Family+Love=Summer Sweetness

A couple nights ago, I BLISSFULLY ENJOYED DINNER OUTSIDE and soaked up the warmth of the fading sun.   I checked my urge to work at my front door and let myself  keep the mindset of being on vacation mode after having just gotten back from the coast. After the sun set, and darkness forced me into the house, the scent of ripe peaches that I had picked the day before spurred me into action to do something with them and pronto! So I made my first batch of peach-butter, canned peaches and made two peach pies.  Yummm.

The recipe for peach butter was simple: 7 lbs of peaches, ½ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp of ginger.  Cook in a sauce pan till mushy and the liquid is reduced.  I like chunks, so I ignored the recipe that said to use an immersible blender and puree it, instead I smashed the peach chunks up with a wooden spoon. Then I put the peach mixture into mason jars and canned them. Summer in a jar.

Peaches galore.. peach butter and canned peaches.  My first on this

Sunny days on the boat, Soren, Rod and Kaitlyn

As much as I love Fall, I’m not quite ready to let summer go and this past August was filled with  family gatherings.  First was a visit from daughter Kaitlyn, fiancée Soren & his adorable kiddos who flew in from Maryland.  Rod took us out to play on the water and fun it was, lounging on air mattresses, dodging the water fights, sipping drinks and soaking up the sun. 

Who's hungry? My sweet grand angels and mom, Gigi

The following day, I invited Gigi (my mom) and other daughter, Jen & her kiddos over for dinner. There is just something about gathering together over a home cooked meal that is soothing, relaxing and sets the perfect tone for celebrating being together again.   

 

Pure kiddo sweetness

 And just like kids do, there was an immediate bond between them and I ended up with an impromptu sleepover, 5 girls, one boy ages 5 to 13. I was able to squeeze in some grandma time with those sweet kiddos and just couldn’t get enough of them.

Family + love = Summer blessings

What we are like in real life.... what can I say?

As always the visit went way to quickly, and it was so sweet watching Kaitlyn in her role as bonus mom and knowing she was happy. Deeply happy.  Her life is complete. As I took them to the airport, Kaitlyn and I held onto each other for a long time, with both of us tearing up, it was hard knowing a piece of my heart was going with them and how much I would miss them as I watched them  head into the airport. The next time we see them it will be in October for their wedding, which is just around the corner. Yikes… I had better see if I need new cowboy boots to complete my outfit!

Then over Labor Day week-end, Gigi, Jen and I decided that some fresh salt air was the ticket for renewing our minds,  hearts and souls. There is just something about standing on the beach watching the ocean roll in that makes you realize and relish all the good in your life. We invited all the family who could make it to join us on the coast.  We were celebrating the reduction of Denise’s cancer tumor and the new singleness for Jen. Gigi rented the same house we had stayed in 10 years before

Us 10 years ago

and  this time, we combined families, some of mine along with Rod and his kids, Zach, Chelsea and her sweet boyfriend, Dylan. 

A group picture, except Chelsea & Dylan opted to hang out on the beach.  I was sad we didn't get more group pic's, but glad I got the pic's I did

Chelsea & Dylan - from another adventure - but didn't want to leave them out of the blog post

Me, Rod & Jen.  Beach, beer, waves and soaking up the sun

Dylan and Rod flying a kite on the beach - I never could get pic's of Chelsea & Dylan... dang!

Again, gathering everyone around the dinner table was relaxing and created some great bonds. We polled everyone and said - dine out or stay in?  Everyone voted to stay in and enjoy the relaxed dining atmosphere during our stay. (Barry and Rod were great cooks )  After dinner, we would laugh ourselves silly over a few board games and stayed up way too late.

Jen, me, Gigi at Newport on the dock

At Devil's Churn... waves were spectacular. Jen, Zach, Rod

Rod & I

Every morning  Jen & I started our day off with early morning beach walks, with coffee in hand, we searched for cool rocks and had some heart-to-heart talks. 

I think our hats say what was in our hearts

My fav part of the day

My girl

Cool things to look at every day

It makes my heart happy seeing Jen relaxed and watching how she is blooming and excited to create a beautiful and authentic way of living for both herself and as an example for her precious girls.  

August was filled with the warmth of new beginnings, happiness, and realizing each day is precious and to not waste it.  Wish I could capture another month of summer.   

And life, just like the changing of the seasons has prompted change. And I see that each of us in our own way has chosen to move forward to honor the past, take the good parts with us and focus on living life the best way we know how.  And as we move forward to new adventures and beginnings the glorious Fall reminds us to relish those days in the sun, take comfort on cold rainy days and most of all make happy memories.   We know each season both in the calendar month or in our lives has a place in our life.  All my best, Gayle