.: A sparkler adds enchantment to the evening celebration :.
These past days were celebrated on a tiny island that was full with the beauty of nature and the warmth of friends.
Conversations were enjoyed in the kitchen that was richly scented of hand made tortillas, veggie burgers from scratch, freshly baked breads and newly gathered herbs mingling with homegrown vegetables.
Visions of glowing campfires and fireworks illuminating the evening sky danced in our dreams as we slept and the cool breeze from the ocean washed over us...
.: My sweet friend and I smiled over each Island clothesline exclaiming:"Wash Wednesday!" :.
.: A little blueberry boy collecting sweet treasures! :.
Both cultivated and wild berries grew very happily on this island. We joined our friends and together gathered and enjoyed tasty varietals that were warm from being kissed by the island sun.
.: Many plants burst with blue treasures! Some for later and more for now!:.
.: Grape-sized blueberries are joined with two little green ones hitching a ride!:.
.: The ocean was dotted with sailboats that sailed along with the wind :.
The ocean served as a divide and kept us far away from shops or restaurants but rather busied us with gathering jewels of sea glass which shared itself plentifully as treasure along the shores.
.: A heart-shaped stone sharing itself so beautifully with my daughter today! :.
This heart-shaped stone was discovered by my daughter. When she first presented it to me I thought that somehow she had carved it on her own. On closer inspection I felt the smoothly worn edges and could hardly believe this heart was formed so perfectly all on it's very own in nature!
.: A favorite pastime when we visit the island is to collect smooth tumbled sea glass! :.
Sandals served as a lovely tray to place our newly found sea glass into. I could sit and sift through the sand and stones unearthing these colorful pieces for hours!
.: Sliding down the side of a grassy hill on cardboard that was used like a sled! :.
One evening before sunset the children raced down steep knolls of wild grasses. Spread before them lay the sparkling diamond fields of the sea. This was all a special part of remembering a woman that many called a friend who has been spending her summers on this island for many, many years since she was just a little girl.
.: Many trips down the side of this hill were enjoyed by all of the children :.
Just last summer my family and I sat and talked with this woman and watched in awe as her elderly body swam fast and strong in the currents of the ocean. She collected a few white stones that she would add to her gardens and then don her swim cap for her daily laps in the sea.
This past winter Mary passed away and a tradition that she had begun was celebrated on this day with all of the friends from the island gathering for a potluck dinner under a tent in her yard. They recited her poetry and shared stories of remembrance. I could not think of a better way to celebrate her life in this beautiful place that was such a part of her.
.:This float was driven by a ride-on lawnmower with each child riding along in rain barrels!:.
The Fourth of July was greeted with a sweet island parade! It was filled with homemade creativity, happiness, and fun! The participants who rode on the floats as well as the parade spectators drenched one another with water balloons and squirters to playfully cool all of us down on this summer day!
.: Wondering if candy or jets of water will be sent their way! :.
{We joined our friends in crafting our own colorful celebratory crowns to wear at the parade. }
.: Old-fashioned cars brought an added element of fun into this parade! :.
Homemade decorations were affixed to bikes, cars, and handmade floats by the islanders who all enthusiastically anticipate this annual traditional celebration.
.: This was a lane we travelled each day :.
.: Each evening we appreciated the setting sun and the glow that it brought upon us :.
.: My family illuminated by the sun that seemingly was melting into the ocean :.
Starfish and delicate creatures of the sea revealed themselves to us as we swam in unison in the crisp ocean waters.
Each sunset was more magnificent than the last as the sky was tie-dyed in brilliant hues of bright orange. My family became dreamy silhouettes who happily played on the twilight beach. Underfoot I could feel the contours of flat stones that were polished to a smooth finish by the ebb and flow of the tide. :.
