With the holidays closing in and the pandemic still on high alert, families are looking for fun outdoor events and activities more than ever. Luckily, the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas have plenty to take the kids or a nice date to. Below are some fun and easy holiday-themed events you can enjoy this season. 

Bellingrath Gardens and Home (Theodore, AL) 

One of the more popular seasonal and year-round attractions is a 65-acre floral and Christmas light wonder in a Southern estate garden. They host educational events throughout the year, but for the winter holidays, they have an outstanding Magic Christmas in Lights show where you and your family can walk through an incredibly decorated pathway featuring more than 3 million lights and 1,100 set pieces. You can explore in awe at the active light shows and beautiful gardens in between. Locals suggest you purchase your tickets in advance, as this event fills up fast when the sun goes down! 

Ice Rink At The Wharf (Orange Beach, AL) 

We get the benefits of coastal living and weather and still can enjoy the classic winter experience of ice skating at the local hangout, the Wharf. Bring or rent a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall on real ice until January 17. You are required to sign a waiver, but you can sign an e-waiver beforehand to save time and hit the rink with your family and friends! While you are there you can also enjoy the Wharf’s delicious restaurants, local boutiques, and seasonal carriage rides. 

Holiday Tree Show (Foley, AL) 

Don’t miss out on the Christmas light show happening every night admission-free in Downtown OWA. Come down at 6 pm to admire their 36-foot-tall Christmas tree and mesmerizing light show to holiday music that is synchronized with the lights. OWA also is surrounded by amusement parks and popular eateries so you can enjoy roller coasters and dinner before the show! Check out their website to also see the ongoing concerts and small bands that attend throughout the seasons to get the most out of your visit. 

Holiday Sunset Cruise From Five Rivers (Spanish Fort, AL) 

Drive on over to Five Rivers Delta Resource Center and local favorite Historic Blakeley State Park for a weekend of family-friendly holiday cruises into the wild and scenic Mobile-Tensaw Delta! From December 17th-19th you can get inexpensive tickets and multiple experience options such as their winter sunset cruise, or three of their popular 90-minute Delta Discovery Tours, all departing from the Bartram Landing at Five Rivers. Enjoy a peaceful and stress-free educational and views tour while being treated to hot chocolate and cookies on board. Plus, kids receive a free stocking loaded with holiday candies, so what’s not to love?

Holiday Horse And Carriage Rides At The Wharf (Orange Beach, AL) 

Saddle up for the season and enjoy a movie-like experience by spending the evening in a festive horse-drawn carriage on select dates in December. For only $25 per carriage ride (up to 6 adults, lap children welcome), why not immerse yourself and friends and family into the ultimate Christmas holiday tradition. The wharf also has a giant, well-lit ferris wheel, eateries, local boutiques and a concert arena that you can plan into your visit! For a short period of time this season, you can also go next door to the real ice skating rink! 

Tonsmeire Properties is located in Fairhope, Alabama, with four communities located in Madison, Foley and Daphne, Alabama. Wherever you find yourself looking for a rental, consider one of the Tonsmeire communities. We’ve been building and renting apartments and rental homes in the area for over 50 years and our professional team of leasing agents are excited to help you find your new home.

Honey-Glazed Turkey 

This Honey-Glazed Turkey recipe is as good as it sounds! The sweet and spicy, caramelized glaze gives the meat a wonderful flavor. Within a few hours, this main course dish is ready to be served. Along with being a crowd-pleasing dish, it offers 20 servings for your guests to enjoy. 

Duo Tater Bake 

The Duo Tater Bake is a dish you’ll want to start including at every get-together! The creamy and comforting potato combination pairs your favorite potatoes and cheeses to create an extraordinary, flavorful side dish. With a prep time of under an hour and a cooking time of only 20 minutes, this Thanksgiving entree will save you time without sacrificing delightful flavors. 

Chocolate-Caramel Pumpkin Torte 

You had us at “chocolate and caramel”! This decadent dessert dish is rich and airy all at the same time. The key is to let the cake cool completely before cutting and assembling with the frostings. This wonderful addition to your holiday meal can serve a whopping 12 servings and takes less than an hour to prepare and bake. 

Spinach Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms 

We love mushroom-stuffed anything around here! Enjoy these Spinach Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms all holiday season. This easy-to-prepare dish combines creamy spinach dip with fresh mushrooms for a flavorsome cuisine unlike any other. Pro Tip: utilize a melon baller to hollow out the mushroom caps to make them easier to stuff. The appetizers fit neatly into muffin tins or a deviled egg tray for traveling. 

Orange-Glazed Pork Loin 

The Orange-Glazed Pork Loin has an aroma that will have you running to the kitchen! The flavorful rub and bright orange juice glaze are incredible on pork. This main menu dish will only take you an hour and a half to prep and bake. The pork loin roast will create 16 servings, enough for family AND friends! 

Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette 

You know at any Thanksgiving dinner, you have to have the greens! This Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette is the perfect leafy side dish for the holidays. To help the flavors come alive, consider roasting your apples and slathering them with a sweet dressing

before tossing them into your salad to complete your dish! The spicy maple-cider vinaigrette is a pleasantly surprising, perfect pair with the roasted apple salad. 

Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash 

Butternut squash is probably a dish you’ve had a time or two during the holiday season. This Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash recipe is just as hearty and comforting as any of your favorite potato dishes. This golden, honey-sweetened squash makes for an attractive side with its bright colors and mouth-watering aroma. The dish only takes 30 minutes to prep and prepare. Less time doesn’t mean less flavor after making this dish! 

Holiday Salsa 

This Holiday Salsa recipe is exactly what it sounds like: delicious! This recipe calls for only eight ingredients making it one of the quickest and easiest dishes for a holiday party or dinner. Offer this creamy-cheesy salsa appetizer with fresh cranberries, cilantro and jalapenos for an extra kick to have the most unique and flavorful dish of the day or night for the holiday season. 

The holiday season brings us together for a lot of things, and food just so happens to be one of them! Try out these recipes during the holiday season and let us know what you think. Tonsmeire Properties has been building and renting apartments and rental homes in the area for over 50 years and our professional team of leasing agents is excited to help you find your new home.

​Fall is arguably one of the best times of the year. There are the gorgeous fall colors, the beautiful fall days and all the festivities that occur! Alabama is a beautiful state all year, but there are a few places you should definitely visit during the fall months.

Best Places Around Daphne, AL and Foley, AL 

In Southern Alabama, the fall season doesn’t ever feel long enough, but the cozy feelings of fall can still be found in other ways. Exploring local stores, trying new restaurants and enjoying fall festivities is the perfect way to enjoy the fall season in the Daphne and Foley areas.

A fall day is best enjoyed with a warm beverage in hand. If you’ve got a hankering for a hot cup of coffee or warm apple cider, visit one of the area’s many local coffee spots, such as:

• Soul Caffeine in Daphne, AL 
• Refuge Coffee Roasters in Fairhope, AL
• Foam Coffee in Gulf Shores, AL
• Drowsy Poet in Foley, AL

Savor breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner at one of the many local restaurants. Looking to dine on something tasty? Check out one of these places:

• Warehouse Bakery in Fairhope, AL
• Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill in Daphne, AL
• Moe’s BBQ in Daphne, AL
• Gelato Joe’s in Foley, AL
• Brick & Spoon in Orange Beach, AL

Are you itching to take on some fall activities? Check out one of the local farms, pumpkin patches or orchards in the area. A few of our favorites include: 

• Wales West – Catch the pumpkin patch express throughout the month of October. There is a kid-friendly version during the day and a spooky version at night. Enjoy the pumpkin patch and Halloween decor.
• Magnolia Corn Maze – Ride a tractor, take a hayride, try a corn maze or cruise on the Magnolia Corn Maze Cow Train. 

Want to take in nature and enjoy the outdoors this fall? Southern Alabama is filled with lakes, rivers, ponds, walking trails and coastline beaches. Enjoy a local spot, including:

• Daphne Bayfront Park
• Village Point Park Preserve 
• Spanish Fort’s Delta Resource Center
• Gulf State Park

Best Places to Visit Around Madison, AL 

In northern Alabama, fall is a bit longer of a season, and the fall foliage is in full swing. You can enjoy changing trees and beautiful historic landmarks that bask in the golden glow of the season. 

Grab a warm fall beverage for your crisp fall day at one of these local Madison, AL spots where you are bound to find plenty of tasty fall-inspired drinks:

• Grounded Coffee
• White Bison Coffee
• Piper and Leaf

If your fall day has you hankering for a bite to eat, take in a meal at another one of the local spots in the area:

• Another Broken Egg Cafe
• Metro Diner
• Old Black Bear Brewing Company
• Urban Cookhouse
• Tom Brown’s Restaurant

Northern Alabama is gorgeous in the fall, so hop in the car and head to see the fall foliage. Check out one of these gorgeous views close to Madison:

• Madison County Nature Trail on Green Mountain
• Monte Sano State Park Overlook
• The View at Burritt on the Mountain
• Blevins Gap Nature Preserve
• Huntsville Botanical Garden

Tonsmeire Properties has built, owned and managed rental communities in Alabama for over 50 years. Our communities located in Madison, Daphne and Foley, Alabama, offer a wide variety of apartment and rental homes with convenient amenities, beautifully kept grounds and more. To learn more about what our communities offer, visit our website www.tonsmeireproperties.com or call our office (251) 928-1655.

​Planning for hurricane season can be a stressful and daunting task. It’s hard to know how in-depth each hurricane will affect your area until it happens. As we all know, hurricanes are known to cause widespread destruction to anything in their path. It’s important to understand the severity of the storm and how it can affect you and your home. Tonsmeire Properties and its communities have experienced hurricanes in all capacities. Whether a devastating hurricane or a large thunderstorm, we’re committed to helping keep you safe. 

We’ve compiled a list of hurricane tips to protect you and your home to add to your preparation list. 

Take a look inside of, and around, your apartment or house to ensure it’s safe to shelter-in-place. 

Make sure there is no loose debris lying around your apartment outside. These items can easily turn into dangerous, flying debris that can damage your apartment or house. 

Bring outdoor patio furniture, potted plants, toys and other items inside from balconies and patios. 

Not only can a hurricane destroy your personal property; it can use that very same destroyed material to damage your home or even cause injury to those inside the home. Avoid damage to your personal items by taking the time to find space inside your home to store outdoor furniture during a hurricane. 

Identify the safest room in your home. 

This can be an area that does not have windows. A closet, interior bedroom, bathroom or hallway usually provides great protection during a hurricane. Hurricanes can produce dangerous, windy conditions that can leave homes demolished. That’s why it’s important to establish a safe room to aid in hurricane preparations. 

Establish an emergency fund. 

Having an emergency fund on hand can sometimes be the difference between surviving or thriving through a storm. Hurricanes can bring unexpected events that can leave you in a difficult situation. The last thing you want to worry about during or after a hurricane is if you’re able to purchase the things you need. Have cash ready to go for any future event to happen. 

Contact your community’s office 

Living in an apartment, your community’s office has a preparedness plan in place for natural disasters like hurricanes. Reach out to them before hurricane season or before a hurricane hits to figure out information or what to do if something happens. 

Photograph your items. 

Last-minute evacuations are not uncommon when a hurricane is approaching your area. In the event of a hurricane following an evacuation, be sure to scan policy documents, legal

documents, licenses or any other important information you may need and store the files online. Your scanned documents and photographs will help you stay organized during such a chaotic time. 

Have emergency supplies. 

Having emergency supplies on hand is a key task to complete before a hurricane arrives. Be sure to purchase items like non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies, toiletries, flashlights, batteries and more to ensure you have everything you need. If roads are blocked, your vehicle is damaged or you become injured, it’s critical to have these supplies ready to go in the case of an emergency. 

Establish pet preparations. 

If you have a beloved pet, make sure you have an emergency kit for them, too! Be sure to purchase non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies, any medications they need, ID tags, pet carriers, comfort items and more to ensure your pet is taken care of through the storm. An extra step to take during preparations is to locate local hotels or shelters that can accommodate you and your pet. 

Get to know your neighbors. 

It’s important to know who may need or can lend a helping hand in an emergency. There are many preparations that neighbors can take together as a community to effectively prepare and plan for a hurricane, such as cleaning outside debris, exchanging contact information and more. 

Tonsmeire Properties has been building and renting apartments and rental homes in the area for over 50 years. Our professional team of leasing agents are ready to help our residents prepare for any storm during any season, especially hurricane season.

When you’re looking for the next place to call home, location is a major factor to consider. Whether you’re moving down the street or to a completely new city, finding a location that has the things you need, want and can enjoy requires a little research and education. Our Tonsmeire Properties communities are located throughout the state of Alabama in beautiful, developing areas for our residents to call home.

East Bay

East Bay Apartment Homes is located in Daphne, Alabama, which is otherwise known as the “Jubilee City”. The waterfront community largely relies on education, healthcare and retail for its employment. Daphne is also home to 50 schools ranging from preschool to high school, as well as local colleges. Grocery stores such as Publix, Rousses and Allegri Farmers Market are all within minutes of East Bay Apartments. Local hospitals, like Thomas Hospital, dentists, specialty physicians and urgent cares are nearby as well. When you live at East Bay Apartment Homes, you will also be near plenty of entertainment opportunities, including fun restaurants, quality retail shops, beautiful parks and more. Not to mention that hotspots like Gulf Shores and Downtown Mobile are only a short drive away. 

Bay Breeze

Bay Breeze Apartment Homes is our second apartment community in Daphne, Alabama. Located in the Lake Forest subdivision, Bay Breeze Apartment Homes is just minutes from I-10, schools, hospitals, stores and more. All of our Bay Breeze residents love where they live because of the endless entertainment opportunities available, too! Eat a delicious meal at Boudreaux’s before heading to the Eastern Shore Center for a day of shopping. Enjoy a stroll along Alligator Alley and then head to Eastern Shore Lanes for a game of Bowling. If you’re looking for convenient access to Airports you can get to the Mobile Airport of the Pensacola Airport in 45 minutes to an hour. 

South Pointe

South Pointe Apartments and Homes in Foley, Alabama has all the best things to offer about small-town living without the big-city environment! Foley is home to a variety of both public and private schools. Entertainment options include OWA, a local amusement park, The Gulf Shores Zoo and The Wharf. Restaurants like Lambert’s, Lulu’s and the Hangout are within just a few minutes drive as well. Retail shopping at Tanger Outlet is an easy trip from South Pointe Apartments and Homes. Enjoy the laid back lifestyle of a coastal local in Foley, AL.

Windscape

Windscape Apartment Homes is located in Madison, Alabama, a picturesque town near Huntsville, AL. There are plenty of entertainment options available for Windscape residents, including local sports, the Madison County Nature Trail and art events. There are also many retail and dining locations in Madison, such as the Bridge Town Center and Old Black Bear Brewing. And, of course, Windscape is near some of the biggest employers in the Madison area, including Huntsville Hospital, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Boeing.

Fairhope, AL

Although Tonsmeire properties does not have an apartment complex in Fairhope, AL, we do offer several rental homes throughout the city. The city itself is set on the Mobile Bay with a beautiful pier overlooking the water to enjoy fishing, live entertainment and walking. Downtown Fairhope is iconic for its local shopping. Stores like Ole Bay Mercantile, Fantasy Island Toys, Object and Cat’s Meow are staples of the Fairhope shopping experience. Fairhope, AL also hosts some of the most fun and unique restaurants and bars including DragonFly Foodbar, Thyme on Section and Locals. Thomas Hospital is located right off of Highway 98 and there are several physicians offices near the hospital as well. 

If you are looking for your next home in Alabama, Tonsmeire Properties surely has a place where you can enjoy the local culture, community and lifestyle. Visit our website to learn more about all of our apartments and homes we offer at Tonsmeireproperties.com.