weekending

i'm sitting here at the onset of the weekend...

realizing i have yet to immortalize the last.

the last of 2016 and first of 2017.

i really prefer when holidays fall on the weekend.

it makes for slow and easy celebrations.

longer is always better. 

nye weekend was one of the very best of the year.

the best of both 2016 and 2017.

we spent it in a special place with special people...at windmill beach with family.

we drove up just before gloaming.

deer frequent forest-lined marine drive at the end of day.

some were shyer than others.

as soon as we unpacked the car, i went to greet the great lake.

the sky revealed for me my word of the year: p e a c e.

i'm craving it.

we played games.

the gambit including ping pong, putt putt, gestures, cribbage, clue, and boggle.

we enjoyed the beautiful weather with long walks on the beach and a swim for a brave duo made braver by a little patron silver.
brave because although beautiful by january standards the air and water temps were about 30 degrees.

we ate delicious food.

perfect rib eyes the first night followed by champs, and tres leches birthday cake for t. bone.

new years day we had a southern style dinner that set the bar very high for the rest of the year: mikey's grilled ribs, alton brown's stovetop mac and cheese, callie's biscuits and my sil's luck and money.

she grew up eating her mom's greens and black eyed peas this day each year, and it felt special that she wanted to share that tasty tradition with us.

food is memories.

good memories.

we forgot the fireworks, but could see quite a show to the south shortly after the clock struck midnight.

we all held money as we counted down onto the new year cheering and celebrating.

we were lulled to sleep by the sound of waves and woken by the rising sun.

all in all, it was a perfect way to ring in the new year