It's something I look forward to every year. You would think with all these people and canines it would be utter chaos, but surprisingly it's not. There is plenty of room in the house to spread out and the lake is short walk away. Even though my brother and his family only live 1/4 mile from me, I don't spend all that much time with them. It's nice to have that weekend to catch up with Paul and Martha (my brother and his wife) and spend a little time with my niece (Julia, 11) and my nephews (Alex, almost 8 and Travis, 13).
I really enjoy our evenings spent playing games together as one big group. And, of course, we usually watch a movie or two. But, I think the reason I look forward to this weekend every year is that it truly is the one time in the year when I really do just relax. There is not too much to do in little Bristol, NH, so each day just unfolds slowly and I take it one minute at a time. Mostly, I sit on the lovely screened in porch (with a view of the lake) and read. Big surprise, right?! Or I take my favorite beach chair down to the lake and, you guessed it, read some more. Pure heaven!
But, I think the thing I look forward to the most is what I've come to call Closing Day of Ice Cream Season. At the beginning of the summer, I wrote a post about Opening Day of Ice Cream season. Since Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer it seems right that Labor Day would be the end of the season. What makes it even more exciting is that Shackett's, the little ice cream/sandwich shop around the corner from the house we stay in, closes on Labor Day and on that day, starting at 11:00 am ice cream is FREE until it's all gone. Getting a super sized cone (they only have one size on Free Ice Cream Day. Heck those college kids just want to get out of there) for free on our last day of vacation is the highlight of the trip for our family.
It's always a big surprise to see what flavors are left and usually everyone can find something they like. It's not too hard. It is ice cream after all. This year when I announced that Labor Day was the Official End of Ice Cream Season, I was corrected by the Commissioner of Ice Cream (aka Geoff). He claims that he, and only he, can declare an end to the season. And since his favorite ice cream shop back home is open through Columbus Day, the season is officially still going strong. Ice cream, anyone?
>
Posts
9 comments:
Oh my gosh, I wish my mom had a computer, because I would love to forward that 'free ice cream today' sign to her. She might have a heart attach and die from the shock, but she'd die so HAPPY! (she and Geoff would find a lot of common ground, I think...)
That looks like a really lovely way to spend a long weekend...
Nick would be there with bells on for free ice cream........he lives on the stuff!
I love the mental( and real) pictures you have drawn in my mind of your weekend retreat, it sounds so lovely. I'd love to have a get-a-way like that, our family seems to go-go-go way too often.
Thanks for sharing!
Great job! And you are so right that despite all the people and dogs it doesn't get all that crazy. I think the kids especially enjoy the weekend because they can pretty much come and go as they please between the house, the beach and walking the dogs. As soon as I finish this, I'm going to make our reservations for 2010!
What a lovely way to spend the weekend. I agree with Geoff about Ice Cream season though, I am not yet ready for it to end this year...as long as the days stay a bit warm I am hoping for a couple more ice cream excursions.
Colleen
I have always dreamed of owning my own icecream shop and if I ever do, I will follow this example! So sweet!
Literally sounds sweet. Who can say no to free ice cream? Our sweets for the summer is the "snowball." Fortunately, I never caught the snowball addiction, but my 2nd born did, and let me tell you, she's not looking forward to the close of the snowball season.
Colleen - I can (and do) eat ice cream year round, even though the really good ice cream shops close for the winter. Geoff, on the other hand, rarely eats it except in the summer. I'm sure the "Commissioner" and I will be at Somerset Creamery a least a few more times before he officially closes the season. But, I'm not complaining. Closing Day or no Closing Day!
Alex - What's a snowball? Is it shaved ice in a cone with syrup on it? We have those here, too, but mostly just at carnivals, festivals, etc. I've never seen an actual "shop" that sells them. We call them snow cones and I'm with you, I'm not a huge fan. I much prefer ice cream!
Sounds like the PERFECT end to summer! I loved your pictures and descriptions...it looks so relaxing and beautiful. Large vacations with my family are always more tiring than relaxing!
Our favorite local dairy stays open until sometime in October, then reopens briefly at holiday time to sell amazing ice cream pies! Thanks for reminding me that we better enjoy it while we can.
Sue
Post a Comment