Fernandina Beach

We stopped for a few days to visit with family on Fernandina Beach. Mr. Dreamy's mother (soon to be 96) and his sister and her husband live on the island. We often try to get a spot at Ft. Clinch State Park as it is relatively close to them. This year I was lucky. I checked for reservations around the time we had planned to head back. Evidently someone had just cancelled their reservation as there was an entire week available. I took three of the days and we enjoyed our stay.

We managed to go out to a few nice restaurants with Don and Sue. Don took me to play ping pong with his friends. I was lucky to get 4 points per game, on average! Sue treated me to aerial yoga. What a blast! My nagging hip seemed to respond to hanging upside down! I'll have to look for places in California!

I am pretending I'm Mary Martin and playing the part of Peter Pan. I'm swinging back and forth, although my legs have sunk to half mast at this point and it doesn't look like I'm doing anything. This picture was taken after the yoga class and I was tired!

I was surprised at how well the silks kept me balanced. 

We visited with Betty, Scott's mother. We saw her several times while we were on the island. She is living in an assisted living facility and has her good days and those that aren't so great. This day we visited after lunch and she was groggy from meds they give her after meals. She began to perk up after we were there for a while. Betty picked up a hat and had fun showing it off.

In this picture Scott was showing her a picture of her great-grandson. When Scott went to move the iPad and go to another picture she exclaimed, "No! Let me kiss that darling baby!"

Betty was tired and we gave her hugs and kisses as we left. Each time we visit and prepare to leave I realize that might be the last time I see her and I get a little teary eyed. But, each time I've returned she's been there for me. She's my favorite mother-in-law (a little joke there!) and I've loved her like a mom since I first met her.

The next morning we hitched up and began our trek to the west. 

More Maui

After our cruise we headed back to Maui. Our son had done the research and found a home large enough to accommodate family and friends. It was lovely. It was perfect!
The house had 5 6 bedrooms. We discovered a hidden bedroom that opened onto a lanai, which was also accessed through the great room. Darn, we could have invited more folks! The lanai opened onto a yard fully enclosed by a tall block wall, which made this grammy relax a bit, not having to worry that Alexis could slip out unnoticed, and end up in the street.

The central feature of the home was a large great room that easily accommodated 9 of us. We could all relax on a sofa our lounge chairs, or pull up chairs around a large dining table to enjoy meals prepared by several folks. The kitchen was large enough that it permitted 3-4 cooks to work together without killing each other. I was thrilled that Rita and Paul (on the right) love cooking. Rita and Paul, friends of our DIL and son (on the left) live on Oahu. They stopped at Costco to stock the larder, and what a magnificent job they did in estimating what 9 folks might eat in a week in Lahaina! There were not that many items left in the fridge when we pulled the door closed at the end of our magical time together. 

Ta da! Thanksgiving feast is ready!

Alexis loved the drumstick!

The beach was a short walk from the house.

There was a breakwater just off shore, so waves were at a minimum.

Our son rented two paddle boards and the house had a number of floats
and lots of beach toys. The little one really enjoyed the beach.

I tried my hand at paddle boarding. I experienced success until I became a bit cocky and got caught by a small wave. I still sport a bruise on my derriere where I hit the board on the way down!

After a morning at the beach,

Alexis couldn't even make it through her lunch!

We had planned to go see hula dancers,

hoping she would feel happier about wearing 

the silly hula outfit her Grammie had made for her!

Another day we stopped by the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea.

The center has numerous aquaria showing indigenous sea animals.

The jellyfish are mesmerizing.

I enjoyed watching the octopus.

But my favorite was this funky fish, a frogfish.

We decided to go fishing with a charter company.

This was our haul. 

I can't recall the name of the orange fish,

but I caught the largest one!

It was tasty - being quite mild in flavor.

The yellow fish are invasive. They aren't good eating

and are used for bait.

The grey/blue fish are Nabeta, a parrotfish.

We were told these guys are serious fighters and biters!

The Nabeta are rarely found in markets or on the menu at restaurants.

They are so tasty that fishermen keep them and share them with friends. 

We were told to coat them in flour and pan fry them.

The skin tastes just like fried chicken skin, only lighter.

The flesh was creamy in texture and taste. Yum!

(And this is from someone who is not much of a fish eater!)

Other scenes from Maui:

Dragon's Teeth

The crater of Haleakala

Sunset from Haleakala,

elevation: 10,000 feet.

Nakalele blowhole

Our sweet granddaughter trying to fill her Uncle's shoes.

And sadly, our week came to an end and we all went our different ways.

A Trip Back in Time

We Dreamers hopped on a time travel machine.
We took a trip back in time on a visit to New York.

If I made a timeline, our time-travel adventures might look something like this:

1972

Back to the scene of the crime wedding.
The groom waits for the ceremony to begin.

Now.... still waiting (Will you hurry up and take the picture?)

The wedding takes place.

I am sure I could hear the echoes of our vows as we peeked 

into the church. It hasn't changed much!

After the ceremony...

 The chairs have changed, the carpet has been ripped out.

No one was around to take our picture, 

So, we muddled through on our own. 

1971

I attended Bennett College in Millbrook, NY. The main building, Halcyon Hall, was formerly a luxury hotel constructed in 1893. The story I heard was that the proprietors would extend invitations to wealthy families in New York City to come enjoy a restful week in the country. Evidently the invitation hinted that the stay was free, but in fact, families received a hefty bill upon leaving!

The building was purchased in 1907, and may have looked something like this.

In my day, it looked like this. (I didn't have any pictures of the building,

but found this on the Internet, and must give credit to CardCow.com.)

The school ran into problems in the mid 70's as enrollment declined. 

The original trust did not allow the school to admit men,

nor could they turn the school into a four-year college.

The property was ensnared in the trust decrees and was left empty

when the school closed in 1978. 

What a shame.

It was difficult to go visit, but I felt compelled to see it again.

My dorm, first year.
My room was on the top floor, 4th window from the left. 

1969

High school graduation.

Here I am with a few of my classmates (just a few years later!)
In the picture above, I am on the far right in the front row.
The handsome fellow in the picture below is top row, third from right.
My friend is on the bottom row, on the left.

1967

We had the opportunity to visit with my beau from 10th grade!
We remarked that we had no pictures of us together from back in the day.

1966

We attended a reunion for Mr. Dreamy and his classmates.

They were the first class to spend all four years at this "new" high school.

Some of the attendees took a tour of the school.

Much of it remains the same and "students" pointed out their lockers,

where they sat in in the music room, and where they used to

go outside to smoke during lunch.

~1810

Mr. Dreamy has been exploring his genealogy for years. 

Some of his ancestors attended this one-room school...

... and met in this Quaker Meeting house in Greenfield, NY.

1720

Hugo Freer, an ancestor of Mr. Dreamy's, built this house in New Paltz, NY.

It still stands, much as it did back in his time.

We had a great time visiting, and talking, and remembering, and talking....

I'm ready for some quiet time now.

I'm all talked out! It's good to be back in 2016, in the here and now!

Stalled

So, here I sit...with nothing to do! 

What an incredibly foreign feeling!

The last few weeks have been so very busy. 

I made gifts for all:

I painted gourds,

both big and small,

(Thank you, dear DIL, for sending pictures!)

I dusted off the sewing machine

and made wool hats for all:

I tried my hand at quilting,

here's jacket one of two.

As you can see, 

I didn't lack for something to do!

Then we found out we're gonna be Grandparents in May,

(Oh, what a great feeling... what a great day!)

So I made this soft pillow creature for the babe on its way!

Every baby needs cowboy booties for their feet

Thanks to Holly (mother of the mother of the babe to be)

I have a picture of the ones I crocheted.. how sweet!

I had to clean the house and get guest rooms ready. As you may recall, one of my November projects was to get the basement habitable and pleasant. Son #2 declared it to be cozy and inviting! He was quite pleased with his own man cave!

My vacuum decided it wouldn't suck. Well, that sucked! So off we Dreamers went to get the replacement, so at least some dog hair could be removed before guests arrived.

The Christmas tree decided it didn't want to stand...so off the guys went to find a better Christmas tree stand. We got it upright and decorated just in time!

Then, there was the food.... We enjoyed our family's traditional Swedish smorgasbord on Christmas Eve, with lots of interesting dishes. I will have to say how lovely it was to have my DIL's mom as an assistant chef in the kitchen! Son #1 prepared breakfast for all one day, treating us to his purple cornmeal pancakes. And, we created a portable Christmas meal to take to my Dad's. 

What a whirlwind of activity! 

Family came in on the 20th and 21st. Then it was over, with another burst of activity as folks packed, decorations were pulled down and hastily put away, laundry (was it 5 loads, or 6?) was washed, dried and folded, and rooms were put back to rights. 

We put one person on a plane late on Christmas. My brother and his wife left the next day...in the snow. We made a trek to the airport with two others yesterday. And, sadly, son #2 just left. 

All is quiet. Too quiet!

We were supposed to leave this morning. Bright and early. Our motor home is in Florida, awaiting our arrival. However, Mr. Dreamy received an email late yesterday that the service center still needs a part. Trust me...there was a lot of blue air swirling around upon reading that pronouncement. It didn't seem prudent to make a 1600 mile drive with dogs and stuff...only too find out we couldn't begin our winter wanderings. So...here we sit until Mr. Dreamy can touch base with them tomorrow. 

Frankly, after the rush of the past weeks, it feels good! Very good, indeed!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday, as well, and that perhaps you are also enjoying a bit of a break from the insane rush of Christmas!