Saturday

We sure enjoyed spending the week with these cuties. 

Last to leave.

Friday

Ready for our dinner date. 

Happy Birthday to our guys. 

Tadd's is tomorrow and Jay's 50th 

(the reason we've been at the beach) 

is in 2 weeks.  

💙🎉💙

Wednesday

Morning cartoons with Papa

Perfect evening for a swim. 

Heading downstairs after evening baths. 🛀🏻

Tuesday

Morning mischief

A shrimp boat passed by close enough this afternoon that we could tell it was blue!  It was a lot closer than this looks. We could see all of the birds resting on the rigging while waiting for their late lunch, too. 

Today's Treat

This water baby enjoyed this so much!

Heading out for supper under gorgeous skies.

We at at Lucky Rooster.

My sweet girl drew her and me

on the back of her menu.

See my crutches?  

Winding down with story time. (from a real book this time 😉)

.           *               .

Monday Moments

Sunrise Sentries

Drip Sandcastle Lessons

(Just like Grandma used to make)

Big Boys' Rest Time

Lifeguards

The pool was steps away from the back door

and was heated.  It was sooooo nice!

Matching Cuties

(Waiting to be seated for supper at Hickory Tavern)

My sister-in-law took this one of 

her sweet kiddos and me.  

I was so touched by her caption:

"I'm not sure if there is a more adored aunt in all the land. 💜"

And I do *so* love our little ones.

.             *             .

Sunday in Paradise

The view from the common living area.

(This house was gorgeous!)

Lap full o' Love

(When only Daddy will do 😉)

Seeking words. 

(It melted my heart so that my sweet girlie

wanted to sit by me each time we had dinner out)

Supper Sidekicks 

Oh, and see her mac and cheese from Poseidon?

She didn't care for it

but boy-oh-boy we adults did.

(Scarfed it right down, too!)

One cutie down for the count.

(Her mama requested this photo as this little one

is very much her Daddy's girl).

.                *                 .

And.... We're Off!!

Headed for Hilton Head Island, SC

with the fam.

Just like they did for my sweet Tadd, 

his parents' are treating the family to a week at the beach

in honor of his brother's 50th birthday.

We made it!

This is looking back out our house

for the week, the one on the left.

14 Collier Beach Road

Ahhhhhh....

.           *              .

SaveSave

August Break 2015 :: Art

Lighthouses have special meaning for me 

and this one at St. Augustine, FL 

is my very favorite one.

When I saw this beautiful piece, 

drawn by a local artist, 

during our last trip there a couple of months ago, 

it was love at first sight. 

It now hangs in a place of honor 

in our home 

where I can see it from right here in my chair. 

.            *             .

August Break 2015 :: 5 Things About Me

Angel Gatherer

Crutch Walker 

Simple Beauty 

Peace Pilgrim 

Big Silly

.           *             .

What Went Well - June and July 2015

My response to a friend's prompt

to gather photos of moments of 

What Went Well.

Clockwise from top left:

1.  When this little cutie was looking up and back at me from her pint-sized supper chair, it was such a delight (for both of us!) to get on the floor and scooch over next to her.  We had the best time playing, teasing and laughing.

2.  Taking the scenic route on purpose

3.  Remembering, honoring, and writing about when I was small.

4.  Continuing to softly read John O'Donahue's Blessing for a New Home to myself every day at work 

5.  Getting up to watch the glorious sunrises during our trip to St. Augustine, which felt like "church."   I was over the moon at this selfie

6.  A shadow shot with the unexpected gift of a natural heart over my own

7.  Quiet ritual to release my sister in kindness to Mama Ocean

8.  Sharing daily mass with elderly, dear-hearted souls

9.  Continuing to intentionally practice Pilgrimaging to Peace

.              *             .

Slowly Transitioning Back In

5 Deep Breaths 

as I slowly transition my way back in 

after a lovely beach vacation 

with hubby.

.             *              .

Home

Tired

and glad to have made it home

safe and sound.

Vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce

after a long, hot drive home?

You betcha!

Grinning because this is actually a throw-back 

from my family growing up. 

And! 

I am *more* than happy 

to continue the tradition with Hubby.

.             *             .

Shadows

My love and I.

.             *              .

Morning Prayers

Morning prayers and 5 Deep Breaths. 

(no filter)

Just wanted to share this photo 

of my morning prayers this morning. 

Smiling softly because I had thought 

I might go to daily mass 

after we watched the sunrise. 

But then I realized 

I was already filled 

and my quiet time 

with Mama Ocean 

was Enough. 

❤️

.            *             .

Tuesday Glimpses

This morning's gorgeous sunrise

Waiting on the train

5 Deep Breaths 

while waiting on hubby 

in the Lightner Museum's

 beautiful courtyard.

.             *             .

A Day at the Beach

5 Deep Breaths while waiting for hubby 

to lock up before heading to the beach. 

Good company

on a perfectly lovely afternoon

Just chillin' 

.             *             .

5 Deep Breaths Oceanside at Dusk

.     *     .

My darlin' and me. 

Took us 10 wearisome hours 

but we made it. 

Usually it takes about 7 

but we wound up sitting for a couple of hours 

in bumper-to-bumper traffic 

due to construction.

.            *            .

Happy 50th Birthday

Today is my darlin' Tadd's 50th Birthday!

Wishing you the happiest, most blessed day ever 

and many, many more wonderful years to come, honey!

.           *          .

Cloudy Day - Still Beautiful

   

Our last full day here.

.            *           .