Winter Walks on the Beach

I miss summer. I really, really miss it. Erik and I have been talking a lot about the beach lately. It must come up in conversation at least twice a day...so we figured we should take a trip down to the shore, even though it's freezing out! Yesterday we hopped in the car after a yummy breakfast, fueled up with some coffee...mmmmm coffee, and headed to Misquamicut, RI. We were secretly wishing it was the Outer Banks we were driving to, but we will have to wait a few more months for that drive.

It was cold and overcast yesterday at the shore, the sun kept poking out from behind the clouds and we had the beach to ourselves. It was so refreshing.

I love being by the water. I even made a mini video on the camera of the waves... I know, I'm a dork, but I figured it would be a good pick-me-up to watch it whenever this winter weather has got me bored.

While walking we found lots of seashells, neat rocks, a piece of sea glass, seaweed, bird footprints and Erik even spotted a lobster tail.

This first trip to the shore of 2008 definitely left us rejuvenated and I'm sure we will be hanging some pictures on the fridge to remind us of the day.

On the way back home we stopped by the Connecticut River Museum in Essex.

We didn't see any eagles out and about, but there were lots of sea gulls walking on the ice and even a pair of swans swimming in the water. Erik was hoping to see some eagles, but I guess we will have to plan another trip down to Essex to do that.

Also, If we ever win the lotto, we want one of these :)

Friendship

"Friends let you know that you are not alone on the road of life."

-Unknown

Catching Up With Old Friends

"The best mirror is an old friend." 

--George Herbert  

Catching up with old friends can be so rejuvenating.   I always love it when I get in touch with an old friend for the first time in years and we are able to reconnect and talk for hours as if time hadn't past at all.  Even though time had passed (lots of time..) and events had occurred  (major events...), it's proof again that true friendship always lasts, no matter what life may bring.  You never forget your friends.  (evidently I have a hard time remembering events though,lol)

Savoring the little things...

Since today was a snow day at work, Erik and I spent lots of time resting and relaxing at home. I never feel like I have enough time to do this, so it was a nice treat. Spending time at home gave me the chance to look around and appreciate my surroundings and also made me want to take photos of random everyday things that sometimes go unnoticed in the helter skelter of everyday life. Things I walk past or use each day but don't ever think twice about. I took ten minutes and walked around the house and took pictures of the first 10 things that caught my eye. It was nice to have some time to enjoy the little things in life...

Snow Day!!

Snowy backyard!

View from upstairs...

Let it snow, let it snow!

Our snowy street :)

Hooray for Snow Days!! Winter storm Christopher has dumped several inches of snow at our house so far and outside the snow is still falling. It's a heavy, wet snow and the trees in our backyard are covered, creating a beautiful winter scene. This morning on the news they said we have now received more snow this season so far than we did all last winter...and it's only January! Pretty cool, I guess I should go out and buy myself a pair of snowshoes! I can't wait to go outside and explore! Thank you for snow days!

Salmon River

A few weekends ago Erik and I drove out to the Salmon River in Colchester, CT to poke around and enjoy some time outside. It was a pretty overcast day, but we didn't let that get in the way of a nice hike through the woods (and along icy paths) down to see the river.

We also stopped to see the historic Comstock Covered Bridge. I had visited the bridge about a year ago while on a day trip with a friend, but Erik hadn't seen it before, so he got to visit two new sights in one day.

On the way home we couldn't resit a stop at the wonderful Colchester Bakery to pick up some bread. If you have never had bread from Colchester Bakery, you are missing out on a treat! We picked up a loaf of our favorite Russian Pumpernickel bread with these little little black charnushka seeds on the top that smell wonderful! Ahhh...happiness is a good day spent outside and some still-warm-from-the-oven bread!

Snowball Fight!!

While we were visiting my parents over the holiday weekend I had fun spending some time with Jake and Rudy. Jake loves the snow and Rudy, well, he tolerates it! But they both like playing with snowballs. Jake gets so excited and practically knocks me down before I can even get a snowball made so it was pretty tricky getting pictures of him catching snowballs...I was lucky he didn't send me and the camera flying! In the picture above I love how Rudy is looking at the camera and Jake is more interested in the snowball I had in my hand! Here they are having some winter fun in the snow!

Handsome Jake strikes a pose for the camera...

He caught every snowball and loved jumping off the picnic table to get them!

Rudy missed a few times and was giving
me the "why don't you just give me the snowball please" look...

...then he caught one and had to look all rough and tough doing it!

Ringing in the New Year!!

Happy New Year again to everyone! I can't believe it's 2008...something makes me feel this year is going to be amazing. Maybe it's the optimist in me or the fact that 8 is my favorite number, but come on...8 is great, right? We spent New Years Eve with family and friends enjoying food, fun, and fireworks courtesy of Danielle's Dad! A good time was had by all! Here are some photos from our count down 'till 2008 at the Shea's in Woodstock, CT.

Krystal and me being goof-balls and making monkey faces!

Eric and Danielle :)


Group photo time!!

Paul and Krystal :)


Krystal and Paula making some noise for the New Year!!