day on the Sound

 This morning well before dawn I headed north to Connecticut for the day.  The mission: to enjoy a "Quick Trip" up to Imperial Nurseries in Granby for a day of great lectures, tours, and excellent networking.  My coworker and I took the ferry from Port Jefferson across Long Island Sound up to Bridgeport, CT.  I climbed to the top deck about the time of sunrise, this morning hidden behind fabulous clouds, and was the only one aboard the entire deck. 

 It was a fantastic start to the day, so you knew it was going to be a good one.

And it was.  Fun and inspiring, definitely what Mary and I needed. After our day jaunt in New England we caught a 4:30 back to Long Island.  We lucked out with such a beautiful day to travel around.

 The day was sunrise to sunset but it felt so great to get out of town and get a breath of fresh air.

(I was all about the Fire Station)

another good day off

 a.m. surf sesh consisted of some morning wind swell that had a lot of fun tossing our asses.  as usual we loved every second of it.  Viva la surf.

this is our resident deer.  the mom we have seen, and this one had a sibling who got hit and killed up the road a few weeks back.  this afternoon he got chased out of the road and into our front yard, not necessarily aware that we were there front and center.  I see you eyeing those hydrangea, don't even, kiddo.

thankful. (full series)

walking dunes

 the walking dunes, Long Island, New York

Labor Day Weekend

 Life is good on this island.

Big moon, big truck, big bonfire. 

September comes.  The weekend warriors retreat.  The locals begin to let their shoulders down.  We begin to wrap another summer, at home and comfy on the beach. 

Blue Moon

It's the end of summer.  Labor Day weekend is here and the crowds are out.  Not to mention this year there is a blue moon, the second full moon of the month.  You think there is a little craziness in the air?  Oh, yeah, you better believe it.  We braved the scene early and feasted at Bostwick's, then down to our favorite spot for a stroll before going home and avoiding the world as much as we can for the next few days.  We stopped and marveled at the sea and evening sky.  Every time we have the same reaction.  We get our pictures and feel the wind in our faces and give each other a hug and kiss.  One of us usually breaks the silence with "This is home", and our smiles grow. You all have a great long weekend making each other nuts, we'll be at home if you need us.  

tropical Hibiscus

I imagine it stems from that inherent want to grow things that don't live in our natural habitat, our love and fascination with different tropical plants.  At the end of the summer season "tropicals" go on sale at the local nurseries and every time I wish I had enough space and light to over-winter these fabulous makers of showy, colorful flowers like this Hibiscus.  Such a testament to summer...

evening meditation

kitchen window

It's amazing how much more fun it is to do dishes when you are looking out a window at green, at your own backyard.  Chores turned triumphant.

insane Zinnia courtesy of the one and only Nisse Hope.

Ocean City, MD (summer vacation 2012)

It was my first time out of New York in months and months, not to mention our first vacation since March, so we were thrilled to hit the open road.

. 

The sign on this truck advertised Young and Fresh Chickens. We chose to disagree.

My wife grew up going to Ocean City, Maryland with her family for summer vacations as a kid but it was my first time.  Thanks to my sister-in-law masterminding a great house rental in Ocean Pines we got to spend three days with the whole fam living it up.

Even in Ocean City, MD ...clowns are creepy.

My wife and our (not so little anymore) niece on one of the many rides.

Krissy and I would ourselves seek some thrills, like the Tidal Wave!  A little late in the game we realized we really haven't been on a rollercoaster in a long, LONG time, but we still had a blast.

The newest niece, Kiera, with papa Jerome while momma Kate and sister Janaya enjoyed another ride.

Our house rental was right on the water, so serene and comfortable.

We got to the beach a bunch of times and perhaps most psyched of all was our little Janaya, quickly becoming the cutest little surfer girl.

So great to spend time with family.  Above is Krissy and Kiera and Jerome and 'Naya below.

We weren't expecting such good surf while down there so we were loving the body surfing.

The crowds were out but everyone seemed to be down-to-earth and having the right attitude which was a relief.

On day #2 the vacation gods made fresh fruit cocktails that rocked our world.

Beach fun with the boardwalk right at our fingertips provided no lack of things to do and trouble to get into.

 

A napping Kiera, with the most precious eyelashes...

We walked the boardwalk a lot and enjoyed great adventures and people watching every time, but at night it took on a whole new persona.  ...so fun. Whatever age you feel like a kid again, mesmerized by the sights and sounds and awe-some-ness of it all.

 

We had to have a drink at the Purple Moose Saloon because what are you going to do?  NOT have a drink at a place called the Purple Moose??  

Back at the house we eventually had to have a traditional Maryland crab feast.  This is the lead-up.

Then we got down to business.  Half a bushel thanks to my father-in-law.

They were pros, and taught me quick, and we all had a ball!

The days went fast and before we knew it we had to say goodbye and head back to New York, but it really made all the difference to get out of our routine for a few days and see the rest of our loved ones.

A final killer meal, in this case courtesy of another OC MD staple, the dough roller.  Holy cow was that an amazing breakfast.  Fortified us for the 7 hour trek home.

Thanks Ocean City, MD, you're a fab town!!