What are your hobbies?

What comes to mind when I say hobbies?  Knitting?  I think people are more into hobbies these days than in years past.  And I don't mean just knitting.  There are scrapbooking clubs, dinner clubs, mommy/baby clubs...the list goes on and on.  I love different types of clubs.  I love learning new things and meeting new people.  I joined a book club years ago, but quickly got tired of paying big money for just released best seller books.   Most of those books didn't interest me enough to get past the first chapter.  SO, I started my own book club.  Social media really helped put the word out to my friends and soon Chapter Chat was created.  That was 3 years ago now.  It's still a fairly small group, but we have a lot of fun.  We meet up monthly for books, food and wine. 



Book club goodies!

I told you we ate a lot at book club.



We do read books too....really we do!



In January I joined a photography club.  My husband gave me a Nikon for Christmas and said I would probably never learn to use it.  That was motivation enough!  My friend sent a message out on facebook that she wasn't into reading books, but wanted to start a photography club instead.  I jumped at the chance.  It has been a blast!  Most of us in the group haven't a clue how to work our cameras, but we are having a blast learning a little each month. 



Yes, more food at our photography club.

Laptops, ipads, cameras and cell phones usually cover the table at our meetings.

What are your hobbies?  I would love to hear about them.  I'm thinking about a new club...recipe club!!  I'm still working out the details, but will share soon.  

Girls Beach Trip

Having a long stretch of time off from work is exactly what I needed...and a girls beach trip!  Ah...I love Myrtle Beach get aways!  BUT, a tropical storm....really?....during MY vacation?  Thankfully it passed quickly and we were back to tanning on the beach.  Our beach trips are pretty low key but packed full of morning walks on the beach, tanning all day, great dinners out and LOTS OF SHOPPING!  Did I mention the frig full of wine?  That too.  Here's a few pictures from our week.  I miss the beach already.  How do you spend your summer vacations?


Mornings of coffee, reading and Megan's homework time



Storm has passed and the sun is shining

Tropical Storm brewing



Junk food and redbox movies after $$ spent at the outlets

Last night - dinner at The Melting Pot



Time out for fun

I haven't posted anything since the weekend.  This has distracted me!  Details to come.

Uninvited guest....

Summer has arrived and brought an uninvited guest....humidity!  Augh!  For the first time in a long while I actually enjoyed spring this year.  We had a few hot days, but quite a few cooler days to enjoy.  Now that June has arrived the temps are creeping up and humidity is here to stay.  I used to long for beautiful summer days, but humidity has ruined it for me.  I love the pool and the beach, but if you're not in or close to water the heat and humidity here can be rough.  I have made the mistake of going on vacation to the beach in July and August and that can be tough.  So, now I take my beach trips the first half of June and enjoy it so much more.  I think a lot of people change up their outside activities a little when summer arrives.  I change my running routine to late weeknights and early weekend mornings to escape the heat. 

Another uninvited guest arrived this year....cicadas!!!  Lord help me!  These things not only gross me out, but they are SO LOUD!  I can hear them from inside the house.  They are everywhere and the streets are covered in crushed cicadas.  See my picture below.  These are the shells they leave behind in the trees.  I feel like I'm in a horror movie every time I walk under the tree limbs to get to my car.  So, how many days until fall weather???

Thank you!

Thank you all for your kind supportive words regarding my first blog posting.  I have had so many text messages and emails from supportive friends.  I have thought about starting a blog for a good while now, but it's a little scary putting yourself out there :).  Anyway, just wanted to say thank you and I'm working on a new post that will be up soon.  Meanwhile....here's a few pictures of life this past week enjoying the holiday with my husband fishing and hiking.

Have a great Saturday!