http://anaturalescape.comFranklin County Florida - St. George Island, Carrabelle, Apalachicola Blog(c) 2012, FCTDC. All rights reserved.2k Web Group RSS - http://www.2kwebgroup.com5Today is National Shrimp Day and we're celebrating in Franklin County, Florida with a special receipe for Tupelo Honey Pineapple Grilled Shrimp. Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 cup pineapple chunks 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons Tupelo honey 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 2 teaspoons soy sauce Preparation Arrange shrimp and pineapple chunks on wooden skewers and place in a flat bottom glass casserole dish. In a small bowl, combine lime juice, oil, honey, garlic and soy sauce, reserving one ounce for basting during cooking. Pour the remaining marinade over shrimp skewers. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Place skewers on grill about 6 inches from coals or gas flame. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until shrimp are opaque and pineapple begins to brown; baste with reserved marinade before turning. Serve with grilled vegetables. Yield 4 servings Nutritional Value Per Serving Calories: 340, Calories From Fat: 91, Total Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fatty Acid: 0, Cholesterol: 259mg, Total Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 35g, Omega 3 Fatty Acid: 0.01g Recipe courtsey of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/national-shrimp-day/70/ More than 20 nationally acclaimed artists will gather on Florida's Forgotten Coast to participate in the 7th annual Florida's Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational, America's Great Paint-Out, May 3-13, 2012. Painters will set up their easels and pull out their brushes to document the landscape and culture of this last vestige of authentic Old Florida – the coastal stretch of scenic North Florida between Mexico Beach and Alligator Point. The public is invited, encouraged even, to locate, stop and watch the painters throughout the week. For more details click here. May 4 9 - 1 am: Working Waterfront, Apalachicola May 5 2 - 4 pm: Working Waterfront, Apalachicola 10 – noon: Quickdraw, Carrabelle Always a huge hit the Quickdraw on Marine Street in Carrabelle is an opportunity for artists of all ages to try their hand at painting en plain air. Please pre-register at www.pleinairfl.com. May 6 2 - 4 pm: View from Eastpoint, Captain Snook's Restaurant 8-10 pm: Full Moon Paint, Riverfront Park, Apalachicola May 8 2-4 pm: St. George Island Lighthouse 4-6 pm: Meet the artists reception held at the St. George Lighthouse May 11 2 - 4 pm: Working Waterfront, Apalachicola 2-4 pm: At Art As A Window invited artists Mary Erickson, Tracey Frugoli and Morgan Samuel Price, will gather at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture - Art to discuss their work. May 12 2 - 4 pm: Working Waterfront, Apalachicola 6:30 – 10 pm: Grand Patrons’ Party, Apalachicola Center for History, Culture - Art A showcasing of award winning paintings and artwork. Ticket prices include refreshments and are $40. They can be purchased online (www.pleinairfl.com) or at the door. May 13 11 - 3 pm: Art in the Afternoon, Apalachicola Closing out this year's Plein Air Invitational with activities for the whole family, Art In The Afternoon will showcase art for sale as well as entertainment and activities for the children at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/forgotten-coast-plein-air-invitational-schedule/69/ The 22nd Annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival will be held Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th. Join your friends to celebrate the culture, history and vitality of coastal Carrabelle. This annual festival offers regional arts and crafts, family friendly attractions and local culinary treats. The two-day event held each spring on Marine Street and features attractions like Carrabelle’s own Fishy Fashion Show, Pet Parade and the Procession of the Species. The hours of the festival are 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 pm on Sunday. The Governor Stone will be on display for the Carrabelle Riverfront Festival.http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/carrabelle-riverfront-festival-this-weekend/68/Come see the Governor Stone in Carrabelle, FL for the month of March. She will be on view at the City Wharf when not sailing in St. George Sound. Vessel will sail Saturdays 10:00 and 3:00 and Sundays 10:00 and 3:00, weather and crew availability permitting. All times are Eastern Time. See the Governor Stone history display panels at the Carrabelle History Museum, 106 Ave. B SE, Carrabelle, FL, Thursday 1-5, Friday10-5, Sat.10-5 through March. In April the vessel will be on display and sailing in Apalachicola, FL. Plan to visit the Antique and Classic Boat Show April 20-21. Then see the Governor Stone the next weekend in Carrabelle for the Riverfront Festival. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/governor-stone/67/ If you can’t make it to Franklin County Florida this weekend for the SGI Charity Chili Cook-off, try this seafood chili recipe to bring a little Franklin County to you! Franklin County Shrimp Chili Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 3 large yellow onions, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/4 cup jalapeño chiles, diced 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes 6 12-ounce cans spicy light red chili beans 1 cup catsup 1 tablespoon dark chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 2 cups Franklin County fresh shrimp, cleaned and deveined 4 teaspoons sour cream 4 wedges lime fresh cilantro sprigs kosher salt and black pepper to taste Preparation Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic and poblano chilies; sauté until just tender. Add tomatoes, chili beans and spices; simmer 30 minutes over medium heat. Heat remaining olive oil in a skillet; add shrimp and sauté until opaque. Stir shrimp into chili and heat through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve in bowls garnished with sour cream, lime juice and cilantro sprigs. Yield 6 servings Recipe courtesy Florida Department of Agrilculture – www.fl-seafood.com http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/franklin-county-shrimp-chili/66/ Sports Illustrated highlights Franklin County in their upcoming 2012 Swimsuit edition. The picturesque, historic port scenery of Apalachicola, combined with the 22-mile St. George barrier island off the coast, provided just the backdrop SI was looking for. Sports Illustrated, whose circulation is expected to be around 60 million will go on sale Tuesday, Valentines Day. The cover will be unveiled on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman on Monday night and The Making of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2012 will air on VH1 at 8pm February 14.http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-comes-to-franklin-co/65/Habitat for Humanity’s Mardi Gras Fundraiser this weekend in Franklin County. Friday, Feb 3, 2012 at 5:30 PM Pet - Golf Cart Parade (featuring Mardi Gras bead throws) beginning at the Bowery to Riverfront Park on Water Street. Beginning at 6:30 in the Centennial Bank parking lot join us for Louisiana Mardi Gras style gumbos, Louisiana bread pudding with whiskey sauce and beverages with entertainers Brian Bowen and then the Beth McKee Band. Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 at 6:30 PM 9th Annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Historic Armory Dinner - Show, $50 per person Reserved Tables, $300 for 6 7:30 General admission show only $25 (Entertainers are Brian Bowen and Beth McKee Band)http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/franklin-county-mardi-gras/64/Plan now to get away to Franklin County for a special Valentine's treat! Click here to see accommodations that are offering sweet specials. Many restaurants are also offering Valentine's dinners, click here to see all restaurants in Franklin County.http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/valentines-specials/63/Pas de Vie, Tallahassee’s premiere ballet company returns to the Dixie after a fabulous standing ovation performance in 2011, it will take your breath away. Eat a scrumptious dinner at one of our fine dining establishments and head to the Dixie Theater for a breathtaking ballet performance. Click here for more info.http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/ballet-performance-this-weekend/62/ Shuck 'em, fry 'em, steam 'em, or eat 'em raw! If you like oysters, you’ll want to be in downtown Apalachicola this weekend to attend the second annual Apalachicola Oyster Cook-off Jan. 13-14 at Riverfront Park. Contestants will compete for trophies and bragging rights during this benefit event for the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department (AFVD). The fun begins Friday evening 6-8 pm with a reception and silent auction preview and continues Saturday from 11 am – 5 pm with the cookoff, silent auction, live music, childrens’ activities, and oysters any way you like ‘em! This year’s event will feature Southern Living Travel Editor Alex Crevar as one of the celebrity judges for the competition! Click here for more information. Stay downtown Apalachicola Saturday evening and attend a reception and exhibit featuring photography winners from the Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves Nature Photo Contest. The reception and exhibit will be at The History, Culture and Art Center (HCA) across from Riverfront Park from 6-8 pm. The photographs will be on display at the HCA from the January 14-28. The reception is part of Apalachicola’s monthly Second Saturday event during which Apalachicola shops stay open late and restaurants feature special fare to encourage residents and visitors to visit the downtown district. Dixie Theatre Hosts Margo Anderson’s Tribute to Patsy Cline this weekend Friday, January 13, 2012 through Sunday, January 15, 2012 Accompanied by her talented Country Gold Band, Margo's clear, powerful voice will captivate you as will her warm, sensitive interpretation of Patsy's down-home wit and timeless songs. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/its-oyster-cookoff-time/61/Pulled pork Dinners will be served starting at noon - until gone for $8.00 a plate. Cooking competition starts at 9am judging begins at 2pm for chicken and 3pm for pork. Prizes for 1st thru 3rd , most popular booth and best in show. Also we will be having a silent auction with lots of great things available. All proceeds go to the Weem's Memorial Foundation. Currently the Fundations goal is to purchase a Ultrasound machine for the hospital. As well as provide education opportunities to current Hospital employees. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/roast-and-toast-this-weekend/60/Celebrate the Holiday on the Carrabelle Harbor! Boat Parade of Lights is this Saturday. Beautiful decorated boats will line the harbor and showcase their lights and artistic designs to the delight of the spectators. Watch a fireworks display - visit with Santa. You can even put your boat in the parade and join in the fun! Click here for more information or information on how to put YOUR boat in the parade. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/holiday-on-the-harbor/59/Now is the perfect time to book a last minute holiday getaway or to reserve your Spring 2012 vacation. Below are accommodations offering specials this season. A complete list of Franklin County lodging providers is available by clicking here. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/give-the-gift-of-getaway/58/Thursday is Eastpoint’s Lighting of the town, Friday is St. George Island’s Lighting and Saturday is Apalachicola’s Holiday Fresh Market featuring handmade, fresh products, locally made baked goods and natural creations. For a list of all of our upcoming festivals and events click here.http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/christmas-festivities/57/Celebrate Thanksgiving with this fantastic Apalachicola Bay Oyster dressing recipe! Ingredients 1 12-ounce container Apalachicola Bay oysters 1/2 cup Florida celery, chopped 1/2 cup Florida onion, chopped 1/4 cup butter 4 cups day-old bread cubes 1 tablespoon fresh Florida parsley, chopped 1 teaspoon sage 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/8 teaspoon pepper Preparation Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Drain oysters; reserve liquor. Remove any remaining shell particles. Chop oysters. Cook celery and onion in butter until tender. Add oysters and oyster liquor to vegetables; cook for 10 minutes. Combine oysters, cooked vegetables, bread cubes and seasonings in a large bowl; mix thoroughly. If stuffing seems dry, moisten with additional oyster liquor. Bake dressing in a greased casserole for 30 minutes or use for poultry stuffing. Yield Stuffing for a 4-pound ready-to-cook bird, or 5 cups Stuffing for poultry For 5-9 pound bird 2 times stuffing recipe For 10-15 pound bird 3 times stuffing recipe For 16-20 pound bird 4 times stuffing recipe For 21-25 pound bird 5 times stuffing recipe Nutritional Value Per Serving Calories 380, Calories From Fat 110, Total Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 6g,Cholesterol 50mg, Total Carbohydrate 52g, Protein 13g Receipe courtsey of http://www.fl-seafood.comhttp://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/thanksgiving-with-oysters/56/Click here to view the video - How to Boil Shrimp Shrimp Scampi with Pasta 1 ½ unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbs. olive oil 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 tbls. prepared mustard 1 tbls. Worcestershire sauce 1/2-3/4 cup butter, melted 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tbs. fresh lemon juice 1 lb. spaghetti, cooked 1/2 cup fresh parsley, optional 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese Peel and de-vein shrimp. Saute garlic and shrimp in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until throughly heated. Remove shrimp and set aside. Stir in white wine, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, cook over high heat 3-4 minutes. Return shrimp to skillet. Stir in butter, salt, lemon juice, cook 1-2 minutes or until combined and throughly heated. Place pasta in a large serving dish, toss with shrimp mixture and parsley. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Yields 4-6 servings. Recipe courtsey of Sheila Hauser – Forgotten Coast TVhttp://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/how-to-boil-shrimp/55/There's a secret to successful deep-fried mullet and we have it here! This week's Seafood Cooking Tip focuses on Deep-Fried Mullet with Guest Chef Maxine Kellogg from Apalachicola's AJ's Neighborhood Grill. Watch every week to catch culinary videos filmed at some of Franklin County's most popular seafood restaurants. Learn how to clean and prepare the bay's bounty from area chefs and local experts. Click here to watch! Compliment your fresh fried mullet with these two AJ favorites! Creamy Cheese Grits 4 cups water 1 cup Aunt Jemima Quick Grits 1 teaspoon salt ½ cup cheese 2 tablespoons butter The key to grits is to cook them long and slow and stir. Nobody likes lumpy grits. To ensure that your grits are creamy and free of lumps, start with 4 cups of boiling water to every 1 cup of grits. Bring 4 cups boiling water, a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter to a rapid bowl. Add 1 cup of grits. (We like Aunt Jemima Quick Grits.) The key is to add the grits gradually and stir. Using a whisk is fine too. Stir continuously. Reduce heat to low. Cover and let grits slowly cook for 20 – 25 minutes remembering to stir often. Add 4oz of your favorite cheese…cheddar or Velveeta. Stir well and simmer another 5 minutes. Half cup of milk or cream can be added for extra creaminess. You want your grits to have a nice consistency – not too thin; not too thick; and not too gritty. Serve them beside your fresh hot fried mullet and add hushpuppies. Gram’s Hushpuppies 1 onion – chopped well ½ bell pepper – chopped well 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1- ½ cup self-rising flour 2 cups meal ¼ cup sugar ½ to 1 cup water as needed Vegetable Oil to cover skillet Chop vegetables. In medium mixing bowl, beat two eggs, add 1 cup milk, and mix well. Add flour, meal and sugar. Stir well. Consistency should be stiff and not thin. Add water SLOWLY until you reach desired consistency. Mixture should be “doughy” so that you are able to drop the mixture off a spoon into hot oil. Heat enough oil to cover skillet nearly half way. Heat to 325 degrees. Once oil is hot, dip the spoon in to the oil. Use that spoon to roll off a spoonful of your “dough” into the hot oil. If you have achieved the right consistency, the dough will not fall apart but will remain in a “ball” shape. If the oil does not cover the hushpuppy, flip it over and cook both sides evenly…2 or 3 minutes on each side. Drain excess oil and serve beside fresh hot fried mullet and cheese grits! http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/how-to-deep-fry-mullet/53/Apalachicola's Second Saturday Event to Feature Folk Singer Come to Apalachicola this weekend to enjoy November's Second Saturday event on Nov. 12. Stroll through the galleries, shops and businesses and have a tasty dinner between 6-8pm and then after, from 6-8 pm Sopchoppy folk singer, Frank Lindamood at the Women Folk exhibit at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture - Art. Carrabelle Hosts Fall Festival, Veterans' Parade Enjoy a Fall Festival and Veterans' Day Parade in Carrabelle this weekend. The event, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Carrabelle Senior Center, will feature children's and family games, food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and an auction. Lanark Gumbo Cookoff That same day, the St. James/Lanark Volunteer Fire Department will host its 3rd Annual Charity Gumbo Cook Off on the Lanark Village Boat Club grounds. Click here for more events in Franklin County, Florida. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/this-weekend-in-franklin-county/54/In honor of Veteran’s Day, you can visit any of the State Parks in Franklin County or elsewhere in the state for free on Friday, Nov. 11. Many of Florida’s state parks feature historic sites that commemorate the nation’s fallen service members. At the Historic Orman House State Park in Apalachicola, visitors can pay their respects to Vietnam veterans at the adjacent Veteran's Memorial Plaza which features the only sanctioned replica of the Three Servicemen statue - the original of which stands in Washington D.C. The Apalachicola statue serves as the centerpiece of the City's Veteran's Memorial Plaza located on Market Street which includes brick pavers that honor veterans from all branches of the military who served in all of America’s wars. Entrance fees will also waived the entire weekend at the Apalachicola National Forest Site in Franklin County and at recreation sites across the U.S this weekend in honor of Veteran’s day. Campsites and locations that are reserved through the National Forest website will not be included in the fee waiver. Click here to learn about all of Franklin County's Parks and Museums. http://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/visit-state-parks-national-forest-sites-free/52/The Florida Seafood Festival is a two day event annually drawing thousands of visitors to the historic town of Apalachicola in scenic Franklin County .The Festival is held at the mouth of the Apalachicola river under the shady oaks of Apalachicola's Battery Park. The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events, Musical Entertainment. Some of the notable events include Oyster Eating and Oyster Shucking contest, Blue Crab Races, Cooking Contest ,Parade, 5k Redfish Run and The Blessing of the Fleet. Schedule of Events for Friday, November 4: 10:00am- Park Opens (No Admission Charge) 4:00pm - Blessing of the Fleet 4:00pm - Arrival of King Retsyo, Ottice Amison and Queen, Christina Pateritsas 5:00-10:30pm – Musical Entertainment 10:30pm – Park Closes Schedule of Events for Saturday, November 5: 7:00am - Registration for Redfish Run (Front Steps of Gibson Inn) 8:00am - Start of Redfish Run 10:00am – Gates Open ($5.00 admission Charge - kids Under 12 Free) 10:00am – Parade Starts (Hwy 98) 1:00-5:00pm – Blue Crab Races (at the Top of Each Hour) (kids under 12) 1:00pm – Oyster Shucking Contest 2:00pm – Oyster Eating Contest 8:00pm - Headline Entertainment - Travis Tritt 11:00pm - Park Closeshttp://anaturalescape.com/blog/archive/florida-seafood-festival/51/