Last Hurrah of Summer

There's something magical about summer, and although Fall might be my favorite season, I'm never quite ready for Summer to end.  Those lazy summer days I remember from childhood seem to have been replaced by jam-packed hectic days of "to do lists, " work and maintaining a household. 

{My dad on his boat, 1982}

Time seems to fly by more quickly every year.  It really is crazy.  Family time is more important to me now than ever. We're heading down the Corolla (in the Outer Banks, NC) for our vacation next week with a quick detour in High Point today and tomorrow. 

But I cannot wait to hit that beach, even if it is a cloudy stormy day like this one a few years back:
 

I can't wait to READ A BOOK...  FICTION, not a design one.   (well, possibly 1 or 2 design books ;)



Hit the waves...  and maybe actually learn to surf this year.  (I've never attempted... pregnancy, new baby, the usual)



I love Corolla.  My family's been taking me there every August since I was kid and Dave used to go there as a kid too with family friends.  He's from New Jersey and how funny is it that all those years back, we've both been going to the same beach at the same time every year?  We'd all hang out at Tim Buck II, eating icecream and chatting it up with other kids, but we never met.   I also spent a summer working there in college (At Sundog's if you ever go!!) and Dave frequently visited his girlfriend-at-the-time who also worked there that very same summer. Still, we'd never met.  Funny how life works.  ...Now we go every year as a family and plan on continuing the tradition for the rest of our lives. 


Some places just feel like "home" even when you only go once a year. 


So this week, we're going "home..."  I particularly love this moment:


...The first time you hit the beach...  You've just taken the stairs up the dunes and you can hear the waves and smell it and you know you  have the whole week ahead of you to do nothing but be. 

laugh-read-eat-chill

savor these last couple of weeks.



xoxo, Lauren

39 comments:

Maria Killam said...

Have a great vacation Lauren. I need to talk to you!!
xo Maria

tarheel said...

I know exactly what you mean about "home!" Enjoy your vacation!

Tessa said...

I know what you mean about that first walk to the beach. Have a wonderful time. My husband's entire family wants to go next year to Corolla (all 32 of them). I was a little skeptical, but your description & pics might have sold me. :)

Jason and Karen said...

Have a great time in High Point... it's my home town! BTW ~ I really enjoy your blog :)

Karen

Unknown said...

Have a wonderful time! Looks beautiful.

lisaroy said...

How funny that you never met after all those years but how wonderful that you can carry on that tradition when it's been such a big part of your lives! have a fantastic vacation :)

Acquired Objects said...

May I come please I could use a little R&R! Have a wonderful time and enjoy High Point!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

yes, summer is rushing by too fast! Funny about going there at the same time for years...enjoy this years trip! Janell

A Perfect Gray said...

have a great time. My mom is from the outer banks and we have been back many times. I love it. hope you get a glimpse of the wild horses, if any are still there...

LiveLikeYou said...

Love you dad on the boat pic!!! Enjoy yourself, avoid the design books, and learn to surf. I started surfing a few years back to get over my fear of water, and have been hooked since the first minute I stood up on the board. It's the best relaxation-because you can't think about anything but that next wave!!!

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way about Sunset Beach, just a bit further south. My sweetie and I went there for decades with previous administrations, and never met, even though we had common friends...what a hoot! Have a ball! smiles.

debra @ 5th and state said...

i'd like to think that on one of those long ago summers your eyes met and in passing thought hmmmm he/she is really cute!

enjoy lauren, sounds magical!
xoxco
debra

vignette design said...

Oh I could almost hear the waves and smell the ocean. Thanks for taking me there. What a wonderful tradition Lauren. Enjoy it!

Catherine said...

It sounds absolutely wonderful...the perfect way to celebrate these last days of summer. ENJOY!
xoxoTrina

Unknown said...

Hi Lauren... I just wanted to say how incredible that photo of your Dad is... Its just a beautiful photo! From the composition to the expression on his face and the look in his eyes... You are SO right about Summer.
~Rainey~

bluehydrangea said...

I been, it is wonderful. If you need a break I am right down the coast at Wrightsville Beach most days. Have fun!!

Pat said...

I'm from the Jersey Shore (not the TV version)but we go to Nags Head now. Going for 2 weeks on Saturday and I can't wait! See ya on the beach.

Lisascraftiques said...

Have fun on your trip! I live on the coast of NC right near Emerald Isle. I haven't been to the Outer Banks yet. I am not a sun bathing beach fanatic but do enjoy strolling on the beach in the evening and letting the kids dig in the sand. Especially when tourist season is over, its not so hot and muggy and its quiet and peaceful. The beach is so pretty here! Enjoy!

Lissa Pierce said...

This is the beach we go to as well! I love it there and if I ever have a beach house that is where it will be.
This is actually the 1st year my husband and I will not be joining my family in Corolla (my 1st year not going since I was born!). My family has been going for forever.
I will look forward to you posting some photos since I cannot make it there this year. Have a great time!!!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

How timely and gorgeous this is! My best friend and her family are moving to the Durham area tomorrow, and we've been talking for years about doing the Outer Banks together. Now it seems to be a necessity as they will be 14 hours from us here in Mass. I can't believe I'm reading this today as her moving truck is being packed. Life and this blogging thing can be weird! Enjoy your vacation!!

3 Peanuts said...

I could taste the salty air in this post. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach too and am going with some friends next week. I especially loved you comment about a place feeling like home even if you only go once a year....

Kathysue said...

Aaah sounds like heaven to me. I was able to spend a week on Emerald Isle this summer at a beach house and loved every minute of it, Lucky you, have a wonderful, restful time, Kathysue

Karena said...

A dream vacation Lauren! Enjoy!

Karena
Art by Karena

AnneHH said...

Oh, we love Corolla!! Do you know that we started going there when our oldest was 3 and our second son was 6 mos. And they are 24 and 21 now and we have NEVER missed a summer. Some years we shared a house with another family, some years we went with friends but each had our own houses, some years we took extended family, this year we had one son's girlfriend with us........but no matter what we have always had a wonderful time.
Know you will too!
xoxo, Anne

pve design said...

There really is nothing like Summer and taking time to stop and create memories with our family and friends.
pve

Tracy F. said...

Have a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

You said it well, my friend! Have a lovely time!

Unknown said...

Have a lovely vacay, Lauren! Enjoy "home!" XX!

kayce hughes said...

I hope you have a wonderful time!

Donna Lynne Cox said...

I remember you in the car, as soon as we hit the OBX, opening the windows and smelling the ocean and yelling over and over again
"the beach, we're at the beach, the beach...!" Looking forward to continuing our family tradition.

Luv ya,

Ma

Amy Chalmers said...

found you from the little blue deer..this post hits home as i feel this way when i land on marthas vineyard, going there since i was a kid. you captured it with your sentiments and great pics!
following you too!

LindsB said...

you have no idea how jealous I am of you right now!! I used to spend every summer down in Corolla for two weeks growing up and it was the best time ever!! We would rent a huge house, throw like 4 families in there and just have a blast. I cant wait to start the tradition all over agian with my kids!

La Petite Gallery said...

Your Dad is a real cutie.. There is nothing like being out in the ocean . I love boating and fishing.
Can't Boat in Maine, it is really a rocky area.

yvonne

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

just found your blog and am loving it to pieces! so inspirational! following you as to not miss a thing or thought! hey, next week i'm having a blog hop that focuses on ALL things, any things, related to fresh, clean, and pure living (decor, food, beauty).....i'd be so honored, very honored in fact, if you would join in so others can find you and you can share even more of your thoughts and ideas. ciao bella, roz over at la bella vita! ps: your last glimpses of summer photos are beautiful!

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

That just sounds like a perfect end to the summer.

Lila said...

I also have a ton of to-do lists when fall hits. How awesome that you get to go on vacation! Enjoy your holiday!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Sounds like a fabulous end of summer vacation. My "home" is also in NC but on the other side up in the Western Mountains on a little lake. Just the smell as we drive up the mountain each year brings back years and years of special memories. Stay away from those design books and enjoy. (PS--I sent a referral your way yesterday...a local woman in Vienna needing help with her family room).

Unknown said...

What a coincidence that your husband went to the same beach.
Beautiful scenery, great picture.
BTW are they Oystercatchers?
(not an expected question on a design blog?
From a new reader,
BarbG

Unknown said...

ahhhhhh....the beach. And the Outer Banks at that. Laugh - read- eat- and chill!
xo elizabeth