Mi Madre Tiene Cinquenta Anos

My mom recently turned 50, and we had a wee party for her. Just a nice dinner out at The Towne House in Media, and a cake. We could've just gotten fancy desserts at the restaurant, but the cake part was the thing my mom was looking forward to the most (bakery cakes are her absolute favourite...not those awful ones from the grocery store but the ones from a proper bakery). 


I was happy to oblige; it's so nice to have a mom who is easy to please. :-) 

(Parents and the wee brother Jake)

This occasion also marked the first time my mother was photographed (and saw herself) with glasses. 

I think she got a kick out of it too!

Second-Annual Maine-Cation

Last month, my sister, parents, and I went on the second-annual Maine-Cation. Well, it's the second annual trip for me, anyway. My parents and younger sister have been there five times now, and they still constantly talk about moving there when my dad retires. 

Besides being absolutely beautiful, the thing about Maine is that we always find something new to do. This year, we did the usual kayaking and cycling down to the general store. But this time, we rented the pontoon boat and took it out to Mt. Kineo.

Once we got there, we just parked it and swam in the water or laid in the sun.

(myself)

Some people went cliff-diving. I was not one of them, but I enjoyed watching.

(Once this girl resurfaced, she yelled, "I have a wedgie!!!")

Sister drove the boat too.

And then she tubed behind it. She likened the moving rush of water beneath the tube to an enema. 

All-in-all, I would call it a successful and extremely relaxing vacation. I really don't blame my parents for wanting to move here.

Presence not Presents

A friend of mine recently attended a 99th birthday party. This made me wonder, "Did you get the birthday boy a present? If so, what?"

What do you get for a birthday boy or girl who is really getting up there in age? My adopted Porter grandparents always say "Your presence not your presents are requested." And it's a good thing too because Grandpop Porter just turned 85; can you imagine how much stuff he already has? Things like giant balloons and extra sweets for the dessert table are always welcome, but no one brings anything more than a card.

(The party's here)

It is nice, though, because you can relax and be excited to go to a party where you are guaranteed to have fun. I mean it. The Porters are the most fun of all people. There is always plenty of food and drink, and sometimes you get to go out on the boat. Also, sometimes my aunts will pull out their flute and guitar and play some folk music for a while. Not kidding. It's a wonderfully hippy-like experience. One of my strongest childhood memories is my uncle (with his thick, dark brown beard) singing and playing "Sally the Camel" on the guitar to entertain us kids.

I was devastated when he shaved that beard.

Anyway, back to my point. Once you hit a certain age, isn't just seeing everyone present enough? And after 85 or 99 birthdays, aren't you tired of making the "I'm pretending I like your strange gift" face?

Twin Time

One of the best things about traveling up to Maine is the opportunity to stop and visit a bit with one of the dearest people in my life, my old roommate and twin Jenny.

(Twins)

This year we met at the Tilton Diner in New Hampshire for brunch. Jenny and her fiance Corey were vacationing up at Lake Winnipesaukee. We talked, ate French Toast, and caught up. After brunch, we sat outside on some picnic benches and chatted some more. It was a lovely way to catch up, and the weather was so perfect that it almost seemed a shame to have to get back in the car and drive off. Hopefully next year will bring more than just brunch. Dare I say maybe a whole day or two?

And my dad even got a new hat out of it!

Ravenwood

On my recent trip up to Maine with the family, we stopped at what has to be the most creative shop I have ever seen. The shop wasn't in Maine; instead it was in Jackson, New Hampshire. Called Ravenwood Curio Shoppe, it looked like a house straight out of a fairy tale.

At first glance, it seems like one of those artistic shops that sells things you may love but could never afford. But as we started poking around, I noticed that a lot of the pieces were actually affordable. And there was so much to choose from; I would dare anyone to go and say that they couldn't find something that they liked.

(sister monkey and metal monkey)

Around both sides of the house was a wee garden of sculptures and random things to buy. And fountains! SO MANY fountains (one of my absolute favourite things) It began with this:

(Spark Plug Dragonfly)

(sister)

(Madre and Sister)

And it keeps going further and further back into the woods.

(parents)

Here are some of the fountains. Around the Mermaid Fountain, they had arranged some of these crabs which were made out of old pipe wrenches and spray painted bright red.

(I couldn't get enough of this one)

(Mermaid Fountain)

My mom pointed out this little sculpture and said it looks just like my brother Buddy when he was little.

The Birthdays Continue

It just wouldn't be summer without the annual trip to see the Grandparents Porter--and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins that pop over to the house on Brigantine Lane. Most  summers we don't need an excuse to visit, but in 2011, we drove many hours on the New Jersey Turnpike to celebrate Grandpop Porter's 85th Birthday.


Yes, 85th. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a "Happy 85th Birthday" card? Surprisingly harder than it is to find a "Happy 90th Birthday" card.

(Morgan wins the Get to Know You Bingo)

(Practicing not falling in the lagoon)

Not only was there plenty of cake...

...but Aunt Nan and Kelly and created t-shirts with the birthday boy's face for everyone to wear:

(Sister and myself)

As the sun began to set on a full day of partying, a few of the cousins took a walk to the beach (we were really just trying to walk off dinner so we could go back and eat and drink some more. The sea air is perfect for stimulating our appetites).

(Brick Beach)

(Just because the sun is setting doesn't mean the party's over)

(The Party's Here)

And because no party is a proper party without some kind of sparklers, my dad was forward thinking enough to bring some along. 

(Emily and Myself)

(Ceremonial Lighting of the Sparklers)

Here's to 85 more birthdays at the Porters! If anyone can live 170 years, we want it to be Grandpop (and Granny) Porter!! :-)