by Linda Laughter, Guest Blogger
This year our extended family of 11 adults and 5 children (under the age of 9), decided we missed each other and needed to find a place where we could gather. We are spread out from Texas to Oregon and Michigan.
This took a bit of planning to say the least. A rentable home with multiple bedrooms and baths was found on the beach in West Olive, Michigan. The Texans were thrilled to be coming somewhere cooler and in typical Michigan style, we had sun, rain, fog etc. all in one day. As long as we could get to the beach, we were all good.
As the primary hostesses here in Michigan my daughter and I took on the dauntless task of planning 3 meals a day for 5 days, with snacks. West Olive is located about halfway between two great tourist locations, Holland and Grand Haven, Michigan. With this crowd we thought maybe we should try to eat most of our meals “in”! Spreadsheets were made and menus were hung on the side of the refrigerator.
We canvased the participants, finding out needs for such specialty items as Lactic free milk, diet coffee creamer, mac and cheese by the pound and pressed coffee. We dutifully went to a big box store and bought in bulk. How many bottles of wine and beer do you really need??
Luckily the house had a huge pantry and dishwasher. We bought local asparagus and strawberries in season. My son and his wife brought chicken and beef from a local butcher and delicious bread from a favorite bakery. She provided her homemade jam and salsa. My husband made two macadamia nut pies with nuts my other son and his wife brought from Hawaii via Portland. Our Texas family bought plane tickets…that was enough.
Turns were taken preparing the meals. No one touched the coffee makers except my son-in-law after a disastrous attempt by a 4 year old. My nephew, the father of the youngest 3 served up pancakes like IHP. My son grilled, my daughter-in-law whipped cream by hand and everyone cleaned up. My daughter kept the refrigerator straight and served up munchies for all ages. You would have thought we had planned it.
One rainy afternoon some of the troops left for an aquatic center so the children could swim…Lake Michigan was still a bit chilly, although some brave young men did jump in. Some of us had do hit a few shops and locating ice cream was popular.
Our favorite time was sitting on the deck or the beach just talking and watching the children play. The time passed watching sunsets and making s’mores. Nothing like a Michigan family reunion…. the Texans and the Oreganders are already thinking about next year!
Linda lives in Ada, Michigan with her husband Don and dachshund, Jack. She loves interior design, art, travel and her family. She tries to combine as many of these things as she can in her adventures.
