Maine or bust...

We are going on a road trip. YIPPEE! On Monday we are leaving for Maine. Bar Harbor to be exact. The best part is we are bringing Stella too!

Bar Harbor is where we went on our honeymoon 28 years ago on August 8th. So we thought we would retrace our adventure. We are stopping in Blue Hill, Maine first to see some friends for 2 nights, then head to Bar Harbor and Arcadia. On our honeymoon, we stayed in a very small cottage, that was perfect for 20 something newlyweds. You know, double bed, tiny tiny bathroom, kitchen sink with gathered fabric around around it, crickets singing you to sleep...
This time around, I think I might prefer the hotel type. Nothing fancy, but they do have a king size bed, and are pet friendly. Perfect!
We are leaving at the crack of dawn on Monday morning, so tomorrow I get packing. I will keep you posted on the scenic pictures from down town and the Arcadia National Park.

Have a great week everyone!!

XOXO

Check out the size of these zucchini's!

What do you with a GIGANTIC zucchini?
Well, you make zucchini bread of course. A local around here in Maryland gave these to me. I don't know what he has in his soil, but these were the biggest vegetables I have ever seen in my life!
The bread is delicious too!!

Zucchini Bread

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:

10 min

Inactive Prep Time:

hr min

Cook Time:

1 hr 0 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

2 loaves

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in. Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Alternately, bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes.

*I did not put any lemon juice or nuts in mine.

XOXO

Cocktail Party Update

Hi everyone. Sorry I have been a no show for awhile. I feel like I have been going non-stop lately. With my family here for a week, and the cocktail party, it has been pretty crazy around here. I hope everyone is having a great summer and doing well. This is my sister Susie from K.C. helping wrap 150 forks in napkins for the party. That was a huge help!

The boys were a big help putting up this big tent! It is not an easy job. Now we just had to get everything set up in time before the guests arrive.

As the guests arrived, they were grazing over all of the appetizers.
My brother-in-law, the chef, prepared 500 steamed clams for his donation to the party. Most of the guests brought an appetizer or a bottle of wine.

Here is hubby giving my sister a smooch.

This is my other brother-in-law, Kelly (Susie's hubby) and neighbor Mike acting as the bartenders. That was their donation to the party. Mike made 3 gallons of Mojito's as another donation. They were a huge hit!

Kelly busy at work. He did a fantastic job!

As you can see, the tent was full and the cocktail party was a success!
The weather was perfect.

Me and my sister talking to more of our neighbors, Pamela and Eddie.

Job well done, thank-you for all of your help Susie. I will miss you!
They flew back to Kansas City yesterday. While she was here, she would not stop doing dishes and laundry--what a huge help. I could get used to that!
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

Break Time

I just wanted to show you a few of the wonderful sunsets that have been happening around here this week. The weather has been warm but great. We could use some rain though, but not this weekend.

Each night they are different, and more beautiful.

I just wanted to tell you that I'm taking a computer break this week. I have a lot to do to get ready for house guests. I have my sister and husband from Kansas City coming on Thursday along with my 2 nieces and their boyfriends for 8 days.
As an added bonus, I am hosting a cocktail party for 100 people on Saturday from 6:00-7:30p.m. There is another progressive dinner this weekend. (2 per year.) I will host the cocktail party, then everyone moves on to other homes for dinner. (6-8 per house.) Then someone will host dessert. Everyone brings a bottle of wine or an appetizer to the cocktail party. I supply paper products, beer and drinks. We have a big tent to set up, but I still pray for no rain this day!
So I apologize in advance if I lag on postings this week. I will do my best to make my rounds. I'll be thinking of you all, and wish you could be here this weekend! Pictures to come.
Have a great week!

XOXO

P.S. Many thanks to Pink Martinis and Pearls for letting me join the exclusive club, and the awesome award she gave me!

A Day on the beach

I hope everyone is having a nice week. We are in Maryland all week for vacation, and I just wanted to show you how pretty the sky was last night.

Today we took the boat across the way to a small beach called Keven's Cut. It is really pretty there and Stella loved it!

Walking to the point.

Made it. Way off yonder behind me is my house.
Here is where the water splits, pictures to follow.

Time for a water break after exploring the surroundings.

O.K., we carried Stella across the split earlier on the walk. On the way back, she was getting braver and started to creep into the water.

Well, she got half way across and stopped. Screeching halt.

So John went back and carried her across. She looks a little spastic doesn't she?

On our way back to the boat, passing someone relaxing in the water after a kayak ride.

Heading home. Our dock is the one with the white tent. That is our gray house in the middle. What a wonderful day we had.
I hope you all have a great night!

XOXO

Refreshing Cocktail

I know it is a little late for the 4th of July, but this still sounds amazing for the summer!



Watermelon Cocktail

7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
4 teaspoons superfine sugar
8 ounces silver tequila
12 basil leaves
12 mint leaves
2.5 ounces Cointreau
6 cups ice

Make watermelon ice cubes by putting 24 pieces of cubed watermelon on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for one hour, covered.

Take the rest of the watermelon plus the sugar and puree until smooth. Strain into a bowl. Put the tequila, basil and mint in a pitcher and muddle. Then stir in Cointreau and watermelon puree. Pour mixture into cocktail shaker with ice and mix for each cocktail. Put watermelon ice cubes in a glass and pour cocktail in. Garnish with herb sprigs and enjoy!

XOXO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

I just want to wish everyone a wonderful and safe 4th of July!! Have a great weekend.

XOXO