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Hi there - Bethany here.  Remember me?  Mom's been doing a bang-up job of picking up my slack while I've been totally checked out.  Back to reality really did suck after a lovely 10-day vacation at Bethany Beach!  We rested, relaxed, shivered a little in the mid-September chill, tried to eat our way back to our pre-goal weight enjoying all of our favorite food haunts and just plain savored the low-traffic atmosphere of the beach post tourist season.  The dogs had the time of their lives as well.

As I mentioned, my Uncle and family graciously opened their home to us for the week and we couldn't be more appreciative.  Wilma ran out into the bay every time we opened the door, we lounged on the deck soaking in the views and watched tons of movies at night.  Really catching up on things we've managed to breeze over during the course of a busy year.

I wanted to share some of our views and the beautiful home my family has made at Bethany.  My Uncle designed and built this house years ago, an architect by trade but clearly good taste has transcended the test of time as all the original fixtures and furniture are still relevant.  The house is a wood-siding contemporary and decorated with quite a mix of mid-century and beachy items.  You instantly feel at home when you walk in the door. Situated right on the bay, it's the perfect spot.  Uncle Jack positioned the house just so that all of the windows all around the house can be opened to utilize the cross breezes from both the ocean and the bay.  My late Aunt layered in beautiful navy batik and Chinois fabrics on the pillows and linens (sorry, I forgot to get a picture of them) which also stay relevant somehow!

My Aunt Noma was a wonderful artist and most of her work is proudly displayed throughout the home.  Do you spy one of Mom's silkscreens in the vignette?  Noma was always super supportive of Mom during her art career, which endeared her to us even more. 

The view from the back of the house is really something, overlooking Assawoman Bay (a name we had a hayday with as kids, feeling like we were breaking all kinds of codes saying it out loud!), which spans from Delaware down to Maryland.  A great blue awning provides shade from the late day sun that bounces off the water. The neighborhood that houses this spot has become overrun with really nondescript, super-sized homes with grey metal siding which makes this charmer stand out even more. 

We were so thankful for our time here. 

The week following vacation was one of my toughest.  We finished up a kitchen design project, met with some new clients, juggled a trip to the vet with a sick Wilmy, competed in a dog show with Seamus this past weekend and decided to downsize our beloved family SUV for something smaller and better on gas.  Talk about easing back into it...not! To top it all off, Mom is gearing up for a spur-of-the-moment trip to Italy for two weeks so things remain in constant flux!  I'm trying to find some time to breathe and remember our lovely restful week at the beach and gear up for a new month ahead.  I'm feeling like I'm neglecting so many things because of all of our commitments lately, and haven't had much time to celebrate and share our life's excitements.  What I'd really like to do is to have a rainy, chilly day and hole up in bed with the first 3 seasons of Downton Abbey.  Mother nature, you listening?

I hope this month brings lots of good excitement for you too.  Meanwhile, I'll be practicing my breathing techniques and trying not to get sick.