What doesn't make it in the blog photos...

In one week I somehow managed to...

Drop the chocolate curls all over the kitchen floor while making these...

Knock over a wine bottle, spilled it everywhere and broke the wine glass...

Clean the house and then made this lemon pepper panko fish...had to reclean the kitchen because crumbs went everywhere...note to self- do this in reverse order next time

Make a key lime pie with expired lemon juice (who knew that Nellie & Joe made lemon juice too?)...oops...remade it and added one too many drops of green food coloring...

And of course, there is always the sink full of dishes when the cooking is over...

These moments are never good times to get out the camera...sorry friends! 

Step 2 Boards and Camping Ahead

Tomorrow is the big day. Cole takes the second step of his medical boards. We are anxiously awaiting its arrival because after 9 grueling hours of test taking, they are over! I am proud of all his hard work, and I am honestly baffled how everything he knows fits into his brain.. If you happen to read this tomorrow, please say a prayer for him!

On a much happier note, Cole and I embark on an unusual anniversary trip at the end of this week...camping! The cool mountain air of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, is calling our name. We plan to do a ton of hiking, including the Mount Mitchell summit, relaxing around the fire, and hopefully cooking on the fire.

For breakfast I am eyeing these Orange Muffins (made over the fire the night before) and oatmeal. Lunch will be on the trail, probably a standard PB&J, trail mix, and fruit. For dinner we are throwing Hobo packs (tin foil packets, not purses ladies) into the fire- the first night with ground turkey, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onions, beef broth, and spices; the second night with a boneless pork chop, apricot preserves, and soy sauce. S'mores and these Banana Boats for dessert. Let's pray we can get a fire started...if not we may be eating raw veggies or going hungry...

See this post on our last camping adventure...

Seafood Marinades

One of my favorites for shrimp...

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup homemade italian dressing

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons minced onion

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

One of my favorites for fish...

1/4 cup OJ

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons oil (I use olive oil)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon each S & P

Both courtesy from Mom's recipe box. 

Green Monster Smoothie

Cole's parents recently splurged on a Vitamix, and after enjoying some awesome smoothies at Cole's house last weekend, I decided it was time to give the green monster craze a try...

I'll admit that the idea of leafy greens in a smoothie doesn't gross me out (spinach is so mild I knew it wouldn't dominate in taste)...but the color does. My idea to overcome this was to make a smoothie that is supposed to be green anyway...kiwi and green grapes! Into our cuisinart went green grapes from Aunt Julia's backyard, plain greek yogurt, kiwi, spinach, 1 package of splenda, and ice...

Not so bad! Good, actually! In fact, the Green Monster has creeped its way into our normal breakfast routine this week. I haven't had the desire to branch out much, but with my grape supply now depleted, I may try a berry base next (and hope it doesn't turn brown)..eek!

I'm Obsessed...

with our new light!

After nearly a year of searching (see this post), I found a new pendant I am in love with!

Vacation Week

For the past 2 years my parents have rented a house at Sullivan's Island for our annual family vacation week. It works so well for our family at this stage of life. We can all be together for the week because it allows me to go back and forth to work, Cole into school (he is studying for step 2 of his medical boards), and Marian into work and summer school. This year it was a HOT one! We woke up early to catch the coolest part of the day on the beach and rode the boat in the afternoons for the breeze. We also kayaked, read, cooked, fished, walked on the beach, took naps, rode bikes, and watched the fireworks from the dock. See this post from last year for much of the same. Thanks Dad and Mom! Enjoy the pictures from our week together!

Sunset from our porch

Our new boat

Captain William

Dad, Me, Marian

Dad, Me, Marian, and Mom

Summer Reading

William and Josh fishing

Happy 4th!

We then headed to the upstate to visit Cole's parents and cousins and to see The Lion King. The play was absolutely fabulous and met and exceeded all of our high expectations. His parents even treated us to box seats. It was fun to be able to see the facial expressions, make up, and costumes so close! We even had characters dancing and singing in our box. Fun!

I am overjoyed to be a part of two families who love spending time together, and this week I am especially thankful for this blessing!