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium-size bowl. Chill for 15 to 20 minutes, then form into 1-inch balls. Place in mini muffin liners, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These will keep for about a week.

Leslie Likes:
These make a great morning breakfast or snack any time to hold you over until the next meal.

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Waterfront Wonders: Designing a Family Retreat on Lake Martin

By
Lynn Nesmith
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Located at The Ridge, a Russell Lands community on Lake Martin, the house enjoys a commanding stature with a gracious scale and engaging proportions. Compelling natural materials, attention to detail, and craftsmanship of the stone and wood in this home instill its character. Photography by Jean Allsopp

A weekend home should be a respite from the stress of work and the responsibilities of day-to-day life. But when you live and work along Florida’s 30A, where else do you go to relax and have fun? Especially if you prefer waterfront over a mountaintop?

In the fall of 2020 during Covid, Sister and Neill O’Connell were looking to get away, so they rented a house on Lake Martin for an extended family vacation. “For years we had talked about buying a farm or land with running water,” recalls Neill. But for an active family who loves nature and is drawn to water sports, a big beautiful lake within easy driving distance to Santa Rosa Beach was an obvious choice. The couple soon found a desirable lot in The Ridge, a Russell Lands on Lake Martin community that offered a preferred builder and an existing Russell Lands house plan by Dungan Nequette Architecture.

(LEFT) An upstairs porch off the primary suite is ideal for morning coffee or evening cocktails. In lieu of a traditional wooden railing, the builders used steel hog-wire fencing to keep the view as open as possible. (RIGHT) A fully equipped outdoor kitchen offers the perfect spot for taking in the views while casually grilling or concocting more gourmet meals.

As an engineer with decades of experience, Neill wanted to put his own stamp on the design. He tailored it specifically for how their active family lives today while addressing future needs as their three girls grow up.

“We flipped the floor plan, raised the ceilings, enlarged the windows, and stretched the bedrooms, but we also focused on small details like placing kitchen switches and outlets to correspond with our full-time house,” says Neill. Most importantly, he revised the scheme to take full advantage of the property’s prime spot overlooking big water. And since the O’Connells had worked in the past with interior designer Georgia Carlee, who had recently relocated to Lake Martin, everything came together quickly.

A waterfall ledge on the pool is a bonus water feature that overlooks Lake Martin.

Approachable and familiar, the house offers refined proportions and a welcoming scale. “We wanted a native Alabama stone and selected Napa Valley Mix for its warm earth tones,” says Georgia. Along the street elevation, stone accents pair with the cedar beams and wood-frame construction.

To embrace the lake, the family chose a solid foundation and a trio of sturdy pillars that allows the local stone to take center stage as the home rambles along the gently sloping shoreline. The result is a series of outdoor rooms that seems to be naturally carved. Finely cut and honed Tennessee bluestone in complementary tones distinguishes the stepped terraces, covered porch, spa, and infinity pool for a commanding stature and sense of permanence.

A bank of windows and a soaring vaulted ceiling create a welcoming sense of space. The coffee table made from a teak root was chosen for its organic appearance. “I appreciated the visual texture it offered against the solidness of the sofa and the rug,” says Georgia.

Inside, authentic materials are repeated in an equally expressive and tranquil way, creating a consistent thread that runs throughout. To complement the tones and textures of these stone and wood surfaces, Georgia opted for furnishings and finishes that are deliberately warm and subtle in a color palette that strikes a balance with the landscape.

With a friendly composure, spaces flow one to another in a livable layout. In the living room, tall windows that reach to the floor put the focal point on the outdoors. “The chairs swivel to take in views of the lake rather than a television,” adds Georgia.

(LEFT) An upholstered bench offers seating for the kitchen’s center island. Windows above the sink were designed to easily open as a pass-through for grilling and entertaining in the outdoor summer kitchen. (RIGHT) The minimal use of draperies allows every space to be drenched with light from sun up to sunset. In the dining room, café curtains offer visual privacy from the street while still allowing views through the house to the lake.
Wood paneling animates the bedroom walls.

A deep framed opening delineates a kitchen, resonating with a mood that is both refined old-world and refreshingly contemporary. The same stone provides a backsplash that rises to the ceiling and pairs with two-inch-thick concrete countertops and substantial hardware. “There’s nothing delicate about the materials and fixtures,” says Georgia. “Stone and wood make great partners because of their complimentary tones and textures. It’s the perfect mix of rustic and sophistication.”

(LEFT) a soaking tub happily resides in a sunny nook enlivened with stone walls and a solid pecky cypress bench. (MIDDLE) A bunk room with four queen bunks and trundle beds resides down a private corridor. (RIGHT) Georgia mixed tile and wood in the powder room for a pleasing mix.

Connecting with nature is a luxury to be embraced and encouraged. In the spirit of any vacation getaway, this new home radiates an open invitation to unwind, relax, and delight in good times with family and friends. Isn’t that what it’s really all about?

The pool, firepit, and dock on the lake side of the house reflects the family’s focus on outdoor fun.

Resources

Interior Design: Georgia Carlee, GCI Design, Alexander City, Alabama; gcarlee.com
Engineering: O’Connell & Associates Consulting Engineers, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; oconnellengineers.com
Builder: Lake Martin Signature Construction, Alexander City, Alabama; lakemartinsignatureconstruction.com
Superintendent from Lake Martin Signature Construction: Lyle Nickles
Interior and Exterior Stone: Napa Valley Mix, Alabama Wholesale Stone, Oneonta, Alabama; alastone.com

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Historic Revival: Pfeffer Torode’s New Birmingham Design Studio

By
BHG Staff
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Pfeffer Torode Architecture expands its reach across the southeast by adding its newest design studio in Birmingham.

Photography by Ali Harper Photography

Birmingham is the latest addition to the studios of Pfeffer Torode Architecture brand. Nashville, Chattanooga, and Montgomery have already felt the firm’s presence in shaping the architecture of their cities—now, it’s our turn. And they’re already making it better. Converting a former Southside landmark on Cobb Lane to serve as their studio brings back style and purpose to the cobblestone street. “Historically, we have always preferred refitting existing buildings for our studios, and Birmingham is well supplied with old homes, storefronts, and warehouses,” says design principal Scott Torode, who will be at the helm of the new office. “The structure’s residential scale and details like brick cobbles and masonry arches recall its original use as a carriage house.”

“Our decision to establish our studio on Cobb Lane
was about embracing the city and participating in the thriving pool of design talent that Birmingham enjoys.”

—Scott Torode

Following a decade-long tenure at the esteemed McAlpine firm, Scott joined his brother, Jonathan, and friend, Jamie Pfeffer, at Pfeffer Torode Architecture. His background has instilled in him a dedication to consistently integrate nature into the built environment, creating authentic and timeless spaces for clients. He has already started establishing a reputation in the Mountain Brook area, having completed three homes in the neighborhood. “I’m fortunate to be to returning to Birmingham, a city that was very formative to me in my childhood and which left an indelible impression on me with its style and natural beauty,” Scott says. “Maybe having a father who was an architect helped, but I always appreciated the architectural landscape of Birmingham and its surrounding boroughs. It’s undoubtedly one of the most picturesque cities in the South.”

www.pfeffertorode.com

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