Home, Sweet Home

Sadness gripped me this morning as we said goodbye to the last of the kids and cleaned out the house. We were in the car in record time, however, and were home by 9:30 am.

The week flew by and didn't. That is to say that there were so many happy memories, so many meals, calories and trips to the grocery stores that it seemed like a month that we were away!

We're off to collect Chuisle from Happy Tails and unpack the rest of our clothes. We're having fish chowder for dinner and Colin prepares to leave for Hotlanta! with Jill and Alyssa tomorrow afternoon for his week of adventure in Georgia, USA.

Fishing with Captain Tom

On this very stormy day, the guys have gone fishing with Captain Tom on Friday, July 8 - Gerry, Sr., Colin, Gerry Sr., Rob and Uncle Frank Keefe and Cousin Dan Keefe. I was hoping for a Bluefin Tuna ... but they are only doing a four-hour Bass or Bluefish trip. Darn. The fishing-trip that got away from Charlotte's Tuna Dreams!

But the results are in! What a trip. Amazing fish. Caught 17 fish even though Colin and Rob suffered severe seasickness. They only brought home 6 prepared fish but that was plenty for everyone to take home to their freezers.


Beth cooked us this dinner of baked Striper Bass with all the vegetables left in the frig. We heard that the Keefe's had amazing fish tacos. Great day even though it was stormy on shore. Packing up tonight and sad to leave.

Good Eats!

Thursday began with Goat Cheese, Artichoke Strata and leftover fruit and green salads. We said goodbye to Jill and Alyssa and hello to Ciara and Pat.Some of us spent the next-to-last day hovered over computers (thank God for WiFi) and others spent the hot, sunny day at Red River Beach which is a quick car or bike-ride away. Some took bike rides, some went for runs, some played Settlers of Catan. Others made more bread and cinnamon rolls. Good day for catching up on laundry, too.

Thursday night dinner near the end of this busy week included Hot Crab Dip from owner Carol Gordon's Sleep On It: Prepare Delicious Meals the Night Before that You Can Pop in the Oven the Next Day! and Carolyn's Clam Chowder, fresh ricotta braid, red wine and more cupcakes.

Wednesday Night is Pasta Night!

Gerry made both turkey and beef meatballs with his renowned pasta sauce for Wednesday night's dinner with the family including Amy and Emily. It's great to be Italian!

Julie Arrives!

Julie had free reign of the bunk bed room Tuesday through Friday. She tried a bike ride but instead she decided to nurse her back, cook, read, eat and beach it with Charlotte. We missed Tim!

Bike Rides on the Cape

I got up very early on Wednesday morning, July 5 and had a pleasant solitary ride before the sun got hot or the crowds flocked to the bike trails. It was 7.25 miles from the house to the South Dennis Trailhead. Very pleasant and I averaged 11 miles an hour going at a good clip with no stops. 14.5 miles round trip.

On Wednesday, Beth and Rob had a pleasant afternoon ride to Red River Beach (they have yoga there in the morning.)

It was very hot on Thursday morning but Gerry and I managed a quick ride to Red River Beach to check out the parking for an afternoon beach day.



Gerry and I had nice ride to Chatham center on Sunday afternoon - boy, what a crowded spot! 10 miles round trip on the Old Colony Rail Trail.

Cinnamon Rolls

We had these on Sunday and Tuesday and Friday mornings. In case you haven't gained enough pounds this week and you'd like to gain more ... just make these cinnamon rolls once a month to keep up your fighting weight.

Baker Swims?

One of the fun parts of the early morning was bringing Baker to the beach. She learned that waves are not terrifying ... well, sorta. Baker could wear any adult or child out with a tennis ball.

Sunday with Caroline and Daniel

Jill's best buddy Caroline and her husband, Daniel and their little boys Brendan and Desmond were with us on Sunday afternoon and dinner. It's great to see the kids' friends and as I say, the more the merrier!

Fourth with the Keefes!

We enjoyed a Fourth of July barbecue on our deck with the Keefe family - Uncle Frank and Aunt Delia, Susi, Dan and Aidan from Minnesota and John from USC in Southern California.

Saturday Night with the Manhattan Girls

Ciara brought friends for the first weekend, Karen and Kelly who work in New York City with her. They had a great time and entertained us immensely, even bringing Colin along with them to the beach. They cooked appetizers and made great drinks for the crowd. They are welcome anytime and we were sad to see them leave on Monday night.

Cape League

The Cape League features top college-level talent in a fun summer league (active Red Sox Cape League alums include Tek, Youk, and Ellsbury). We'll be a couple miles from the stadiums of both the Chatham Anglers and the Harwich Mariners. I've always wanted to go see a Cape League game, and we'll have plenty of chances: Chatham plays at 7pm Saturday, 7 Monday, 7 Tuesday, and 7 Friday (Fan Appreciation Night); Harwich at 5:30 Sunday, 7 Tuesday, and 7 Friday. In other words, there's no overlap with the U.S.-Sweden game on Wednesday, so we can have the best of both sports worlds!

Soccer July 6th at 2:30 pm on ESPN

Jill says:

For all of those soccer fans in the family! The FIFA 2011 Women's World Cup
A notable match! July 6 Sweden vs. USA 2:30 p.m. ESPN

We are sorry that the USA lost, Jill! Maybe it would have been better NOT to get ESPN?

Yoga at Chatham Lighthouse Beach

Ciara sent this great link for Yoga in the morning! It's a 5 mile bike ride to the beach from the house ... and 5 miles back past a few great coffee shops. Sounds good to me!

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Most of the Cape's public beaches do not allow dogs in the summertime. Private beaches do but you'll have to find a way to get into them. (Corporation Beach, for example.) Good news is that some beaches allow leashed dogs year-round, albeit early in the morning and in the evening.

Cape Cod National Seashore

The park offers a 40 mile stretch of pristine sandy beaches. Dogs on leash are allowed year-round on all of the seashore beaches, except for seasonally posted nesting or lifeguarded beaches. Leashed pets are also allowed on fire roads, and the Head of the Meadow bicycle trail in Truro. Check with the visitor center or rangers for details about fire road locations. To get there from Boston, take Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge. Take Route 6 east towards Eastham.

Wellfleet Town Beaches

Get Map or Directions

Dogs are allowed during the summer, only before 9am and after 6pm. During the off-season, from after Labor Day to the end of June, dogs are allowed all day. Dogs must be leashed and people need to clean up after their pets. The town of Wellfleet oversees the following beaches: Marconi, Cahoon Hollow, and White Crest. Before you go, always verify the seasonal dates and times when dogs are allowed on the beach.

Truro Town Beaches

Dogs are allowed during the summer, only before 9am and after 6pm. This policy is in effect from about the third weekend in June through Labor Day. During the off-season, dogs are allowed all day. Dogs must be leashed and people need to clean up after their pets. The town of Truro oversees the following beaches: Ballston, Corn Hill, Fisher, Great Hollow, Head of the Meadow, Longnook and Ryder. Before you go, always verify the seasonal dates and times when dogs are allowed on the beach.

Sandy Neck Beach, West Barnstable

In addition to being a haven for endangered bird and wildlife, this 6 mile long coastal barrier beach also shares a unique ecology and rich cultural history. There is an off-road beach, a public beach and miles of trails here. Dogs are allowed on the trails and on the Off-Road beach area anytime (but stay on water side) throughout the year, but they are not allowed on the public beach from May 15 to September 15. Dogs are not allowed in the primitive camp area. Visitors and their pets must remain on designated trails, off the dunes, and off the few areas of private property. Please consult trail maps. Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

... and leave it to Provincetown to be the MOST dog-friendly.

Provincetown Town Beaches

Dogs on leash are allowed year-round. During the summer, from 6am to 9am, dogs are allowed off-leash. Before you go, always verify the seasonal dates and times when dogs are allowed on the beach.