Ladies Godiva

Donna hosted our latest supper with, yes, a CHOCOLATE theme!!  Every recipe needed needed to incorporate cocoa or chocolate into its dish!  Check out one of the most delicious meals, yet!

 

Maureen, Mary (Donna's Guest), Jill, Donna & Holly

 

Donna's gorgeous dining room with a blue, white and chocolate brown color scheme.

 There are the menus and placecards I made.....and look closely...

 ...oh yes she did.....white tulips surrounded by chocolate chips!!!!!! Donna's a genius!!

Appetizer: Shrimp with Mole Poblano

 Maureen making us scrumptious banana martinis, complete with cocoa covered bananas! MMMM

 Jill and Amy

 Holly

Mary preparing her lovely salad!

 

 Mesclun Salad with Berries and sweet and spicy almonds! Except Mary used cocoa covered almonds instead to stick with the theme...it was absolutely delicious!!!

 Me, Mary and the frog pitcher (our mascot of the night! lol)

 And the silliness begins!

 Beef with Spicy Cocoa Gravy was out of this world!!!!     

 along with Holly's Braised Kale with Bacon and Cider...mmm.

 oops....just about the time Jill served us her dessert:  Classic fudge walnut brownies!!!

The night ended by the fire with more wine and possibly hot cocoa... :)!

New "Jersey" Clambake

Holly hosted our end-of-summer supper with a traditional New England Clambake!  The theme was to include any kind of seasonal ingredients that would match well with the down-home boiled seafood pot!  We had 2 wonderful guests, Cristy and Sarah to join the par-tay!

I chose a Pimm's Cup for the appetizer cocktail, as it seemed extremely refreshing with a kick!! (and a cucumber to boot!)  It was delish!Pimm's Cup

Our table was set out on Holly's deck, complete with lobster netting, beach pails, lobster lighting, and the most amazing home-made plastic "china" plates and nametags!

Jill and Holly

Our British guest, Sarah...who approved completely of the Pimm's Cup!!

Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Salsa

Surf and Beach themed dinnerware complete with awesome quotes!

The menu.

Crab, Corn and Tomato Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing Delicious!!! By Cristy, our guest!

Wine pairings for the appetizer and salad.

Me, with rosy red wine cheeks!!

Unfortunately, the rain began and turned into a downpour!! So, our al fresco dining experience was moved indoors...just in time for the lobsters!!

Simple Clambake:  includes lobster, mussels, turkey sausage, clams, corn and potatoes! YUM!
Simple Clambake: 

The Sausage

The Taters

Side:Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus & Pesto 

Cheers!!

Smile Cristy!

A Dinner well done!!!!

Grande Finale: Apricot-Thyme Galette (however, Sarah used peaches instead of apricots!After this wonderful "beachy" (and rainy) evening, I think we were all ready to say farewell to summer and welcome Fall!  Thanks for a great night, girls!