Bookclub Beach Retreat, October 2013

I belong to a wonderful book club, and every year we go somewhere for a retreat. This fall we went to a place on the beach called Road's End in Lincoln City, Oregon. There were 13 of us who stayed at the house, and another friend visited for a day.

 The house was huge! It had a large entry, a very nice coat room, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, two refrigerators, and two dishwashers.

 From the deck we had a little view of the ocean.

 The living room below was perfect for relaxing, visiting, knitting, reading, watching movies, etc. The game room was a good size, but we didn't really spend time there.

 

 The bedrooms were all pleasant and very comfortable. Some of them had their own bathrooms.

 This bedroom above is the one I stayed in. It was lovely and very cool. I liked sleeping in the bottom floor of the house.

 We made breakfasts, dinners, and munched in between :-).

The house had "beachy" decorations :-).

 The trail to the beach was very short, and we saw a sunset each evening. In this picture there is a man with his dog enjoying some time together on the beach.

 Eileen, Pat, Sally H.

 We took time to discuss the book of the month, "Big Russ and Me."

 Sally Anne

 Vivian

 Sunshine and Vivian

 Eileen made some amazing dinner rolls!

 Vickie is taking a minute to enjoy her book.

 Gloria (a woman with a good sense of humor :-)

 I had to capture this lone photographer one evening.

 Sunshine is chopping parsley for the new potatoes.

 Eileen is keeping an eye on her rolls.

 One night we had salmon stuffed with crab and shrimp, new potatoes, and fresh green beans steamed with Rosemary.

 A little time to visit just before eating

 Sally Anne, Gloria, Sharon

 Diana, Lynn (ooooooooooooooh)

 Eileen with our dinners

 Time to enjoy!

 Eileen's delicious rolls!

Vivian and Sunshine worked together to make the most amazing chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce, raspberries, and gnash. It was topped with whipped cream and a sprig of mint!

 Looking at baby pictures and wedding pictures (trying to guess who is who)

 Sharon and Sally Anne

 Kathy and Diana (we all had time for many wonderful visits)

 Sally H., Eileen, Sanna

 Vickie is making our breakfast.

 Gloria is relaxing

 Lynn is knitting

 Sally Anne, Vickie, and Sanna are working on a breakfast meal.

 Gloria and Diana are doing dishes

 We enjoyed one another!

 Lynn is teaching Sunshine how to make a knitted dish cloth.

 Sharon brought her jewelry kits and shared her talents with us. Several women made something special for themselves.

 Gloria: "Hey, breakfast is ready!"

 One evening Gloria and Kathy made these delicious orange rolls!

 They were gooey and caramelized on the bottoms.

 Eileen is showing Lynn how she crochets the edges around this baby blanket.

 Sanna told us a cute story about her mother's purse :-).

 I walked on the beach with Sunshine and Eileen, and we found this rock sculpture.

 Lots of foam on the beach!

 Sunshine and Eileen

 Trying to find a crossing!

 Beach homes

 Looking back at the bright reflection

 Sunshine and Eileen

 Moss on a log

 Sunshine and Eileen

 These were sand castles at one time. Someone pushed yellow roses down in the tops.

 Heading back

 Sunshine made her own rock sculpture

 Resting at the house (Sunshine and Eileen)

 The whole group: (back row) Diana, Sharon, Vivian, Gloria, Eileen, Vickie (front row) Sally H., Kathy, Sanna, Sunshine, Sally Anne, Me, Lynn

 What is it?!!! :-)

 Sally Anne, Vivian, Sunshine

 We all smooshed into the stairwell :-).

 Lynn and Diana helping with the West African Peanut/Chicken Stew

 Sunshine, Vickie, Sanna working on the stew

 Yum...fresh peppers, and onions!

 Vickie chopping the chicken

 Sanna is working on her salad

 I LOVED this stew!!!!!!

 I also loved Sanna's kale salad.

 During our last evening together we watched a movie and Kathy topped off the evening with this beautiful chocolate cheese cake! You may think that all I did was take pictures!!!