***Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Pier 1 Imports. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and to thank me for participating.*** During the warmer months, we spend a ton of time outdoors. After all, we still have cabin fever after the incredibly brutal winter we just had to endure. Summer sunshine and comfortable temperatures are certainly a very welcomed change! We have a lot of reason to celebrate this summer as well. Both my birthday and my husband's birthday are in the summer, just 10 days apart. (We tend to celebrate them all at once, though, as it's easier on the pocketbook!) My 14 year old son also just graduated from the 8th grade, and will be heading to high school this fall. We're so proud of him and can't wait to see what his high school years have in store. But before any of those things happen, we have a wedding to celebrate! My baby brother is getting married this coming weekend, and he and his beautiful fiancee are here in Ohio preparing for their nuptials. This gave me the perfect excuse to have a nice, Outdoor Oasis dinner party, with the help of Pier 1 Imports! They offer a wide variety of outdoor entertaining products, including these beautiful plates and serving platters, which just happen to match our outdoor decor perfectly. The best part? They're melamine, so they will not shatter if they're dropped. (Or thrown, in the case of my little ones.) We had a few friends and family members, including the soon-to-be bride and groom, over to enjoy a nice meal out on the deck. The weather was a pleasant 75 degrees, and the sun was just starting to make its descent to the horizon. Perfect weather for a dinner party, if you ask me! Of course we had to set up a kiddie table, too, as our dining area became crowded rather quickly. We even had to serve food in courses, since it wouldn't all fit on the table. What can I say? I love feeding people! So what did we eat? I thought you'd never ask....We had quite the spread at our little outdoor soiree. Everyone loved munching on these fresh, organic veggies and Roasted Garlic Hummus. We served fresh peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. They were crisp and absolutely delicious. I also prepared a quick and simple Caesar Salad using a mix of fresh organic field greens, buttery garlic croutons, and some lovely little cherry tomatoes I found at our local natural foods store. I added some Parmesan cheese and a special House Caesar dressing. Yum! My brother loves to cook, too, and he brought along a very inventive White Grape Gazpacho. This chilled soup was made with cucumbers, white grapes, garlic, and a handful of slivered almonds on the top. It was definitely very interesting with a nice, mild flavor. I thought it made the perfect palate cleanser! Of course we had chips and salsa, too. What party is complete without these classics? I chose a mild jarred salsa and added some minced cilantro to it for added flavor and dimension. I also whipped up my almost famous "Bacon Chicken." This is one of my husband's most requested main dishes, and it's super easy to prepare. If you're a fan of the Alice Springs Chicken at Outback or the Monterey Chicken at Chili's, you'll definitely want to try your hand at this easy, at home copycat recipe. (You can find it on my Recipe Page!) I also made some juicy Garlic Balsamic Pork Tenderloins. These were absolutely amazing, and had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I am a huge fan of balsamic glazes and marinades, and this features both of them. I whipped up a simple marinade using olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, and roasted garlic. The tenderloins marinated overnight in this mixture. I also made a wonderful glaze to baste them with as they sizzled away on our grill. The glaze was easy, too. It's just a quick mixture of balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and a few secret spices to give it just a little kick. Everyone really had a great time eating and talking. Here are the Bride and Groom, just days before they're set to be married. I thought they'd be a bit more stressed out, but they were surprisingly relaxed. I loved hearing all about the wedding plans as well as their plans for their future as man and wife. Who knows...Maybe I will get to be an Auntie sometime within the next few years. How cool would that be?! Even my teenager wandered outside to mingle with our guests a bit. (Or maybe it was just for the food. You never know with teenage boys, and Kyle is the classic example of a bottomless pit!) Overall, out Outdoor Oasis Dinner Party was a huge success. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the decor couldn't have been any more perfect. Our guests all raved about our table set up, and were thrilled when I told them they could find these items at their own local Pier 1, and at prices that won't break the bank. You Can Connect with Pier 1 Imports and get your own party inspiration on Facebook, Twitter and on Pinterest.
Enter to WIN a $25 Pier 1 Gift Card! I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive their very own $25 Pier 1 Gift Card! (Please note: Winners may only receive ONE gift card for this promotion, even though several blogs are hosting similar giveaways.) How cool is that?! Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM EST on June 14, 2014. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!
117 Comments
Kiki Bacaro
6/10/2014 07:41:01 am
I love going to the beach, especially if we go stay in a condo on the water!
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Julia Young
6/10/2014 07:45:29 am
I love to sit out side while my husband cooks on the grill. Then the family plays cards.
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Julie
6/10/2014 08:10:27 am
we love to go to the beach or just hang out in our backyard and grill:)
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Tenley Erickson
6/10/2014 08:41:44 am
Nothing beats having family & friends over and relaxing on the patio with a great outdoor dinner!
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andrea v
6/10/2014 08:59:36 am
I love to have bonfires, time on the lake and gardening (:
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Ann Fantom
6/10/2014 09:19:54 am
I like to spend time outside with my family on family bike rides
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Mia
6/10/2014 10:08:33 am
I enjoy gardening in the summer.
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jodi bradshaw
6/10/2014 10:31:38 am
i love sitting out on my front porch
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Dana Attwood
6/10/2014 12:17:45 pm
Thanks a lot, you just made me really hungry :) I would love to have an excuse to go to Pier 1, I haven't been there since my 3 YO was born.
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angie
6/10/2014 01:02:15 pm
Grilling on the patio
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Lee Mckoen
6/10/2014 02:45:43 pm
cook outs in the backyard
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Barbara Montag
6/10/2014 03:42:48 pm
We enjoy nature walks and fishing.
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thuy vu
6/10/2014 07:07:18 pm
We love to go to the park
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Cynthia C
6/10/2014 08:04:46 pm
I enjoy gardening and reading on my deck.
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Ann Fantom
6/10/2014 08:42:48 pm
We love to go to the beach in the summer
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6/10/2014 11:44:11 pm
I love going outdoors and having fun with the family. The kids love to do outdoor activities! We always make great memories! Thank you for this opportunity!
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Amanda Sakovitz
6/11/2014 12:02:18 am
I love going for walks
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Suzanne h
6/11/2014 12:06:45 am
Playing in our backyard with my son.
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Maureen
6/11/2014 12:30:46 am
Just sitting outdoors with my husband in the late afternoon or going for a walk after dinner.
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Thomas Murphy
6/11/2014 01:38:15 am
I like to go to the beach.
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Natalie
6/11/2014 02:26:47 am
I love to go biking outside with my mom in the summer!
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melissa sly
6/11/2014 02:40:06 am
hanging out on the patio with friends, having some bbq with family, going to the beach and the outdoor concerts....
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Candela Rodriguez
6/11/2014 02:53:01 am
I love making s'mores with my boyfriend. We sit out there next to the fire pit on our patio cuddled up close.
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Susan Robbins
6/11/2014 02:54:34 am
My favorite way to spend time outdoors is by the pool and barbecue.
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Kate F.
6/11/2014 03:08:17 am
I like walking my dogs and going to the beach.
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Linda Lansford
6/11/2014 03:54:38 am
favorite ways to spend time outdoors during the summer is the pool
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Jennifer Lachman
6/11/2014 06:08:37 am
I love a good bbq or bonfire.
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Charlotte Winters
6/11/2014 06:10:23 am
I love going to beach and walking on the board walk.
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Tina Johnson
6/11/2014 06:30:10 am
I love fishing during the summer. It's fun and relaxing.
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Jessie C.
6/11/2014 06:30:37 am
We like picnic in the park
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Cynthia R
6/11/2014 06:35:24 am
My favorite thing to do in the summer is read a book in the pool.
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Patricia
6/11/2014 08:30:46 am
I like to sit on the deck and soak up the sun.
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Jenny
6/11/2014 09:03:58 am
I love spending it with my kids and friends
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janet woodling
6/11/2014 10:10:12 am
I enjoy taking strolls with my husband.
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Ramona Kako
6/11/2014 11:09:56 am
By the pool. BBQ's on weekends
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Mia
6/11/2014 12:16:32 pm
Love having bbq's outdoor with plenty of friends and family.
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ELIZABETH C.
6/11/2014 01:00:02 pm
I love to hang out in my backyard either having a barbeque, swimming or going on my trampoline.
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6/11/2014 01:10:00 pm
I love to spend time outdoors at the beach during summer!
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Jennifer Tilson
6/11/2014 01:22:20 pm
We love playing in the sprinkler, going for hikes, and lazing on the back porch.
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Amber Ostrer
6/11/2014 06:14:10 pm
I like to take long walks with my husband and bbq with friends on the weekend
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Carla S
6/11/2014 06:37:42 pm
I like to kayak and hang out with people in the backyard.
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6/11/2014 06:51:44 pm
My favorite outdoor activities are bbq and have a water ball on fight with my family.
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Tracy Pryor
6/11/2014 09:39:18 pm
We love to BBQ and spend time at the pool.
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s riches
6/11/2014 09:44:21 pm
I like to go to the pool and go swimming.
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Brenda Miller
6/11/2014 11:21:23 pm
I love going out to the lake with my daughter.
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Linda G.
6/12/2014 12:51:27 am
I like to work outside in my flower beds.
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Hana H.
6/12/2014 12:52:31 am
Love spending the whole day at the beach with friends and their families.
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Anne
6/12/2014 12:59:40 am
We love to spend time in our backyard in the summer. I look forward to it all year!
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Jennifer Reed
6/12/2014 01:06:27 am
My favorite way to spend time outdoors during the summer is to work in our yard with my plants and patio.
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Denise B.
6/12/2014 01:08:22 am
I like sitting outside with my husband and some drinks and good conversation.
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Amy Orvin
6/12/2014 02:37:12 am
I enjoy swimming in the summer
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Jennifer Tilson
6/12/2014 03:14:49 am
I love watching my kids chase fireflies in the summer evenings.
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Erin Madigan
6/12/2014 04:00:41 am
My favorite way to spend time outdoors in the summer is to just sit around in the backyard with friends, grilling out and enjoying each others company!
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Ceinwyn R
6/12/2014 04:08:06 am
I love to bbq and play in the sprinkler with my kids!
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Kate F.
6/12/2014 06:42:09 am
I like to swim in the summer.
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cassandra aubut
6/12/2014 09:25:45 am
It is so hot here in AZ- Swimming and BBQ's are what we do all summer!
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Jackie
6/12/2014 10:55:36 am
I like fishing on the beach with my boyfriend, swimming in my complex's pool, or sitting on my balcony with friends drinking wine. Summer is by far the best season.
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Jill Myrick
6/12/2014 11:29:12 am
We love swimming and cooking out with friends and family.
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Aly
6/12/2014 12:13:09 pm
We love to garden and have picnics outside!
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Tammie Venne
6/12/2014 12:19:21 pm
being outside with the kids running through the sprinklers
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joni
6/12/2014 12:58:56 pm
I enjoy the outdoor concerts. Music and sun!
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Shauntea Crutcher
6/12/2014 02:06:23 pm
My family enjoys swimming in the pool in our backyard during the summer.
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Jennifer
6/12/2014 02:29:22 pm
I love to spend my time outside in the pool during the summer.
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Theresa D
6/12/2014 06:26:48 pm
I love to spend time outdoors gardening and enjoying our pool.
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Amber Ostrer
6/12/2014 07:43:38 pm
Beach and not just any beach. Me and hubby like to go to the Oregon Coast. Of course, our dream is to move to Hawaii but right now it's just a dream
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Deb Jackson
6/12/2014 09:41:03 pm
We like biking and swimming.
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Linda Lansford
6/13/2014 01:08:31 am
favorite ways to spend time outdoors during the summer is to go to the beach
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Ashley C
6/13/2014 03:31:16 am
I love going on picnics with my kids!
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Elizabeth
6/13/2014 03:35:30 am
We love being outdoors for baseball games and food related festivals!
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Mia
6/13/2014 06:09:06 am
Love to get out and go hiking and camping.
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latanya
6/13/2014 06:14:45 am
I like family picnics
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amanda whitley
6/13/2014 06:21:15 am
i love hosting cook-outs.
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Portia
6/13/2014 06:51:21 am
Picnics, Going to different parks and gardens, and cookouts with family and friends
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Desmond
6/13/2014 07:47:56 am
A nice walk in the woods
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Julie Hawkins
6/13/2014 08:05:16 am
I like to spend time grilling and swimming outddoors in the summer
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Derk Thomas
6/13/2014 08:55:20 am
I like walking around the neighborhood or grilling and eating on the deck.
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Barbara Montag
6/13/2014 09:22:40 am
We enjoy working in our garden.
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Dana Rodriguez
6/13/2014 10:01:16 am
We like to BBQ and have friends over!
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Sarah L
6/13/2014 12:13:53 pm
Swimming is my most favorite.
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Sky Evans
6/13/2014 12:16:26 pm
I like going on walks
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Nicole Carter Weasley
6/13/2014 12:44:54 pm
We love to go to Wild Waves.
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Kate F.
6/13/2014 01:05:51 pm
I like to go hiking.
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maya HU
6/13/2014 01:25:25 pm
i like stargazing a lot, and catching fireflies.
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Kayla
6/13/2014 01:29:49 pm
I like playing beach volleyball.
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Tina W
6/13/2014 02:06:45 pm
I love hanging out in the hammock reading.
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Shannon
6/13/2014 05:20:15 pm
I like taking photos outdoors.
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Laurie Nykaza
6/13/2014 07:49:15 pm
At the beach or reading a book out in the garden
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sara wood
6/13/2014 08:19:35 pm
I love playing in the pool with my son.
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sheila ressel
6/13/2014 08:47:20 pm
We like to grill, swim in the pool and garden.
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Geoff K
6/13/2014 11:18:56 pm
I love running, playing tennis and soccer, camping, hiking, and going paddleboating during the summer. It's also great fun to go to outdoor concerts and plays when the weather's nice!
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Patricia
6/13/2014 11:34:01 pm
I love to sit on the deck and soak up the sun.
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Nicole Carter Weasley
6/13/2014 11:50:31 pm
We love to go camping.
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Kirsten
6/14/2014 12:37:07 am
swimming
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Seyma Shabbir
6/14/2014 02:00:17 am
I love to have a casual bbq party with friends on the back patio.
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Missy
6/14/2014 02:37:57 am
I like spending time reading on my patio.
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Tina d Reynolds
6/14/2014 03:13:32 am
I love being out on the patio grilling
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Debra Guillen
6/14/2014 03:39:45 am
I love to BBQ and sit on my patio in the summer.
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Amanda Sakovitz
6/14/2014 04:31:43 am
we love to have bbqs
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Kim Keithline
6/14/2014 04:48:49 am
I love to swim, walk the dogs, fish, garden, pretty much anything goes for me!
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Rosanne
6/14/2014 05:47:04 am
I like to walk and hike outside during the warm weather
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J Spatafora
6/14/2014 08:48:38 am
shoreline fishing in Tampa Bay
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gina
6/14/2014 09:51:38 am
Swimming at a pool or in the ocean, also going sailing.
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Alexandra
6/14/2014 11:01:39 am
Anything Anytime spent with my Fiance and kids! However we love the water!
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Sarah
6/14/2014 11:06:49 am
Love relaxing in the sun and also taking nice walks
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kathy pease
6/14/2014 11:08:47 am
I love to garden and swim in our pool
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AEKZ2
6/14/2014 11:10:10 am
I like going to the waterpark with my kids.
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Sharon
6/14/2014 11:24:07 am
I like to spend time outside swimming when its hot and gardening and going on nature walks later in the evening when it gets cooler. I also love seeing the summer fire flies at twilight!
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Julie
6/14/2014 11:30:30 am
we love to go to the beach or grill out on our patio..
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Thomas Murphy
6/14/2014 11:37:44 am
I like to go camping.
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MARIA m simon
6/14/2014 12:25:49 pm
love the beach..it helps me pray better and just relax and enjoy being with family and kids !!
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Pam Gurganus
6/14/2014 12:48:09 pm
I love going to the beach.
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Kimberley Thomas
6/14/2014 01:08:05 pm
I love to take nature walks and go day hiking!
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Tara Huff
6/14/2014 01:21:18 pm
We love to go to outdoor concerts in the park!
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Buddy Garrett
6/14/2014 01:23:47 pm
We love going to the beach and having cookouts.
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Sarah L
6/14/2014 02:00:25 pm
Hiking in the mountians
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I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
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