I thank you all for your patience with my blogging this past week - what a whirlwind!!! I think I'll start at the beginning and try and make my way through this past week with a number of posts over the next few days.
First I went camping with my little Brownie! Our Girl Scout troop has nine girls and all nine, plus all nine Mom's went camping. What an adventure!!! I am truly grateful to our wonderful troop leaders for their amazing planning and leadership. Kim, is a fabulous leader and had us doing "real" girl scout "stuff" - LOL! Thank goodness that she did have a wonderful cabin to shelter us though, because Saturday was quite the day. Rain, mist, wind - WOW - we were quite the sight, but we kept at it.
I will share just a few of our adventures with you. On Saturday we donned our rain gear and off we went on a shell hunt. We then made concrete stepping stones embedding some of our treasures within - I will definitely be having Katrina help me find a spot in our garden to nestle this delightful creation.
We also made pizza from "scratch" and then get this - we actually cooked them on the beach in nine (yes, 9) individual "box ovens". I kid you not!!! The wind was whipping, the sand was blowing, but we did it :D I had never even heard of a box oven before - LOL! Basically you turn a large fruit box in to an oven. By lining it with foil and using charcoal briquettes, tin cans and more foil you make an oven. Here we are - grinning from ear to ear enjoying the moment together. Daniela - thank you for sharing this picture with me. Of course I am like every good mom - I never take a picture of myself, so this is a rare treat to have one of the two of us :D
The next day turned out to have MUCH more pleasant weather! We did not get drenched and were able to enjoy the incredible sights that nature provided. We strolled the beach, built sand castles and I even snuck in a few moments to get a couple of shots of the beauty of nature.
There is nothing as precious as watching a child explore the beach - and to see nine of them... well... you get the picture.
Complete abandon - total enjoyment - nothing else in the world but the smell of salt water, wind in your hair and my beautiful little baby growing right before my eyes.
The hummingbird that flitted around these gorgeous, exotic flowers was playing mind games with me - LOL! I think he knew how much I wanted to capture him and thus just would not cooperate. So instead you just get this electrifying flower to help you with your next color challenge. It sort of reminds me of the colors I selected for the latest Paper Trey Ink image release. Don't forget - it's tonight that you can get the newest Text Boxed stamp set. It's a TRUE beauty - snap it up NOW!
What is it about a weathered, windswept fence that captures our hearts? Then to add a few flowers on top of it all - I just had to take this picture :D
To sit and enjoy the snail's pace of life for just a few moments was soothing. It helped prepare me for the adventures to follow and now I have a whole new set of warm memories and beautiful images to hold in my heart. So sorry if you were looking for creative inspiration tonight, but I just had to share some of my little treasures with you all. Off to bed for me now - gotta get some shut eye so that tomorrow's adventures will be a little more organized then today's :D
What a great photos! They would look awesome framed and collaged on a wall!
Posted by: Karen | June 19, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Thank you for sharing. I love Washington State - such beautiful places to see.
Posted by: Sue | June 17, 2007 at 03:00 AM
What a wonderful camping trip! I love cooking with box ovens- we always made the best cobbler desserts in them.
I do recall one time that we had a bit of area not covered in foil- and we looked over during lunch and the box oven was engulfed in flames! oops.
Thanks for sharing your fun!
Posted by: Jessica | June 16, 2007 at 06:33 AM
Thanks for sharing! It certainly reminds us to treasure times like this with our children. You've inspired me to add some notes regarding my GS troop on my blog. I know the girls and their mom's will enjoy that!
Posted by: Beth | June 16, 2007 at 01:00 AM
Your photos, you, your daughter, and nature...what could be more beautiful?? When you share things like this they qualify for at least two weeks of posts. Thanks for this wonderful trip to the beach, it's as close as I'll get.
Posted by: Juanita | June 15, 2007 at 08:09 PM
No apology needed, Ellen! I love hearing of your adventures with your adorable daughter. Those pictures are wonderful! Thank you for sharing them and your story!
Posted by: Rose Ann | June 15, 2007 at 10:18 AM
It sounds wonderful! Wish I was there!!!
Posted by: tgrdina | June 15, 2007 at 07:11 AM
Thanks for sharing the pics, Ellen! Looks like you and your daughter had a great time :)
Posted by: trudee | June 15, 2007 at 06:58 AM
Ellen,
Thanks for sharing the precious pictures and reminding us of what is important.
Posted by: Laura | June 15, 2007 at 06:05 AM
You forgot to say where you went, but it sure looks like Ocean Shores! Washington's beaches are so different from Florida's Atlantic beaches. I'd take a cool, windy, rainy Pacific NW beach any day (well, except in January!). Looking forward to more from your fabulous week!
Posted by: kathynruss | June 15, 2007 at 05:24 AM
Brownies camping with their moms- how sweet is that? I'm glad that you got a picture of you and your daughter to help capture the memories.
Posted by: Heather the Mooselover | June 15, 2007 at 05:11 AM
It sounds like an amazing time! You seem to truly appreciate all that life has to offer! I don't know how you balance it all....but you do an amazing job!
Posted by: Michele Kovack | June 15, 2007 at 05:07 AM