Beach Towels & A Bottle of Wine…

Summertime was slow to arrive this year with May and June blanketed in storms and  evenings spent embraced by cool breezes and light sweaters.  But, July brought the heat and with it, visitors.

Nine groups of visitors have graced our home so far in the last month.  The furthest between was 2 days, to prewash bedding, restock supplies and recovery housekeeping.  Most, were a mere 16 hour turn around between guests and once, the departing and arriving guests overlapped by a day.

Though my blogging has suffered, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Though often writing about life, it is of greater importance to actually live it.  For these last weeks, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing….living life and being present not only in my moments but in the moments and memories of those I love.

We’ve taken my mom boating and fishing.  Of course, we didn’t catch anything but that was okay.  We simply enjoyed doing it together,  spending time together, talking and laughing.  After all, it is called fishing, not catching, right? Lol

We’ve met our nephews future bride and we were our newest grandsons first long road trip and marveled at his growth, his smile and took him on his first boat ride.  Our youngest daughter came for too short days but we packed them with wineries, puppies and fun in the sun.

We spent days on the lake, swimming with our daughter in law and granddaughter.  One niece came twice with her boys and our nephew returned with his kids as well.  Mom, came back with my sister in law from Florida, her oldest and youngest daughters and my great niece who I got to meet for the first time.

We enjoyed all the lake has to offer, boat up restaurants for lunch, cookout evenings,  binge watched all 3 seasons of “stranger Things” with my young nieces til 3am,  played board games at night.  We went go cart riding,  cave touring and played miniature golf with the young nephews.

There were quiet moments too.  At twilight,  we gather on the dock, some taking a cool evening dip, others taking up fishing poles and some, a book, a blanket, a bottle of wine.  It’s the kind of quiet moments that are reserved for those you are truly close to, where there is no need to fill the silence with chatter but rather the ease enjoyed to simply be in each others presence.

I drank in the moments like a chilled summer wine, sweet and savoring.  I lived and experienced them fully, grasping them with both hands and tucking them within my heart.  These are the times that matter, the once that make memories that last.

Something special from the kitchen.  Huge success!

Chocolate Waffle Sundaes 

Preheat waffle Iron.  Mix chocolate cake mix (Any flavor of cake mix will do)  according to directions.  Add about a 1/2 c. of cake batter to the hot waffle iron and cook until indicated done.  Place in a bowl a top with desired flavor of ice cream and toppings.  Super easy, fast and delish!

Cake batter waffles are a quick way to serve cake without the baking time.  Be creative, top with fruit, ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.  You can even stack them and drizzle with warmed frosting.  (Microwave a tub of frosting to create a glaze like drizzle.)

Dear Friends, it isn’t enough to merely write ABOUT life from an observer’s perspective.  Remember to take the time to LIVE it!

Always with love – Laura💕