4th of July Weekend

This 4th of July was spent in upstate New York camping at my family's property.  We try to go at least once a summer, usually one of the holiday weekends (4th of July or Labor Day).  Since the property we own is just vacant land, there are no houses/cabins, no running water and no electricity.  So when we go, we have to bring everything, and I wouldn't change it.  I love sleeping in a tent and cooking over a fire.  And spending a weekend with my family is an adventure all by itself!

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

Dirt road leading to the family property

Surrounding land

Sunshine over the frog pond

Cooking part of our annual 'Thanksgiving' dinner.  Every year, my uncle cooks a turkey in a smoker and everyone else makes all the sides to go with it.  Who knew you can make Thanksgiving in the great outdoors?

And here is the result of all the contributions by everyone.  This is Jeremy's plate.

And this is me, after driving a quad in a downpour.  You can see our little kitchen setup too.

Roasting marshmallows over a campfire

Our annual group shot.

Happy 4th of July from all of us!  Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Ocean Beach 2010!

This past week, Jeremy and I spent a few days at the beach with family.  My mom rented a house in Ocean Beach, NJ and it was just a short walk to the ocean.  The weather was perfect and the ocean was warm!  I'm not a huge fan of swimming in the ocean, but it was too hot not to go in.  

I woke up early Thursday and Friday to take a walk on the beach and collect some shells and sea glass.  I didn't find too many things, but my cousin and I did find a baby hermit crab!

Most of our time there was spent relaxing, oh, and eating!  We had happy hour, went to the boardwalk, got ice cream.  It was a great little break from everything!  Below are a few more pictures from our trip.

I cannot believe we are in the last week of July.  Where has the summer gone?  But I have to say, this summer has been quite relaxing and doesn't seem to be nearly as busy as last year.  I have actually been able to enjoy the pool!  But the end of the summer also means time to start working on all those Christmas presents I want to make this year.  Anyone have any ideas on what to make my nieces?  They are between the ages of 4 and 6.  I think I have everything else figured out for the rest of my family members.  

Oh, and one last thing.  I sold my very first item on Etsy two weeks ago!  Woo hoo!!