Paradise
After mucho reading, Mom, Matt and I went on a sunset walk
It was QUITE breezy and chilly, but as soon as you get a’movin’ you warm up
Karen had made some popcorn this afternoon and I had a few handfuls ’cause I was hangry!
When we returned from our walk, dad put out hors d’oeuvres
I had about 5 slices –
And had my first own drink in 2 nights – a Squirrale homebrew sample x2
The LAST bottle!
After two of those I knew I was headed for that "I’ll just keep refilling my glass" mode so I went into the kitchen to start the prep and made myself a mocktail
The boys and I prepared a fun [healthy] dinner
Carolina prawns!
Kanz and I danced to jazz while the veggies cooked
We prepared eggplant, peppers, broccoli and leftover beans with creole seasoning and some chicken broth
The shrimp were cooked separately
They produced a nice crust on the pan which we deglazed with some Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc – a honeymoon favorite!!
The brown bites and wine made a great sauce
Hungry family members
Dinner was served…
The veg
Scrimp
Riiiice
Hot sawce
I broke into the wine for dinner – a fabulous Petite Sirah
Seconds (small pours, but they added up in my blood!)
For dessert, Larbs and Matt made this ice cream pie!!
Layers of choco-chip cookie dough (slightly thawed) with toffee topping and hot fudge and caramel.
MY CUP OF TEA!! I had this plus some nibbles and licked my plate!! So, so good. We almost fought over the last slice but ended up splitting it 8 ways 
Cranium is out and so is my water bottle. I’m feeling the effects of drankin’ and kinda wishing this was a sober night after all.
Tomorrow Matt, Kanz and I are hoping to run SEVEN miles! I’m rejuvenated from two days off of running and am testing out the mileage for the potential half mary training. Bald Head is the perfect setting for a long run!
Nite.
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
That ice cream pie looks ridiculously scrumptious! *cue stomach growls*
that pie looks sooooo amazing and is making me drool!!
dinner looks great kath! and OMG the dessert looks so delishhhh!
jenna
Cranium is so fun! It’s a great game to play with a big group too. Have a great run tomorrow.
Gorgeous beach scenes and perfect food!
can i come on your next family vacation?! you guys are too cute! staying active, eating healthy food and delish desserts
That pie DOES look like paradise
Mmm…wine – what petite syrah did you have? That pie also looks amazing. I wish I could subsist on dessert and wine…Just kidding, I LOVE my veggies too!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone stay more active on vacation than you! But what a beautiful, scenic area to be active!!!
Just curious Kath…. maybe I missed this, but Matt A. is Larb’s guy right? Am I the only one that thinks he looks like he could be your Matt’s brother??
Yes, perhaps I should do a tree
Matt Allen is Laura’s boyfriend.
Andrew and Karen are my Matt (Kanz’s) brother and mom.
Oh my. That dessert looks amazing! lol. So does the veggie dish. Yum.
Dinner looks delicious!! A silly question: how did you cook the pan of veggies?? You said with chicken stock and creole seasoning, but did you boil them, steam them, etc? It looks absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to try it myself! Thanks!!
Sauteed in some canola oil. We pretty much sautee everything unless I say steam or roast.
That pie looks soooOOoo good. Good luck on your run tomorrow!
LOVE the veg part of the meal…and the prawns are lookin’ mighty fine too
Good luck with the 7 mile run manana!
We served the same wine at the restaurant I used to work at! It’s one of my favorites.
I want to come vacation with your family! It looks so relaxing.
Good luck on the 7-miler tomorrow! That’s over half way to a half mary!
Good to know I’m not the only one who dances while cooking! Those shrimp look great…I think I’ll have to have some tomorrow night…
I definitely did a double take on your walk pictures, thinking, “That’s the WRONG MATT!!!”
These photos look like paradise indeed! I just returned from a snowy upstate NY, and it was SO good to be away
you are well on your path to a half marathon kath! good luck tomorrow!
Good luck on your run tomorrow! That ice cream pie looks divine!
Splitting a piece of pie 8 ways! Wow, musta been good!!
Dinner looks great but that pie looks unbelievable!!
Such gorgeous views, and what a fun dinner! I have to say that the pre-dinner popcorn really appealed to me as well.
I can tell you enjoyed the wine a bit. Some of the words are misspelled
That was actually me speaking//typing in a strong southern accent
Once again, I’m super jealous and love your family! Annother beautiful day…
looked amazing and so much fun. I love that you include soo many parts of your family and how close everyone is. love it!
Not sure how long you will be on Baldhead..but I am actually heading down there with my family this Wednesday for New Years and as a regular reader I was so suprised to see you were going to be there around the same time too! I love going to Baldhead in the winter because it is a great place to exercise, catch up on some fun reading and feel rejuvanated after the holidays. Glad to see you are having a great time and enjoying the island!
Katie,
YES! We will be here through Saturday. Sent me an email if you want to get together!!
wow.. great use of leftovers for the veg! and beau pics of the sunset!
What kinds of cheese did you have? They look delicious!
I’ve had that Fumé Blanc, by the way. 2007 not 2008 though–really good with seafood.
Not even sure!
I LOVE the pictures of you two dancing to jazz in the kitchen! Awwww.
ooooh it all looks so great – the walk, the photos, the dinner
Glad to hear that you are having a fantastic time!!!
Dinner and dessert look insanely delicious!! That is super cool that you both cook together too
What a fun sunset walk! It really is gorgeous there. Dinner looks amazing!! I’ve never even heard of that wine, but it sounds delicious:)
Hope you had fun playing Cranium – Love that game.
Definitely gonna have to try the ice cream pie!
Dinner looks yummy (including the pie)!
good luck with the RUN today!! hope it goes well so we can do EIGHT next weekend!
looks like you guys are having a great time.
“Kanz and I danced to jazz while the veggies cooked”
That totally made me “awwwwww.” So Sweet! I love it!
I love reading your family vaca stories. Mosty I marvel at how much fun you all have together without getting on one another’s nerves. One afternoon with my parents and siblings is about all we can get through before the arguing begins.
Cranium is the best! love love LOVE it! hope you enjoyed!
Your pictures are great, what a beautiful sunset!
They MADE an ice cream pie!?!? That’s amazing! And it looks so incredibly good!
Good luck with the 7 miles! YOU CAN DO IT!
Dinner looks fanastic and I so have wanted to try the fume blanc. Now that it has a recommendation I will totally try it this new years. Good luck with the run. I have been sidelined and can’t wait to get back out there and on the road
I’ve been going for long afternoon walks here in Chicago lately, despite the freezing weather. It really is true, what you say about warming up quickly! Sometimes I’m even sweating, even though it’s 20 degrees off!
your dinner looks so fancy!
I love that you all cook together. I wish my family did that! So much fun…
Glad you’re having a good vacation
Dinner looks amazing! Totally my style. And I really love that you listened and knew you were on the verge of that “I’ll just refill my glass mode”…I’m going to pay attention to that more often
Beautiful pictures of y’alls walk as well!
I love the pics of you and Matt (Kanz) dancing.
Also, I went to highschool with some of the Caranos. My pseudo claim to wine fame!
Oh gosh, the icecream pie looks incredibly delicious….yum!
Have fun on the 7-mile run!! That’s awesome!
It is so beautiful there and that pie looks amazing!
It’s Great to see you are having fun on your vacation- the prawns looks amazing
I want to eat everything in this post. Except the shrimp, because I’m allergic, but cheese and crackers and pie and beer and wine and popcorn? Yes please.
looks amazing!!! I love prawns, esp from the carolina’s
good luck on your run today!
Frank’s is the best hot sauce out there. My dad orders it for us by the gallon
And oh my goodness, that ice cream pie looks incredible!!
that pie looks so amazing!! can you post the recipe??
PIEEEEEE!
Hope you have a great run!
Dinner looks fabulous! We spent the day in Southport yesterday so we saw Ol’ Baldy from a distance. We thought about heading over that way but it was waaaay too chilly! If you need lunch on your way back stop in Southport at Baked With Love. Their sandwiches are amazing! Right up your alley I think. Hope you are enjoying your trip!
No way!!! Wish you had come over
We do need a lunch spot so I’m checking out Baked With Love right now 
K
It really is good… Fresh baked bread always makes a good sandwich!
those shrimp look delicious but i think the ice cream pie looks even better!!
Yum on the ice cream dessert! How did they make it?
They just melted the ice cream a bit and piled it into a cookie crust and topped with toffee and treats and re-froze. I think!
Everything looks super yummy! My brother-in-law makes an excellent ice cream pie similar to the one you had tonight and it is SO GOOD!
I might have to take you up on the mocktail idea while I’m on my cleanse these next couple weeks! Thanks for the inspiration. If you’re interested, read about my cleanse here http://miriambiber.com/recipes/create-menu-2/.