Welcome to a day in my life. I can't guarantee that this will be an exciting read for anyone. My life is filled with all the mundane activities of a stay-at-home-mom just trying to raise her three sons to be the best men they can be.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

What a Week!

I'm back from my annual girls' trip. Each Fall, 19 of my scrapping friends go away for a week of fun and scrapbooking. Each year we find a big house to rent somewhere that will accomodate all of us, along with a spot that we can all scrapbook together when we're not out doing other stuff. So far we haven't repeated a destination.

It all started in 2006 when 13 of us decided to go away for a week together in Quebec City. That year we had two condos that were close to each other. While we were there, we decided that it had to be an annual event/
In 2007, 15 of us headed for Tennessee, into the Great Smoky Mountains.
In 2008, 18 of us had a huge house right on the beach in Virginia Beach.
In 2009,  20 of us spent the week in a 10 bedroom house looking out into the mountains in Maine.
In 2010,  19 of us spent the week in luxury in a 10 bedroom mansion on The Jersey Shore.
In 2011, 20 of us went down the highway to Michigan where we spent the week in a gorgeous, old mansion that is now a scrapbooking retreat on the weekends - but they allowed us to have it for the week - lucky us! Memories Manor.

That brings us to this year's trip. This year 20 of us spent our week just outside of Boston in a stunning, ocean front mansion in Harlow Bay.

 
The house was gorgeous, and huge. It seemed to go on for ever and ever. There certainly was no lack of space.
 
This was the "ballroom" where we set up our tables to scrapbook, when we weren't out doing other stuff.

 
Many evenings were spent lounging on this sectional, everyone all crammed in, enjoying the fire and laughing together.

 
The kitchen was a gourmet cook's dream. It was so big. It gave me some good ideas of what I want, and don't want, when we renovate our kitchen this winter.

 
One of the master bedrooms!



On Monday most of us went out on a whale watching trip off Cape Cod. It was probably the highlight of the trip for those of us that went along.


 
We saw a few Humpback whales. Some that were just chilling and diving to eat, some that were communicating with others by slapping their fins on the water, and one adolescent whale who gave us a great show when he decided to jump into the air and body slam onto the water. I was awe struck! I've been on whale watching trips before, but nothing like this. What amazing creatures!
 


 
 
When we finished with the whales and were starting back to the port, we came upon a pod of about 30 dolphins - mostly mothers with their babies. The guides told us that they weren't there to eat, but just to play. They said it was like the mothers brought their babies there for the day just to show them the lay of the land. It was amazing to watch the mothers and babies swimming together, jumping and playing. As we were pulling away, we looked back to see them swimming behind the boat to play in the wake.
 

 
Another day was spent going to over to Martha's Vineyard. We had a private tour to take us around. It was so pretty. I would have loved to have had more time on my own just to explore.
 
I did manage to get some pages done - 12 as a matter of fact. Not a huge number, but I was happy that I got that many done since we were out so much, either touring, or shopping.
 
It was another fantastic week! We had the best time. Now the search is on for our next year's trip.






14 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness...I want to be your scrapbook friend.
    I love to go on retreats too...but the stores that used to put on the best ones have closed or stopped organizing them.

    The farthest I have gone was to a mountain retreat in Manning Park. My friends all went and both my adult daughters shared my chalet. It was so beautiful till we had to walk back to the chalet and remembered...yikes...this is grizzly bear country! We were a little skittish till we had our door locked! LOL

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  2. Anonymous4:17 PM

    I saw that house in one of the girl's notes on FaceBook and thought she'd gone away with her husband for an Anniversary trip or something LOL!! It's gorgeous and thanks for the inside pictures.
    What a wonderful way to celebrate scrapbooking and have a real holiday too with side trips.
    GREAT IDEA!!
    Brenda in Kit

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  3. I only gone five pages done Barb and one double pager. I think that this was one of the favorite trips for me Barb. The sight seeing of the whales was amazing and something that I will never forget......they were so large but so graceful. The nights around the fire place were so much fun----with all the talk and laughter ....Thanks again Barb!!-----> SISTA!

    JANET

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  4. AWESOME photos!!!! I can't wait to get the CD. This trip was a highlight for 2012. FOR SURE.
    I have to agree with Janet, I loved the couches by the fire place. Lots of laughs as usual :) I wont even comment on the stuff I didn't get done ;)

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  5. What a wonderful time you all must have had!! Gorgeous pics!

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  6. WOW! That's all I can say right now...WOW!
    Sounds like a wonderful annual getaway for you ladies. I hope you continue to enjoy it for many years to come.
    Hugs!

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  7. That is some house! So fun that you do this every year.

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  8. thanks so much for stopping by my blog today and taking the time to write such a wonderful and kind comment! thanks!! i would be honored if you stopped by again or even signed up to follow and i would return the favor!

    oh my golly! what a wonderful vacation for you and the girls!! i would so love to do this!!

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  9. Oh my word...what a wonderful tradition you gals have going!!! Thanks for sharing your adventure. The whale pics are amazing.

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  10. What a week is right! Looks absolutely amazing and rejuvenating.

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  11. GOrgeous pictures, and what a fun yearly trip. I miss having girlfriends.

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  12. Wow! What a wonderful trip.

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  13. Wow! I wish I could get back there for a retreat. None of the houses here compare.

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  14. Wow, looks like so much fun!

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