So, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're back from our annual trip to America! Did it really come and go so quickly?
And since we packed a wallop into that 2+ weeks, I'll start with the last first...our time with the kids in the North Georgia mountains.
It's my 4th year as a family (Astrid's 3rd) to rent a cabin 2 hours north of Atlanta, but this time in a different one altogether...just as nice and with another spectacular view:
We're so lucky that owners rent out these homes away from home.
It's not hard to settle in immediately.
This was our first year to add an extra night, making it Thursday - Monday.
We kept saying it made all the difference in the world!
As you'd guess, our time was often centered around food.
Daughter Amy and Dennis were the cooks....
...along with son Mark's bran muffins (and carrot cake!)...
...and s'mores, of course, at least twice in between games of Spades.
Astrid and I were the chief bottle washers. A nice exchange!
There was also ping pong, pool, football, jigsaw-puzzle making, laptop time...
Square Up (a new game for us)...
...and the hot tub for Uncle Mark and Nicholas, the boys.
I even had time to make the lining for Amy's last (of 5) cross-stitch Xmas stocking.
And then Astrid and I were off on our own, taking walks in the beauty of Mother Nature all around us.
Do you notice something???? A new Canon PowerShot camera for me, yes!
It replaces my 28-300 mm bazooka lens that was aggravating my sciatic issues.
I sold that lens to a fellow blogger and used that money to buy the new camera and an iPad4.
The new camera is 24-1200 mm, for you camera buffs...my new travel camera that also shoots in RAW.
This was October 17-21, just about peak time for the autumn leaves.
My favorite time of the year!
That time of the year, too.
Trick or treat?
Impressions, impressions, impressions...even in the North Georgia mountains!
How can you say NO to that!
We were there during the full moon on October 18th...and the sunrise on the 21st, the day we left.
All my images here are with my new camera, barely tweaked.
I'm a happy camper!
Just totally awesome! I enjoyed every photo. So happy that you are enjoying your new toy! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really thrilled with the toy, Robin...both of them, actually, including the iPad4. Christmas came early this year. Sometimes you lose something to gain something...and often feel richer in the process. :) Thank you.
DeleteGreat selection of pictures and your camera is doing great (from my point of view) I think you will have so much joy with it.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time at the cabin, the extra day does make a difference, it seems so much longer. A highlight, every year again.
In 12 months, we are there again, can hardly wait, times flies as you know :)
You of all people know how much fun I'm having with both my new toys. :) The camera will serve me well on our trips, when we do a lot of walking. I still have my "big girl" camera with 2 good lenses for everything else!
DeleteThe cabin time is always a highlight of the year, no doubt about it. As soon as we're done, we start planning again for the next year. We're so fortunate! And, yes, time does fly...when you're having fun! :)
Family time is the best time isn't it Ginnie. Spending the time with your grandson is so special I know. I hope you danced.
ReplyDeleteI know you'll love your camera. I had the SX10IS, the first of this series. I got smashed right before Christmas and I am still missing so much in one camera and lens. The macro is wonderful and that zooming ability is wondrous. See you tomorrow on SC.
I do eat up these times with the family once a year, Mary. Being at the cabin in neutral territory really helps. This year Nicholas is a teenager. HA! So, no, we did not dance...though maybe if the music had been playing we would have??! :)
DeleteWhat joyful photos of family time and the nature all around you! I was a real treat to share this with you. So glad the new camera is taking some weight off your back. My husband is/was a black & white art photographer with a darkroom. I can't tell you how many times we schlepped up hill and valley with large format cameras like Hasselblads. Thank goodness for digital!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie, for stopping by and commenting here! I still will use my "big girl" camera while I walk around nearby, with less weighty lenses, but for the day trips or longer, I'll use this new camera, taking the weight off my sciatic hip. It's already made a difference.
DeleteYou must have thought you were in heaven ... it looks heavenly to me especially those last shots! But so nice to see some of the family, and the food, carrot cake, yum! I'm sure it was an unforgettable trip.
ReplyDeleteYou know me, Susan. I eat up these special times at the cabin. And the extra day really does make all the difference in the world!
Deletewhat precious time with family in that setting. how gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Maria. Thank you! We look forward to it every year.
DeleteHow quickly you re-Americanize! It looks wonderful and full of love, and the cornucopia of images is utterly amazing. My personal favorite is the leaf that pops up looking very much like a spider on Halloween almost. This was definitely a visual treat.
ReplyDeleteOn some levels I DO re-Americanize, Ted, but on others I am made aware of how UN-American I really am. But don't get me started on that. (sigh)
DeleteI call that leaf Spider Solitaire! I'm using it as one of my Halloween images. :)
As usual, Mom, a great representation of our time with such beautiful photos . . . WITH THE EXCEPTION of me with my mouth full of s'mores. (Note to self, avoid shoving an entire s'more in your mouth while a camera is around -- or anytime, really.) But seriously, we had a wonderful time with you and Astrid and are already looking forward to next year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy, for stopping by and commenting. Astrid says to tell you HER mouth was ALSO full of s'mores. So you were in good company. :) It's something to really look forward to each year, isn't it!!! It'll be here before we know it. HA!
DeleteLove these family togetherness posts the best...cuz you know how important family time is to me. And to be able to spend it with them in such a beautiful spot!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Mad. I do know how important Family is to you. Thank you!
DeleteAmy is beautiful! Such a lovely family - the cabin is unbelievable and stitching on that deck with that view! Wow. I enjoyed seeing you with that huge lens, but it looks like you have mastered this one. I'm sure the lightness of it is refreshing as well! The last set of images ... I have no words!
ReplyDeleteAmy is indeed beautiful, Margaret. In that regard she takes after her father! :) And to have the memory of stiching on that deck is something I'll always cherish, yes.
DeleteThe bazooka lens was a good companion for 5 years and gave me lots of fun...but I am not regretting losing her at all. The new camera makes a win-win situation for when we travel. And in between I'll still have my big-girl camera for images that don't need the long lens. Thank you!
What a lovely cabin. Your pictures are perfect. We have not been in the North GA Mountains now since last year and I don’t expect we’ll go soon – we are going to NYC instead. I do miss the colors though – your panoramic views are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThis trip, Vagabonde, we started out with NYC, so we were lucky and got both it and the North Georgia mountains in one swell foop! Thnak you, as always, for stopping by and commenting here.
DeleteIncredibly beautiful place, I had enjoyed those views of the misty mountains already at FB. Wow. The "cabin" is gorgeous, and there's so much to do! Maybe they have all the games there already, and you don't have to take them with you? I think it is just so fun to "play house" in someone else's place, and to prepare food, eat, all of it. I can't get over that 2000-piece puzzle! I wonder if Amy has finished it yet. :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you said it, Ruth...playing house at someone else's place. So true! We really look forward to it every year and wouldn't think of not doing it. For one thing, there's so much space! And yes, many of the games are already there...and we bring our own as well, like Square Up. I know Amy has been traveling a bit so I don't expect the puzzle is done. But I'll ask. HA!
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