Summer Vacation

It's hard to believe....my summer vacation is almost here! As you may know, I take a blogging break while I'm away. In fact, I try to take a complete technology break too. So I leave you, dear readers, with many thanks and the promise to share new photos and ideas when I return.

In the meantime, read about how I really feel about summer here. Check out some photos from my home away from home here. And get a tiny taste of New England here.

Have a fabulous summer!

Summer Beach Reads

My beach bag is usually filled with fun beach reads. You know....easy, breezy reading filled with romance (maybe a little intrigue) that definitely includes lots of scenes filled with sand and surf. If you click on the reading topic on the right, you'll see some of the titles I've recommended in the past. But, this year, my beach bag is filled with a mixed bag of items. I've had Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake sitting on my shelf waiting to be read, and although it's not a book that fits my personal description of a beach read, it's coming with me on vacation this week. It was even included in the Good Housekeeping's list of "11 Summer Beach Reads". And if that list doesn't interest you, check out Oprah's new Book Club 2.0 which is sure to be filled with the latest and greatest.

So here's to a summer filled with great reads....and plenty of time to enjoy them!

We Are Family

As my summer vacation approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about families lately. As some of you know, I take an extended vacation each summer with members of both my immediate family and my extended family. This time away has become sacred to me.

Some of us are born into families and some of us choose our own. We may fall into families by becoming a part of their circle through a variety of relationships—boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, friend. Some people may even seek out others they've met at school or work and create their own version of family. It all works. And I'm finding out that what defines a family changes throughout the course of a lifetime. We tend to move away from the people who raised us in order to strike out on our own and declare our independence. It's only natural to try and break out of our childhood cocoons and away from the rules and restrictions that may have been enforced while growing up. Letting go of expectations and learning to appreciate the new roles people play is eye-opening.

What I have learned, and what I am still learning, is that a family—biological or not—is always growing. Sometimes it expands, sometimes it shrinks, and sometimes it comes full circle and you end up fostering the relationships you originally pulled away from in the first place.

My own family continues to evolve. People to whom I've been related to for decades I am just getting to know. Relationships that have sat dormant are beginning to stretch and blossom into precious gifts. And although through all of this positive growth and change; there have been some losses along the way too. I'm learning to accept this knowing that this may not always be the case. And even if it is, I will concentrate on strengthening existing bonds.

My children, my husband, my parents and sister, in-laws, even neighbors, and friends have all become members of my growing family. I am blessed and truly grateful for each and every one.

P.S. That's me in the bottom right sitting to the left of my cousin.