We went to Ice Cream Sandwich last night, another annual vacation tradition. Every year I stand there reading the menu for far too long, until I remember that all I want is soft serve with chocolate sprinkles.

What’s a trip to Cape Cod without seafood? Last night we enjoyed our annual feast at Seafood Sam’s in Sandwich, MA, a yummy, family-friendly restaurant that we visit every year.

I can’t resist Baked Stuffed Shrimp. I just can’t.

How about this baked seafood platter? It was everything I could do to NOT steal that lobster claw from my sister!

Next we have lobster ravioli, which was surprisingly light…and of course tasty.

Fried scallops anyone?

For those of you who don’t like seafood, the chicken tenders are awesome. I didn’t get a picture, but the onion rings are delectable as well.

I loved these clothes pins by the front register. They were practically begging to be photographed.

The house that we’re renting this week on Cape Cod sits between a beautiful marsh and the beach. On the marsh side there is a long dock. The owner of the house told us if we dangled uncooked bacon on string off the dock, we could catch crabs.

Nate took Cate and her cousin Abby out to catch crabs yesterday afternoon. This activity kept the girls occupied for a really long time.

I’ve never seen two four-year-olds so focused for such a long time. It was adorable. I couldn’t help but think about how at that very moment we were forming their childhood memories. I hope this one stays with them, it’s a goodun.

In case you’re wondering, we did not eat the crabs…or the bacon. 😉

I back am in the thick of Dunkin’ Donuts Country. I forget how prevalent DD is in the Northeast until I step off the plane and see the world painted in orange and pink.

And even though these are not my favorite donuts, I simply can’t help myself. I do believe we are on Dozen #4. And we’ve been here three days. Scary.

Time to EAT the donuts.

I’m on the Cape. And there’s no where I’d rather be. And I’m not planning a menu.

I’m on vacation.  I never take vacation, from graphic design or keeping up with this blog. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I’m just going to take it easy this week.  I may share some of our delicious Cape Cod eats with you, but I’m not planning on anything and just letting the ocean breeze carry me.

If you’re NOT on vacation, then please share your menu for the week! I’ll need some ideas when I get back in the groove next week! So please please plan and share a menu!

What a WEEK. I think I’ve slept an average of 3 hours a night for the last four nights. But it’s been worth every lost wink of sleep!

The Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge was unbelievably fabulous. This Week for Dinner WON the Tastiest BlogLuxe Award, along with the oh-so-lovely Pioneer Woman Cooks, whom I had the chance to meet & spend a little time with last nigt! Thanks to all of YOU for getting me into the Top Five…and to the VIP judges for selecting my blog as a winner!

Oh, and Ciaran Blumenfeld and I appeared on CBS 2 Chicago this morning! Roseanne Tellez interviewed us for a segment on mom bloggers.  Here’s the link!

More to share, of course, but I’m going to bed. Finally. But first, BIG THANKS to Swiffer, Kodak (who gave away the ZI6 HD pocket video camera in all of our swag bags!!) and all of our amazing sponsors! We could not have pulled off the party without their support.

And love and hugs to my co-hostesses for SocialLuxe Lounge – Allison Czarnecki, Marie LeBaron, Jennifer Sbranti, Beth Feldman and Ciaran Blumenfeld. It was truly an amazing group of women to work with.

It’s summertime, which means any of you who have planted zucchini (or have friends who have planted zucchini) are probably buried in it. I can’t believe how that plant grows, and grows, and grows. If you’re looking for something to DO with all of that zucchini, check out last year’s call for recipes. Don’t miss the chocolate zucchini bread recipe!

There are also a bunch of zucchini recipes here on the Martha Stewart website that may be fun to peruse and try out.

If you have more zucchini recipes to share, please click here and add it to the comments!

Happy Zucchini-ing!

Oh my goodness, I’m in love. With Caribbean food. And two restaurants in particular. Back A Yard in Menlo Park and Coconuts in Palo Alto. They are owned by the same people and are both fantastic. So I feel it my duty to share with the world just how great they are!

First, Back A Yard. We go here for takeout, and while it’s pretty small, they do have seating. Annetta, the woman working the counter every time I go, is the sweetest.

So far my favorite items at Back A Yard are the jerk chicken (dark meat) and the corn festivals. Ah, the corn festivals. If you’ve never had them they are like a donut of sorts…taste kind of like beignets, to me. Yum-ed-y-yum-yum-yum.

Now on to Coconuts! Coconuts is much larger and really cute, with live music on weekends.

And the curry shrimp I ordered? To DIE for.

Nate tried the curried goat, which was actually quite good…and our friends got jerk chicken and jerk salmon, which were both delish. My favorite was the pork bites appetizer.

This food has made me fall in love with SPICE. I used to be kind of a chicken when it came to hot, spicy foods. But now I can’t get enough of the stuff! If you’re ever in town, I’ll meet you for some Caribbean for sure!

Coming this Saturday I’ll be flying straight from the craziness of Chicago and BlogHer to Cape Cod and VACATION. I can’t wait to be with family, relax and eat lots of vacation food…like s’mores. Yum!

Now that SocialLuxe Lounge is here and vacation is starting soon, I’m not really going to be cooking much. Yippeeeee! But I’ll still post menus, even though they may not be all that inspirational. So, please share your menus! You definitely are going to have to rely on one another for ideas!

MONDAY:
– Hot dogs

TUESDAY:
– Spaghetti

WEDNESDAY:
– I’ll be in Chicago!

THURSDAY:
– Party time!

FRIDAY:
– BlogHer

SATURDAY:
– Flying to Cape Cod

SUNDAY:
– Who knows? I’ll be on the beach, so I think anything will make me happy. 🙂

Time to announce the winner for the HauteMammas.com giveaway!

Michele, who said “Neat idea!  Pick me!”

You’ve been picked, Michele! Congratulations and enjoy your cards! For everyone else…better luck next time! And don’t forget to use the code TWFD 20 on the HauteMammas.com website before Noon on July 31 to get 20% off your order! A little hint…Gift Lables are on sale right now!