Heatwole Campout 2012

Last weekend we were in Tennessee

for a Heatwole campout.

It was a relaxing weekend

filled with many wonderful memories.

Here are few photos...

 Can you tell their sisters? Adorable indeed.

 Sweet Emorie and handsome Joshua. (must be the name) tee hee

Precious Bo. Sweet moment with Preston and Emorie. 

Emorie and Georgie having fun.

Parla and bright-eyed Brighton. Tiny Talya in the top right corner.

 Cousins playing scum.

 Camping action.

Childhood games relived.

 I never saw so many skunks in one place.

We counted at least six.

Blessings,

Hope 

Hotel Deals & Grilled Vegetables

We just came back from a little

trip celebrating our 2nd anniversary.

It was a fun and relaxing weekend.

We went to VA beach and Willamsburg.

Both nights we booked from Hotwire

and were very pleased. The first night 

we stayed at the Founders Inn and Spa

and it was very nice. I would recommend 
it to anyone wanting a nice getaway.

We love Hotwire- it's gamble

with not knowing where your are

staying until you pay. But if you book

above 3 star you usually aren't disappointed.

The second night was Country Inn & Suites. 
If you wonder why I am telling you about this 
it's because others need to know about it too.
We payed for both nights with what one night in 
an ocean-front VA Beach hotel would cost.

I love to know people's travel secrets.

Here are a few photos from our trip.

Then we will get to the grilled vegetables.

The Founders Inn and Spa.

Bottom left is the the new Willamsburg Pottery.

Now the recipe...

Mix together marinate and let vegetables sit for awhile.

I marinated chicken along with the vegetables.

Lay 2 layers of foil on the frill and grill until slightly soft.

Pair with chicken and salad. Mmm... summer.

Grilled Vegetables

 8 cups vegetables

6 chicken thighs

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup oil

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped

2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Mix together marinate and pour over vegetables and chicken.

Toss until coated. Poke the chicken with a knife so the marinate 
can soak through quickly. Let set 15-20 minutes.

Grill vegetables over foil until slightly soft.

Enjoy,

Hope

Music Camp Party

I help with the opening party for the

 Shenandoah Christian Music Camp.

It's the first party where all the

people attending music camp

mingle and meet the faculty.

It was fun party to get ready for.

Three other ladies from church helped.

Needless to say- the food disappeared

quite quickly, but all were fed. Whew!

Here are a few many photos of the event.

 I was in flower heaven. A lady from church had

these beautiful hydrangeas. I had three buckets of flowers

to work with. I was in my elements indeed.

Michelle and Stacey the wonderful ladies I worked with.

Sorry, no picture of you, Brenda,.

I think I will rest this week!

Hope

Garlic & Lemon Grilled Chicken

I am always looking for quick meals.

Lately, grilling seems to be the 

way to create quick meals.

I love grilled chicken,

(if you haven't noticed).

It's so easy and forgiving.

There aren't many spices you can't sprinkle 

on chicken that ends up non-edible.

Well cinnamon would be, of course,

within the chicken seasoning family

is what I am trying to say.

So I grabbed a bowl and some measuring

spoons and tackled yet another

grilled chicken recipe.

 Juicy, garlic flavor with a hint of honey.

 Pair with red potatoes and baked beans.

Garlic & Lemon Grilled Chicken

5-8 chicken thighs, boneless

1/2 cup oil

4 garlic cloves, crushed

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup honey

1 Tbsp. vinegar 
1 tsp. poultry seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Mix together marinate and reserve 1/3 cup for basting.

Pour remaining marinate over chicken thighs.

Stab chicken with a knife so the marinate

will soak into the fibers of the chicken.

Let set 30-45 minutes.

Grill and baste with reserved marinate.

Enjoy,

Hope

Summer Centerpiece

I don't know if any of you made

my Christmas centerpiece from a log

but if you did and still have the log-

it also makes a great summer centerpiece.

  Just fill it with whatever greenery and flowers you have.

Happy Tuesday!

Hope

Summer

I love this time of year.

It's still not too hot to work outside

in the garden in the middle of the day.

Things are just a growing in

our garden (including weeds)- we are 

enjoying lettuce, onions and radishes.

I took my camera outside this evening and 

snapped some photos of things

that are growing around here.

"So then neither is he that plants anything, 

neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase."

1 Corinthians 3:7

The raised bed my hubby made for my Birthday last year.

I absolutely love it.

Our little garden.

Flowers we have been enjoying.

Super cool window boxes Josh made.

We were invited to my sister, Charity's, house for dinner.

As you can see it was delightful.

Happy Summer,

Hope

Cajun Steamed Shrimp

Wow, last week was a busy one.

We were invited away for

dinner two nights in a row.

Hence- no cooking, no posting.

Tonight was kind of a date night.

I bought some shrimp at Food Lion

and wanted to steam them.

At the last minute I decided to 

use Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay.

It was tasty and good for a change.

Cajun Steamed Shrimp

2 lb. shrimp, raw

1 cup vinegar

2 cups water

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 T. Cajun seasoning

1 T. raw sugar or brown

In a kettle mix together vinegar, water, lemon juice,

Cajun and sugar. Bring to a boil and add shrimp.

Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Remove shrimp

immediately. Don't over cook- they will get tough.

Sprinkle lightly with a little more Cajun seasoning

and toss. Serve hot with cocktail sauce.

Enjoy,

Hope