After luncheon the sun, conscious that it was Saturday, would blaze an hour longer in the zenith*

by chuckofish

Finally, the DH and I actually did something with other people! Las weekend we drove down state to celebrate James’s birthday and hang out with Tim and Abbie and her family (alas, Chris and Nicole couldn’t make it). The weather was fantastic and we had a wonderful time! Our Airbnb was just ‘round the corner from Tim and Abbie’s apartment. Here Abbie shows off the dining room:

After we settled in, we went to a concert at at a farm-turned-distillery set on a hill. Abbie’s dad played drums in the band but I only got a photo of the groupies admiring the view.

Here’s what they were looking at.

We were in a very pretty area on the edge of the Adirondacks near Lake George.

The next day, we toured the future wedding venue situated in a similarly picturesque locale. Mark your calendars for October, 2023 (our affianced couple is remarkably well organized). I don’t want to show too much now, but I heartily approve of the choice.

Next, we concentrated on celebrating the birthday. After James opened his presents,

we went over to Abbie’s parents’ house for a barbeque and birthday cake.

Here we are left to right: Abbie’s brother Liam, James, Tim, the DH, yours truly, Abbie’s mother, her uncle and her grandmother. Her dad had another concert and her sisters were at work, but that left more cake for the rest of us, so we were quite content.

Speaking of cake, I made what we call “Sarah’s special cake” — chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting and dark chocolate drizzled on top à la  Jackson Pollock. Everyone seemed to like the cake, but a recent trip to the dentist to get a crown required too much Novocain that resulted in bothered taste buds, so it tasted funny to me. Never one to pass up cake, I indulged anyway. Incidentally, I highly recommend buying a Rubbermaid cake carrier (see on table in photo above). It traveled very well over bumpy mountain roads because the DH seat-belted it in place — he’s so helpful!

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We hit the road on Memorial Day morning and made it home by late afternoon. It’s good to get out of town for a short break now and then, and of course it’s always wonderful to get together with family. Short breaks are restorative and make it much easier to endure the daily grind. If you get the chance, sneak away for a weekend!

*Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way