Where Would That Place Be?

Do you have a favorite winter get-away?

Someplace where the sound of waves offers tranquility and peace?

Where light and shadows create beautiful effects?

And man-made objects provide points of interest?

Where would that place be for you?

Tea and the Sea

When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea

Then cease the useless tedium

And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its' fragrance,

There is solace in its' taste;

And laden moments vanish

Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!

There's beautify as you'll see;

All because you briefly stopped

To brew a cup of tea.


Newport
Depoe Bay
Florence

Making "Sea Salt"

I love the glass canisters of sea salts that are sold by the ounce in the gourmet section of the supermarket.  They come in a variety of colors; black, brown, tan, and white, depending upon their source and how they are processed.  Some are aged in oak barrels while others are fresh, pristine, plain white.  Each is named in some fashion according to the location it was gathered.  They are flavorful and unique.  The cooking experience is enhanced by something as simple as sea salt.  It is generally thought to be more flavorful and have a better texture than regular table salt.  Gourmet cooks seek it for their dishes.

Recently members of an online recipe group shared their ideas for making their own sea salt.  It was a new idea to me!  Have you ever made your own sea salt?  Their conversation centered around the use of a slow cooker to speed up the evaporation process.  The subject peaked my interest and I decided to see what more I could discover on this subject.  Sea salt is a product of evaporation where brine is taken from the sea and warm, dry air applied and dissolution occurs.  The sun's energy is generally used, but in cool climates other energy sources must be applied.

Making sea salt in your own home is a simple process, although not without its complications if you do not live by the sea.  But, for the fun of it, let's explore the possibilities.  You will need:  sea or ocean water, a gallon size jar, a kettle, and a stove (unless you decide to use a slow cooker).  Be sure the sea water is as clean as possible.  Check out the environment where you gather it to make sure that there is not stagnant water with obvious pollutants.  Once you are in your kitchen, strain the sea water through cheesecloth to remove any particles of debris or sand.  Place the sea water in a kettle and boil on the stove-top for several hours.  The idea is for the liquid portion to evaporate (take opportunity to give yourself a steam facial in the process).  As the kettle becomes emptier, keep close watch.  Remove it from the heat when there is a small layer of water left at the bottom of the kettle.  It's important that you do this so that you don't scorch or burn the salt at the bottom of the kettle.  Allow to sit overnight, if possible, so that the remainder of the water evaporates naturally.  Then, scrape the salt crystals from the kettle and onto a plate.  Allow the salt to dry out completely.  When dry, pour the salt into a small container and use when cooking your favorite recipe.  How fun is that?  

(The slow cooker method would be similar, but would require less attention than a kettle on the stove-top because it is less likely to burn.) 

~ Photos:  Bandon Beach, Oregon ~ 

The Winter Sea

Have you noticed how the winter sea is always BLUE?

Sea

So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.  Psalm 104:25

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.  
Psalm 96:11

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.  
Isaiah 42:10

Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:  
Jeremiah 31:35  

~ Bandon Beach, Oregon ~

Talk Like a Pirate

 

The pirate speaks,"Every beach town seems t' have its own version o' pirate fun! Most o' us be familiar with Captain Jack Sparrow and t' quirky kind o' pirate adventure he brin's t' t' big screen. Even grown up lads seem t' find intrigue and humor in pirate lore. Pirate food, attire, and trinkets be abundant in any seaside down worth its salt! Our seaside town had enough t' brin' a smile t' everyone's face. "

Time & a Perfect Day

When sharing time with friends, it is always interesting to observe what decisions people make regarding use of their recreational time.  "What shall we do today?" is a question asked each morning.  Responses vary and a melding of ideas occurs.  Tradition (things done or places visited on other trips) decrees that some things simply must happen.  Individuals new to the group come with their own, unique ideas.  Answers range from walking the beach (a must for each visit to the ocean) to shopping in the quaint little town nearby.  Favorite bookstores must be visited, fudge or caramel corn purchased in tiny candy shops, and trinkets examined in stores where shopkeepers work to vend the most unique things they can find.  Seagulls and sea lions beg be fed.  And it is always entertaining that fishing boats observed.  No matter what the activity, relaxation occurs (yes, even with shopping).  Lively conversation over a cup of tea and an afternoon nap cap off the days activities.  A perfect day.  

Wired with Friends

There are several things required for a get-away week-end when a group is involved.  You need adequate space (places to take a nap and sleep), a clean kitchen with lots of space for food, and Internet!  Twenty-somethings are fully wired these days!  So are fifty-somethings!  If the beach isn't right outside the door, that's alright.  A meandering walk to its sandy shore allows for many things to see along the way.  Kids, kites, cozy couples, dogs, quaint houses, driftwood, and more all entertain as footsteps lead to miles of sandy shoreline and the magnificent crash of waves!  Today, as we experience a wintry day at home, with temperatures in the teens, memory recalls the milder temperatures of the coast and a half-dozen or more flowers we observed in bloom.  Little things create pleasant memories that carry us through the rest of winter as we anticipate spring.  The ocean in the winter is one of my favorite things!

Sea Quest

The winter has been long, gray, and chilly.  News of a sunny week-end at the beach was welcome as we turned our wheels toward the beach.  The great Pacific did not disappoint!  Waves and sunshine mixed with the fellowship of family and friends created a lovely meld of activities inside and outdoors.  A pleasant surprise, miniature daffodils blooming beside the rental house, added an extra touch of cheer!

Beach Buddies

"Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach."

- Michelle Held -

Shine

 

Lighthouses serve an important purpose. From a Roman lighthouse at Dover Castle to scattered lighthouses along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, lighthouses work to emit light through a system of oil lamps, electric lights, prisms, and mirrors.  Although modern electronics has replaced many them for actual use, they still serve as a reminder of their duty as guards of the night.   Their lights still shine and they serve as a reminder of the guidance they gave to pilots who navigated the sea.  Visiting lighthouses that dot the coastline serve as an object lesson to stories in history.  They provide beauty, intrigue, and a sense of adventure to all who visit them and climb their narrow, winding staircases to a view from the top.  Scripture tells us that we are to be a light to the world.  Just as the lighthouse, we are to shine.  The Newboys, in the course to their famous song appropriately entitled "Shine", share these words:

Shine
Make 'em wonder what you've got
Make 'em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored
Shine
Let it shine before all men
Let'em see good works, and then
Let 'em glorify the Lord



"We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining ---
they just shine."  Dwight L. Moody

Go, take on the day, and don't forget to SHINE!

Summer Tranquility

I am not a fan of the Twilight series. In fact, I have never read the books, nor have I seen the movie. But I do love the countryside surrounding the quaint, small towns of Forks and LaPush, the places where the story is told. The forests and winding roads that open up to the beauty of the beach are tranquil and remote. Being there simply melds my heart into serenity. Visits to the beach at LaPush are best planned so the sun can be viewed as it sets. Brown pelicans, great blue herons, and hundreds of gulls are only a few of the birds that can be observed from the shore. Tiny islands dot the shoreline. Low tide reveals a rocky shore, and high tide brings waves close by, making observation of sea otters and other creatures easy and close. This point, one of the most western on the Pacific coast, speaks of serenity to all who take the time to stop and observe. Many tasty picnic lunches have been shared from a landing near this beautiful coastal spot. And summer, sweet summer, is the best time of all for such a delightful repast.

Where Would You Be?

We have a game in our family that we play at dinner-time sometimes. It starts in the form of a question: "If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?" Usually this question occurs during a busy time of work or study. Often it's a poignant walk down memory lane. There are no restrictions to the answer you may give, but it is always amazing that family members usually cite a place they have already been. Past experiences, favorite places, memories of warm times shared always win out. Although we all dream of venturing to a far-away land and seeing new things, it's always special to remember favorite places we've been before. Today this picture of a past trip to the sea on a sunny winter day reminds me of a favorite place that's filled with warm memories: a walk to the lighthouse; observing the boys in a nature photo-shoot as darkness nears; a picnic with friends. How I'd love to be there right now, with a cup of tea in hand. Memories relived and dreams of a return visit warm my day.

Lovingkindness in the Morning

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Psalm 143:8

Cottage by the Sea

Two for tea

And tea for two

Made in England

Cottage by the sea

Far away from English shores

Pacific tides to be

Cotton gown

With button and lace

Yorshire tea

and trays

Cottage door to welcome in

Come for tea

Garden path with crocus sweet

Calendula and lavender

Stepping stones and tea

for thee

Beautiful, by the sea.

Flowers of Spring

Calendula, crocus, Spanish lavender, forget-me-nots: amazing signs that spring has arrived in some places not too far away.

Click on photo to enlarge

Shore Walk

Starfish, jelly fish, sea anemone, mussels, tiny fish in tide pools, Gorse like Scotch Broom, crashing waves, smooth sand, filtered sunshine, dog prints on the sand, holding hands, joy.

Click to enlarge photo.

Lighthouses, Harbor, Bay, and Heron

Romantic names like Florence, Winchester, Umpqua, and Heceta Head make me wonder of whom they were named and why; treasures and history of the past.

They are places still busy with people continuing to write history as they go about their daily duties. Sea salts, brisk breezes, and blue skies brighten a February day.

A heron freezes at harbor edge, never moving as it keeps it's eye sharp for a tasty morsel.

Wordless Wonder

[click picture to enlarge]

Morning Tea and Sea

Morning sea tea

white snow sprout

curling leaves

stevia

Gray whales

and the sea hag

by sailing ship

With harbor seals

and screeching gulls

crashing waves

sunshine

This is the day

that God has made

Rejoice!