Outdoor Wednesday - August 26th - Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

This week is a very special post for me.

Oh gosh, I don't even know where to start!! I am just so blessed to have a wonderful, romantic husband and beautiful, sweet children. Last week we were in New York City (my husband had business there and our daughter and I joined him). Our son lives in the city and we were looking forward to spending time with him and his lovely girlfriend, which we did. Lots of fun - we went to the Museum of Modern Art, enjoyed lots of incredible food and fun along the way, even saw a show. But, nothing could have prepared me for our trip out to Long Island.

My husband is originally from Long Island. His brother and his wife live out there, and at the end of the week I knew we were going to take a train from the city out to see them. They were to pick us up at the train (my husband, myself and our two kids) and we were going to get something to eat. Upon exiting the train I realized we weren't getting off at the usual stop. My husband rushed ahead of me and promptly hailed a cab and mumbled something to the driver. Okay, now I was really confused, I was still looking around for my brother-in-law. No sooner had we got settled in the cab, the driver called in to dispatch and said we were on the way to the Swan Club. I promptly began to cry...my husband and I had our wedding reception 25 years ago this month at the Swan Club in Roslyn Harbor. We had never been back since!

What a terrific surprise and it was even more special because we could share this magical place with our kids for the first time. We had a beautiful lunch in a room right next door to the room we had our reception those 25 years ago.

The photo below was taken from the window at our table as we dined.

We had a champagne toast...

Check out the swans outlined in flowers. There weren't any real swans around last week. We asked and were told that they come and go throughout the year. The grounds are just beautiful - every flower and tree, and even the puffy clouds in the beautiful blue sky looked perfect.

Here are some photos my daughter scanned of The Swan Club 25 years ago! The top photo looks like it was taken from approximately the same place the photo above was taken.

We look like babies.

And here we are now... I will never forget this day at the Swan Club. It was too romantic for words that my husband arranged this and even more special because the kids could share this with us. Thanks for joining me on my truly special Outdoor Wednesday post!!

~Karen~

Foodie Friday - Baked Seafood Casserole

While on Cape Cod we had the pleasure of having dinner with some dear old friends in Falmouth. It was my birthday and wow, what a meal. I had all of my favorites!

We sat outdoors on a gorgeous night and here is the view from our table. It was just beginning to get dark.

All of my favorites ~

Baked Seafood Casserole (Scallops, Shrimp and Scrod)

Last but not least, a very yummy birthday cake!! Please be sure and visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum to see lots of great food on this Foodie Friday. http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/Thanks for stopping by!

~Karen~

Outdoor Wednesday in Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod

Please join Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer - http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ to enjoy many fun Outdoor Wednesday posts!

I was lucky enough to visit Martha's Vineyard during a very unexpected trip to Cape Cod. I love the fun, intricate emblishments on so many of the houses there. They are the gingerbread houses, the Victorians. My husband didn't share my enthusiasm for walking up and down every street and taking pictures of all the beautiful houses, so my time was very limited!!

This one is my favorite. I love these yummy colors against the blue sky.

The houses are the colors of the frosting on the top of cupcakes. The summer flowers on Cape Cod and the Islands are gorgeous. I will dedicate another Outdoor Wednesday to show you some of those pictures I took while visiting the area.

My photos really don't do these houses justice. The two houses below are in Woods Hole on Cape Cod.

This photo below was taken from the ferry as it left Woods Hole on the way to Martha's Vineyard. I hope you have enjoyed looking at these beautiful houses as much as I have. As always, thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your comments. Have a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday and I will see you next week. ~Karen~