Had a few more pictures from the beach retreat to share… enjoy!
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| place settings using natural elements found around our beach house |
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| fall/beachy centerpiece |
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| Vera & Aunt Angela |
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| left to right: Jessica, Vera, Bobbi/Grammy/Mom, me, Angela, and Stephanie (missing Missy, Mary, & Katie) |
Thank you, Maranatha M&M’s, for letting me (& Vera!) join you on your beach retreat!
We made several Christmas crafts while we were on the retreat, which was really fun! Stephanie showed us how to make these pretty angel ornaments using shells we collected on the beach.
We had such fun crafting together! By the end of the week, we had made angel ornaments, a notepad holder, frosted candles, and fabric rosette rings or hair clips. Plus, we learned how to make sugar/salt hand scrubs!
We ate wonderful food while we were on the beach retreat! Warning: do not read this post while hungry!
Before the highchair arrived, Vera sat in a big chair and looked so sweet! How adorable are those cheeks?
A highlight of the week was the Golden Spoon Competition – a “Chopped”-style cooking competition with mystery ingredients and courses. It was so fun!
First course… mystery ingredients: shrimp, baby bok choy, and lemons. Dish: Shrimp & Baby Bok Choy Lemon Risotto in Lemon Cups!
Second course (the one I was a part of making)… mystery ingredients: top sirloin beef roast, basmati rice, and spaghetti squash. Dish: Coffee Encrusted Beef Roast served with a Coffee Reduction alongside Potatoes and Carrots; Basmati Rice Sauteed with Peppers & Onion; and Spaghetti Squash Tossed with Garlic Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, and Fresh Basil!
Third course… mystery ingredients: granny smith apples, pie pumpkins, and cocoa powder. Dish: Chocolate Sauce; Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip; Gingersnaps; and Granny Smith Apple Slices.
We were judged based on taste, presentation, and creativity. The Golden Spoon Award this year went to the dessert team!
For lunch one day we all helped make pizza. It turned out sooo delicious!
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| margherita pizza |
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| veggie lovers pizza |
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| shrimp & bacon pizza |
Angela, Stephanie, and I made dinner one night and served Garlic Bread, Italian Tossed Salad, Parmesan Chicken, Pasta & Tomato Basil Sauce, Cranberry Spritzer (not wine, though it looks like it in the picture, lol), and Chocolate Trifle.
As you can tell, we did not go hungry that week!
