Book Club

proscuitto wrapped asparagus, devilled eggs and (the rolls are missing)
Chicken and Rice casserole (still in the oven)...

We had 6 ladies turn up for the first Book Club. We are reading Prayers for Sale this month, and Carol is out next host while I lead the discussion. I am so excited how well this turned out. I only wish I got a shot of the group!

Friday night fun

Chloe and Maci sharing ice-cream...

We watched our friends daughters last night so they could take their oldest to a GOP Shorebirds game...it was a lot of fun. The girls are 6 and 8 and a lot of fun! They brought us a babydoll that looks like a beautiful China baby, we can't wait to share that with our daughter one day. It's our first gift for the baby, so that makes it really special.

We ate dinner at Rusticana, then headed home for some ice-cream and watched a Barbie movie. The girls were great, and up and at 'em at 7:30am!

Settlement...

The house in Preston has settled....no funds to the title co from the buyers lender....therefore no keys and NO recorded deed....ugh! Let this nightmare be over soon....

**Update....wire received, keys exchanged hands...we no longer own the house YAY YAY YAY!!! Ready to start the next flip...inspection on Monday, and settle within 10 days and should only be there 14 days. Contract to buy hopefully pending...if not, for sale by owner first, we need all the profit we can get on this one!

Book Club and Menu for the week...

Monday: chicken alfredo with broccoli

Tuesday: Book Club at my house

Paula Deen's chicken and rice casserole

devilled eggs

proscuitto wrapped asparagus

rolls

fruit salad

wine and sodas

(Hair of the Dog is featuring 3 bottles for $24.99...this could be dangerous, because they are wonderful)

Wednesday:Roasted tomato and shredded squash and zucchini pasta

recipe from Whole Foods

Thursday: Concert in the park in St Michaels

We are picking up some chicken, mac & cheese and rolls from the Amish Market

http://www.eastonmd.org/

Friday: **update...we ate at Rusticana (pizza and chicken tenders and fries...we babysat our friends 6 year old and 8 year old....overnight!)

Grilled Rockfish with warm potato salad

grill the fish scales down, top with Old Bay and some pepper and small dabs of butter, medium for about 30 minutes....delicious!

warm potato salad http://www.williams-sonoma.com/

Saturday:

**update...we didn't get to the beach today. There has been rain all afternoon (UGH). We had to buy a hot water heater for the house going to settlement on Friday (YAY) and check out the newest investment property we just received word our contract was accepted on! We hope to be out in 2 weeks after settlement....keep your fingers crossed y'all!

We are heading to the beach!! Nothing like fresh lemonade, boardwalk fries and Grotto's pizza to end the summer!! (Oh and I have a 20% off coupon to the Coach Factory store...)

**so tacos tonight and maybe the beach tomorrow....

Sunday: Tacos

Good news, I have been averaging $50/week at the grocery store this month!! Let's hope we can keep it up!! Next week, the only items on the list are tomatoes, potatoes, bacon and watermelon...I already have everything else!! YIPPEE : )

I will post pictures of the Book Club tomorrow! I can't wait!!

Zoo, Houses, etc...

We are going to the National Zoo this weekend...and I can't wait! Panda Bears are my absolute favorite animals, and I am really looking forward to seeing them. There is even a Panda Cafe, so I know where we are eating lunch!!

We are still waiting for the house in Preston to go to settlement. The buyers are (again) asking for an extension. We have been told their loan is with USDA for approval, and that is the final stage. Once they sign off, we are running to the settlement table. We have another house in a local community that is also under contract. Unfortunately, it will be our first loss...but removing this property from our books is key right now. We have one rental already, and with the market and economy the way it is...we just want to sell and get out!

Our Compliance Manager at work is leaving...she's moving to Idaho. She only gave 2 weeks notice. There's some skuttle about whether I will take over the department....right now I am the Analytical Chemist for the QA/QC department. I wish there was some more time for training, I wish I knew more of the regulations, and I wish I was brave enough to just go for it....I'll keep you posted. I want this, but it feels really out of my reach.

Keep your fingers crossed...the boat is getting shown (again) tomorrow. It's been for sale over a year. We really don't want to get rid of it....but we want something different. A true fishing boat is a dream, that and something with a cabin and galley. Something that would be kid friendly for naps, and also something better suited for overnight trips. But, we have to sell the Shamrock first!

Oh, and my Book Club starts on Tuesday....I am so excited. I think there are about 8 ladies joining and there are a mix of ages...30s, 40s and 50s. I think it's going to be a really great group. We are going to try and order our books from a local Book Store (Harrison Street Books), and hope to host the club there one night for some publicity for the store.

The first book we are reading is Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Hope you are having a good week!!

menu for the week

We saw this movie on Friday and absolutely LOVED it! I thought Meryl Streep did a great job as Julia Child, and it really made me start thinking about how much I LOVE to cook. I plan our meals for the whole week, every week, so we know what's on the menu and so I can keep a better eye on how much we spend at the grocery store. For the past 2 weeks, it's been under $75 (including cleaning products, etc...) We cook at home atleast 5 nights a week and then the weekends are sort of hit and miss. We usually go out with friends or just eat a big lunch out on Sunday's and then eat a light dinner

On Saturday, Todd went fishing with some friends and they had the best luck! This is Todd with one of his Rockfish (sorry so small and poor, it's from a cell phone) We will have fish for a long time now!! They boys did great, and caught their limit by 9am, however, enjoyed the day out on the water until 2-3pm. They also caught some bluefish, and hit a turkey in the car!! Welcome to the Eastern Shore! LOL

Menu for the week

Rockfish, red potatoes, green beans

Cheeseburgers and watermelon

Chili stuffed zucchini boats

Roasted tomato and zucchini /squash pasta

Chicken Alfredo with broccoli

Then, Saturday and Sunday we are out....Saturday we are going to the National Zoo with John and Laura and on Sunday we are enjoying dinner with the Pochron's at the Dixon's house!! : )

I belong to a CSA with a local farm. I collect 1/2 a share each week for $12.50 and get a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. It's great. This week, we have a lot of zucchini to get through.

Next week starts my Book Club.....stay tuned!! I am soo excited!

menu for the week

I too can't make it through the grocery store without a detailed list consisting of a menu for the week...here's what we are having this week!

Monday-corn chowder with basil grilled shrimp

Tuesday-pork chops, mashed potatoes, beans and okra

Wednesday-Spaghetti with meat sauce

Thursday-BLTs

Friday- stuffed zucchini chili boats

Lunches are at home...or Todd and I grab a quick bite out (Today was shamefully Taco Bell....but so yummy!) If we run home, they are sandwiches or leftovers from the night before...something easy.

Have a great week! We relaxed this weekend...enjoyed seeing Funny People, dinner and ice cream with friends and a QUICK boat ride before the storm....Can't believe it's Monday, again!