The gathering in Hilton Head started on Sunday of this past week and lasted until Wednesday. The big birthday was celebrated on Monday and, it seems, every other day that we were together. We all had a wonderful time with each other and hope we will be able to do this again and not wait another five years to do it.

We went out to eat on two of the nights we were there and enjoyed a catered, in-house, dinner on the birthday night. The meals out were at two places I had never been before. The first one was the Sunset Grill which can be found in the RV Park on Hilton Head. What a great place and run with military precision. We had the most efficient waitress and the food was honestly superb. The view was great, right out on the water. The sunset wasn’t so great unfortunately but I can why it would be on a clear night. The other spot was out on Sea Pines. Again, lovely views, right on the beach, light jazz in the background and the rain just pouring down so we couldn’t see out the windows. However, again the food was great. Really wonderful meals all round. Our host and hostess provided a wonderful spot for us all to be together.

Foggy Morning Walking

On Monday morning we awoke to a pretty dense fog. I had to drive my car to the service department which was about twenty minutes away and honestly could not see anything at all when I went over the bridge. I could see cars immediately in front of me but I might as well have been driving in the air. When I returned, the fog was still not lifted so I set off to go for a walk on the beach. It was lovely and quiet with only a few walkers and runners out there. I took off going in one direction and walked 2.5 miles before deciding to turn around. I was familiar with this stretch of beach from walking it during the Pledge the Pink walk in the fall. About a mile heading back I started looking for a restroom. I got off the beach at a spot that I recognized from where we had lunch after the walk but it was locked up tight. So I continued along the road and wouldn’t you know it, I came to a gate that was locked and I couldn’t get out. Who sets up a gate that a human being cannot get through? To get out? I knew that I was near the house but I couldn’t get there. I put the address in my GPS and it told me it would take 2 1/2 hours to walk around the gates to get back. To say this didn’t make me happy was an understatement. However, needs must, I asked a woman who was walking her dog how I could get out of where I was and lo and behold, there was an access point back to the beach right near where I was standing. Every other one that I had seen said in no uncertain terms that it was for their owners and guests only and others would be prosecuted. Not me, no way. However, once back on the beach I was able to get back to the house in about 15 minutes. Just in time!!!

Garden Party

I took my cousin to the airport on Wednesday about mid-day so she could fly back to her winter home in the desert. We took the back roads and only got a little bit lost. We just talk too much all the time and don’t pay attention to where we are going! Imagine that?

Once home I immediately had to get things ready for a garden party that was to happen at our home the next day. We have a lovely side lawn that has been landscaped but it needed some sprucing up. Most of the time the dogs enjoy the yard and often times they have friends who come for a play date there. This time it was for human friends. We co-hosted with our neighbors but we had the space. The landscape folks came and spread some fresh pine straw around and covered up where Bean has been trying to dig up moles. It looked so pretty.

Friday I just lay on the couch all day and watched The Masters!

Back on the Local Beach Again

The dogs and I enjoyed a wonderful, long, lazy walk on our home beach after I had my total day of rest. The pelicans are in abundance so I guess that means there are a lot of fish out there. They are amazing to watch when they dive to get a fish. In recent years I haven’t noticed them quite so much. Just the occasional one could be seen fishing off the bridge or the pier.

Next week it is back on the training wagon again. It was too much to try and get the training in while visiting. Sometimes taking a day or two off isn’t a bad thing.

Recipe for the week.

At the request of my cousins, I am posting Pat Conroy’s Pickled Shrimp. I brought this to the cousin fest and everyone loved it. So here you go. It is definitely a go to but you have to have our wonderful local shrimp.

Pickled Shrimp

(from The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of my Life by Pat Conroy)everyday-shrimp-plaque

1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
4 bay leaves, crushed
1 (2-ounce) bottle capers, drained and coarsely chopped
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup cider vinegar
½ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon coarse or kosher salt
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 pounds large (21-25 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Mix all ingredients except shrimp in a large heatproof glass or ceramic bowl. In a medium stockpot over high heat, bring 4 quarts abundantly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the shrimp and cook until just pink, about 2 minutes. (The shrimp will continue to “cook” in the marinade.) Drain and immediately transfer to the marinade. Bring to room temperature, cover tightly, and marinate overnight in refrigerator. Transfer shrimp and marinade to a glass serving compote or bowl. Serve chilled.