Windy, windy day at the beach!!! But lots of sun, so we are thankful. And even a rainbow to top off the crazy weather!
Walkin’ on the beach
Against the wind was TOUGH!
Grandma KK is working on a baby blanket!!! It’s coming along so nicely!
We almost blew off the porch for this shot!
Cocktail hour foods
And a sparkling mocktail
Tonight Larbs and Matt made a delicious fish taco spread complete with sautéed flounder, condiments, sauteed cabbage and some beans that Karen boiled on the side
Avocado crema, cabbage, fish, cabbage and beans
Larbs made her famous ice cream pie. She made a homemade Joe’s Joes crust and filled it with cookies and cream. Technique on her blog soon!
The family LOVED this – it’s all gone now!
Finished my book!! Record timing. Reading during the day sure speeds up the process. It was pure coincidence that The Midwife’s Confession was set in Wilmington + the beach AND the main character was born on August 31 – my due date!
I’m debating reading 50 Shades Of Grey next downloaded on my Kindle app. Whenever a book sweeps the national (like The Hunger Games) I am always tempted to see what the hype is about. I have two hard copy books Karen loved too – The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet and one more that slips my mind. I’ll have to see what my mood is like in the morning!
Sana says
SOOOO much wind! I am iffy about 50 Shades, so I have not bought them yet….
Kimberly says
Your dads hair! So cute in the wind like that!
KathEats says
A cartoon!
Sara says
The 50 shades series was great, definitely a good beach read!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I have heard that the writing for 50 Shades of Grey is pretty atrocious/painful to read, haha! But I suppose there must be something said for it sweeping the nation. Check out the first review on Amazon, it is quite hilarious 🙂
Katie says
It was VERY painful to read! LOL… I got halfway through and wanted to throw my Kindle out the window. No plot whatsoever, but I will say, if someone goes into it knowing all of this and just wants something light to read, it “could” be interesting. Definitely not going to win a Pulitzer.
Angel7 says
At least it is not raining! It looks like it is super windy there!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
laura says
ehh i started hotel on the corner of bitter & sweet but couldn’t get into it. think id go with 50 shades of grey!
Sarah says
I got about 100 pages into 50 Shades. I’d say go for it if you just want to read something dirty, but the writing was pretty bad.
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass says
What a good due date…my birthday! 🙂
KathEats says
! Fun!
jane says
mine too!!
Jane says
I can’t wait for that ice cream pie recipe. 🙂
lindsay says
I found hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet to be a bit slow but everyone else I know loved it. I just finished defending Jacob. Definitely a page turner but I didn’t love it as much as some reviewers.
Allison k says
I just finished 50 shades. Skip it. I read it, knowing it was about bdsm, but I didn’t find the sex scenes that titillating, as I was so distracted by the awful writing and simpering main character.
Hotel on bitter and sweet is very poignant.
j3nn says
That windy family portrait is great!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana says
I liked Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet, the writing is just okay, but the historical background is really interesting!
Love your sister’s dress, so cute!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Beautiful beach and family pics!
And love the Joe’s Joes crust + cookies and cream. YUM!
Khushboo says
That pie looks great- can’t wait to see the recipe!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
I didn’t read 50 shades of grey but it was my book club’s last selection and extremely divisive!
nicole says
50 shades is definitely a quick beachy read. It’s not very well written but it flies by and you can gloss over some of it. I read all 3 in less than a week. The characters are interesting which keeps you going. And I’m all for people reading instead of watching tv even if it’s twaddle.
JoJo says
Wow, so windy!!
I love the sky, it looks beautiful and refreshing..
I have yet to make ice cream cake, but I know I’m going to be checking Larb’s blog site for the recipe!!!
Mary says
The picture of Larbs and Matt is actually my favorite- with the small rainbow over her shoulder! Also, would you mind asking Karen what stitch the baby blanket is? I’m a crochet newbie, and (though pretty much awful at it) always curious!
Karen says
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/patterns/bubbles_baby_blanket.php
I’m also new to crochet. It took me a while to get up to speed with this pattern but now I really love it! I’ll probably make a scarf using the same stiches after I finish the blanket.
Mary says
Very cool! Thank you very much for the answer- I’m checking it out now. 🙂 Happy vacation!
Julie says
I absolutely LOVED “A Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” It was phenomenal, and the author was so very nice on Twitter. Fifty Shades of Grey was absolutely terrible, horrible writing! I was not impressed at all.
Tracy says
Ditto on Julie’s opinion of the 2 books. I actually never finished 50 shades…couldn’t stand it!
[email protected] says
what a wonderful vacation day!
i am scrutinizing the photo of karen’s baby blanket – i do a lot of handknitting (including baby blankets!) -> i am trying to determine whether karen is knitting or crocheting…i’m going to go with crochet?
happy sunday at the beach!
KathEats says
Crochet!
Lauren says
Was Midwife’s Confession good? I have it downloaded to my Kindle, but the title sounds like it might be scary for a pregnant lady like myself to read. Is it pregnant lady-approved? 🙂
KathEats says
It’s actually not all about birth stories, which I didn’t realize. It’s more of a mystery. You’ll be fine 🙂
Lee says
50 Shades of Grey was really poorly written…yet it sucked me in and I read all three.
Kathryn says
My book club read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and we all LOVED it. I highly recommend it!
Macrae says
I agree! I read tons of books and this is definitely high on my list 🙂
P. S. That picture of your whole family should be on an ad for the island-it’s hilarious and so cute!!
Katie says
I just started Wild, From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail about a woman who build her broken life back up again with a solo 1,100 mile hikes. Very good so far. I have heard good things about The Corner of Bitter and Sweet, gave it to my grandparents for Christmas but haven’t read it myself yet. I’m kind of avoiding 50 Shades of Gray for awhile just like I waited a little while to read the Hunger Games and loved them. I need to find some really good reads for this summer. It looks like you are having a blast and the meal looks fabulous!
Karen says
Wild was terrific…a memoir that resonated real, heartwarming without being sappy. I especially loved the theme of escaping one’s worries and discovering insights in the great outdoors, and also, the deep motherly bonds we hold; some of the passages on the latter theme brought me to tears in recognition of my own relationship to my dear mom. Also, unlike many books of this genre, the author is a really talented writer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Katie!
Katie says
Thanks for the response Karen. I read a little more this morning and I’m really enjoying Cheryl Stayed’s writing style. Have you read her book Torch? I am almost 36 have a 6 1/2 year old daughter and a 5 1/2 year old son and have aging grandparents and relatives who are dealing with health issues, I have been trying to put more time and effort into my relationships with everyone in my life. My son and I enjoyed breakfast and conversation together this morning while my daughter is at my parents’ house and my husband is golfing.
Karen says
Indeed, Katie…the passage of time really strengthens one’s appreciation of those closest to us. I feel so grateful that both my parents are in excellent health in their 70’s. Me and mom are in many ways like sisters, and inevitable as it is, I still can’t imagine how difficult it will be to no longer have her in my life. It sounds like you are enjoying the holiday weekend exactly how it should be spent — with your family. Enjoy! 🙂
Katie says
Karen, I am over 100 pages in and loving it. My daughter and I are going to sit down and read for a little tonight while the boys are fishing. I treasure time with my family and need to remind myself to slow down sometimes and enjoy each and every day. I am lucky to be able to spend this summer with my kids before they are in kindergarten and first grade so we have lots of fun things planned and lots of unplanned time as well. Enjoy your vacation, I can tell you enjoy being with your family! Any other book recommendations?
Heather says
I highly recommend the Corner of Bitter and Sweet! It is awesome.
Amanda says
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was really good. I’m currently reading the 50 Shades books and will just say they may not be for everyone. Since I don’t “know” you, I’m not sure if you’ll like them OR if you’ll want to be reading them around your parents and mother in law haha
Erin Motz says
I can feel the wind from here! Looks intense!
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
That is quite a bit of wind! Looks like fun, though!
Karen says
Another terrific set of beach photos…I can literally feel myself blowing in those wind gusts alongside you! 🙂 I love your coveruup and Larb’s strapless dress! You’re looking mighty adorable, Kath!
donna says
Beautiful photo of your sister and her fiance! I highly recommend you skipping Fifty Shades. It was the most DISTURBING thing I’ve ever read. I only finished it because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Total waste of time. I have no desire to read the rest. Seriously? Women are finding this entertaining? I don’t get it.
Tracy says
Agreed. I do NOT understand the hype. I feel like those who read and liked it must not have read very many good books prior.
Soviet says
Checking out your site for the first time in a while. Do you ever cook or do you always have someone else cook for you? Also your meals seem a little (A LOT) heavy on sugar and processed food-from-a-box. Also, are Cheerios real food?
kristinichole says
They are on vacation so I believe everyone is taking turns cooking dinner. That’s just what I gathered from reading previous posts…
sophie says
Great beach photos — sorry about the wind, but much better than cold or rain!
As for 50 Shades…My recommendation is to wait until you are 3-4 months postpartum and um, ready to get back in the game so to speak!
Both my girls had late August due dates and now birthdays. Nice time for a birthday, except the kids will always be either the oldest or youngest in their grade (i sent both mine to kindergarten right when they turned 5, but they are girls and were totally ready). Nothing you need to worry about now, however.
Enjoy your time at the beach. I liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Easy, interesting, informative read!
Emma says
Who is related to whom? I’m confused! But you all look really cute in the wind!
Mom says
I’m the mom. Cliff’s the dad. Parents to Kath and Laura. Kanz (Matt–Kath’s husband) is my son-in-law and Matt (Laura fiance) is my son-in-law to be. Karen is Kanz’s mom.
Karen says
The man with the beard and ponytail is Matt’s cousin Shane. The St. Bernard is Peppy and he got into the trash, ate some very old crabs, then threw up on the living room rug.
Karen says
Moms of the KERF clan: you are hysterical! 🙂
Karen says
I love to be silly and laugh!
Emma says
Thanks for the explanation! The Matts kind of look alike!
KathEats says
We had fun laughing while writing the responses 🙂
Jen says
Kath, do you wear make-up? The shot of you alone is beautiful. Very natural-looking. How long are you at the beach for? Hope you get some wind-less days! 🙂
KathEats says
I do! And thanks.
Alyssa (pb and oatmeal) says
Looks like a great time!
Kelly says
I think the Matts could be twins! Does anyone agree? You and your sis must have similar taste 🙂
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest says
August 31st is my birthday, so I hope you give birth on your due date! I’ll have to read that book.
KathEats says
Happy Bday!
Kel says
Shades = soft porn. Not much of a story. I described it this way to a friend. When I bake my famous chocolate chip cookies, there is only enough dough to hold the chocolate together. Fifty shades has only enough story line to hold the sex scenes together!
I adore the beach house. Was it thru a rental company in Wilmington?
KathEats says
Yeah, local rental company
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See says
So windy here too! And fish tacos +guacamole are practically obligatory to the California diet 😉
Christena says
I love to read and I thought 50 Shades was terrible! I didn’t even finish it. Don’t compare it to books like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Twilight – even though those books had similar hype. I have no idea how 50 Shades got published in the current version. Appalling.
And, Kath, based on the way your personality shines through on the blog, I think you might blush the entire way through those books!!! I totally don’t see you enjoying them! I hope you don’t take this negatively in any way because I don’t mean it that way!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love cocktail hours during vacation – so relaxing because there’s no schedule!
Monica says
I just finished reading the 50 shades series. The plot wasn’t to great but I did like the characters and it was explicit. It is not even close to how good Harry Potter was and I only liked the first book of the Hunger Games…that series seemed to be the same story. But with 50 shades you do get a different plot. I liked it for a light summer read and it did make me blush but it also made me smile.
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
I got a pretty rainbow shot yesterday, too, after a rainstorm! Unfortunately, not at the beach!
mel says
Read 50 shades. I loved it and it does spice things up!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
that pie looks super delicious! YUM!
And definitely looks pretty windy…
Dominique says
I love your sister’s dress in the pic with her and Matt. Could you ask her where she got it from? And ahh…fish tacos./ I’ve been craving fish tacos for what seems like forever! The pic of your dinner is making that craving even stronger.
I’m not sure I’ll get around to reading 50 Shades…it doesn’t really seem like my cup of tea since someone mentioned it as “older women’s fodder” but I’d like to hear your opinion if you get around it. Maybe I’ll change my mind.
KathEats says
I don’t really know why it’s sweeping older women either because the main character is 22? I’m finding her hard to relate to thus far
Julie says
Check out that perfectly placed rainbow!
Danielle says
Love your striped top in the pictures! Very cute. Sounds like you are having a great time!
barbbara says
I have to chime in and say Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was a wonderful read.
Diane says
I love reading the responses from the moms! It looks like the fam is having fun on vacation, love the vacation food. We do something similar on vacation, each person taking a turn to cook, but our families’ recipes usually involve cans of condensed soup and velveeta… I wish my family were a bunch of foodies! They never seem to really enjoy what I cook, too many veggies and not enough meat or sauce. We are are mostly vegetarian, and to them that is *weird*. Oh well.