Like Christmas in July

The last two weeks have been relatively quiet around here and I am not complaining.  They have been peaceful yet busy days. I would love to have one of these days in about a month, enough to keep me busy without the stress of missing out on valuable beach time or socializing. There has been a lot going on, it just hasn't been of  the usual frantic social nature.  It has been more in the line of washing winter from windows, planting flowers, mending screens, cleaning drawers that haven't been cleaned in 10 years and cleaning up "post construction" sawdust and chaos....you know...the stuff you save for a rainy day.

Like this one...June showers bring July flowers right!?

June days are like that time before Christmas.  There is much to do in anticipation.  June is Advent at the shore.  I'm preparing the way for the family and friends who come in July and August.  Every song on my music library has been played in June because I work best with a soundtrack.  The early summer time up here is one of my favorite times.  Of course, I like all of the times up here but I've always been a big fan of anticipation.  The weather is more springlike in June so there is tender vegetation and flowers ready to burst open when it gets warmer.  The grass is bright green and new instead of dried up and brown.  Every day it seems there are new wildflowers blooming and the fields change colors daily.  The landscape is constantly changing!

These beauties opened a day ago!
 There are hundreds more of them about to bust open.

This year, in particular, I am embracing this quiet time.  Spring was spent at home being busy in our "real" lives and our first few weeks here were filled with fun travels.  These two weeks before most of the summer friends and relatives arrive have been perfect!  Enough socializing so TJ and I don't get tired of one another but not so much that we feel like we are always missing out on something.  Mostly, I have enjoyed the slow nesting process of the last couple of weeks.  Getting my house and cottage in order has given me the same pleasure I have when decorating my house for Christmas. I love reminiscing about or admiring each ornament as I put them out the same way I enjoy reacquainting myself with the cottage and farmhouse after our long winter away.  I found little treasures, like a journal I have kept since 1983 when we first bought our cottage.  That little gem cost me at least an hour of down time while I sat and read through 34 years!  It was full of treasures!  Definitely worth a blog post dedicated solely to that journal....it is priceless!  Beware kids....it's all about your growing up years...mine too for that matter!

This stained glass is one of the surprises I forgot all about!

Christmas involves much preparation (by some), followed by special family time.  This weekend begins a very special family event!  I don't remember the last time my husband's family spent Christmas together with all 7! siblings and spouses.  It will be Christmas in July this year.  They will all be here, together... with their spouses (minus one, who will be dearly missed!) to celebrate a significant birthday.  Really....like Christmas in July!  This will be a perfect kick-off to the busy season at the shore!

The quiet two weeks of advent were lovely and just what I needed to make me appreciate this place for its subtle, quiet way of making me love it more every year.  I also love it for its inviting way of bringing people together.  The weather can be perfect or it can be crap, regardless, people come and love the pureness of this place.  Let the season begin!