Friday, August 16, 2013

Focusing on Life :: How I Spent My Summer Vacation

I took a bit of a bloggy break over the summer, and I thought I'd show you what I was up to ... or actually what I was not doing! I was relaxing with my family and trying to shift into 2nd gear. I picked my favorite spot to do that; our camp in the Adirondacks. Nothing fancy, just a cabin on a lake in the middle of nowhere. Sounds perfect doesn't it? So to catch up on the 8 weeks that I wasn't posting regularly to my blog, here is what I did on my summer vacation.

Week 26 :: Your Own Prompt the week I left off, Sally asked us to pick our own idea for a picture. I decided to show you the Matriarch of the family; my mother-in-law Joan. Getting up to our camp in the mountains involves a lot of family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins ... and the list goes on. That is because Joan's father and his brothers all decided to either buy or build camps around the lake. So when we are up in the Adirondacks the other cabins around ours are full of relatives. But the one who is still around and telling us all about our little lake in the mountains is Joan. Everyone knows her. And everyone comes to her to ask advice. She's seen it all, and has the stories to tell.

Week 27 :: Textures our camp is actually full of pieces that Joan's parents brought back from their years spent in India. Various pieces that they collected from the North in the Garo Hills and nearby. This first piece is a beautifully carved wood candle holder. When my husband and I visited we brought back several carved wood pieces. And this is just as beautiful in its leaf pattern. This piece is carved from wood found locally in Kashmir called sheeham, or the local rosewood. 

Week 28 :: Pretty Patterns I really love this old elephant bell. It is unbelievable just how heavy it is! And I can't imagine an elephant carrying it around, let alone several of these. When I said exactly that to Joan, she simply said "well they are huge animals and this wouldn't be that heavy to them." Well, yes I guess that makes sense. Regardless, the pattern on this bell is just so beautifully done with such intricate detail in the painting that I pulled it out to display prominently on the mantle. Even daughter-in-laws get to make some changes.

Week 29 :: Routine one of the things that seems to mark the end of a beautifully, relaxing day at the lake is to sit out on the porch and reflect. Just a bit of rocking in one of these babies does the trick. Rockers are so common here in the mountains. You'll find them in all the camps, and you'll find it is typical that someone will ask you to come in and sit for awhile as you rock and chat about the comings and goings around the lake. Something I really enjoy about summer at our cabin.

Week 30 :: Catch the Sun this summer was pretty hit or miss with the sun. We were painting the outdoor trim, but had plenty of raining afternoons with puzzles as we waited for the weather to clear up. When indeed the sun did show up, it was glorious. Sparkling on the water, and just making you want to jump in the kayak for a paddle around the lake. We also had quite a few loons living at the lake this summer. So getting out there to visit them on their little island in the middle of the lake was quite an event. They are really big birds!

Week 31 :: Hues of Blue there are lots of blues around camp. The kayaks, the row boat, the large float the girls swim out to ... not to mention the water. So with this prompt is was easy to find blues around camp to photograph for Sally's prompt. I love the stillness of the water with the row boat in this picture captured in the early morning when the lake looks like glass.

Week 32 :: From Where I Stand speaking of glass, I love the way the lake looks first thing in the morning before all the boats, birds and kids hit the lake creating endless waves. It is so peaceful from the end of our dock that I could stand deep in thought for sometime. That is until the mosquitoes find me!

Week 33 :: In Season ok, finally caught up to this week's prompt! There is nothing like all the wild flowers that pop up in the mountains. The growing season is so short, that they seem to come into bloom all at the same time! While the black-eyed Susans are likely planted by us locals, I love seeing them. Everywhere you look. And in several varieties from the classic yellows to the orange centers. They are such happy flowers.

It seems that since the last time I posted Sally has started using a linky to hook up all the other people in the weekly posts. So check below for everyone else joining in this week.

27 comments:

  1. Oooh, that's such a splendid idea: to take the summer off and relax! I was thinking to plan for such a vacation next year, but I am relaxing just imagining yours :) All your prompts are beautiful and perfect, I just love the pictures and their accompanying stories.
    Welcome back!

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  2. What beautiful photos...love all the water shots!
    So glad you had a fun time at the camp...sounds SO relaxing!

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  3. I kept wondering how you could stand to leave every year, Cynthia!

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  4. Thank you for sharing your family and your vacation through the photos and captions.
    It sounds like you had a delightfully relaxing summer.

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a summer! Thanks for sharing your photos and stories!

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  6. Every one a gem, and right on point. Lovely photos!

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  7. It sounds like you had a wonderful summer. The photos are all beautiful.

    I love the title of this post. It's something you'd write about when returning to school after the end of summer.

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  8. I love how peaceful the lake looks early in the morning :) The air must be pretty clear there too!
    Also, love the three strand pearl necklace in the previous post - so elegant!

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  9. Sounds idyllic and looks beautiful. Your girls are building a treasure of memories.

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  10. Looks like you had a wonderful holiday! Love your rudibeckia... I've tried the from seeds but they don't come back!

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  11. I love all of it! Your camp looks divine!!!!!

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  12. Gotta love those summer flowers!

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  13. You are so good to catch up! Love your photos... The treasures from India are so interesting. I love the carving on that wood bowl. The rocking chair is calling my name... ; )

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  14. Oh Cynthia, I just love all your photos! Looks a lot like my sis's cabin where we spent a good portion of our summer's, too. The rocking chairs on the front porch are, as you mentioned, a favorite! and, those Black Eyed Susan's are one of my favorites!

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  15. What a great catchup post. Your photos are all so wonderful! I can't believe we are at week 33!

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  16. How lovely Cynthia to be in such a tranquil place. You are one lucky lady. I love how the water looks like glass at certain times of day. It is just so peaceful.
    ~Ema
    http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog

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  17. Awesome Post Cynthia, the cabin sounds like a very nice place to just get away to and relax.
    Therese

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  18. Rest is good.. Love the glassy smoothness and tranquillity of a lake as the sun comes up.

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  19. how funny - this week I was catching up also - used to live in upstate NY and LOVED the Adirondaks - so beautiful! Great pictures!

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  20. What a great summer you have had! I love the photos!

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  21. Oh what a wonderful vacation, calm place and pretty scenery! Greetings to Joan!

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  22. wonderful post and great pics to catch us all up with your summer happenings :)
    love black-eyed susans, they're a favourite :)

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  23. Cynthia, I think this is a fantastic idea - catching up on old prompts all in one post! I had to give up and realize I can't participate every week. But this idea is brilliant....plus we got to hear what you have been up to with lots of great pictures too. Looks like you have had a very full summer and loads of great memories now.

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  24. What a wonderful recap of your summer Cynthia! Your mother in law sounds like such a treat. I just love chatting it up with an older person who has seen and done so much in their life! The artifacts from India are so cool. I used to love those rainy days stuck in the cabin as a kid. :) I am glad to hear you had a perfect sounding summer with your family at the cabin!

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  25. O my, "cabin on a lake" does sound lovely! Looks like such a relaxing, gorgeous summer holiday -- you must feel so rejuvenated and inspired!

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  26. Dear friend, you had a lovely holiday!!! great post!!
    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  27. What a wonderful place you cabin sounds! peaceful some of the time; full of joyous noise some of the time. Joan must be quite a blessing for your family.

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