“We wanted to create a tradition people always
came to,” says Karen, who with husband Neil built the cottage
to be near Karen’s sister, residing 10 miles south of the
DeKoker getaway. “When my kids grew up,” Karen recalls, “I
felt that everyone was everywhere, and I wanted one place where
we could all gather, at least once a year. ”
As the anticipated weekend approaches, Karen heads
to Meijer to pick up approximately 25 lobsters. On the day of
the feast, adults man the boiling lobster pots (always set up
outdoors), while the kids, who range in age from 1 to 13, enjoy
races, sandcastle competitions and water games at the beach.
Karen’s son’s dog, Charlotte, a border collie, romps
among the children in great anticipation of perhaps some leftovers
later in the day. Kaylie, a white Maltese, also hopes for treats.
Cooking and playing works up quite an appetite.
Because the lobster chefs (some of the male relatives) always
crack the shells right after they’ve been boiled and before
serving, it’s easy to dig in, Karen explains. “We’ve
got it down to a science,” she shares.
Beyond the fresh and tender lobster meat, other
dishes include potato salad (mom’s recipe reigns supreme),
corn bread, tomato salad, blueberry muffins, corn salsa, apple
coleslaw, vegetable pizza, baked brie, and cream-filled chocolate
cookies (a.k.a. Devil Dogs). Campfire s ’mores come later.
When the dinner bell rings, it’s not hard
to find your place as Karen typically creates themed place cards.
One year she used white pens to inscribe names on lobster plaques;
another, the creative hostess burned names onto her collection
of driftwood.
Gathered around the tables, the group reminisces
about years gone by and revels in the children’s physical
changes of the past year.
“No one ever misses this,” Karen says
of the tradition. “It’s just a wholesome thing to
do, being on the beach with each other, playing in the water,
dining and creating great memories. It doesn’t get better.” ≈
Megan Swoyer is a Troy-based freelance writer
and editor.
DEVIL DOGS (pictured
left)
Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
Cream together with mixer.
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa
Add above dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Drop by teaspoon
onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes.
Cool. Spread cream mixture between two cookies. Store in airtight
container in refrigerator.
Filling
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons flour
Cook on slow heat until paste-like. Cool.
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream these three ingredients with a mixer.
Gradually combine both mixtures until consistency of whipped cream.
Cover and chill to later spread on cookies.
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