Girlfriends Getaway

In Central Oregon

The Sisters Three Mountains in Central Oregon

My frugal floral bargain find at Goodwill $6.99

Artwork statuary's in the Condo at Eagle Crest Resort

Pampered Pedicures by the fire. I'm in the middle.

We had a great time on our girls getaway to Redmond Oregon at Eagle Crest Resort. I blessed my two friends April and Teriann to a 3 night stay. My two littlest sweet cheeks came along too. We didn't take many photos or do much outside of the condo. We have been so busy canning, baking, drying food, getting husbands off to Elk Hunting, getting ready for our Women's Church Retreat, schooling, appointments....... that we decided to relax and quit running around. We wanted to relax, connect and focus on us for a change.

We didn't get much sleep because we stayed up until 2 AM each night chatting and laughing. The statuary artwork happened to be pretty funny to look at after you had a couple of night caps. They seemed to be staring at us and was kind of creepy.

I ventured out on a hike the first morning very early. My two sweet cheeks awoke too early, so I decided to take them out in the double stroller on a hike, so my girlie's could sleep in. One has three children and runs a daycare and the other has eight children and they don't get the luxury to sleep in. What mother has the luxury to sleep in? It doesn't happen. What I thought would be a two mile or so hike ended up being about an eight mile hike on really steep terrain and I got lost. So I really got a workout in.

We went bargain shopping one day at Goodwill. That was pretty funny. We went all the way to Central Oregon to go to Goodwill. Go figure. We all got some frugal finds. I also picked up a couple of cookbooks that you prepare and make ahead recipes/meals and freeze them for later.

We menu planned for the trip and cooked all of our meals at the Condo. We only ate out for brunch in Sisters on the way back home. We also menu planned together for the month and gave each other new ideas for our families.

We did pedicures at the condo in front of the fire. I brought all of the supplies and we enjoyed the conversation and pampering treat while my little sweet cheeks were fast asleep.

We had so much fun. Hope that we can do it again and soon.

Cooking with Friends

The last two days my friend Misty and I have been in my kitchen canning and freezing fruit. I showed her how to make no sugar added apple sauce sweetened with 100% apple juice. She was busy slicing her peaches and putting them on giant trays and freezing them and making zucchini chocolate chip bread. It was really good.

I made marinara sauce, a few more apple pie fillings, five quart bags of diced apples for apple cake, two loaves of apple walnut bread and canned quarts of fresh tomatoes. I still have to make more peach pie fillings tonight after my sweet cheeks go to bed. It has been a busy few days but it will be so worth it this winter. My freezer is filled with colorful fruits and veggies, pies, sauces, bread etc...

Today I treated her for lunch. I made us an heirloom tomato and bocconcini mozzarella salad on baby lettuces drizzled with a homemade tomato, balsamic vinaigrette and garlic dressing. It was just delicious. She had brought over her grandma's vintage aprons and recipes to show me. It makes me wonder how many fabulous dishes her grandma made wearing those handmade aprons. We had such a good time in the kitchen together. It is fun cooking with friends.