Whatever happens, happens out there. Woke up to temps in the 90's already, we won't say what it is right now :)
Yesterday we went to the beach-
That's hubby swimming, he takes it pretty serious out there with his fins and distance.
Here it looks like he decided to keep playing in the sand after the kids abandoned him.
You know you are at a military beach when you can wave to the Special Ops guys and they wave back at you!
This is a busy area since we are at exactly the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay where it dumps into the Atlantic Ocean. I like the beach here since the water is shallow for a ways out, perfect sandy bottom with no rip currents - perfect for kids and swimming.
In the evening we headed out again, this time to the ocean which is closer to us, for some surf fishing. A different military base this time, and we were about the only ones on the beach. The air was much cooler here this time of day, but very heavy and humid.
Hubby doing the pre flight checks on my pink rod :)
Finnegan caught his very 1st fish last night, a little croaker!
Loch fished hard, but no success. We missed fishing the tide by about an hour but there's always next time. He had already had his "1st Fish" a few years back in northern Wisconsin, so I'm glad he was able to let Finn have his moment without too much upset.
We fished on into the evening, enjoying the early appearing moon.
Finn's a regular fisherman now, although he was having trouble with the "catch and release" concept. One day he'll catch one that's big enough to keep and then he'll have something to compare his first catch to. I explained that you would have to have a whole "mess of croaker" in order to get enough to eat!
I hope these guys have photos just like this one when they are 20, 40, and 60 years old - I'm not normally a very emotional mommy but this sight brought a twinge of a tear to my eye :)
The colors of the orange and yellow Hillbillies with the pink Brandywines looked so pretty I didn't want to blend them today so I just canned the stewed chunks with pepper, garlic, oregano, marjoram & basil from the garden, will be good added to chili or pasta in winter!
Think cool thoughts, y'all!
Looks like so much fun! Our girls keep asking when we'll go to the beach, but since we have to drive for at least 6 - 7 hours, we haven't done it yet. When we first got married, I didn't care to go fishing with hubby. As I've grown older, I started enjoying it more - the girls, not so much. :-/ I'm totally envious of your tomato harvest. We're getting enough to eat, but not enough to can. Might have to break down and buy some at the farmers market...
ReplyDeleteOh, I want to go to the beach. Found my first plant with late blight. I really want to be anywhere but here right now. Excuse me now while I go cry and pretend there is a beach somewhere close. sigh.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of the boys!! That one's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteI'm really surprised the beach is as empty as it is. You'd think with temps like that it would be packed----or do they hide in the air conditioning?
ReplyDeleteYou got a couple of great pictures there, Mom! Of hubby and the boys. I think you're on your way to saving your sanity by doing what you're doing in your insane, hot, humid weather.
ReplyDeleteI know there are definite drawbacks to the area you have to be in right now, but those beach scenes have a beauty you need to take advantage of and remember! Wow.
How could that not bring a tear to your eye!? Precious. Go ahead and cry it out Mom.
ReplyDeleteYour tomatoes really do look so pretty in those jars! I feel like such a non-productive gardener everytime I read your posts. I keep telling myself, different zones, but geesh!
Loved all your photos ma'am. Have I told you lately you're an awesome Mama?
Anke, I'm sure you'll get plenty of tomatoes, how many did you plant? I usually don't get this many until beginning of August, not sure what happened this year, but it's a good thing it played out this way!
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Jane, NO! I was really hoping at least the really damaging late blight wouldn't happen this year, figures though, doesn't it? Ugh.
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Ribbit, I love that photo!
Sue, the tourist beaches are very packed, this is a military intelligence base where not many people have access to, thankfully. Someday I'll go down to "the strip" and take photos of the madness for you LOL. Think Myrtle Beach or a smaller version of Atlantic City! In one photo if you look through the haze behind Finn, you can see the very beginning of all the high rise hotels on the strip
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Mama Pea, that's what I keep thinking, that I'll miss SOME of it when we're gone LOL
APG, you, a non-productive gardener? HA! I've all but given up but after all you've been through this year you are keepin' on - that's progress and productivity baby! You do chickens too! I know you will be rewarded soon :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos! LOVE the boys fishing. That's definitely a 'keeper'. I do miss being close to the beach but I don't miss the weather- not that we've been much better here the last few days. It was cooler here today but now we've got storms rolling through. At least we're getting some rain.
ReplyDeleteI do remember being out on the beach when the fleet left for the first Desert Storm. It was impressive watching them. Definitely something I'll remember.
Judy
love this post...thanks for the day at the beach! brings back such memories. And your day's canning is just gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThose are BEAUTIFUL pictures! Looks like you were able to maximize yesterday. I'm glad for you. Those tomatoes look beautiful! I CAN'T wait. Hope it cools off a bit for you. :)
ReplyDeleteJudy, I remember that well, I was in the Navy and stationed with one of those seagoing detachments when Desert Storm I happened! I think I'd gladly take a midwestern lake over this, but I know I'll miss it when I'm gone :)
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Dmarie, thanks for the canning props, I'm addicted I think!
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Patty, I shudder to think of how much work I'll have waiting for me once it cools off a bit LOL!
Looks like some great family time spent together. Isn't the heat and humidity something else? This time of year is always a bear! Chris Las Aventuras
ReplyDeleteOh wow those pictures brought a tear to my eye too. Finn's face is priceless bringing in his first fish even if it is a croaker.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about gardens is they keep growing as long as they have water and sunshine. You don't really have to do too much to them once they are planted but keep the weeds down and harvest when ready. Well that's my opinion of gardening and my gardens may not look pretty but I do get some veges so I must do something right.
Days at the beach with family are such memorable times. Your jarred tomatoes look beautiful. I hope some are on display...they could be a picture in a magazine.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the 2 pictures of your kids fishing. Kinda makes ya all motherly. Glad you enjoyed your day trying to keep cool. I hope the weather gives you a break!
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Hang in there. Your little sprouts look pretty good to me.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures Erin!
ReplyDeleteAnd way to fish Finn!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! I don't think I'll ever get used to it - after 20 years you'd think I'd be okay with the heat!
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Sparkless, even that seems to be too much for me - I can't get out there and weed and the bugs are taking over!
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BackRoadsJournal, aw, thanks!
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DirtLover, I know - I'm glad that I didn't miss that moment with the boys!
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Stefaneener, right - at least I'm growing 2 little boys :)
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Dani, coming from the picture goddess, I'll take that compliment LOL!
That's soooo awesome, Erin! My dad used to take us fishing every summer on the Jersey shore. I remember it like it was yesterday. These are memories that your kids will have with them for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteNext time, can I come along? LOL!
I haven't been to the beach to relax yet this year, and I work on a barrier island! Crazy, huh? I love the fishing pictures, and that's so great that Finn got his first fish! He'll be hooked now (pun intended).
ReplyDeleteYour tomatoes look goregous. And I'm all for that jalapeno seeded outfit!
What a fun day at the beach! I love Finn's suggestion. He is so so funny!
ReplyDeleteThomas, you're on! On one condition - you MUST bring Jonathan to fish too, the boys would love it - AND you have to cook up the fish! Ok, that's 2 conditions... :)
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Kaytee, too bad Finn didn't suggest that a couple of years ago - I learned that lesson the hard way!
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meems, he's full of IT, that's for sure :)