Family Vacation in Hazleton, Pennsylvania

We got to enjoy another relaxing beach and time with our family, in Hazleton, PA (near the Pocono's). Sun? Check. Sand? Check. Lake? Check. Great memories and lots of fun? Check!

We stayed once again in the Vandegrift house, a great location with accommodations that make you feel right at home.

One of the best parts was spending time with our nieces who live in Ohio (who are growing up far too fast).

We didn't waste any time, and headed to the beach as much as possible.

There were sand castles to build...

 

Water to cool off in.

Sun to soak up.

Doesn't my beautiful sister-in-law look like a celebrity? I especially like the reflection of the beach in her shades.

 

My brother-in-law, the best board game instructor and score keeper. Who wants to play RAGE?

 

 

My amazing (ridiculously young-looking) in-laws.

My mother-in-law swam across the lake and back! That's right.

Andrew and I, working on our tans. With Wegmans brand sunscreen of course.

 

No day at the beach would be complete without some accessories. 

We also had the company of some ducks.

And deer in the backyard. Also known as "horsey" to Morgan.

The woods were beautiful and serene. We enjoyed taking walks in the evening.

One walk, however, was not so enjoyable. This photo cracks me up! A sister kidnapping...

I couldn't get enough of these smiles.

Look at those eyes. I used some Photoshop actions to really bring out the green. Got milk?

There he is. The one I love. With his cute weekend scruffiness.

The gangs (not) all here. But, still a favorite family shot. I'll have to Photoshop in the missing later.

David and his girlfriend Alex (the ones who are missing) were kind enough to let us borrow their professional-grade cameras. That's why my photos are kicked up a notch. I fell in love with Alex's Cannon. I don't know the exact model, but I do know it has a serious zoom lens.

Zoom lens + amateur-photo-taking-lover = happiness. You may not get this back.

So thankful for family and times like these.

Growing Patience

I have one little tomato plant. This is taking some serious patience. I brought it home from work, after it grew from seed in a container on the window sill. I'm excited that it actually flowered! Have you ever smelled a tomato plant? There's nothing like it. You haven't experienced a real tomato until you've picked one off the vine and taken in that unmistakable real tomato scent.

 

It's getting bigger and bigger each day. Pretty soon I'll be able to make a salad...with one lone tomato. But it will be the best tomato ever. Half the time I forget that it's out there on my deck. I'm just praying that some bird or beast doesn't decide to snag it for a snack before I can!

Hamlin Beach with a Side of Memories

No time for crafting, cooking or decorating lately. It's summer! Gotta soak it up while it's here. I have been busy, going to the beach, enjoying the sun and spending time with friends and family. This weekend we're headed to the Pocono's.

My Love and I spent an afternoon at Hamlin Beach State Park. Just a few minutes from home. Don't let the overcast skies fool you, it was a beautiful hot August day. Complete with sun, sand, seagulls, cool water and blue skies.

This park brought back memories of church picnics of years ago. Families came with coolers, chairs and dishes to pass. Burgers and hot dogs grilling over charcoal. Kids running around. Babies playing on blankets. I was baptized in this lake with my Sunday school friends. It's amazing to me how much bigger it seemed when I was younger. It looked the same, yet different. The stone lodges, fire pits and playgrounds were still there. A lot of great memories. I could picture the spots where old photographs with rounded corners were taken in the '80's.

We put the timer feature on our camera to work. Capturing new memories. The picnic table we set the camera on was a little far away, but it did the trick.

Here I am, in my post-sweating-in-the-sun-for-a-few-hours glow. Not my best hair day. I'm sharing this one against my better judgment. Transparency is good, right?

My mischievous husband, in typical fashion. What a rebel.
 

Look at these furry green rocks. Fascinating, right? It's looks so strange, and slimey, yet amazingly green and beautiful. Yes, I just called seaweed beautiful. Only this variety. Not the slippery vines that tangle your legs while swimming. That stuff freaks me out. 

There's just something about water, sun and sand. With seagulls roaming about. 
I could lie there all day.

The Best Summer Pasta with Mozzarella, Tomatoes and Basil.

I'm not sure where I found this recipe, but it has quickly become a new favorite. I think I've made it about 5 times this summer for different picnics and family dinners, and everyone always likes it. Plus, it makes a lot. If you're looking for a dish to bring to your next potluck, you just found it. It's delicious AND easy.

Ingredients: 
1 pound Dry pasta (I like mezze penne)
1 package grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 cup (or more if you like) Fresh basil, cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon Salt (less/more to taste)
1 teaspoon Pepper (less/more to taste)
6 tablespoons Olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 ball Fresh mozzarella

Directions:
Slice tomatoes in half, cut mozzarella cheese into small cubes and cut fresh basil into small pieces. Add all to a medium/large bowl with salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar. Mix together and let sit at room temperature for an hour.

Cook pasta according to directions, al dente. It's better for the pasta to be a little firm rather than soggy.  Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to cool. Add cold water to the pot of pasta to keep it from sticking together. Sometimes I add a few ice cubes to cool it down even quicker. Once the pasta is really cooled, drain completely. Add the pasta to the tomato, mozzarella and basil mixture (that has sat for 1 hour), and mix to combine and coat pasta. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy!