Published on Thursday, August 7, 2014 by Katherine My addiction. Do I think about them every day? No. But if I see them somewhere, I stop dead in my tracks and remember. The forgiveness of the shell as you squeeze to reveal the inner contents. The warm juice that trickles down your fingers. And finally, the salty, nutty innards that always leave you wanting more. And more. And more. My mother and daughter think ...

Published on Monday, July 28, 2014 by Katherine Dusty Jr. Poor kitty not only has the name of a cat that “is no longer,” but has been called a boy’s name for several months. Indeed, DUSTY, as we call HER now, looks just like a feral male cat that several locals fed and took care of for many years in Corolla. At the beginning of the season we were heartbroken to hear Dusty had not been seen in quite a while...

Published on Sunday, July 13, 2014 by Katherine Every Sunday while driving away from Corolla I think back on all the adventures we had over a short day and a half. Not once do I take any moment for granted. Here is a bit of this past weekend in pictures. Now that my kids are old enough to say, “Don’t take my picture!” I am forced to turn my camera elsewhere. Fortunately, our Corolla baby deer is more than ha...

Published on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 by Katherine Or should I say… “my hurricane vacation?” Because my family vacation had a hurricane tucked in it. Let me share the following quote: “The National Hurricane Center said Arthur is the earliest hurricane to hit North Carolina since records began in 1851. The previous record was July 11, 1901.” The actual quote should read: “The National Hurricane Center s...

Published on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 by Katherine Leaving Corolla after two trips to the beach had my daughter and I parched. I treated myself to a skinny Oprah iced chai, while she was craving a “coke no ice.” It was the weekend, so why not? The only place nearby with soda was McDonalds. I don’t think I have been to a McDonald’s drive thru since the kids were five and under. Happily, my experience was bey...

Published on Monday, June 9, 2014 by Katherine <INSERT SIGH OF RELIEF HERE> In the last month or so, I have spent weeks on intensive spring cleaning, had guests stay at my house, lost my trusty van, rode the light rail to work, finally got my van back, was dissed by extended "family", spent countless hours helping with end of the year school projects, planned for and went to three huge graduation events,�...

Published on Friday, May 30, 2014 by Katherine Here we are at the end of the month, meaning it is time for the 'Lilhoohaa photo challenge post.  This month's subject is FUN! 1.  Last weekend my son went surfing.  As he paddled out, I saw that three children were watching him intently, as if they had never seen a surfer before.  Once he started to turn, they began to get even more excited.  They waited with b...

Published on Thursday, May 8, 2014 by Katherine My Corolla mornings begin far too early, thanks to my over excited, “Let’s go to the beach!” dog. What seems like only hours after I have gone to bed, Moon is waking me up for his morning walk. Despite my wish for more sleep, our mornings are one of my great joys. Off season, I am able to let Moon off the leash and walk an empty beach hunting for sea glass. Whe...

Published on Sunday, April 6, 2014 by Katherine One, two, three, four…. eleven, twelve, thirteen…. Darnit.  Thirteen items.  I steer away from the express lane and make my way to the regular checkout. Sure, one more item probably won’t make a difference to those behind me.  But where does it stop? I just can’t stand it when I see people breaking the rules simply because they feel they are more deserve...

Published on Sunday, March 23, 2014 by Katherine After a long, cold and snowy winter, it finally came time to open up the beach house.  My mother had walls and woodwork completely re-done while we were gone, leaving plaster dust on everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING. No worries.  Saturday was going to be 74 degrees.  Sun.  Sand.  Heat.  In March.  All I could think was “Pinch me.” Falling back to tradi...

Published on Sunday, August 25, 2013 by Katherine Outrageous winds and strong currents meant no swimming or fishing this weekend. My son asked if I could take some pictures of him skimming.  “I never bring my camera on the beach honey.  I am afraid sand will ruin it.  And with this wind…..” “Mom, I only feel sand blowing six inches from the ground.  I think it will be fine.” I should have stuck to my...

Published on Thursday, August 15, 2013 by Katherine Was it shark week that fashioned the series of events leading up to the Corolla Baby Toss last weekend?  Or was it the meteor shower.  Or a perhaps a combination of both? This past weekend was far from boring to say the least. As you have heard me whine for about three months, winds and upwelling have caused Outer Banks waters to remain between 58 and 64 degrees.�...