Crystal Beach Retreat - Days 1-4

 Beach time has arrived!!  I love this gathering of friends and time at the ocean so very much and this year I really need the time to recoup strength.  I feel as though I've been sick off and on since the end of July and really just want to relax and recover.  That's the plan, at least.  I receive a message that the house is available a day earlier than we planned and since it is a new spot, I jump on the chance to get things figured out before everyone arrives.  A quick call to Kelly and she is headed my way.  Off we go to Crystal Beach - yep, in Texas.  The car is jam-packed and we are so excited.

It takes us about 6 hours including stops and the house is wonderful!

Once we have the car unloaded and my heart has quit threatening to attack (those stairs are killer), our first order of business is to locate the grocery store to pick up some items and make sure my chicken is available for Sunday night.  All goes well, but the chicken area is closed.  I'll come back tomorrow and put the order in.

Evening on the beach --- perfect meal.

14th -   Looking east from our deck, the neighbors house had an above ground pool with decking all around.  I think I'm coveting.  Well, except for the mosquitoes.  They are trying to eat us alive.  Repellant is now on the list for today's store stop.

Repellent and extension cord have been bought, chicken has been ordered and I've spent the day making a pasta salad and brownies for tomorrow.  Everyone is on their way and once the house is full, everyone that has arrived unloaded, and rested - we head to the Nauti Beaver Hut for dinner.

Good times are had by all.  We're still missing Gwen, but otherwise, everyone is here that should be.

15th - It's just a relaxing day for me, but others are accomplishing wonderful things.  Lori has a TA-DONE

The view from the deck.  Not straight on, but it works.  My chicken is picked up and dinner goes well.  I'm a happy camper.

16th - Frieda has finished her beach quilt -- TA-DONE

Proof that some work is happening.  Just not by me.  Well, that's not totally true - I did sew the binding onto a quilt.

Lori TA-DONE

and the back - 

Again - TA-DONE - she is binding like a crazy person.

Checking out the beach - Hello Kelly.

There appears to have been a rather large jellyfish killoff.

Sunset beginning.

My happy place.

That's Sherri - 

The end of a perfectly relaxing day.  Let's try this again all over tomorrow.  Great friends, good conversation, good food, a drink or two --- PERFECTION.