Eastern Shore, Maryland Hospitality

I feel more like myself today. Finally recuperated from a mini-vacation of food, fun and sun. It took me 2 days to bounce back from a 3-days escapade, geez I must be getting old. It’s Wednesday. Forth of July and it’s time to go out and have some more fun in the sun to celebrate US Independence day. Not that I’m complaining, I just couldn’t believe that I can’t party like I used to 6 years ago.

We had family over who drove all the way from Chicago, hubby’s lovely sister and family to be exact. It was great to see all of them again. The kids(21, 18 and 14) have grown so much since we have seen them in South Carolina last year. My daughter was just bouncing off the walls with excitement, she has been looking forward to seeing her cousins. She had already planned out activities for them like smelling flowers and birdwatching.

Friday: Our guests arrived and we welcomed them with a crab feast lunch. Maryland is famous for the Blue Crabs and you haven’t really been to Maryland unless your eat your fill of the delectable crustaceans. We buy them live and steam them ourselves(more info later). It was so much fun having everyone around the table chatting and picking crabs. After lunch, my 21 year old niece had to be taken to the airport to fly back to Chicago and her dad picked-up from the airport(I know it’s a bit complicated but it’s just details). My hubby took our nephew and Little K fishing that afternoon while my 18 year old neice and I chilled at home. We had homemade charcoal grilled hamburgers for a quiet dinner at home. I figure they had been eating out on their way and it was more relaxing to stay in. Later that evening we had a Jimmy Buffet music playing which set the vacation mood on while we the parents enjoyed ice cold beers.

Saturday: I still couldn’t forgive myself for forgetting the camera. We headed off to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the morning and had brunch at our favorite country comfort food restaurant, The Cracker Barrel. It was a 40-minute wait, it was really busy. We all enjoyed a hearty brunch to prepare ourselves of a whole day’s worth of activity. I had my usual: Sunrise Sampler- a slice of each(bacon, country ham, sage sausage), hash brown caserole, eggs(hard fried), corn grits, bisquits with saw mill gravy, fried apples and washed down with hot chocolate-coffee. I know it may sound alot but it’s a quarterly treat for me and my husband . We then took our guests to check out the Tanger Outlets. Of course the first stop was Old Navy, they had a very good sale which made everyone get great deals. My favorite tees were on sale for $5 instead of $8.99. My hubby was able to find shirts(with collar) for $5 instead of $13. Then we stopped off at Carter’s to buy a few items for a family friend who had just given birth to a baby boy. We were able to find cute outfits for more than half the MSRPs! My daughter’s PJ’s were $5.99(full price: $20)! Our gang continued to Wilson’s Leather and the prices were just unbelievable! Hubby bought a leather man-purse for $20(full price:$30) while I bought a vanity travel case for $16(full price:$40). We were all smiles with our deals and to top that, they were tax free! We moved on to a different mall, while our BIL checked out Big Dogs- I went to it’s next door neighbor: GUESS. There were only a few shoppers inside the prestine store, I went around and price-wise it was not that exciting because most of their stuff was full price. I tagged along with my neice when she went to the American Eagle store and the place was just packed with teenagers. It seems that store was getting all the action. I felt out of place surrounded by young ladies in their short-shorts and short skirts looking for size 0.

The men were getting a bit restless at this point and we all went to our next destination: Reboboth Beach Boardwalk. On our way to the boardwalk we passed by quaint old houses that were transformed into bed and breakfast inns. The colorful array of petunias, zinias, hydrangeas and other flowers were in bloom. The stores leading to the beach access areas had very attractive and picturesque feel to them. The beach was crowded but there was still alot of space to accomodate our big group. People with all shapes and sizes were strutting in their swimsuits all along the beach. I was able to check out the boardwalk in search of a bathroom. I didn’t get in the water because I wasn’t aware of a rinse off area and knowing that the next day will be a beach day too, I was content with just hanging out on the beach with the adults. After spending the rest of the afternoon and early evening on the beach, we were all ready for dinner. I am still kicking at myself for not having the camera.

We were treated to Phillips Seafood at Ocean City, MD(famous for their crab cakes) by my BIL. Actually, his company did because they are trying to make-up for calling him back to Chicago for a presentation while he was in New York on vacation earlier in the week. We received a go signal for ordering anything on the menu. I ordered the crab toast for appetizer and grilled lobster tail for the entrée($40) with french fries and steam vegetables for the sides. My hubby had raw oysters in the half shell and lobster tail topped with imperial crab($45). From what I can remember, the best lobster tails I’ve had were free (yep, the best things in life are free and we are not shy about it) . We all had a taste from each other’s plates and I was able to taste the bacon wrapped scallops and crabcakes. We all enjoyed the scrumptious seafood galore and no one had room for desserts. We all rolled home and called it a night.

Sunday: We served a big homecooked breakfast of scrapple, eggs, sausages and turon(plantains with cinnamom and sugar in spring roll wraps). My hubby cooked the proteins while I did the turon. We all had a relaxing breakfast on the porch while enjoying a Spring day like cool morning while the new Jimmy Buffet CD given by our BIL played in the background. When everyone had their fill, we all loaded up in our respective mini-vans and headed off to Asseteaque Island beach. It’s a Federal State park and dogs are allowed so it was great to bring C along with us. The sight of the parking lot greeted and surprised us. We have an annual pass to the beach and we have never seen the parking lots filled to capacity. Cars with New York and New Jersey were all over( so this is were they go on vacation). When we finally found parking spaces for both vehicles, we happily went to find our spots on the beach. Another sight that we were not used to greeted us, a crowded beach! The area with the lifeguards were towel to towel and we went to a less crowded area where dogs are permitted. It was a beautiful day with the air was crisp scented with salty water and the sun was shining with only a few clouds covering the blue sky. The water was more blue and the sand was whiter than Rehoboth beach. The water was Atlantic ocean warm(not tropical warm) or at least I have become accustomed to it quickly. I enjoyed playing on the waves with the kids. I was pummeled and tumbled a few times(ok, a dozens times or so) by the waves but managed to ride a few on the boogie board. The grown-ups enjoyed ice cold Corona with limes while they kept a watchful eye on the kids and sunbathed. We spent the whole afternoon to early evening playing that part of beach bums until it was time to go.

For dinner my hubby has requested a Filipino dish(pancit, more info later) and my daughter suggested shanghai lumpia(more info later). I whipped up a quick fruit and cheese platter and served our favorite 1.5 liter Galo Cafe Zinfandel for I knew dinner will be quite a while. Even with the prep work I have done earlier, we managed to serve dinner after 2 hours. Everyone enjoyed the pancit and shanghai lumpia with Jimmy Buffet music on the background.

Monday: Our guests(with sunburns as souvenirs[they refused the SPF 50 sunscreen]) had to be on their way for a long drive to Chicago and we look forward to another vacation with them.

Ah! Life is Beautiful!