Avalon of the heart

One of the highlights of our summers here in the US is getting to spend time with our friends in Avalon, NJ. We can always be guaranteed good laughs, mighty-fine food and engaging conversation (not to mention heavy-duty exercise). Avalon is one of my favorite places to take photos!

We were there last weekend. We had a few nice hours on the beach and some great games on the tennis court. But mostly it was a stormy weekend, with amazing colors and light.

Nina basking in the sun.

Ginger keeps watch.

Early morning at the beach

This is one upset seagull

Beach

Nina swimming

Nina fetching her ball in the surf. 

Beach buddies.

Storm moving in

View from the balcony

So mo cation

Emma had this idea of doing a mini getaway with just the moms and the boys.

When Charlie and Tristan (Emma's son) heard that the moms wanted to do a "so-mo-cation" (short for son-mother vacation), where we would do whatever they wanted, they sort of guffawed in disbelief. "That means no outlet malls," they said, "no shopping at all." 

I guess they know us all too well. We promised no shopping.

We decided to take a few days in Ship Bottom, NJ, an old-fashioned sort of shore town with lots of charm. We spent a lot of time "together" doing different things. But we also played cards, walked on the beach and went out for lots of meals (did you know that 13-year-old boys are ALWAYS hungry?).

I'm sure the boys would have preferred not to have to suffer the nagging of mothers about sunscreen, hats, healthy meal choices, etc., but I think they enjoyed themselves. The moms definitely had a great time, as always! 

Here are some photos, I hope not too many!

Long evening shadows. We had showers in the afternoon and towards evening took a walk to the beach.


The so's .....


and the mo's.

Me and Charlie

Emma and Tristan

Tristan carries Charlie




At the bay




Group pic, getting ice cream

We happened upon this vintage auto show.

Craft day!

OMG, we did a craft day the other day and my normally organized space was turned into a chaotic mess! No matter, we all had fun and when everyone left I got down to sewing in earnest. I set out to make this Martha Stewart beach bag. I loved her idea of using a vintage tablecloth, but the last thing i want to do with my coveted collection of 1950-1960's tablecloths is cut them up! No way. So instead i used designer fabric remnants that I get from my secret place down in center city for absolutely free!!!

The kitties were very curious and all over the place, I guess wanting to help, play or cuddle. Sweetpea especially was all over the place!

The bag itself took longer than I wanted to make but i thought the instructions were a bit scant, and it took some time to figure out what went where. The next time I make it it will go faster, definitely. I will also use heavier material as my base because I think the chintz fabric I used wasn't quite stiff enough.

I gave the beach bag away to Sofia for her 14th birthday as she is soon going to Barcelona any day now and will likely be hitting the beach!


What a mess!!!! Sweetpea getting in the way.


Sweetpea cuddling in the fabric


The finished product!

Close up of the fabrics I used. I thought the match was pretty good even though the fabrics were very different. I think it worked.

Sofia on another beach...a real cutie!

What's good about coming home from Florida to Philly in February?

We were all asking ourselves that question at the airport yesterday. I was trying really really really hard to think of positive things about coming home, with much difficulty. Then, as my day progressed, I got my answers!

1. Finding a birthday present outside our front door (two books from Susan W, one Anne Lamott book, Traveling Mercies, and one called Listography, which will provide fodder for my blog for a long time to come!) Thanks Suz!

2. Seeing my sissies and the whole family for dinner, and the wonderful meal made by Cathy for my birthday. Thanks Patti and Cath!

3. Worth a special mention: Getting one of the cutest cards ever made... from my neice Sophia... see picture at right and click on it to enlarge.

4. Seeing Findus, my little kitty. (She was, by the way, Very Rude to her lovely surrogate parents, not coming out for a single a cuddle or purr, only appearing at mealtimes or to Steal A Piece Of Fish not intended for feline consumption, very very bad kitty!) But we missed her while we were gone.

5. Sleeping in my own bed (simple pleasures are the best)

6. Being able to drink tea in the morning again.

So it's not so bad. Summer is soon here.... i think. Still. Florida was a blast and I can't wait to go back.


Me on a Sanibel Island beach, shelling.


Tati in hysterics..........


because Emma literally collapsed on the beach!


A bird was fishing (what kind of bird?)


The boys were shelling



Taking my dogs for a walk


Other beachcombers