Summer Skies

Love the subtle colors of an early morning summer sky. This reminds me of a Hudson River School landscape ~ without the signposts of course! Took this photo on the Merritt as I was taking Cheddar up to 'camp' at his Godmother's before we took off for the Outer Banks.

Taken from our living room window down in Carova, NC. These storm clouds reminded me of a whale tail, or an angel.

The ominous storm clouds roll in as everyone rushes to get out of the water, grab their towels, bags and coolers and get off the beach. We heard the next day that someone was struck and killed by lightning not far from here.  Be careful out there!

Crabby Abby

I never thought I would eat crab again. 

A few years ago when we were shooting Food 911 down in Atlanta I had to purchase 'live' seafood the night before and store it in my bathtub at the Homeboy Suites for the following day's show. 

The visual of a hundred crabs crawling around on top of each other, trying to grab the plastic shower curtain liner was bad enough but listening to the sucking and clicking while I tried to sleep was like a freaky nightmare.

Gives me the heebies just thinking about it.

Well, that was a few years ago and I think I might be ready to try again. 

 

I ordered up a couple bushels from crab wrangler Buddy Ponton for dinner on Monday down in the Outer Banks. They are to be consumed, on the beach, by 20 or so members of my family. If you find yourself near Carova or Carolla give him a ring 252-453-3483 and order y'all up some Jimmies. If you find yourself down there on Monday..come on by for dinner! 

We certainly won't be having these crunchy crustaceans over for a bath first, it's straight to the cooker for them.

We'll let y'all know how it turns out!

http://www.bluecrab.info/buying_hards.htm

Sons of Beaches

Every August my mother, my older sister Betsy, my father and I would load up the war wagon and take off on an adventure, my older four siblings elsewere doing God knows what. 

We would generally visit some relatives, have some laughs and end up fighting the undertow and eating salty flat taffy on a sandy shore in New England. Well, I was eating sandy taffy, I have the fillings to prove it. 

I can smell the ice cream cones and feel the heady anticipation of grabbing the brass ring at the antique carousel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. More often than not that is where we would end up, not far from where my parents had honeymooned many moons ago. Here is a shot of my father on their honeymoon, the little girls were from the house next door. I love my mother's shadow. Blonde pin curls and fitted capris, I can see her smiling now.
We are heading off on our summer vacation/reunion this weekend. Four of the six siblings gathering down on the Outer Banks in two big houses, 20 of us at last count. I wish my dad could be here to backfloat with me over the waves like those halcyon days in Rhode Island. I know he will be, in the shape of my nephews, many who not only look like him but share his sharp wit and adventurous spirit. Sons of Beaches you might say! We can only assume that's where this tribe started, on those beaches in Rhode Island on a honeymoon long, long ago.

This link http://www.dayswithmyfather.com  ~ scroll to the bottom on the page to advance ~ is what got me thinking about my Dad. Thinking about where and who he might be today had he not passed away a decade ago. Send some love to your Dad today. Wherever he may be.

Lyme Lyme Lyme Yeah....

Can't get "this song out of my head as I go get tested for Lyme.

Love is in the Air

I am still reeling from a love-fest weekend. 

First, Jackie & Max's fairytale moveable feast all-day & night wedding celebration on Saturday then my delightful father-in-law's 80th b'day surprise party yesterday.

Above are a few of the well-wishers.

Talk about a room full of love. 

This was it. 

Testament to Bruce's character
 he has some of the most wonderful friends
 and he has maintained
 those relationships for decades. 

They were all there. 

Some of them are my new best friends.

Jeff created a slide show with photos his mother had given him representing
 all the stages of Bruce's life.

I cried everytime I watched it.

Here he is giving a little prelude to all the lovely ladies.

Happy Birthday Bruce!

Jeff's sister and her family
 graciously hosted the event,
 it was perfect. 

That's one of my new best friends in the turquoise.

Jeff's parents and his niece Emmy. 

Did I mention I am in love
 with my mother-in-law too?

We have so much fun together,
 I am blessed to have the best
 second set of parents.

The place was just crawling
 with beautiful ladies!

Check out this handsome fellow~
 I am more in love with this man every day. 

I hope we are as fortunate as Bruce was,
to be surrounded and celebrated by our friends and family on our 80th birthdays.

Last but certainly not least....
Love was literally in the air.

 Bear came running towards me
 and I caught him mid-flight.
 How cute is he? 

Cheddar loves his little cousin, 

and I love love.

Family

This weekend represents what is most important in my life. 

Family.

First we have a wedding celebration on Saturday, at West Point. Jackie & Max will be surrounded by family and friends who love and support their decision to spend the rest of their days together (they are the perfect couple, don't you think?) Sipping champagne on the palisades overlooking the Hudson is a far cry from the days Max spent protecting us and our families overseas. Thank you Max, and thanks to your family (Charlotte!!!) for raising such an incredible, honorable, selfless young man.

With rice still in our hands and love in our hearts we will rush up to Marblehead Sunday to be with Jeff's amazing family to celebrate, and I mean celebrate my father-in-law's 80th birthday. Speaking of selfless, here is a man who has given all for his family. Speaking of HAPPY, we have more than 80 reasons to be happy he is still on the planet. A couple years ago Bruce was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The prognosis was not good. Not at all. Long story short he is one of the lucky ones, with a few miraculous trial drugs, a lot of prayers, and some very talented surgeons and oncologists Bruce is here with us to celebrate his 80th. 

Hallelujah!

What does family mean to you?

Take it Personally

A fun, easy way to personalize your next happy hours or perhaps as a thoughtful hostess gift http://www.foryourparty.com


p.s. Cheddar is our very social beast

Fireworks in the Garden

Wandering around the garden I see fireworks.

Can you see it?

I can almost hear the snap, crackle, pop.

And now..the Grand Finale!

Summer Wind

The Summer Wind came rushing in......across the sound. 

What a perfect summer day. Sunshine (!), Sailing and Smiles.