Horseback Riding on the Beach

Whenever I see horses, I think of my friend Mavis. 

This past week we saw several people on the beach enjoying a horseback ride. We got to enjoy a closer look when we took our walk on the beach.

The horse that this lady was riding did not seem to like water as much and did not want to cross the creek, without a little coaxing.
 

This group of horses seemed to love the water and were quite happy to explore.

A great afternoon.

Happy Birthday...

...to my Mom, who is 92 years young today.  (This picture was taken last September while we were visiting.)

May you have many more birthdays, Mom.

Sea Shell Crafting

Earlier this week, I was invited to lunch and an afternoon of sea shell crafting with Irm and Susan.  Irm first treated us to her homemade butternut squash soup, which was absolutely wonderful, and definitely worthy of a second serving.  I actually didn't make a craft but picked up valuable tips on how to start a project and work with the glues, etc., from my two experienced crafting friends.



These are the shells that Susan collected on a Florida beach that she brought along to use on the picture frame she was making.  I am happy to say that she was kind enough to give us a baggie full for a future project. 

Here is Susan busily working on her project, which will be a gift for her friend.  I realized when I got home that we were so busy chatting and admiring all the shells, that I did not get a photo of Susan's finished project, a shelled-covered photo frame.

This centrepiece on Irm's table is one of her earlier creations.  The vase is full of some very interesting shells, sea urchins, sand dollars, etc.  I fell in love with the shell ring at the base of the vase.  I hope to attempt to make one, but I know mine will not be as beautiful as this one.

Each time I visit with Irm, I am amazed by her latest creation, like this fish.  She designed and created this piece of art from coloured beer caps.  It was so interesting.

I now have to go to the local craft shop to get my glue, wreath ring, etc. so I can get busy with my project once I am back in my craft room.  I hope I remember all that I was taught.

Grand Strand Shell Club

Paul and I have been members of the Grand Strand Shell Club in the Myrtle Beach area for the past three years, while being snowbirds here.  The Club holds a meeting on the second Thursday of each month (except July, August and December) in the meeting room at the Tupelo Bay Golf Club at 7 p.m.  This month the Club celebrated its 22nd Anniversary as a Club.

We have met a very nice group of people and enjoyed great shelling trips to a couple of local area Islands.  We hope to enjoy many more years with the Club.  Happy shelling...

New Year's Eve 2011

31 December 2011 in Surfside Beach, South Carolina was sunny and warm so we spent our morning and most of the afternoon out on the deck reading and watching the dolphins in the ocean.  The beach was very busy with lots of weekend visitors for the holiday.

The start to our New Year's Eve celebration was enjoying a great meal at our favourite restaurant The Gulf Stream Cafe in Garden City, while enjoying live jazz music in the background.  We were joined by our good friends, Shirley, Tony, Maddie and Bill.

We then drove to Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach to enjoy a very colourful display of fireworks.  Here we are waiting for the show to begin...

After waiting for the traffic to lift at Broadway at the Beach and doing a little browsing in the shops, Paul and I were invited to join our friends at their resort, The Myrtle Beach Resort, for an evening of celebration at the Cabana near the beach.  It was quite crowded and noisy with all those in party mode.  Being the driving for the evening, this was my one and only glass of wine for the night!

At 10 p.m. the first toast to the New Year was made so "the older folks" could leave if they so wished.  At 10:30 p.m. we requested the DJ to announce a toast for all the Newfoundlanders in the room.  I believe there were 8 of us in all.  Then at 11 p.m., our table made a toast for the New Brunswick New Year for Paul.  Then finally at midnight we brought in 2012 with all of those in the cabana.  During the evening we were able to see some fireworks outside coming from the campgrounds nearby.

Our evening finished with drinks and snacks with our friends, before getting home at a very late time for us, of 1:30 a.m.  It was fun to be able to share the evening with great friends.  May we be able to carry on a similar tradition.

Happy 2012