Some of my fondest childhood memories are centered around Lake Erie. My aunt’s grandfather used to own a lakeside condo, and we would visit pretty frequently. We would make a trip to the store and buy enough food for the weekend, which always resulted in a giant jar of hot peppers for me. (I would eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.) After we were stocked up, we’d head to the lakes and veg out for the weekend. I always loved hearing Laura’s ghost stories about the condo and eerie feelings that she would get in the upstairs master bedroom. We would hang out at the pool or walk down by the lake. I distinctly remember a time when I laughed so hard that chocolate milk was spewed across the table. Attractive, huh? That’s just how it was, though. It was constant laughter, and when I look back on these memories, I feel a tremendous sense of togetherness. There’s nothing more cozy than being little, snowed in with my family, surrounded by a beautiful view of Lake Erie, and waking up to Dad cooking us all breakfast in the morning. That condo inspired endless amounts of my teenage poetry, and it was also the first time I saw my momma completely sloshy, if ya know what I mean. It was also one of the last. Haha! Even if we went up for the weekend and did absolutely nothing, I was content, and there was nowhere else in the world I would have rather been.

Said condo is long gone now, but it’s always nice when we get to take some time together to visit for the day. I love browsing through the shops and spending time at the lighthouse, which harbors even more memories. This afternoon led us to Cheesehaven, where I was happy to sample the salsas and cheeses. I also found some super awesome Chardonnay, which is pictured above. TELL ME that isn’t the best ever! We also stopped by a roadside fruit and veggie stand, and I picked up some massive jalapenos. I intend to make a viciously spicy salsa with them. Five bucks to those who can eat it, without crying. I also picked up a new dress and a mug, because let’s face it, I can never have too many of either of those items.

Oh, and scroll up and check out that precious little bird in photo number fourteen. We were doing some window shopping outside of a boutique, and that little guy was just chillin’. Right there. Not flying away. We’re not really sure what the deal was, but we took his picture, and now he’s Internet famous. He’ll thank me one day.

Speaking of wildlife, Marblehead Lighthouse led us to an encounter with some sort of snake that wanted to hang out with us on the rocks. No big deal. Other than the fact that Laura almost stepped right on him during her rock climbing voyage to the restroom. Yeah. Kind of scary, but equally awesome. This coming from the chick who spent most of her sixth grade Mohican trip holding the giant orange snake in the office, when everyone else was doing…I don’t know – what normal sixth graders do. Sports?

For the rest of the day, we made memories at Big Bopper restaurant, a little beach that the girls and I like to visit, and topped off the night with a trip to get Toft’s ice cream. Sooo, ice cream included, my body is full of chili, a portobello burger, lemonade, tea, chocolate, a cream soda, and I had Taco Bell for lunch. Not my proudest day in the health department, for sure. My food baby is nearing its second trimester, just in case anyone wants to throw some more food my way. Sheesh. In my defense, the chili is award-winning, so it was a must to try it.

We, overall, had a beautiful day, and I was ecstatic to spend time with everyone. It’s especially important to me to spend as much time as I can with Holden and Murissa. I know this is so cliche, but I’m going to say it anyway -  the last time I looked at them, they were babies, and now they’re older than I was when they were born. I was around them a ton, when they were little. I’m talkin’ babysitting, visiting, going out on cousin dates, the works. I don’t think that I’ve missed out on much quality time with them, but somehow, I still feel like I’ve missed everything. If kids are in my future, can you imagine what I’m going to be like? A bawling, blithering idiot, that’s what. I just won’t be emotionally capable enough to watch them grow. XD

Okay, everyone, I’m wrapping this up. Sorry for the novel. Enjoy your weekends, and I’ll update soon!

xoxoxo
Ash