Category Archives: Nora at home

General, grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Holding on to Summer

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I’m not ready for September, and it’s breathing down August’s neck. I’m going to enjoy every minute of Summer I have left.

We had Italy, and it was wonderful. A week with girls and ghosts at The Greenbrier, just awesome. My at-home time’s been work and gardening, primarily, and that’s just fine with me.

The annual Veuve vase. Photo by Laura.
Red room companions. Photo by Laura.
Fancy Breakfast gang.
Dressed for dinner. Photo by Laura.

It’s been a serious battle with the deer. They won a few, we won a few. One even came within a few feet of the house to munch out of the bird feeder. I mean, come on, sister.

I’m delighted to have what they didn’t mow down blooming beautifully.

Last weekend, I took a break from writing and gardening to make a mountain of food for our annual summer party.  Jason and family came up Friday night so we could start right off on Saturday for the Sunday event. In addition, all the grandkids and their partners came Saturday. I actually wonder how we pulled this off over the years without so much help.

I do seven or eight pounds of potatoes for potato salad, and that’s a lot of peeling! Then there’s pasta salad, cole slaw, 3 dozen eggs to devil, a big veg crudite and a lot more. It involves much slicing, chopping, peeling, stirring, mixing. Kat and Lauren did yoman’s work on that chopping and peeling. Kayla made her yummy trifle, and walked Lauren through my great-grandmother’s bread pudding recipe.

Meanwhile, outside, it’s move the grill to the back patio from the front deck, haul out the outdoor tables, clean them up, put up the tarps to keep the sun off everyone.

The next day, they’re all back to help with day-of stuff. Fill the coolers with ice and drinks, etc.,  haul up the bar from the pool house, marinate the veg reserved for grilling, day-of side-dishes to deal with. Since everyone—especially Colt—went for those swimming in chocolate pudding profiteroles, Kat’s making them. And finds out they don’t really mark the packaging very well between cook it and instant pudding. Oops. But she’s Kat, and after some trial and error, figures it out. Colt helps with cream puff placement and drizzling pudding over it all.

Chef Colt and the finished product.

Dishes are brought up and out to the table with ice pads. I don’t know how many times Jason, Logan, JR or Colt went down to the second fridge to bring something up they’d taken down to Saturday. We have two fridges, and used every inch of both for storage. Strong backs bring up my huge pot for the spiced shrimp I’ll make in a bit. Heat up the grill for those burgers and dogs!

Everything looks great.

But, the star of the show is unquestionably the fruit salad.

Kat has Colt’s girl Peyton—another artist—draw a turtle on the watermelon she sliced open—and had Lauren clean out. Then Kat gets her carving tools. She’s Kat, so naturally she has carving tools. With them she creates an adorable watermelon sea turtle, complete with flippers and tail, and some flowers. A vessel for her cousin’s gorgeous fruit salad.

#randomkatness fruit salad style

While Kat carves something every year, this time, she outdid even the Amazing Kat.

We had a nice crowd on a beautiful day. Not too hot, not rainy, just perfect weather. A fun day with family and friends. And at the end, Logan’s pals—strong, young backs—helped break it all down. A real community effort this year, and much gratitude to all of them.

Now, even though September’s a couple days off, the kids are back in school. Second grade for Griffin! How is that possible? And I’m taking today, with all chores done and my windows open, to appreciate my blooms, the hummingbirds at the feeders, the woodpeckers at the suet.

Hope you’ve made some happy memories this summer, and sneak in a few more before we head into fall.

Nora

Nora at home, The Garden

Summer Solstice

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The longest day is a favorite day for me, especially when it falls on the weekend and I can enjoy every minute of it. A walk through the garden, everything weeded and deadheaded and looking happy. Time to clean the birdbath fountain so the birds and I are happy. They really use it, and I love watching them.

BW’s out mowing the grass, which he enjoys much more than I would.

We’re both pretty much packed for departure tomorrow. It’s our family week at the spa, and we’re quite a group. All grandkids, but Griffin, are taking a boy/girlfriend this year. Add in our friends the Orrs, and we’re a group of 16.

But before I go, and because Italy’s coming right up, I want the house and gardens in the best possible shape for our house/dog sitter.

So fill the bird feeders, feed the sour dough, tidy what’s not tidy.

Then she’ll tend to the dogs and my pots.

The gardens look good, so I thought I’d take some updated pictures to share.

The deer have been ridiculous this year. No matter what we do. We spray relentlessly, and we’ve tried these sonar deals that are supposed to keep them out. Hah!

Last Sunday I took a morning walk and was so pleased to see the lilies out front flowering and budding. Figured our dedication was working. That afternoon, another walk. Every bud and flower consumed.

And they’re fearless. I flushed one out during a weekday walk, and it ran about ten feet, stopped, looked back at me like: What? I yelled, waved my arms, marched toward it. She didn’t budge an inch until I was about six feet away and wondering WTF I’d do if she just stuck.

Scold her? Have a serious conversation?

They even got half of my New Guinea impatiens in the whiskey barrel by the garden shed, which means they walked right up the driveway. Then just a couple days ago, I caught one grazing right in the front yard. Jeez.

The struggle is real, but despite them, things are doing pretty well.

We moved those fucking wings to the little area where we put in a Crepe Myrtle, and added a couple friends. I enjoy the theme.

I planted a whole bunch of nasturtium seeds, adding some to the terrace beds along the lane. They’re starting to bloom, though the deer again got some where I’d climbed up to put some in the upper terrace. Still, I think they’ll put on a nice show.

Hope you can take advantage of this lovely long day, or those in the Southern Hemisphere, this long night.

Happy Solstice.

Nora

grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Finally Spring

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Can’t quote The Beatles because it wasn’t lonely, but it’s been a long, cold winter. I’m very happy it’s over.

Right before we planted, and after a week of 90s, the temps dropped—collapsed for a night where it fell to the mid-20s. My poor yellow bells came up too fast and felt the brunt. I have to get out there and prune off the damage.

Otherwise, we made it.

As usual, BW and I hit Sunny Meadows hard. Their wide selection is always so lovely, so well maintained. We filled the bed of the truck, stuck more in the tub BW keeps in the bed, had a flat on the floor at my feet, and another on the seat between us.

Whew! (Then BW stopped in Boonsboro for another flat and a half an impatiens, a few more begonias and some rosemary at the excellent Cronise Market.)

No foxglove for me this year. They got swamped during that 90s week and just ran out. So I substituted, and this year I’m trying some different things in different places.

The best? Spending two entire days digging in the dirt, placing plants, shifting, deciding, arranging. Beds first, and that was a full day. And so worth it.

I’d already soaked and planted nasturtium seeds, and this year some sweet peas. Fun to see those starting to pop while I planted our truckload.

The second day, finish a few spots in the beds, then focus on pots. If my count’s right, that’s over 30 pots! BW’s clever idea was to half bury a broken one, then plant something at the mouth of it. I like it!

I have one more to do yet—some dianthus in a pot BW can see out his office window. But currently our front is dug up as the crew hunts for what’s probably a broken pipe in our septic tank. Finding it’s been an ordeal. And I’m trying not to think about it! And remind myself, the rest looks just great.

I’ve already enjoyed some walk-abouts, and get my smiles seeing how those seedlings grow, how the bedding and pot plants soak up the sun.

Cooler and some rain today, but I have inside activities. Sunday family dinner tomorrow to celebrate Logan’s 22nd birthday. He requested his Grandda’s flank steak and his Nana’s roasted potatoes, roasted carrots. Since Kat and Kayla can’t eat the steak, I’m trying my hand at risotto. Going to make that today, to be sure it doesn’t suck, and tomorrow, since Logan’s not fond of cake, I’m going to make his fave chocolate chip cookies to go with the ice cream cake for everyone else.

Then, on Thursday, we head to Louisville for Derby! We’re taking Kayla and J.R.—their first time—so lots of fun for a long weekend.

Then it’s back to work and gardening, along with Girls Night Out in Boonsboro, our Girl spa week, a shopping spree for Kat’s birthday (doing it early this year), a family week at Nemocolin. Then . . .

Our big summer trip. Ten of us are heading to Italy! A few days in Milan, then two weeks in Lake Como. I’d say I can’t wait, but I really do just love springtime in the gardens. And I have a book to write! So I’ll enjoy it all as it comes.

Hope your spring (or fall for those in the Southern Hemisphere) brings you a lot to enjoy as it comes.

Nora

cooking, grandkids, Nora at home

Hello again!

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So it’s been a while—apologies! Fall and early winter have been crammed with work, holidays and other personal stuff. Coming up for air now, and all’s well.

First, BW is so much improved, which is huge relief all around. Logan, so willing and able, did so much to help when we needed it. And still shows up whenever we call. I don’t know how we’d have managed without him.

BW continues PT, and is making big strides, literally. That area of life is getting much closer to normal.

Our holidays were fabulous. I carved out a couple of days for our annual holiday girl trip. So much fun, and a whirl of shopping with our friends at Saks. They always make our day there so special for all. A short and lovely break from the madness of holiday prep, plus that precious gift of girl time.

Gorgeous table for a holiday lunch. Photo by Laura
Then we made wreaths! Photo by Laura

A zillion cookies were baked, with loads of help from Kayla, JR, Colt, Logan and Logan’s gorgeous girlfriend, Loren. Much deliciousness enjoyed, with Kat doing heroic work on the clean up!

Mid-December view from Nora’s kitchen.

Then, boom, it’s Christmas, so all those presents bagged or wrapped (while I watched Hallmark Christmas movies) are torn open in a glorious kind of chaos. I love the noise, the happy faces, and the crowded mess of it.

One of my fave gifts is a sweatshirt that says:

Be Kind . . .  Of a bitch.

My grandkids know their nana!

We had the whole gang having fun, then sitting down to the three casseroles of lasagna I made, slices of garlic bread from the Italian bread I baked. And no room after for the planned ice cream bar.

The whole gang.

I loved every minute.

During all this, I’m working on next year’s standalone and signing ten million books as orders for The Seven Rings flooded in, along with orders for the In Death cookbook. The TTP staff worked like maniacs through all this. And hey, me, too!

A quiet New Year’s—I made chicken en cocotte—with Jason, Kat and Griffin. Griffin lasted until about ten minutes before the ball drop, then announced Bedtime! But he enjoyed the screening of the first part of Wicked.

We saw this on Broadway years ago, with the original cast. It left such an impression on me. The movie didn’t disappoint.

The very next day I started my full house purge. An exhausting but satisfying annual task. It’s restricted to weekends because I write all week, but I got ‘er done.

My house is organized, clean and shiny. As I purge a room, I clean the room which includes feeding all the wood. We have about 24 wood doors in this house, not to mention shelves, trim, windows, beadboard, wainscoting, furniture. After all, I married a carpenter.

Still working on the first draft of the standalone, and that work will go with me when we take a much deserved week break to Nemocolin with Jason and family and our friends Bill and Nicole. Another annual tradition I very much prize. I’ll work some, hang out some, get a longed-for massage, have time to read—haven’t had much of that—and recharge from the crowded, busy, chaotic, stressful few months.

In the new thing for a new year category, Nora made buttermilk biscuits for the first time.

Hope your holidays were as full of fun, family and friends as mine were, and that the new year brings health and happiness.

Nora

dogs!, grandkids, New York City, Nora at home

Seasons Change

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It may be nearing the end of October, but spots in my garden still bloom like July. I’m so grateful for these bright, lush spots of color. Those I’ve had to cut back—the Susies, the purple coneflowers, cardinal flowers and so on did their job beautifully. I look forward to seeing them again next year.

I spent a week in NY with family and friends, and before I left harvested my herbs. Don’t want to leave it too late. The little bit of basil I left for if/when I wanted fresh has grown. I snipped and chopped some last night for a potato dish. Mmm, fresh basil.

The view. Photo by Nora.

Had a great time in the city with gorgeous weather, and much Christmas shopping checked off. We had our annual visit to the Central Park Zoo where the sea lions put on a delightful show. I think Griffin, Jason and I ranked the sea lions and penguins at the top. So much fun. For the first time, no stroller, so the boy walked from the hotel to the zoo. That’s a serious walk, and so’s the walk back.

In the Aviary. Photo by j a-b

Griffin didn’t care much for the Aviary where I had a peacock fly so close, I felt it brush the side of my head. I found that cool, the boy, not so much.

Griffin/Grizzly comparison… Photo by j a-b.

Hit all my sweet spots, ice cream at Seredipity uptown, pizza at Lombardi’s downtown, a show on Broadway. I’d never seen Chicago in the theater, and it sure didn’t disappoint.

Back home again, back to work, and a lot of sorting through purchases to start organizing gifts. As usual this time of year, my One More Room looks like a department store stock room. I’m fine with that.

I also brought home a vicious cold, but finally, that’s over!

After a bit of a dip, the temperature rallied, so I’ve had some working walks in the garden.

A couple weeks ago, when searching for the poop shovel needed when one or both of the dogs decides the pavers will do, I discovered impatiens from last year had decided to somehow grow, thrive in the window well. I don’t know how as there’s no soil in there, but they’re delightful. It must be the year for it, as more have decided to grow at the base of a garden wall.

I find these little surprise treasures.

It won’t be much longer before the first frost comes, but until then I’m going to enjoy.

Nora

girl time, grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden, The Greenbrier

High Summer

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Summer’s been a busy one for me and the family. The girls—me, Laura, Kayla, Kat, Sarah, celebrated Kat’s birthday with a two-day shopping spree, ending at Saks with our pals there.

Our group and the Saks team.

Nobody left empty handed—and we all had plenty of pretty new things to take on our upcoming vacations. *

Sarah and her family were heading to England to see the Black Sabbath concert, tour around London, head to Stonehenge. Laura and her husband flew off for England, Scotland, Ireland—and Mark had a side trip to Belgium.

Whew!!

We had about two and a half weeks in Ireland. Fun, lovely, wonderful in every way. And my daily travelogues are here for anyone who missed them. **

Days after our return, BW and I hosted our annual summer party. We couldn’t have pulled it off without Kat, Jason, Kayla, JR, Logan, Colt. We also got lucky with the weather, and the forecasted rain never showed up. So a full, busy, happy day.

Almost on the heels of that, it was girl time again with our annual week at The Greenbrier. A little work, lots of fun, and plenty of ghosts to make it interesting. ***

Home again to a house and garden, and dogs, who needed some attention.

I’ve had and am having, my usual battle with deer. They got my lilies, again, but I saved my hostas. Although I think maybe our newest member of the garden family helps with that.

Last fall we needed to take down a significant number of trees. Some dead, some learners—and too close to the house and/or lane. We’d had a couple of big ones come down in storms, so needed to deal with it.

BW had the idea to leave one of the stumps standing, at a pretty significant height, in the area across from our water feature where we have hostas and shade plants and pots. His idea: Commission a chainsaw artist to carve something.

This was an idea I could get behind. I wanted a dragon, and found an image I liked. Our clever manager at Gifts, Natoma, knows area artists, and put us in touch with Jason Stoner. One look at his website told me we’d found just the right artist.

He carved the dragon head and body in ONE day, right down to the fine details. After, he ran a torch over it—to strengthen the wood and give it character. Sealed it. And we have a dragon. For the wings, he created them in his shop—one day—came back and installed.

What a talent. This beauty grabs me every time I take a walk. And maybe, his size and fierceness convinces the deer they really don’t like the taste of hostas anyway.

Photo by BW.

At least for now.

Today, I spent some time out there weeding, deadheading. And trying to ignore deer damage. Everything’s blooming and spreading and spilling. All my pots have filled in. The basil which looked very sad when I left for Ireland (so much rain here in May) has not just rebounded but is tall and happy. I have cardinal flowers that self-sowed all over. And I said: Go right ahead, mix it up!

I’m as happy as my basil. I finished a book Thursday, so I’ve had time to take a breath—garden, tidy up and pack.

It’s off again, with the whole family, for a week at Nemacolin—and the last trip of the summer.

Nora

Some details from Laura:

*We also learned about orchids!

** Start here for Nora’s trip. Start here for mine. And Sarah was sad about his passing, but so happy she and her guys were at Ozzy Osbourne’s last show.

*** We had our usual fun time. On the work front, Nora wrote several mornings. We also spent a day filming content: The Q&A for the next season of In Death In Depth as well as one for The Seven Rings, the last book in The Lost Brides trilogy.

Speaking of the trilogy, I’ve been greatly remiss on a follow-up post. I mentioned a mirror at The Greenbrier several times, but on this trip I realized I meant the FRAME of a painting which contains 3-D depictions of implements of war. For some reason, Nora’s idea of snarling animals around the frame of a mirror is much more comforting.

Nora choosing a room service option under the watchful eyes of the boy with war stuff.

We also played with glass. This year we did glass fusion instead of glass blowing. And Griffin was old enough to join in.

The glass creations. Upper row, from L: Nora, Sara and JoAnne. Lower row: Griffin, Kat, Kayla and Laura
Ready for our annual steak dinner.

And in other news: Kat finished that dratted mermaid puzzle from March!

Last Christmas Sarah gave Nora a puzzle that made for a much happier experience at The Greenbrier.

And finally, the happy Black-Eyed Susans greeted us when we returned from The Greenbrier.

Nora’s Black-Eyed Susan in bloom.

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

See how they grow

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May decided it wanted to rain. And rain, and rain. I doubt I watered pots a half dozen times through the month. It also decided to sprinkle in unseasonable cool.


But now it’s June, and I’m hoping for more sunshine.

Still, the pots and gardens seem to have enjoyed the rain—except for the basil which looks pretty sad. I hope it perks up.

Warmer weather’s due this coming week, and I’m looking forward to throwing windows open again, and taking walks around outside after work.

Meanwhile everything’s growing and budding and blooming and making me smile. Except when Milo decided to dig in the impatiens, then went at the zinnias. We were able to save most everything, and shame Milo—who really does know better.

I only have to point at the destruction, put on the Mom face, use the Mom voice: Did you do that??? And he hangs his head and slinks away. Then I shun him for the rest of the day, which for a dog who craves his humans, is a hard lesson.

Milo’s thirsty! – Photo by Nora

He came out with me today—Atticus opted to stay inside as it’s still pretty damn cool out—when I took pictures. Since The Incident, he’s behaving himself.

BW’s in charge of sprinkling dog repellent and spraying for deer. So far, except for The Incident, we’ve had pretty good luck.

I thought you’d enjoy seeing the progress since the April planting. I don’t think I’ll fit in another gardening blog before we leave for Ireland later this month.

If the sun’s shining where you are, hope you can get out and bask a bit. I know I’m going to.

Nora

grandkids, Nora at home, The Garden

Buds, Blooms and Blossoms

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Finally, after April decided to revisit February, it regained its sanity and opened the doors to Spring.

BW and I took our annual trip to Sunny Meadows to load up the pickup with plants. I find this nursery absolutely magical, so many beauties, so well tended, smiling, happy faces everywhere. And everyone who works there is so helpful.

After that lovely experience, we haul it all home. My first job is to start laying it all out, standing back, considering, adjusting as necessary until I’m pretty happy with the plan.

Now, let’s get dirty! It’s physical work as well as creative, and I really do love every bit of it. Good thing, as this stage took hours—and netted me, without a visit to my gym—23,000 steps. Whew! Now everything in the beds, and the flats waiting to be potted, need a good drink.

Up the back drive.
A close up.
The top of the front drive.

And so do I! So I pour the wine, and take a nice, long walk around. Very satisfying.

But we’re far from done.

We’re having family dinner on Saturday for Easter, so on Friday, I make the fan fave deviled eggs, get a workout in, then it’s time to build the pots and planters.  I have many. I have many of many. Some for the patios, some for the walls, some to fill in beds until perennials take off, and some for the shady areas.

I love figuring this out. The thrill, fill, spill, what colors and shapes work well for any particular pot. And because I workout—and lift weighs—I can handle hauling pots into place until BW gets home to lend a hand.

Milo poses with the pots.

This is another full day, with some overtime.

Give everyone a drink!

Saturday, workout, bake a pound cake—my mother’s recipe and another crown pleaser. Since I’ve got some flats left, let’s haul out more pots!  Go inside, put the ham in the oven, go back out and plant some more. I’ve just planted the last begonia when Jason and family arrive.

Griffin helps me water pots, then his mom waters him, to his delight. Jason helps BW with some outside springtime work. Kat peels carrots, I prep potatoes. Make the glaze for the ham. And when the rest of the gang arrives, we’re about ready for the feast. That is, after the big Easter egg hunt. I already know where the eggs are as Griffin, who helped hide them, has taken me around to see if I could find, and if not, to tell me.

Later, when it’s dark enough, I walk Griffin out to see all the fun solar lights. My friend JoAnne added to my collection last Christmas with a plant stand that’s a stump-shaped faerie house. Griffin’s fascinated when I tell them all these things light up at night so the faeries can see to play.

Note from Laura: the fairy stump is on the right. Will make sure we get a lit up photo over the summer.

I’m up early enough on Sunday to take a walk around, take pictures for the blog. Much cooler as it will be through the week, but still springlike. The air smells of sweet allysum and heliotrope. Ahh.

Before he leaves, Griffin has another piece of cake, and tells me it’s the bestest cake in the world. My mother would be delighted.

So a very happy, very satisfying, very productive extended welcome Spring weekend for me. Now I can look forward to seeing how my gardens grow.

Nora

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

Stepping Into Fall

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It’s here, so might as well embrace it. It’s coming on time for boots and sweaters and reading by the fire. Time to cook up weekend soups and stews, and admire the show my surrounding woods will put on.

My garden’s getting ready to go to sleep, though I still have plenty of bright spots. The nasturtiums, after struggling all summer, are finally spilling and blooming. I have a whiskey barrel of impatiens that continue glorious. While my basil pretty much failed—some critter enjoyed most of it—the rosemary, thyme and oregano are champs. I’ll be harvesting soon.


BW and I added a couple more solar lights and wind spinners by the water feature. Gives the whole area a nice glow at night.


Milo continues to be a big, energetic puppy. Except when he and Atticus play each other into a coma.


We had family dinner last weekend, always fun. Then I had a quiet, work-focused week to follow. I should have another couple of those work-focused weeks coming up. Then a big chunk of the family heads to New York for a week.

That means plenty of shopping time, and my goal there is to finish a bunch of Christmas and fall birthday shopping. Also time to hang with my pals—and editor and agent—see a show, visit the big toy store with Griffin, maybe a trip to the Central Park Zoo. Gotta fit a foundation meeting in there.

I’m hoping for pretty fall weather while we visit, but we’ll take what we get.

Meanwhile, in my work-focused weeks, I’m visiting New York in my head, a few decades in the future. It’s always fun to toss a dead body at Eve and the gang and see how they ferret out the how, why and who.

I hope you enjoy the change of seasons—the fall color and crisp air,  or for those in the Southern Hemisphere, the bloom of spring.

Nora

PS. But wait!

After I embraced fall and switched out my summer clothes for cooler weather stuff, I took a walk around outside. And saw this!

A friend divided her toad lilies and gave me this a couple months ago. She’s a fall bloomer, and she’s got her first flower of the season. Plus more buds. I’m so delighted! One more thing to embrace.

A quick note from Laura:
I’m still holding on to summer but will be in NY with Nora for all the fun fall stuff.

grandkids, Nora at home

The NOT Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer

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Since this summer’s been so packed, we opted to cut out our big trip, and take a family week at our beach houses on The Outer Banks.

This requires an insanely long, tedious drive so, as we did in the past, we add days coming and going for a more-or-less halfway stop at The Great Wolf Lodge in VA. It’s a fun, family place. This includes a big pool with fountains, an indoor water park, lots of activities and the very popular Magic Quest. You buy the wands, then follow the clues. A lot of up and down stairs, hunting from one end of those floors to the other.

Logan, at 20, remembers when I was his faithful Quest companion years ago, he didn’t defeat the dragon. This is his current mission.

The drive down indeed proved long and tedious, packed with traffic and delays. Ugh. Four and a half hours later, BW and I arrive. Jason, Kat and Griffin are already there, and the others arrive soon after.

Check in, dump stuff, and I head to the pool. And by pool, I mean the pool bar. I have earned a margarita, and it doesn’t disappoint.

The margarita. Photo by Nora.

I happily join the Quest—Griffin is into it! As is Colt, but I actually think Kat’s having the most fun. And when Kayla and JR get into it, I think Kat and JR vie for  having the most fun. Others prep for water fun. I can’t remember why I headed back to the room, maybe to pull it together for dinner. While there, power goes out.

Not just the resort’s power, the power all over the region.

Well, huh.

We have a huge room, and that’s lucky, because the 11 of us end up in there. I have a penlight in my purse. Kat, being Kat, makes a lantern out of it. Staff hands out Glo-sticks, sets up free food. Since we also have a terrace, we’ve got places to gather and spread out as the rain rains and the lantern glows.

#randomkatness, am I right? Photo by BW.

I play hide and seek with Griffin, then it’s early to bed.

Power’s back in the early am. Which means the music from the pool area blasts on. LOL!

We get breakfast and some Quest time in before we head out.

Another long, tedious drive, but we all arrive safe and sound.

We have two houses next door to each other, and we need them for this large group. Time to unpack, and for volunteers to head out to the grocery store with a list. Some head down to the beach for a quick minute between rain storms. Olympics on TV as they will be all week.

It will rain every single day we’re there. Every day.

Beach light. Photo by Savanna

But we have games—Kat’s put together a D&D game. Logan and Savanna brought a Scream game, and we have the Switch for video games.  And, of course, a jigsaw puzzle. The gang does get a little beach time in here and there, and Logan’s Savanna proves to be a shell magnet. They find her!

The beach – appropriate puzzle. Photo by Nora.
Shell within shell. Photo by Savanna

BW gives Griffin a shovel, and apparently that’s the best thing ever.

Beach prep before the big dig. Photo by j-ab
And he’s out. Photo by Nora.

We get in a girl shopping day, and that’s lots of fun—and Woo!—Christmas presents.

In the surf! photo by j a-b.

I’d planned to work a little, and end up working a lot because rain. I have the spare bedroom for morning workouts and work, so that did the job.

Stormy beach. Photo by Savanna.
Still stormy beach. Photo by Savanna.

I did walk down to the beach one evening after dinner and before the next storm. Wild waves, a steel gray sky and sea on a mostly deserted beach.

A rare sunset. Photo by Nora.

The day we leave? Perfect beach weather under lovely skies. Oh well.

Back to TGWL—and there’s power. And margaritas. And the Quest.

Lodge life. Photo by j a-b.

Jason and family, Logan and Savanna and Colt are staying one more day. Kayla and JR left early as they have to pack up, head back to college as grad students.

BW and I face the long drive home. Not as much traffic, thank you God, and we arrive home to dogs that are so excited they’re on the edge of speech. Much joy, many rubs.

Unpack, whew! Pour some wine, check out the gardens. Looking pretty good for mid-August.

Not much time to recover and catch up with work as the following Sunday we’re having our big summer party. Could’ve timed this better, but it’s been a packed summer.

So the very next Saturday, it’s chopping, slicing, mixing, making countless cold summer dishes. I have Kat and Savanna, and couldn’t have pulled it off without them. While Jason and BW and Logan help set up the awnings and tables, ice chests and all of that outside.

Kat makes adorable fruit salad bowls out of watermelons, Savanna makes my great-grandmother’s bread pudding recipe. There are 3 dozen eggs to peel for deviling. Add potato salad, pasta salad, shrimp salad, etc, etc, etc. Both my fridges are packed by the end of the long day.

And in the morning, there’s more set up, food prep, house prep—and a quick pass through the garden for me to deadhead. A couple of hot dishes, baked beans, vegetarian Spanish beans and rice to add to the menu.

The forecast? All day rain, of course. But we lucked out there. With the grill smoking, crowds of people in and out of the house, we get only one brief storm—and we had plenty of cover. Once we have that crowd, I put on my mother’s huge Guardian pot and do spiced shrimp.

All the cover. Photo by LG

Nice to see everyone, so many I only see this once a year.

It’s clean up time, and break it all down time the next day. I can’t count the number of dishes Kat washed!

Back to work and routine—ah, routine—for a week. And this weekend is for more routine. I’ve worked out, fed my sour dough, tidied what needed it, and now write this blog. After, maybe a little gardening as the sun! The sun’s shining.

Then, before it’s time to start dinner, I may just plop down with a book.

September’s right around the corner, so I’m going to squeeze every last ounce out of summer.

Nora

THIS JUST IN: Jason reports Colt, Logan, and Savanna slayed the dragon. -Laura

Pelican surveying food choices. Photo by Savanna.