 In 2008, we traveled through Northern Ireland.  This restaurant with a familiar name was in Belfast (a very clean and sophisticated city, by the way).
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Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland…an amazing natural wonder that requires sensible shoes!
A good excuse to post  travel photos…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Spotted this “shell flag” in a front yard on First Avenue in Avalon.Â
It looks too colorful to be left over from last summer.  A recent weekend project in preparation for the season??
A brilliant blue sky, a cool blue ocean, and a light blue piece of sea glass. All part of my walk this morning.
Also noticed: I had to stop while crossing the street toward the beach. 2 bicyclists riding south and a jogger heading north. Practically a traffic jam!
I work for/with 2 former professional ice hockey players- both originally from “up north”.    The closest I’ve come to watching hockey is the movie Miracle on Ice.
Last night’s Olympic rivalry between Canada and the United States was a required viewing in our office.  And it was a good game, eh??
It’s funny…but also sad. 6:30pm- home from work, finished dinner, and already changed into the attractive flannel pants!
I’m looking forward to daylight at the end of the work day to encourage a more productive evening.  62 days until Spring …but who’s counting.
A relaxing stroll is just not possible with these temperatures! Move fast, and try to stay out of the wind.
On the plus side…the sand is frozen, so I can easily walk in what would normally be soft sand adjacent to the dunes (partially blocking the cold NW wind).Â
Stay warm 🙂
Nice weather…for December.Â
Saw a great blue heron in the Bird Sanctuary (it flew away too quick for a picture). The local volunteers are working hard to restore the sanctuary, and encourage the birds to return.Â
And, saw 2 teenagers testing out their new Christmas toy: skateboard like item with 4 wheels and foot straps, and a body harness attached to an oversized a kite. They were taking advantage of the wide section of hard sand at Stone Harbor point. They said their goal was to stay OUT of the water!
Burn off a few Christmas calories-  the 2nd annual Dashing Through the Sand 5K race is scheduled for Saturday, December 26th in Avalon. Registration opens at 9am in the Avalon Community Hall- 30th Street and the beach. Race starts at 10am.
Proceeds benefit the Craig Lozier Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Hard to believe- just 1 week away.Â
 On Friday, 11/27, Avalon will kick off the holiday season with the Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa at the 21st Street circle (Veteran’s Plaza)- starting at 4pm.
Events planned in Stone Harbor for Friday and Saturday- holiday music, a dog parade (seriously), and hospitality night on Friday; more live music and the Christmas parade on Saturday (parade starts at 7pm).Â
It’s a fun weekend at the shore!
 I mentioned during the summer that I was inspired to add to my 4 pieces of sea glass after seeing an attractive vase filled with glass at a friend’s house.
After just a few months, the vase on my kitchen counter is filled…now what? Do I ignore the smooth, frosted glass as I walk along the beach? Do I pass over the common brown glass for the preferred blue or green? And how many containers of sea glass are appropriate in a small house?
With collections, there is a fine line between interesting…and becoming a “cat lady” 😉