Morning all! Hope your week started off well. Loved Robin's post yesterday with that video. Oh so funny. If you haven't seen it yet, run have a quick look. It'll get your day started right! (And I promise you I spotted Kim Sawyer at the very first of the video, in the store, in the black pants and jacket, tossin' that pretty hair of hers. She just walked right by this cute dancin' guy and never said a thing. Imagine!)Last week Joe and I managed to get away to lovely Hilton Head, SC for a week of intense writing for me and intense relaxing for him. It was a very productive week and it was actually really nice to be back in Hilton Head.
I say "actually really nice to be back" there because Hilton Head was a place where Mom and Dad went for years. Mom loved, loved, loved the beach and we walked these shores many times together. The last time we were back there was in December of 2009, just four months after she passed away in August, and it was rough being there then. We'd planned on staying for a week but packed up and headed out after three days. It was just too hard.
But when the opportunity came this time, I prayed about it (and considered the time I really needed closeted away to write), and we decided to try it again. And we're so glad we did. It was a wonderful trip.
So many memories linger there. I shed some tears during the week but they were far more hopeful, less sad. And it was actually comforting to walk those shores again, knowing that Mom is watching and waiting for us on another distant (and not so distant) shore.
We had some delicious seafood, as you can imagine...
LOVE fish tacos!
This is from a new place called Skull Creek Boathouse and oh...it was fabulous! We went back there a second time later in the week. Here's a pic of the view as you eat. So pretty.
This is from a new place called Skull Creek Boathouse and oh...it was fabulous! We went back there a second time later in the week. Here's a pic of the view as you eat. So pretty.
And this will come as a shock, but I managed to enjoy a couple of desserts during the week but apparently was so eager to dive in, I didn't get pics of them. Oh well, suffice it to say, they were good. We had a couple of raining, stormy mornings...
But even those were lovely and then it cleared off, got into the 70s, and we went walking and riding bikes on the beach again.
Kurt stayed here and kept the home fires burnin' and took care of Jack. Here's a pic that Kurt sent us one evening at dinner time...
It's a familiar scene to us come 5:00 in the afternoon around the Alexander home. Jack heads to the fridge and just stands there, anticipating that food will soon come.
As wonderful as it was to get away, it was equally wonderful to get back home. I wasted no time diving back into writing, and actually wrote all the way home as Joe drove (bless him!).
One last thing before I head back to 1866 Nashville again... Look at the beautiful surprise I got yesterday from a snarky, ornery, cantankerous but oh so thoughtful and sweet friend. Absolutely brightened my week like nothing else. And I'm drinking from one of them even now. : )
Love you all, praying blessings on your day, and tell me, when's the last time you've been totally blown away by a gift (and the thoughtfulness of a friend)?
Tammy
P.S. Want a glimpse into historical forgeries (that I learned about while researching A Lasting Impression)? I posted about them on Write Perspectives yesterday. Interesting!
Tammy, so much to say about this post! Thankful that ya'll had a wonderful time at Hilton Head, the time away as well as cherishing sweet memories. :-) Just so you know, all of us teachers are bringing food tomorrow for a Christmas potluck, and I'm bringing your mother's Chocolate/Chocolate Chip Cake. It's my first time making it, but I'll try to do it justice. I didn't see a recipe for the glaze, but I found a white chocolate one, so maybe that will work well together.
ReplyDeleteShame on Judy for stealing a great idea for a present for you!! *sigh* Back to the drawing board :-P
Jack, sweet Jack! Very cute picture of him in front of the fridge, but I think I prefer the lonesome one that you posted on your blog! You can't help but feel sorry for him as he misses is Momma!
You'll LOVE that cake, Catherine! It's sooo good! And wonderful on your white chocolate glaze. Mmmmm... I usually just drizzle on a confectioners sugar glaze (made with either a little milk or vanilla). Tell me how yours turns out, and post a pic on my page, if you would. LOL on that "stealing idea" comment. You're too sweet. Praying for you as I type this. Now back to sipping and writing...
ReplyDeleteHad a BRIGHT idea, Tammy! But need answers: your Christmas tree...any specific colors? Is it color coordinated? Or is it anything goes? *mwahahahaha!*
ReplyDeleteLOL. You're too funny. And sweet! The two types of ribbon are coordinated (light and deeper burgundy), but the ornaments are a free for all from the past 27+ years. We can't put them all on there anymore, so we rotate each year. But some of the ornaments ALWAYS go on. :)
ReplyDeleteMmhmm, mmhmm, mmhmm *drums fingertips together*
ReplyDeleteTam! I cannot believe you FORGOT to TAKE PHOTOS of your DESSERT!!! Shame on you!:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious place to stay,especially as it has such precious memories for you!
They say music is good for the soul...Well, I am sure you must have heard the orchestral sounds that Mother Nature produces. Did you hear the drums roll,as the waves crashed onto the beach and by contrast, the soft, sweet lilting strains of "the strings" as you sat and wrote your novel? What better place to sit, meditate and write.
I absolutely love listening for MN's music.It makes me so in awe of GOD'S wondrous creation. HE truly has thought of everything!
Enjoy what's left of a wonderful day Tam...Our's is just beginning!
Cheers
Rosie
Hey Tammy! Loved this post and all those photos---oh my! Makes me want to visit Hilton Head again (we've only been once, but absolutely LOVED it). Thanks for sharing those beach photos (and of course the one of little Jack *smile*). I feel certain your sweet Mom was smiling down on you as you walked along the beach. ~ How very kind of Judy to send those wine glasses--they are GORGEOUS!! ~ To respond to your question about receiving an unexpected gift that blew us away, that recently happened to me when Kim Vogel Sawyer sent me a "Crazy Cat Lady" coffee mug (on the back it says "One cat just leads to another")---I squealed and giggled when I opened it, and felt that it must've been made especially for me, LOL! (and my coffee actually DOES taste better when I drink from that mug *grin*). ~ So glad you and Joe had some time at the beach, and continued prayers that your writing is going well. ~ Love, Patti Jo (the very tired BUT very happy "Mother of the Bride" *wink*)
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures, but I think I would like the desserts more than the fish tacos! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are writing, writing, writing! Because I love reading, reading, reading!