Family Get-Away: Part II

The Beach!

The ocean is one of those things that I never experienced much of in my childhood except in books and movies. We had plenty of lakes and streams near us, but no salt water. So being near the ocean is a thrill for me. I LOVE going to the beach and feeling the rush of the waves sweeping the sand out from beneath my feet. The taste of salt spray on my lips, the smell of seaweed (even though is stinks sometimes), and discovering treasures that the tide has uncovered. Such a lovely and wonderful place!

Even though it wasn't exactly warm, we had lots of fun anyway.




Mariah really loved it and was so brave. She scared me sometimes with her fearlessness! It was good that "daddy" was there to save her from the big waves!

"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure."
Proverbs 4:25-26

Family Get-Away

For our "holiday" this summer, instead of taking a big trip someplace or heading out of the country, we decided to just take advantage of some good rates at a hotel not too far away that had a swimming pool (for the kids and I) and a golf course (for David). It was great and so relaxing. I think we all really enjoyed it.

David and his wee shadow getting limbered up to play some golf.

First time swimming in a pool! So excited.

Totally lovin' it!

Mariah's first ice-cream cone was a big hit!

All pooped out...

In the garden

We've been enjoying the gardens and greenhouse that are on this new property. We planted some tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, leeks, onions, garlic, courgette, lettuce, cabbage, beans, radishes, and egg plant.

Loving all the fresh salads for dinner! Yum Yum!

Sadly, we were struck with blight!

I'm sure you've heard of the Great Irish Potato Famine, where around 1 million people died--a terrible time in Irish history. Well, we had the "privilege" of experiencing potato blight first hand this summer on a far smaller scale, of course. Nobody died. Just my dreams of a freezer full of leek and potato soup.

Poor puny little things!

They had to be dug up and discarded so that it wouldn't affect the rest of the garden. Such a bummer.

The tomatoes got enormous, but they also developed a case of something (do tomatoes get blight? Hmm...). Anyway, they sort of didn't do as well as their gigantic stalks were promising. So, my tomato saga continues. Someday, I'll get a beautiful ripe red tomato off the vine...someday.

We are now in the season of pears and apples from the orchard. I'll see if I can get some pictures of that one of these days. Here is Mariah in our sunken garden, where she LOVES to play. Enchanting, isn't it?