Heading across the street, down the hill to recruit beach-goers. . .
There were wild strawberries in the grass in their backyard! I was sitting on the grass, waiting, thinking about strawberries, and how good they smell, wondering why I *was* smelling strawberries. I had a happy, impromptu picnic. . .
Cute cousins!
Heading out to the beach. . .
Strolling on the beach, watching family. . .
. . .Set up the kites! We've never done this before- so fun! Thank you, Auntie!
Took some getting used to. The camera had a few close encounters with the kite, but despite photographic evidence, no one was injured during the kite's sporadic temper tantrums!
Mama and Aunts chatting away. . .
Apples to Apples!
Scrabble! I had Nigel's new nutcracker spying on me. I must say, he did a good job pretending not to be reading over my shoulder, what with that stiff posture and innocent wooden face. . .
My sweet mother opening her gifts. My gifts were of the edible variety. I made a caramelized-onion-zucchini-mushroom-specialty cheese frittata for lunch, and Clara and I collaborated on dessert.
We made this. It's a torte of sorts. It was pretty much pure chocolate all the way through, just separate layers.
Much origami was created, adventures began, stories told, nails polished and strawberries eaten. The girls were delighted to have cousin time and were with each other 24/7. They read Nancy Drew, killed a moth (apparently it was big) and played on the beach's playground.
They also involved me in an adventure involving a fish named Percy.
The mirror at the bottom of the stairs, right next to my bedroom. . .
. . .Where there was a very handsome young man who came to watch boats on the ocean from my window :).
Leaving the beach was tough. Emotionally, it was hard to say goodbye to the resort, the family, the fun. I miss my ocean view. Physically, the van wouldn't start. We spent a very hot twenty minutes in the van, eating sour-cream-and-onion potato chips, seeking and obtaining a willing vehicle for a jump start. (Thank you, bearded man with the huge truck who came to our rescue!)July 21- 23rd, we were at the beach! The weather was slightly chilly and windy, but that’s not new. Though what *is* new is the sky and sea turning bright blue as the clouds disappeared when we were leaving. For the most part, there’s nothing new at the beach, but this year we found. . .
Which meant. . .
Seesawing was really fun until we started falling off!
We celebrated a birthday the next week:
“Look! They have pockets!”
Happy Birthday Tarquin!
We celebrated another special occasion on the 31st:
After four years of dedication, hard work, broken boards, substitute teaching and bruised knuckles. . . Nigel got his black belt! Needless to say, we are SO proud of him; this is a goal he has been working towards for a long time.
This last week we’ve had an aunt and cousin over for a few days. This was
Splashing in the pool. . .
Fairy houses. . .
And fun in the forest! We didn’t get many pictures, but we did get good decorating advice from my aunt, so now we’re remodeling!
Bye bye ugly popcorn ceiling. I won’t miss you.
Before. . .
After!
And with my trusty thimble on my finger, I continue to knit with wool and sew with silk in preparation for our fall and winter events at the Fort. I've so much to do that it’s best to start now!
Take a look at my recipe page; I’ve added something new!
~Sophia
What do you do when you're so bored that you're reduced to throwing rocks? (My big brother says it looks like I'm solemnly hailing a taxi)
I got a strike, just one, but it was awesome! Dad got like, five, but that's okay : )
The most gorgeous sunset ever!
