When pigs fly...

It's real Spanish pig and the city!!!

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Over Memorial Day weekend I attended a Beantown wedding and made the adventure with my foodie favs B&A. All in all it was a fun weekend between a wedding celebration and the taking in of a Sox game. However one of my most favorite parts of the weekend was our arrival lunch.

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B&A had the most amazing menu packed in a cooler for our pre-game session before the wedding.

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Homemade roasted red peppers.

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Homemade 'experimental sandwich bread.'

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B is trying to create the perfect sandwich bread...sort of a cross between focaccia and a baguette. While he was not 100% happy with this batch, I thought it was pretty fantastic!

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Homemade pickles from their veggie harvest last summer.

*Freshly picked lettuce mix from their garden this season.

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And now for the Serrano ham...straight from Spain.

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Two kinds of this very special ham successfully made it's way carefully hidden in a suitcase of one their a good friends.

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The incredible flavor, texture and sight made it one of my favorite parts to the weekend...being ahead of my nostalgic Fenway Frank, it was quite frankly the best thing I ate on the whole trip!

*Pretty amazing spread right? Well B&A take it up another notch, yet again wow'ing me with their preparedness...a travel size bread knife. Who knew these existed haha!!

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With a spread of herb'd goat cheese all of the delicious components to this sandwich were layered on.

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It was absolutely delicious!! Salty, piggy, sweet, herbed deliciousness!!!

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B&A are amazing friends...so kind hearted, fascinating and just flat out great people to be around :-) Not to mention 99% of the time I am with them, we are enjoying some pretty awesome food...it's a wonderful match haha!!

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This week they are off on a European vacation and I can't wait to hear about their experiences when they get back!

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Cheers B&A for a fun, safe and food packed trip abroad!!!!

Happy Friday Mini Sox!

Fridays are like holidays and they are definitely worth celebrating!

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The conclusion of Mama Sox's semester has come and my pre-arranged duties of caring for Mini Sox expired. Last Friday was our final hoorah...well at least for now :o)

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With it being Friday, Mini Sox's schedule is a bit more flexible and he was able to come over to my house for dinner and hanging out. We began our evening with a trip to the grocery store, where Mini Sox pushed around a pint-sized shopping cart assisting Auntie Gullible with picking up ingredients for a special feast.

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Once home, Mini Sox was allowed 30 minutes of tv...yup, that's right! I finally know the truth about how much tv he is allowed to watch. His pick and recent obsession...Scooby Doo!!!

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As he watched tv, I got to work in the kitchen with first cleaning the mussels and cutting broccoli. Following a Giada recipe, this is super simple -

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Add 1 pound of pasta to boiling water and cook for 6 minutes. Add broccoli florets and cook until pasta is al dente. Meanwhile in a large pan heat some olive oil and add garlic. Then to the pan add wine, salt, pepper, red pepper flake and finally the mussels. Cook until all of the mussels have opened, discarding those remaining closed. Combine drained pasta/broccoli and mussel mix in a large bowl and you're done!

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Mini Sox LOVES mussels, so it was a hit!

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At the start of dinner, with his sparking grape drink (which yes, he picked out for himself) and my glass of wine, we toasted to 'Happy Friday!'
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We also enjoyed a scrumptious seeded baguette...with butter!! Like any good food lover, Mini Sox was super excited about the butter haha!
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Auntie Gullible wanted to make sure this meal was all it could be for Mini Sox, so we each picked out a delicious dessert from the pastry cooler. His choice was this super dense flourless chocolate cake...
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The worrisome part was he took a couple bites, looked at me and said: yum, coffee! Uh-oh!!! I tried a bite, but couldn't tell if it was just a dark chocolate bitterness or if there was coffee...who knows maybe it was both haha!
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He did admit to me that he has tried Papa Sox's coffee before and I know he has eaten the Hubs-fav Coffee Banana Cream Pie on occasion...I just hope Mama Sox did not have a restless boy later that night...and if she did, I will take all the blame!! Sorry and yes, I've learned that I need to ask the nice grocery store folks first what it is I am buying (or rather what is in it) for such a wee little one.
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I chose this coconut pastry...it was awesome and I know something Hubs would just have LOVED!
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Mama Sox came over after her final class and we visited for a bit. It was a Happy Friday!!
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All in all it was a successful semester and the perfect taste of what everyday could be like when Hubs and I have one (or two) little ones of our own :oD

Earthy Dinner Inspirations

No game plan, no problem!

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Next to Top Chef one of my most favorite shows to watch is the Next Food Network Star. While I know I have a long way to go before I could be on such a show, I can't help but day dream. In the first episode of this season the contestants are beginning to find their identity and work on their tv personalities. It's kind of a mixed bag at this point and too early to tell who will come out on top.

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When watching the show, I try to imagine what I would do in their situation. For the 15 second promo they were tasked, I think I would have embraced the last minute challenge with my last minute approach to planning meals...so I present Ms. Homemaker's experimental tag line - No game plan, no problem! Haha!

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In my hypothetical show I would teach folks how to stock a kitchen with what I consider basics/must haves, rely just on a few fresh ingredients purchased at the store and use personal experiences and preferences to whip up delicious meals.

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I thought about this further, 15 seconds is not a lot of time to sell yourself. However, key to any sale (in my opinion) is making your audience identify with you. We are all busy people and for some it's a mix of work, extracurriculars, etc and for those fortunate others there is the responsibility of a family with kiddos to feed (I hope to be there one day). For me weeknight meals can be a challenge and I know many other's feel the same exact way. It's easy to try and cop out with pizza or other takeout. If you're anything like me, unless it's a planned treat, I feel very guilty by relying on these options. Nope, I want home cooked meals in this household...and you know what?!? It's easy! Just stay cool, calm, use your financial savviness and go with your cravings :o)

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I've mentioned in older posts how I LOVE to hit up the grocery store after work. At this point in our lives, it makes more sense for quick trips after work, rather than one large all-consuming weekend visit. Marking the beginning of my evening food therapy, in less than 15 minutes I can be in and out with the ingredients for a delicious meal.

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Here is a recent example of one such evening...

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Mushrooms. I love mushrooms. I selected these white button mushrooms over the other varieties simply because...they were on sale.
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Raw, sauteed in butter, cooked up in a mix of things, or just simply grilled I crave and enjoy their texture and flavor. Tonight I skewered, brushed with canola oil, seasoned with salt/pepper and grilled...oh yeah!
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Steelhead Trout. I've never had this before. I noticed it in the seafood display mostly because it was on sale. I asked the fishmonger whether this fish tasted more like trout or salmon and was told that while most assume it will taste like salmon...it really tastes more like trout. Perfect! I'd choose trout over salmon any day!!

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Fiddleheads. I just couldn't let the season's unique offering pass me by this year!

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Recalling Earth Day circa ~1997 - Being in rural VT we had our high school's earth day in the woods on a mountain. With stations positioned all along the hike up, we learned of conservation, recycling and much more pertaining to our environment. The one station that has stuck with me from that day was the one that cooked up fiddleheads in butter and garlic...so good!!

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Grilled mushrooms, garlic marinaded grilled steelhead trout and garlic butter fiddleheads!

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Please take note...I grilled this beautiful piece of fish!! Yup, it didn't fall a part, cook unevenly or anything...it was perfect :O)

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By the way, not to call the fishmonger a lier, but this tasted much more like salmon than it did trout.

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There you have it, nothing fancy, but pretty tasty! I only purchased mushrooms, fiddleheads and fish at the store and relied on the kitchen cupboards to finish the meal off. The inspirations being 1) mushrooms & fish were on sale and 2) the season's fiddlehead offerings.

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My earth meets sea weeknight dinner!

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No game plan, no problemo haha!

This Jerky's Journey Overseas

Hubs seems settled and getting through the days in his temporary home away from home.

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Being where they are, he is fortunate enough to access to pretty much anything he needs. I've asked over and over, 'is there anything I can send you?' His reply is always the same and that it is not necessary.

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Well what fun is this trip away, if I can't send a care package gosh darn it?!?! I mean come on, we've gotta take advantage of the few enjoyable parts, right?!?

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I tend to be pretty pushy and I am sure it is just my nature...I mean I am in Business Development after all. When Hubs and I go out to dinner I often try to force feed him a taste of my entree (secretly hoping he'll offer me the same). Being pretty darned sure it is because I want him to try it, he resists. You see we can both be very stubborn, but in most cases I know best haha!! Truthfully more times than not, I usually end up disappointed in this standoff and he gets through dinner without sharing.

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Seeing my opportunity to get in the last word (or rather action here), I went right ahead a put together a package of things Hubs did not need, nor did he ask for. Instead I sent things I thought he might like...I mean really, I knew he would love this and what would he do send it back?!?! Haha, yeah right!

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Even before Hubs left, I was planning to experiment with and send homemade beef jerky. Hubs really likes the stuff and used to eat a good deal of it back in our younger days ;-)

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It just so happened that a recent F&W did a piece on a gal who makes and sells beef jerky...lo and behold, they had recipes and instructions to make some beefy deliciousness at home!!
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SO SIMPLE - slice meat, marinade 6-8 hrs, and cook in over at 200 degrees for 4 hours.
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The base for this first (of two) marinades was F&W's Spicy Mexican version, which included Pacifico, jalapeno, and some other items that I can't recall off the top of my head (if you're really interested just let me know and I'll post the recipe!). I of course added my own touch and used my go-to seasoning combination of garlic powder, cumin, cayenne, chili powder, and ground coriander. I figured this would help bring Hubs a taste of home.
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Now here was my pride and joy. A Korean marinade, much like a cross between Bulgogi and Kalbi. This would beat out any teriyaki jerky you could buy!
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It took just over a week to get to Hubs. I had wrapped the two kinds separately in plastic wrap, which I then stuck in a freezer bag, which then I stuck in a larger freezer bag.
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As I packed up the box I threw in magazines, some new t-shirts, gum, candy, instant Korean coffee, sunflower seeds, etc. At the last moment I was hit with paranoia that should this beef jerky become rancid en route, the rest of the contents may pick up that smell...so you know what I did? I placed one dryer sheet on the outsides of the larger freezer bag, hoping that would contain any possible spoiling odors.
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So there is good news and there is bad news...
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Good News
The samples I brought into work were a HUGE hit, especially the Korean one
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Bad News
Some of the Korean jerky sent abroad had white fuzzy stuff growing on it.
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Good News
Hubs found a few pieces without the furry stuff and tried it (um, yeah can't say I would have been that brave haha!) He said it was good, perfect jerky texture...but 'fresh'.
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Bad News
The dryer sheets were not such a great idea. The strong smell permeated the jerky giving them a hint of freshness if you know what I mean.
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Good News
The Mexican variety seemed to have made it and minus the dryer sheet smell would have been fantastic!
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This was just attempt #1. I now have in my possession a vacuum sealer apparatus!! I am going to try again and super seal this stuff, without the protection of dryer sheets :o)
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Thank you Hubs for the pics from your home away from home & for the detailed account of how it all tasted/looked. I won't even try to ask on a scale of 1-10 what you thought...we'll save that for a better batch haha!!
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Also, I am so happy you enjoyed the package...I knew you would haha!!

The Future Mrs. Creature's Bridal Shower

My Best Friend's Wedding...

IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!

Having been engaged for almost 1 year now, we've begun the round of first time wedding craziness! The planned date is for late July...though I don't know what the menu will be, I can't wait to tell you all about it!!
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The Future Mr. and Mrs. are the cutest things ever! They work hard, own a wonderful house, a great piece of land and two of the most beautiful labs (black & chocolate) to make their lives complete...at least for now ;-)

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The Future Mrs. Creature was a lifesaver for my big day. Hubs and I kept our wedding party small with his Big Bro (aka Papa Sox) as the best man, my Lil' Sis as the Maid of Honor and then we each selected one special person to serve as groomsman and bridesmaid. The Future Mrs. Creature was my pick and she was fabulous!! With my Lil' Sis in Chicago it was difficult for her to fulfill many of the duties, though she did what she could by email and phone. Instead the many bridezilla moments, chaos, showers, bachelorette etc were bestowed upon the one and only Future Mrs. Creature.

She filled her role with grace and unbelievable calm...now it is payback time. I keep waiting for an opportunity to help or assist with some major or minor wedding detail, but so far I've been off the hook. Other than showing up to events, giving an occasional yes/no to our festive plans, or sharing my thoughts/opinion on occasion, I've had it relatively easy.

On May 22, 2010 we kicked off the engagement and upcoming wedding celebration with the traditional Bridal Shower...a beautiful day, gorgeous setting, and fabulous company made this a day to remember!

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There are six of us in the bridal party, with only two (myself and the NYC chickie) not in the immediate geographic area. With that said it was all local hands on deck. I drove down the morning of to find my mother already preparing my contribution to the feast. An hour prior I swung by the party location to see if there was anything I could do to help. The other girls and mothers were busy at work in the kitchen and setting up...off the hook again! Instead my sole mission was to deliver the beautiful Bride to Be (B2B) fashionably late.

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I headed off to the Future Mr. and Mrs. Creature's house and when I arrived I found the B2B dressed in a gorgeous coral'ish colored summer dress painting her nails. We sat and caught up on life, gossip, wedding planning, so on and so forth. This shower was not a surprise to the B2B, so she was eager to get going to make it on time. In order to kill some time (and take the edge off) we enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine.
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Immediately upon arrival the Mother of the Bride (MOB) gifted her daughter this oh-so appropriate drinking vessel...haha!

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The festive drink of the day was this delicious spin on a mimosa...sweet fruit nectar/punch and sparkling wine dressed with delicious fruit.

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Of course we all enjoyed a few of these throughout the day!
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The party was an Asian Potluck theme and nearly all of the items were homemade.
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These are Classic Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting baked by MOB. She creatively dressed them to make these Asian Carrot Cupcakes...
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Oh, I have an idea! I think I might have to play around with the delicious combo of making Carrot Ginger Cupcakes...sounds good right?!?!
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And here it is...the Mango Sticky Rice Platter! A beautiful presentation by one of the Bridesmaids...really a dazzlingly simple arrangement that was nothing short of holy freakin' yum!!
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It's already June 3rd and I still can't shake the thought of this absolutely scrumptious combination from my head or stomach haha!!!!!!
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Elegant, handsome? Not sure what the right word is here...
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A skilled arrangement of salty prosciutto and cheese wrapped asparagus, tied together with fresh chive. While not all that Asian, the sight and palatableness of these added much joy to the day's tasty offerings!
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MOB also made these...homemade Spring Rolls! I have been dying to make these at home and even have the special wrappers on hand to do so. However like with the double boiler, I am intimidated by the technique of hydrating the dried wrappers. After seeing MOB prepare these and consuming my fair share, I'M GOING FOR IT! Perhaps even as soon as this weekend!!
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Chocolate...when you fill a house full of women, you need to have some chocolate on hand. To be honest, I didn't actually try of one of these (I was too busy with the sticky rice), but based on what I've heard they were 'soooo good!' Even just looking at them, you can tell they were good...soft chocolaty cake filled with creamy chocolaty filling, oh yeah!
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One of the extended family members produced this giant bowl of Peanut Noodles. Not sure of her recipe and would actually kind of like to get it...this dish was DELISH! I have had many, many versions of Peanut Noodles, but this one had the PERFECT balance of flavor. I prefer my noodles to have a strong sweet, salty peanut buttery flavor and this definitely brought it!!
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As you can probably guess this was my contribution to the party.
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Kim Bop...a traditional Korean seaweed wrap. My mother's version includes pork, pickled diakon, spinach, carrot and egg. My friends just love this stuff and actually call it sushi...I've given up on trying to correct them haha!
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Originally the plan was for my mother and I to make this together, but when I arrived to town she of course had already started. As they always do when I come home, I was told to relax and just enjoy myself...so I took Pups for a walk. It's always a mini vaca when visiting my parents haha!
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Here are the shower gifts for guests. The local bridesmaids once again took control of this and did such a wonderful job! So creative and festive...nice work ladies!!!
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In addition to the food above there was grilled beef, chicken, fried rice and dumplings.
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B2B digs in...and so do we all. Everything was delectable!!
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After the late lunch we moved onto gifts. The usual embarrassing items suggestive of the wedding night and being newlyweds were of course present (I contributed to that side of things), as well as a TON of kitchen and household items from their registry.
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All in all the Future Mr. and Mrs. Creature made out well...VERY WELL :o)
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After gifts, we had dessert...and boy oh boy did I have dessert!
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We discovered the mango sticky rice in combination with the locally made coconut ice cream was OUT OF THIS WORLD! I can't even tell you how much of this I ate...it's actually hard to say, since each time I brought a plate of it out the other gals couldn't keep their folks out of it as well!!!
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The day was absolutely fabulous! I miss seeing these girls so often and always have a great time with them when I do visit :o)

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The Future Mrs. Creature's next big event...the Bachelorette Weekend! Yes, that's right we've begun a tradition (with my bachelorette last summer) of turning this typical one night event into a three day, two night party/adventure!!! Can't wait...expect there to be some delicious seafood coming from that one, cause we're headed to the coast!