Girls Weekend 2010 - Oyster House

This weekend marked my second girls weekend getaway. It was highly anticipated and it didn't disappoint. I had such a fun time with the ladies I went with and was so happy with the whole weekend. I was supposed to ride over with Michelle on Friday afternoon but something came up for her and she had to come much later. Eric came home the night before so I wanted to take advantage of my free weekend and had him and Kennedy take me over early. We were able to check in whenever we wanted on Friday so we caught the 11:50 a.m. ferry. We were at the house right around noon. The house is on Lummi Island and is the same place we rented last year. I just love this house and the location. I feel like I am so far away from home here but am a 5 minute ferry ride away from the mainland. It's perfect. Eric and Kennedy hang out for a while not wanting to leave (I don't blame them) but this was "girls weekend" after all so they eventually did.

A seaside pose. This house is right on the water.

I took a lot more pictures of the house this time. This picture is taken from the kitchen looking out onto the deck and water.

Another picture from the kitchen.

Here is the kitchen. It's well stocked with pots and pans, dishes, spices and just about anything you would need. I learned my lesson last year considering all the steps down (and eventually back up) to the house and packed a lot lighter.

Another view of the kitchen with the living area beyond the bar.

The big overstuffed couch was so comfy for lounging. Amy slept here. You really could sleep two on it comfortably.

More living room.

The bookcase was stocked with books, antique bottles, lanterns, toys and board games. The bookcase and floors are made of teak and were so beautiful. I know the owner and there was a lot of care and effort taken in restoring this 1950's fishing house.

Living room leading into the fireplace area with spiral staircase leading to the upstairs.

Lots of great things to look at, read and do.

This was the place I spent a lot of time, especially that first day when I arrived many hours before anyone else. I brought my favorite blanket and read in front of this fireplace. I can't even describe how much I enjoyed that, it was wonderful. I had the french doors open and listened to the waves crashing on the rocks outside while I snuggled in this comfortable leather chair.

There is my chair. I wish I could have brought it home with me but I don't think it would hold the same feeling of relaxation and peace in my own home.

This is a picture of the downstairs bathroom.

The (very narrow) staircase.

The fish. I have this exact same picture from last year. I was happy to see it still hanging there.

The albatross family (at least I think they are albatross).

Sea glass.

Here is a picture of the bedroom where Michelle stayed. This is one of two bedrooms upstairs.

The mermaid, also in the bedroom Michelle stayed in.

The upstairs bathroom that Michelle and I shared.

I lucked out again this year and ended up with the big room and the king sized bed. This is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. I slept so well in this bed and I sprawled out and used all the pillows myself. It was quite a treat.

The reading nook in the master bedroom. It's a great place to read but I only sat in this chair for a few minutes the whole time. There are just too many great places to enjoy here.

Another picture of my lovely bed.

And there is the amazing view from my room. It was amazing to wake up in the morning and see this. I felt incredibly blessed staying here this weekend and was in awe of the beautiful views, sounds, smells and friends I spent it with.

Family is gone, pictures are taken and I've gotten in some reading...time for a cocktail. I splurged on a bottle of my favorite...Grey Goose.

GG & Cran, yummy!

Great minds must think alike because, of the four of us that stayed here this weekend, 3 of us brought a bottle of vodka. We should have coordinated beverages.

Mt. Baker from the deck.

This is the last picture I took on Friday afternoon until this morning (Sunday) when we left. Everyone arrived and we got busy having too much fun to remember to snap any photos. Friday night we talked and talked, played Cranium, ate, drank and watched The Hangover. We laughed so much and went to bed late. It was perfect. I took baby and me classes with Michelle years ago but didn't know her very well before this weekend and I didn't know Amy at all until I met her when she arrived but we had so much fun and talked so much that I feel like I've been great friends with them for years. Alina was our fourth and the common denominator of all of us. I felt my girl batteries recharge and it was so amazing to talk with other women about anything, some of it being about our kids but some of it not. It was just great to get to know these ladies outside of kids and motherhood and to find similarities and common interests from friends I've known and ones I've just met. We are truly already checking dates for our next trip together.

On Saturday we did some lounging, some of the ladies went for a walk, we got some reading in and Michelle and I played Scrabble (I won). That afternoon Michelle took a nap, Amy went for a walk, Alina did some drawing, I did some reading and listened to my iPod on the porch while watching the water as the sun went down. After that we ate some more, drank some more, played Apples to Apples (I didn't win) and watched Killers with Kathryn Heigl and Ashton Kutcher, seriously...he's hot in that movie.

The following pictures are taken from the beach fairly early this morning. I headed out for a walk before I thought most of the house was awake. It was so peaceful and beautiful out there. I love the above picture although it doesn't do the colors justice.

I think pictures like this are just so beautiful but without the sound of the water rippling and the smell of the sea it's just not the same. I'm already missing it.

Ripples.

There were a lot of snails. I worry about how many I stepped on during my walk. Much of the beach is rocky and the rocks are heavily covered with barnacles so it's a very crunchy walk.

Amazing sunrise.

The house from the beach.

This one is titled: Sunset with Seagull.

This one could be a poster with some kind of inspirational quote at the bottom.

At this point I was probably getting carried away trying to make up for not taking more pictures the previous day.

That is the ferry that transports you from the mainland to Lummi and back. We were very close to it.

Wood in sand.

Rock (although my daughter asked me if it was an alligator).

I ended up pretty far away from the house but it was a great early morning walk.

It's very hard to see them but, by the time I turned around, I could see Alina and Amy heading my direction.

'Nuf said.

My friends: Alina, Michelle and Amy. Amazing woman and I'm so lucky to have spent the weekend with them at this beautiful place with such amazing weather. Thanks girls for such a much needed girls weekend. When are we going again?