The Organized Life, Beach Weekend Getaway
Every now and then we get to host an “adults only” weekend at the beach house and invite good friends
Come along and I’ll share this weekend getaway with you
Planning in advance ensures a laid back experience for everyone
I start with my calendar and map out cooking times and meals from arrival to departure, but leave things flexible for last minute changes
If possible I will grocery shop earlier in the week, and spend some time preparing as much as possible the day before guests arrive.
I choose easy peasy recipes, tried and true favorites, and things I can make ahead or throw together easily at the last minute, and let the guys do the grilling
Then I think about details, like welcoming touches,
A tray full of goodies
And a jar of extra necessities in the bathroom in case something is forgotten
I don’t do all the work, the guests always bring extra goodies and pitch in with the dishes
They also are reminded to please change their sheets upon departure 😘
The meals are serve yourself, like this Beach Towel Buffet
And dining is often outside, as in Trattoria Sardina
Or indoors by candlelight as here in Washed Ashore
There is boating
and beaching
and lots of chair sitting
Day dreaming and Dining with Mermaids
Cocktails of course, perhaps a Creamsicle Mimosa
or a Firefly
We kicked the weekend off with a Hot Dog Bar, grilled hot dogs with toppings galore
Condiments included Pimento Cheese, Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam, pickles, relish, ketchup, mayonnaise, a variety of mustards, watermelon and chips
Guests help themselves and create their own hot dog masterpiece…Mr. Tom thought the maple bourbon bacon jam was the “bomb” on his hot dog…
Click on the recipe titles below for more photos and information
Coconut Shrimp with Orange Marmalade Dipping Sauce
Boozy Corn Bake~ this recipe has some surprise ingredients!
Baby Beignets with Coconut Syrup
Peachy Bourbon BBQ Chicken ~ you can make this in the slow cooker, or make the sauce and put the chicken on the grill
Maple Sausage Cheese Grits~ this recipe will be posting soon and the best part is, you can make it 2 days ahead of time~
Almond Peach Dumplings will be posting tomorrow~ they are pillows of pure heaven!
Nobody went to bed hungry!
I hope you can enjoy a weekend get away soon!
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I will be joining the fabulous parties and blogs on my side bar and
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Sounds like you ate well and had a fun weekend:@)
Jenna, Your guests must really look forward to these weekends at your beautiful beach house! The food sounds so delicious. I can’t wait to see the recipe for the almond peach dumplings. I’m drooling just thinking about them! Your photo of the bird on the boat is hilarious and the shot of the umbrellas lining the horizon is classic! I’m yearning for some ocean breezes right now! I am also an organizing fanatic and I think that all the years of making lists and weekend schedules has made it so much easier over time to plan and enjoy. Linda
lovely Jenna – thanks for sharing your ideas
My word what a spread! Looks like the Waldorf South. I love your painting the end of the post.
Thanks Ellen, that painting is one of my favorites~ >
Wow Jenna, what a hostess with the mostest you are! Your guests must love spending time at the beach with you. Happy Beach time to you!
Thanks Kitty! I am resting up now, the next few weeks will be full of family and grandchildren~things won’t be quite so elegant 🙂 >
Okay, so I’ve just decided you’re our “Martha Stewart” of the gulf coast…I also think I just gained a few pounds just reading this and looking at the pics of the decadent looking dishes. I don’t know of anyone else who could make hot dogs look this good!
Judy
ha! Judy, you are too funny! I will say that I was a little apprehensive about serving hot dogs to my arriving guests, thinking they might be wondering, “I drove all this way for a hot dog?” But I was stuck on doing the hot dog bar, and everyone really enjoyed it. As for the Martha S, very flattering, but trust me, Martha I am not! Thanks for the kind words~ >
Looks like you are ready for your guests with all your details planned out. The only way to go so you will enjoy the weekend and not be overworked! Enjoy you guests and have a great weekend. We are headed to PCB!
Oh great! I hope you have a fabulous time! The weather is perfect on the coast right now, and cooler than northern Alabama! Thanks Emily~ >
I can say from personal experience that Jenna and Mike are the greatest people to spend the weekend with at their beach house. Everything was perfect and the food was excellent just like it looks on the blog!!! NO one is more creative than Jenna!!
Thanks Vicki, and thank you for all the wonderful goodies you brought! We always have a ball, let’s do it again soon! >
Jenna, I’d like a reservation for 2 please at Club Meon! I’ll be happy to change the sheets, do the dishes and tend the bar 🙂 Your guests must feel so pampered and everything looks delicious! I had to laugh at the heron on the boat. We have a resident one that walks our dock and fishes our shoreline but I’d prefer he not boat with us 🙂 Thanks for the info on Paperless Post!
Oh wow what a table and what a spread! Your zucchini tomato boats look fabulous. Can’t beat the view too! Thank you so much for sharing at SYS. Have a wonderful weekend!
XO Barbara
It looks like you worked yourself to death on this one. There’s so much inspiration packed into this one post. I know y’all enjoyed delicious food and loads of fun!
Thanks Kim, the planning was the hardest part, from there on out it was a breeze~ >
I totally want to vacation with you! Incredible creativity!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. Hope you join us again next week! The door opens Friday EST.
Hi Jenna, you are lucky you live on the other side of the country of else you would have to invite me on a regular basis!!!!! Amazing food and table settings!!!! xoxoxo
Aww, sweet! I wish! >