- Isak Dinesen
This past weekend and at the height of my funk, I had all three. On Superbowl Sunday, when the rest of the island had seemingly holed themselves up indoors in front of the television surrounded by friends and an army of snacks, Phil and I escaped for a quiet day together. It was just what I needed: my husband, the sea and me.
It was to our advantage that we are not football fans, because it meant we had the beach to ourselves---a sweeping view from left to right with not another soul in sight. So private in fact, that I actually considered going topless...but this girl kept her clothes on.
This quiet, quality time together nourished my soul; it is so easy to become self-absorbed with life's all-consuming demands and it is something we are always working on. Making a conscious effort to spend time together - fully engaged with one another - is necessary in every marriage.
We slathered on the sunblock, worshipped the sun and snacked on the lovely picnic Phil put together for us:
We laid on our plush beach towels and watched the clouds drift by...
...we read from our respective books (a Memoir for me, After Effects CS5 editing software for him)...
...we played with our respective cameras - I took pictures while Phil tested out housing gear...
...and we took plenty of self-portraits, because it's what we do.
We swam in the ocean until our eyes burned, our fingers and toes pruned and our bodies were fatigued...and while Phil had gone back to shore, I had my moment. That moment where nature rises above all else and it is just You and God. I lay flat on my back, buoyed by the sea, staring up at the clouds and submerged enough so that life was reduced to nothing but the pulse of the ocean. I smiled at the blissful mix of warm sunshine and cool waters, and I found peace again in that moment, seemingly cupped in the hands of God, Himself.
I love this! I would much rather lay around on a beach with my hubs than watch football! :) And that last pic... SO COOL! I wish I was brave enough to go that far out in the water!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a hectic week for me... I need to go to the sea this weekend and enjoy the quiet. Thanks for the inspiration to take time to so this. I so need this.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! We are covered in snow here in Colorado ~ I could use some sand and sun right about now! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of your beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely gorgeous day! That watermelon looks delicious, the water is pretty and that sky! Glad you had your rest out there...I think I would have considered going topless too but could never go through with it. haha, and yes, you DO look topless in that picture. ;)
ReplyDeleteEmily at Amazing Grapes
Well that was absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think a view like that, a little mochi and a good book could make even the most fanatical of football fans trade it all in for what you have there.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing about Isak Dinesen...Isak was a cover name for a woman named Karen Blixen. Women were not taken seriously as writers back in her day, so she published under an alias. The book "Out of Africa" was written by her and was about her as well. Just an FYI, I thought was interesting.
I'm always amazed at how you and phil seem to find deserted spots of beach still...LUCKY!
absolutely love this...gorgeous day, sun, sand, and love...perfect!! I loved reading The Happiness Project...lots of good reasons to get out of your own way and love peacefully:) Glad you found some peace on Sunday!!
ReplyDeletewhoa..I actually meant 'live' peacefully, but I guess 'love' works just as well:))
ReplyDeleteLove the pics!! You're an amazing photographer! =)
ReplyDeleteWow. Just wow. I think I'd have been willing to skip the Super Bowl for that too. I'm so glad you enjoyed your day and your time together and now I have a new favorite thought to remember. I just love stopping by here, you always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is exactly why I love the ocean!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful, serene day. Lovely.
ahh!! The happiness project! What do you think of it? I read it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. And when I read about her making her blog into a book it was the final straw to push me into blogging - knowing I could save my blog forever :). And I'm glad you had a great day at the beach. It sounds lovely. And much more exciting than the football game.
ReplyDeleteSO BEAUTIFUL Angie!! Making me super homesick! Maui No Ka Oi:)
ReplyDeletethis...is amazing. probably one of my favorite posts by you yet. so refreshing and pure and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteand i love that quote<3
What a magical day Angie! Just what you needed. Thank goodness your island escape is only outside the front door!
ReplyDeleteOoh that sounds so nice! I haven't had a beach day with the hubby since we had baby almost 2 years ago and I think it's high time we made it a priority. Beautiful writing Angie! I felt like i was right there with you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your photos! They're all beautiful but the sandwich photo was awesome for Superbowl Sunday! ;) You have a great eye. Keep em coming! ;)
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Oh Ang! This post made me so sad and so happy at the same time. I could use some warmth and sunshine right now.... Miss you, my friend.
ReplyDeletelove this! your blog is delightful! i'm from honolulu, just moved away to the mainland, and this makes me so happy to stumble on your blog xo
ReplyDeleteC
Angie, I am so jealous of where you live! It is early February and you are still able to swim in the ocean, and lay on the beach! How lucky! Right now, as I look out my window it is dreary, snowing and turning to mush! Ha! Hope you have a great rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is my favorite! Love them all though. I don't know why, but your sandwich looks so good, and it looks like it's just cheese and lettuce? I'm craving that now for some reason. I've wanted to read that book, so you will have to let us know how it is. Laughed at the topless thing, and if I was thin, I would have gone for it. People think I'm reserved and shy, but I'm not. :)
ReplyDeleteI love love this post. It deserves two loves. You are such a great writer and photographer that you make every post seem like a little story that just sucks the reader in! I don't comment as often as I should, but I love your blog. And it's only adding to my desires to be in a tropical location right now! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favorite quotes! It sounds like you had an amazing Sunday!
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