Yup..that's me...

...a blog slacker, once again.

Something about the summer weather lately, and maybe a state of inertia on those hot, humid days..and I'm just not feelin' it. Don't get me wrong, it's been (and still is) a lovely summer. But blog posting has it's up moments and down moments...and lately, it's been down. I haven't even been taking many photos, to tell you the truth. But I do have quite a few photos to show you over the next few days. Nothing too remarkable..and most shot with the camera I have with me most of the time..my iPhone. Quality ranges from Ok to good, but the convenience factor for taking photos..awesome.

So let's start out with what has been the main focus this summer...getting healthy, or healthier, I should say. It will be a months--no--probably at least a year (and maybe two) long process for hubby and I...but baby steps are still moving forward right?

So we have been hitting the gym more often. As painful as it is to be plodding away on an elliptical, stepper, or treadmill, the feeling of euphoria when you are back home, showered and relaxing on the couch is awesome. It almost makes exercising worthwhile! hahha. It has something to do with all those endorphins, I am sure, because the feeling is gone by the next day when I procrastinate about going to the gym all over again.

But we are getting there, slowly and surely.

Breakfasts lately consist of Kashi cereal, topped with sliced peaches...and a side of watermelon.

Or, avocado, mashed and spread on toast with a side of cherries.

Snacks--fruit, and more fruit.

For a salty and crunchy fix, we have turned to Kale Chips.

 We have been visiting more farmer's markets...like this one in Londonderry, VT

I am making batches of my granola, adding in dried fruit like apricots.

Now, no one is perfect, you see. And as we drove by the Vermont Country Deli one day last month, this lovely cake beckoned. But, it wasn't as bad as it looks. We shared this piece.

However....when I made a batch of chocolate cherry biscotti for my boy 

(who is far far far away in CA); I ate ONE biscotti.

Yup, just one.

But, I try not to get too cocky, as there have been way too many of these ingested over the summer....

 We have been grilling like cavemen. 

Tons and tons of veggies: eggplant, asparagus, peppers, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, onions, and lots of grilled chicken and salmon, and veggie burgers.

No weekend goes by without Jim out on the deck grilling enough chicken and veggies to last for a week of salads, pizza toppings and sides.

Even rain doesn't stop us...and if you know how Jim feels about being out in the rain...

you know that is 

DEDICATION.

Another kayaking adventure

We have been on a few kayaking adventures over these last few weeks..with ALL of them combining to give us cooling breezes, serenity on the water, and amazing views.

This particular kayak adventure also included an INCREDIBLE sunset and old friends to enjoy it with.

We drove down to a spot near the CT shoreline and put our boats into the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme.

 We paddled around the smaller estuaries (looking a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies)

 These small pathways (which, depending on the tide, are a mix of salt and fresh water) are home to amazing amts of birds, fish and other sea life.

And now, for a giant close up of my head...

When it got too narrow and too shallow (it was almost low tide) we turned around, went back to the Lieutenant River and then turned up the Blackhall River.

 We paddled for about a mile up the Blackhall, until the rt 156 bridge overpass.

By then, the river was really shallow from low tide, and we had to wrestle with the mud flats once or twice to keep up our pace :)

We turned southwest and headed toward Long Island Sound and a cozy little barrier beach.

 Almost there...

 Low tide in all it's glory.

It was NOT fun dragging our 88lb tandem kayak over these muddy flats.

We finally reached our destination and settled in with a picnic supper.

 After supper, we took a little walk around the barrier island.

After seeing the huge NO DOGS sign, we were relieved we had made the decision to leave our furry friend behind, despite the sad look on her face as we drove out of the driveway with our kayak.

 

 By this time, the sun was hanging low in the sky..time to head back to our chairs for the show.

 If you look very closely, you can see the Great Blue Heron that came to visit.

 As the sun set, we started packing up to paddle back to our cars.

 As twilight fell, our flashlights we had bungeed to the hull of our boats

illuminated our way back up the river.

 And just like that, darkness fell.