Sardines

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A few hours at the beach can work wonders for washing away the daily grind.

I met Tim as soon as I could get there. He had already staked out the perfect spot on the beach and was patiently waiting for me to join him. Sliding into my bathing suit for the first real beach evening of the season was a bit of shock therapy. Apparently, all those "I'll deal with it later" winter pounds decided to make a grand entrance, leaving me feeling like an overstuffed sausage squeezed into its casing! Yikes. If I start working on my beach body now, I should have it back just in time for...October.

Thankfully, I'm pretty good at camouflage.

Enter my fabulous sardine dress, a little smoke and mirrors never hurt anyone. I couldn't resist buying it. Something about those cheerful little fish make me smile, and I have a sneaking suspicion sardines are about to have a fashion moment this summer. I predict we'll start spotting them on clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Time will tell if they become the season's quirky trend, but if I'm right...move over, Nostradamus!

Tim and I spent the evening sipping champagne, listening to the rhythmic crash of the waves, soaking up the sunshine, and enjoying the cool ocean breeze. When hunger struck, he made a quick pizza run so we didn't even have to leave our little slice of paradise. It was one of those evenings where you keep saying, "Just a little longer," and before you know it, the hours have slipped away.

Eventually, we wandered up to the club deck, where we caught up with friends before going our separate ways. I headed home while Tim made his way to the Ocean Mist to catch a band. Different destinations, same goal, living our best lives.

Back at home, reality is still waiting. The groceries are ordered, the house remains somewhere between "lived in" and "a total disaster," but one guest room is ready...and working that smoke and mirror theme, I should be able to hide the bulk of the mess before they arrive.  There are still plenty of boxes to check before Bridie, Greg, and the boys arrive and the Fourth of July festivities begin, but I'll get there. 

Beach body or not, I'm officially in summer mode. Here's to sandy feet, outdoor dinners, lazy evenings by the water, spectacular sunsets, and a little bubbly to toast it all. After all, summer has a way of reminding us that the best memories rarely care what size bathing suit we're wearing or how messy the house is. Soon enough our house will be filled with little footsteps and requests for Grandma Rachels best pancakes... We're ready to fill our house with family and kick off the summer season..with one eye on the lookout for sardines! 

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." ~  Robert Wyland