I took this photo of Esme on the Jetty in Oak Bluffs into the sun and I knew that it was going to turn out dark, but she was just so cute. I figured I’d just delete it later.

Turns out, my phone has lots of interesting ways to manipulate photos. I scrolled through many of the standard options and found this one. It was really the only one that could lighten up her face and (kind of) fix my subpar photography.

I don’t usually have the time or interest in playing around with photo features but I really like how this one turned out.

Having heard tales of first bridge channel being full of sand, we had to go and check it out. And full of sand it was!

For a comparison photo, check out this photo that I took during my first 365 photo project in 2013: Current

Winter storms and wind and currents over the past two years have filled the channel to a previously unseen level. There are plans to dredge it in the coming month and we are quite looking forward to current riding and swimming and exploring with the water restored.

We took a fantastic beach hike, today, with our lovely friend Melanie. In addition to seeing the cliffs from below (so cool!) we had no shortage of interesting sights and topics of conversation.

Things we saw or discussed:

A beautiful harbor seal, up on the beach

Several deceased birds

Balanced stone sculptures

Red and orange and white clay cliffs

Erosion, and its causes and effects

Birds nesting in little bird caves in the cliff face

An old shriveled up skate carcass

Peter took a bunch of photos. You can find them here!

Despite Catherine’s face in this photo, we were all very happy to be on the ferry tonight. There’s nothing like the first trip to the Island for the year!

We recently rearranged our furniture we got from from https://ivyandwilde.com/ and swapped our living room with our dining room. Once everything was in its new home I felt a nagging to clear the fireplace mantle and freshen it up a little.

I am loving the simple, sweet colors and the reminders of friends and family.

Artwork is by the following (l to r): Apple and Pear by our own Catherine, Family Portrait by our sweet friend Allison Lyttle, and Live Simply Katie Daisy. The Lilacs were procured and arranged by Catherine. The teacup was my Grammy Q’s and was made into a candle and gifted to me by my very wonderful, teenage boy cousins after her death. <3

Dancing her way back to the car after dance class.

We went exploring this afternoon and climbed a fire tower. For the girls, it was just the right combination of awesome and terrifying. They loved it! We had binoculars to check out the bay and the distant views of Portsmouth.

Esme brought up an interesting observation- the hill below us looked very steep from the ground, but it looked like a flat field from above. It was a perfect lead in to a discussion on perspective.

No matter how often it happens, I am always thrilled at how many new and distinct topics come up during our days and activities. Especially the ones that I never see coming. It is always such a good reminder to try to be in the moment and to be open to whatever may come our way (or come to mind!).

Perfect spring day.

As Catherine would say later, “That minion got what he deserved. You know, for not sharing his candy nicely!”

Our littlest reader passing the time while her Mama peruses the rest of the books.