The Weekend Lens

A grading day + a furlough day (not a good time for schools around here right now) = a four-day weekend. For us that meant a Friday afternoon trip over to the coast to visit my parents.

SATURDAY

Saturday began with Anna doing a little reading in our bed. She was chattering right along.

Before heading out there's usually at least one lap around the tall grass.

Our main outing was a short walk at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

It's a really beautiful area. Trees, water, wildlife.

Pretending to be trees.

Back at the house we ran around a bit in the tall grass before heading out to dinner.

And a round of hide & go seek.

SUNDAY

Mornings at the beach are often for watching movies or surfing (on the computer rather than in the waves).

And conversation.

In the afternoon, on a sunny day like this, it's all about the beach.

In my own opinion it really wasn't warm enough for swim trunks, but I remember that I had a completely different sense of temperature when I was a kid.

And this kid, well, he's an experienced beach-goer and knows just what he likes.

There were definitely moments we felt bathed in light.

And moments of sheer delight.

Back at the house there was time for a swing.

This place is such a gift.

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94 thoughts

  1. Suz says…
    01/31/2011

    What a beautiful "light" filled weekend you had Ali! Great pics! TFS.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Jackie O. says…
    01/31/2011

    Beautiful photos of a lovely weekend Ali. I am sure that you all must have had a wonderful time!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Anna Aspnes says…
    01/31/2011

    Reminds me of the English coast Ali! Beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Doris says…
    01/31/2011

    OH your photos capture love, life and childhood delights so beautifully Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Mikki McGehee says…
    01/31/2011

    Your pictures are positively stunning! Looks like a great weekend getaway.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Nancy M says…
    01/31/2011

    I have always thought it obvious Simon looks just like his daddy, but for goodness sake. Look at their "tree's" .... exactly the same!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Gioconda says…
    01/31/2011

    what an a amazing place to make memories. it looks like a good time.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. young c-m says…
    01/31/2011

    What a great way to spend the weekend. :) Can you tell us more about the swing chair? It looks so fun!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/31/2011

      My Dad found that at a Goodwill in Coos Bay and fixed-it up to hang from a tree right out over the ocean.

  9. Tina says…
    01/31/2011

    Wow, looks like a fantastic place and wonderful wknd! Love your pics and following your adventures. thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Kendra says…
    01/31/2011

    Gah! I'm so jealous that you can be out on the beach and that there is NO SNOW! Tired of the white stuff around here already. Your pictures shout "the other side of winter is coming!"

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jamie says…
    01/31/2011

    I'm pretty sure that your parents live at the most beautiful place on Earth. Wow.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. jackie says…
    01/31/2011

    such wonderful pics...thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Catherine Aguilera says…
    01/31/2011

    Hi Ali,
    Noticed Anna was reading "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". Oh how I loved that book back in the day. I was in graduate school and many of Jonathan's quotes found their way into my papers, lol. And I also admit I adored the Neil Diamond album as well. Anna and I are indeed kindred spirits.
    Catherine

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Heidi says…
    01/31/2011

    I love Oregon soooooo much and I miss it, so different from Mexico. This is one of the reasons I love your blog because you are from Oregon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Gina Crowley says…
    01/31/2011

    Sadly, I haven't had my camera out in weeks...I feel like there is nothing new to photograph. These are great. I need a vacation. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Tweets that mention AE | The Weekend Lens | Ali Edwards -- Topsy.com says…
    01/31/2011

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards, Josephina Mydreama. Josephina Mydreama said: AE | The Weekend Lens: A grading day + a furlough day (not a good time for schools around… http://goo.gl/fb/7EJIW [...]

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  17. Brenda says…
    01/31/2011

    I totally know where you were this weekend! My friend for the past 25 years used to live next to the South Slough, and we used to go down there all the time. I actually was at Bastendorf Beach on Sunday. My son had his first Pinewood Dirby race, and then we headed out to the beach. It was later in the afternoon so I didn't let him go in the water. There are some beautiful houses along the ocean! Btw, I greatly admire your work! Hope you guys had an awesome weekend here!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/31/2011

      Thanks Brenda - yep, we were very close.

  18. Carolin says…
    01/31/2011

    What a beautiful place! My heart skipped a beat when I looked at your photos, Ali! You are so blessed to live in an area that is so breathtakingly beatutiful. I want to go there too... Thank you for sharing your pictures!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Brenda says…
    01/31/2011

    Love climbing those rocks, too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Rosslyn Weigelt says…
    01/31/2011

    LOVE this post. We used to live in Coquille, OR and have visited the same paths, even have some pics!! Really miss the amazing green that is ONLY in Oregon! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Sarah Stegall says…
    01/31/2011

    Thank you for sharing the beach with your children! I spent every summer at the beach, and even a few magical Christmases. Thankfully, my husband shares the same love and we have agreed to pass it on to our children. There is something in the salty air and sand between your toes that is unmatched!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kayleigh Wiles says…
    01/31/2011

    Looks like a fun weekend Ali - love the photo of Simon in the Muskoka chair.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. tetcy says…
    01/31/2011

    So great!

    We're getting ready to hunker down for a major winter storm. Pictures like this are an awesome contrast to the busyness of everyday...and the opportunity to get away. We won't be getting away BUT we WILL be together. I'm going to put some photos of our last holiday together for a slide show, put the laptop on the counter, and do battle with the wind howling around the house.

    Bring. It. On.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Ashley says…
    01/31/2011

    Beautiful family, beautiful photos.
    I always love how gratitude flows from your posts, especially the ones about your family. It always lifts me up when I read them.
    Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Rosa says…
    01/31/2011

    Wow, what a beautiful area! Your photos are full of life, living, today, the moments. It's also nice to see children in bathing suits and just a diaper and jacket too. :) We are in wintry weather with zero degrees as our high today and dipping down into -20s at night... your photos were a breath of fresh air for me. Thanks for sharing the bits and pieces of your life. My favorite pic, if I had to choose just one, your husband and Anna looking at each other... the contrast in heights and just the whole father/daughter thing. nice.

    Reply 0 Replies

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