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.