We met in Moultrie, Georgia to celebrate Christmas. Kim got us exclusive reservations at Ashburn Hill Plantation. It was a beautiful venue and we had it all to ourselves except for a few shooting politicians on Saturday. We ate at the plantation or in town at Babas, so no new recipes for this trip. The highlight of the trip was trying our hands at skeet shooting. Everyone returned home with both eyes and most of their hearing after this new skill attempt.
So nice to be together for Christmas after Covid isolations and separations.
I guess I need to photoshop the photographers, Kim and Julie.A view from the train station on the grounds. The tan cabins ahead are where some of us slept.This is the Main House where we gathered and also ate at the big table, hung out on the screened porch and opened gifts in the living room.A view of one of the rooms from the train car on site.Roses still in bloom in South Georgia in December. Office and gift shopHeading out to go skeet shooting.Kim won our sharp shooter contest.My bedroom buddy.Town square of Moultrie, GA.Baba’s on the square in Moultrie. Joanna and Kim are friends with the owner.I believe these are Camellias. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong. We love our Magic Bags!Christmas Advent Craft by Julie for all.Everyone got either a red or blue bracelet in the calendar.Cindy the Fire Bender.We had a very relaxing evening by the fire. My view for most of the evening 🙂Gift time afterglow.Country breakfast cooked by the manager at the lodge.Catching everyone mid-chew.We had a LOVELY visit to Moultrie, GA!
We met at Julie’s house to watch the UGA vs. Tennessee game. We cheered and ate and guessed the score. Terri was the winner of the score contest but we also exchanged football themed gifts just for fun. We had unseasonably warm weather and enjoyed watching the game on the screened porch. Kim made some Bower’s Blend Martinis, Gina made some Bennett Bars, and Julie made Kirby’s Weenies (or something like that.)
Terri planned and Kim hosted a wonderful weekend at Blue Ridge, GA. We had a chef come in a cook for us and enjoyed other snacks everyone brought in. We missed Cindy who couldn’t join from Florida and also missed Nancy S. as this was our first outing since her passing. A cardinal flew in to join us so we were reminded of all the good times we have shared over the years.
Special occasion artisan nails.
Peach Cobbler
Everyone enjoyed the Checkers Tournament! Our Chef for the Paella.
Peach Cobbler
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup self-rising flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
30 ounces peaches (about 5 or 6 peaches)
additional 1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons additional sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together 1/4 cup sugar, flour, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Sprinkle 1/3 of this mixture in a baking dish. Add the peaches. If juice from the peaches does not cover the peaches, add a small amount of water. Top the peac hes with the remaining sugar and flour mixture. Sprinkle the top with the remaiing 2 tablespoons of sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup butter. Bake for 30- 40 minutes or until brown and bubbly. (Based on Blue Willow Inn recipe.) Serves 6-8.
Captain Crispies
2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups Cap’n Crunch
1 10-ounce package white melting discs (Ghirardelli)
1/4 cup milk chocolate melting discs (Ghirardelli)
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
additional 1/4 Cap’n Crunch cereal
In a bowl mix together the cereals and marshmallows. Melt the white chocolate according to package directions. Pour over cereal mix and coat evenly. Place cereal mix on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator to set chocolate. Coarsely chop the peanuts and extra Cap’n Crunch Cereal. Melt the milk chocolate wafers according to package directions. Drizzle chocolate over cooled cereal mix and add the peanuts and extra Cap’n Crunch. Continue drizzling chocolate until the peanuts and extra cereal are coated. Chill again to set the chocolate. When chilled, break candy apart and store in an airtight container. Goooo Cap’n!
After a year of Covid, six of the birds ventured out for a weekend in Greenville, South Carolina in December 2021.
Julie, Nancy, and Janet Zoomed in for the Magic Bags.Nancy Zoomed in from her hospital room. Danger girls posing on the rocks.Gina taught a session on creating a marvelous charcuterie board.
Covid arrived in late 2019 and affected us all in 2020. We zoomed, texted, and sent mail. We ordered things online. We shared resources (toilet paper). And generally did what we could to stay in touch.
The gang is almost all here. Missing Nancy and Janet.We saw ghosts.And we had bugs – literal and technological.We had makeup tutorials – sometimes with marginal success.We had Show and Tell Zooms. This is a “lovely” piece of jewelry on display. We loved wearing masks.(sarcasm font)We enjoyed the magic of Zoom.Olivia appreciated her TP rescue. Joanna shared some mask tips.Julie was sad when we missed a Zoom.
Cindy was up to her shenanigans again.
It was a tough year but we kept it together because that’s what friends do!
We had another special Christmas gathering at Joanna’s lake house for our annual Christmas party. This year the theme was Red Trucks. Instead of Magic Bags we had Magic Trucks delivering goodies throughout the weekend. Beep Beep!
This year our Magic Trucks delivered goodies throughout the weekend.Tailgate time! Goooooo Dawgs!!!Gift Exchange.Lots of love and presents to go around.Sunday Morning Brunch and off we go.
We went to Joanna’s lake house to celebrate Mardi Gras with a spa day. February 23, 2019. Thank you, Terri, for organizing and thank you, Joanna for hosting.
We met at Joanna’s house November 30 – Dec 2 2018 for our annual Christmas party and gift exchange. Julie and Gina planned and Joanna offered her lake house as the location. The first picture is a group photo at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa. It was taken on Saturday. The rest of the photos are in chronological order.
Group Photo! (Almost everyone! Missing Janet.)Friday Night!!! Let the party begin!Late night dance squad.Early bird quiche.Some early morning magic stockings.Lunch at the restaurant at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa.Dessert at the Hot Chocolate Bar at Joanna’s. Everyone took home a mug and an ornament. Gingerbread House Competition.A cozy day for watching the UGA game.This game calls for the big screen.And, this game calls for a little extra Cardinal help.Ornament exchange.Tampon V for Victory! Must be Terri’s house.
Sunday Brunch.And now we begin the Cindy Photo Fest. That’s what happens when you wake up as early as the photographer.Gina made some car goodies.Thanks, Joanna for hosting another wonderful weekend.
