Woodloch Resort - Part II

When describing Woodloch Resort to friends and neighbors, I say that it really reminded me of the movie "Dirty Dancing".  We had a family table for breakfast and dinner.  There were endless activities.   Plus the Social Team held contests everyday which really spoke to my competitive side!

B and myself had hoped to win big in the "Woodloch Record Breakers Contest" but the weather did not work with us.  But we had no need to worry since the Social Team had another contest, "Cake Boss" ready to go inside.

Each team was given one sheet cake, a bowl of white frosting, two secret ingredients (that had to be used) and twenty tickets that could be used to "buy" other cake decorating items.  Then the teams were told that they had 25 minutes to make a cake based on "The Wizard of Oz".  

It was a crazy 25 minutes that were over before we knew it.  While B's teen did not win, she was smiling from ear to ear the whole time.  If you ask me, that was better than any awards!!!

The sun did shine for "Family Double Dare" so of course Hubby and the older two had to join in the fun.  Even though Marc Summers was not the host of Woodloch's Double Dare it as close as you could get to being on the Nickelodeon set.  I thought it was a little bit gross but the kiddos just loved it!

After observing a week worth of Woodloch contests, this gal has taking notes and is ready if we ever go back.  Game on!!!!

Woodloch Resort - Part I

I have to admit that even though I grew up about two hours away from Woodloch Resort I had never even heard of it.  Neither had my parents but we might have been the only ones! Better Home & Gardens, Family Circle and Parents have all give Woodloch awards and glowing reviews as one of America's best all-inclusive family resorts.  And I am happy to report that Woodloch completely lived up to all of the hype!!!

There were plenty of lake activities for the whole family.  Swimming, diving, paddle boats, kayaks, sailing and watering skiing were just some of the many ways you could enjoy the lake.  And if lakes are not for you, Woodloch has two outdoor and indoor pools.

When we were not having fun in the water we were far from bored!  There was so much to do.  In fact at times it felt like we did not have enough time to do it all!

My older two really loved the go-carts!  On a side-note, I am not sure that we should let M get his drivers licence.  If he had a bit of a lead foot at 8, how fast will he drive at 16? 

The bumper boats were a big hit with all of the kiddos.  And Hubby too!  He and L really had a blast "getting" everyone else.  It was pure entertainment for me to watch.

I also found out that I was not a bad shot.  Some members of my family might be sick of hearing all about my bulls eye.  And for some reason none of them thought Merida was a good nickname for me.  Personally I think it works!  I have the crazy curly red hair and all!!!

Hopefully I have not bored you to tears and you will come back to tomorrow to hear more about our trip to the Poconos.

Back To Reality

I hope that y'all had a wonderful Fourth of July.  I know that our 4th was one that we will not soon forget!  My sweet in-laws treated their family to a wonderful week at the Woodloch Resort located in the Poconos.  All I can quickly say is that this award winning resort did not let a single one in our group of 14 down.

And as soon as I sort through a ton of photos and get a handle on our laundry I will give you all of the wonderful details.

PS....I did not have much time while we were away to read your blogs but I promise to catch up with all of you this week!

Happy 4th!

I hope you and your families enjoy a happy and safe 4th of July!

Strawberry Heaven

I don't know about you but one of my favorite things about summer is all the delicious fresh fruit.  And strawberries are right at the top of my family's all time favs!  In fact Hubby and B have been known to eat a whole bowl of strawberries while I turned my back for just a minute.  The two of them didn't even have the grace to act like it was wrong they didn't leave any for the rest of us. (Hubby's note- B and I are in the right according to the "finder's keepers, loser's weepers" legal theory.)

Since this has been such a great year for strawberries (it must have to do to all the rain we are having) I decided to make a sweet treat for everyone the other night.  Simple yet yummy strawberry short cake. I can't think of another dessert that says Summer more than a plate of strawberry short cake.  Plus it is the easiest thing to make yet it is so pretty!

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries - 

1 pound fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced

1 lime

1 teaspoon sugar

Zest the lime and them squeeze the lime juice into a bowl.  Add sliced strawberries and sugar to the zest and lime juice.  Gently combine all the ingredients and set aside.  (I know that it is tempting not to add the sugar but it a must if you want to have strawberry juice to put on your biscuit.)

Biscuits -

1 1/2 cups Reduced Fat Bisquick

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a bowl add the Bisquick and sugar.  Mix to combine.  Then add the milk.  Gently stir the milk and dry mixture together.  Be careful not to over stir as that will make your tough.

Drop four heaping spoonfuls of the dough onto your lined cookie sheet.  Place cookie sheet into your oven and bake for 10 to 12 minute, or until the tops are slightly golden.

Allow biscuits to cool before slicing in half.

Sweet Cream -

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a bowl (I use a chilled metal bowl) combine all three ingredients.  Then using an electric mixer, beat until the cream come to soft peaks. 

Now you are ready to assemble your shortcakes.  Simply fill your split biscuits with the whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoy!!!

A Sharpie Bouquet

About two years ago my daughter formed a strange obsession with Sharpie markers.  She has even added "limited addition" Sharpie marker sets to her Christmas list the last couple of years.  B shares this obsession with her Aunt so I guess it is a family thing.

When B's Aunt A graduated from graduate school this summer we thought the best gift we could give her would be some new neon Sharpies.  But as always I wanted our gift to look a little bit cuter so I asked B to turn the markers into "flowers".  Luckily for me my daughter was up for the challenge!

B took a couple of sheets of card stock and cut them down into squares.  Then using the same technique we used to make paper snowflakes, B cut out a basic flower shape. 

 I am sure that it is considered bad manners but I think it is so cute that she sticks her tongue out while concentrating on cutting.  I just take it as a sign she is working hard!

After B had cut out the flower shapes, she wanted to do a little extra so she outlined some of the petals with some of her very own Sharpies.  (I am sure that you were not surprised by that extra set.)

Once all of the flowers were carefully cut out and decorated I helped B make a small "x" in the middle of each flower.  Then we slid a Sharpie into the center "x" to make the stem of each flower.

I am super proud of my SIL and I am also proud of B giving a gift that I am sure she would have loved to keep for herself.

Grits!

Many moons ago I had the pleasure of attending one of my brother’s college parents’ weekends with my mother.  We had a lovely time the whole weekend but what really stands out to me is the dinner my mother treated my brother, some of his swim-team friends and myself to.  It was a charming restaurant called Kudzu, like the Spanish moss.  And most importantly it was the first time I learned all about cheesy grits.

Sure I had heard of grits before but I thought of them as a breakfast item.  Never had it crossed my Jersey mind that you could have them for dinner, let alone add extra sharp cheddar cheese to them. But after that dinner I was a convert. 

Whenever I see them on a menu, I order them.  I even bought Natalie Dupree’s “Shrimp and Grits” cookbook while on vacation in Charleston.  Almost every Sunday after CCD and church I made cheesy grits for the whole family.  And this past weekend, I served grilled chicken and zucchini on top of some extra sharp cheddar cheese grits. (Hubby's note- This was a fantastic dinner. We normally do cheesy grits with eggs but the chicken and sauteed zucchini was outstanding.)  

I, a Jersey girl, am a true believer in the yummy powers of cheesy grits!