Santee - Family Weekend

 It is COLD and I did not bring the correct clothing, nonetheless, it is good. I like being on the pier. The cabin kind of sways as the bass boats go by. Turns out there is a tournament here this weekend. That moment when one of those gorgeous sparkle-paint Ranger boats burbles out of the channel and roars out on full plane into the lake is exhilarating. Of course, the fishermen look like Inuits, they are so wrapped against the cold wind!

FB is making breakfast while Bill, Nancy and I chat. Actually we are telling stories of our childhoods and recalling the 39 Summer Street adventures in the fields, the Island, College Pond, Beaver Brook, Nelly Conant's apple orchard and rhubarb patch and her ghost, how small our house was though we thought it was huge. 

Then the timer went off for FB's blueberry coffee cake and that's when we realized the oven in his cabin didn't work, so over I came to mine. Started the stove here, FB transferred the not-anywhere-nearly-done coffee cake to this stove and now I'm using the baking time to blog a bit.

 That's Bill walking toward me and some kind of pregnant looking heron flying off the roof of the Nixon cabin. 

 I brought my scanner and laptop so we could divvy up and share about a hundred photos from Mom's extensive files. We had a blast, as each picture seemed to spawn more than one memory. Caleb was amazed to discover the oldest picture we have is a 1878 tintype of Fritz and his baby sister in Germany. And here it is!!

Hannah and her fella, Matt, had to leave Saturday afternoon for a previous commitment, but they were around long enough to visit with Cousin Karen. Too bad they missed her awesome chili and FB's traditional Mr. Omelet experience. But perhaps next year.                                                              

The adults talked and talked and talked as we shared pictures and memories. Matt learned quite a lot about our family.

Caleb and his friend, Buddy, went off on a nature hike with Bill and relished a tree climbing experience! 

Saturday night after Karen's chili, Bill brought out the makings for s'mores and the brief discussion of the possibility of microwaving the marshmallows was stridently nixed by Karen who declared The Aunt Ellen Rule controlled ANY s'more creation - a real s'more always requires actual flames heating marshmallows. So, she took Caleb and Buddy down to the lakeside grills to instruct them in fire creation.

By the way, it's been so long since I made a s'more, I had no idea marshmallows were now made the size of the Graham cracker! I had to hunt all over to find a stick strong enough to support mine while I toasted it!

My s'more creation was so successful that Bill borrowed my stick and thoroughly enjoyed his treat! 

A squall off the lake drove us indoors where we tried to watch the classic film The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming but encountered a few snags, not the least of which was Caleb had to set up the TV, the adults couldn't figure it out. About 30 minutes into the movie, we all pooped out and went to bed!

Another winning family weekend at Santee. FB even got in some fishing, though nothing bit on his lure. We were compelled to dine on Bojangles chicken! Nancy quipped that once again she never opened the books she brought to read, but I didn't either!

Weekend recap: The weather cooperated. The pier cabins were delightful. The conversations were stimulating as well as thoughtful. Memories were brought into the light and dissected. Future plans were shared. The Mayer siblings and their families renewed their bonds...and that's what Santee is all about!

PS - Marty REALLY despises doing dishes with a washcloth!!! Next year, scrubbies are a must!!