time seems to have gotten away from me...

WOW!   I can't believe my last post was so long ago!

So.... what have I been up too, you ask?

Between summer being full of just plain crazy business,

I was also without a computer because our router decided to say "so long".

I could use Duane's when he wasn't busy on it, but I could not make a post because

I only know how to upload the camera to mine.

Grand Haven

 

So hang on to your seats, this is going to be a long catching up post!

Last weekend we went to our favorite beach.

We love it because it is only about an hour away so we can go there without much planning.

o..k., forgive me for the excessive pics of this ADORABLE stackable snack container,

but when I found it for $1.00 at a yard sale down the street from me I just couldn't

wait to use it for picnicing at the beach!

It's first order of business?  

Carting fresh berries to the beach...

to fill this belly!

and these bellys!

My kids hated that I wore the hat, but I figure I have enough wrinkles as it is,

and so a day of humiliation for them is a small price to pay!

We were actually further down the beach where the sea of humanity wasn't so crowded.

We tried to take a walk down to the pier but it was too crazy down there.

ALSO...

Duane and I celebrated our 25th anniversary last week,

...this is our story;

We met at the restaurant where we both worked,

him as a manager and myself as a waitress and bartender. 

Duane asked me out many times

but I was kind of sick of dating and really didn't want to date someone that I worked with. 

 Have I ever told you how persistent he is?

I agreed to ONE date and 18 DAYS later he asked me to marry him and I said YES!

We were married 6 months later, and although it hasn't always been easy,

it has been a wonderful journey.

A journey that I would not want to be on with anyone else.

(and they said it wouldn't last.)

really, they did., in fact I'm pretty sure there was a betting pool going on.

anyway...

 to celebrate, we turned right around on Tuesday,

and headed back to the beach for a wonderful walk on the pier,

a bean burger for me and a real carnevor burger for him.

I know, I got a nice little farmer tan/burn going from the weekend excursion.  I had to put a shirt on after only being there a little while because I burn way toooooo easy.

here are some of the highlights of the night...

We bought a sky lantern to light to celebrate US.

I was so excited to light the lantern.  If you have not seen these at your local fireworks, they are beautiful.

They float so peacefully in the air that they are perfect for celebrations.

We had  a bit of trouble lighting ours though,

first ~ we only had matches

 we will bring a long grill lighter next time.

We thought the beach was perfect for it, I still do, but it can't be too windy.

it was too windy.

see the burn hole on the bottom right? not good.

the 'flame retardant' paper caught fire when the wind sucked the air out of the balloon.

This is as high as it flew.

We bought two, and will try this again soon.

There were some very nice helpful people at the beach.

One man helped block the wind with his towel,

and there was a group of kids in their 20's watching in anticipation of the launch

 and one of the girls took pictures for us.

the night sky just kept getting more beautiful.

I just have to share this with you.

As we were walking back toward the car

We heard the best, happiest laughter and

we came across this couple, I'm guessing in their 60's

who went into the lake with their dress clothes on.

Their dress shoes were on the beach, then we spotted him in his dress pants and shirt

and her in her fancy dress going out to the buoy.

I loved their spirit and had to snap a few shots of them!

I swear if we didn't have an hour drive home or had an extra set of clothes

I would have joined the party!

last shot of the night.

I have to tell you, these shots were not 'doctored' this is really what the sky looked like that night!

Duane was a bit down that we weren't able to do something huge to celebrate

our 25 years together but I have to tell you,

this was one of our best dates yet.

As I get older I relish the simple things even more and am returning to my

'wanna be hippy' roots. 

Going to dinner, enjoying a good burger and a beer, walking the pier,

lighting a lantern, laughing at ourselves, and holding hands while we walk the beach,

was the perfect way to celebrate US.

This has been a long post, I know, if you stuck it out until the end ~ Thank you!

Next time I will show you what else has been going on around here.

Here's a preview :

I thought I would take you on one of our rivertrail walks...

plus, of course a project or two!
so tell me what have you been up to?
inquiring minds want to know!

See you soon!

love,

Theresa xoxo