Tuesday, August 25, 2009

~ My Beach Memories ~

I love what The Inspired Room recently posted about reflecting on contentment. I am both inspired by my beach memories and content with the beach decor that I already have.....

I grew up in the Indiana Dunes at the southern-most tip of Lake Michigan... with sand between...



my toes...everyday of every barefooted summer...



My dad taught me to swim just as he had taught men to swim during WW2 in Hawaii on their way to the Pacific Front...



My beach friends lived in little beach shacks with sleeping porches full of musty beds and smelly wet dogs...



In the morning I had to do my chores...and then it was off on my bike everyday to the beach...picking up my friends along the way...



Then staying at the beach until the sun set over the water... always such a beautiful sight...




Taking our hard-earned dimes to the little stand for a snack of ice cream and pop..



Carrying home rocks and driftwood in our pockets...with old innner tubes over our sunburned shoulders...wet towel flapping in the breeze.



Our beach didn't even have a lifeguard.. yet we all survived...



Everyday swimming and splashing endlessly in the surf... riding it in and out.... in and out.
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49 comments:

  1. Blondie's JournalAugust 25, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    Joan,

    What an incredibly sweet post! The way you have written it really captures the image of your childhood. How wonderful to live that close to the beach!! I have been to the Indiana Dunes many times!!! What a beautiful place you lived. Don't you miss it??

    Love your pictures. White or not, they are perfect!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  2. Drawn to The SeaAugust 25, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    As pretty as the pictures are,
    the best thing about his post
    is that your heart really shows.

    ~Julia

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  3. CaroleAugust 25, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    Joan,
    I love this post from you. Your nostalgic side.
    The water holds such memories for so many of us....we can all relate to.
    xo,
    Carole

    ps. I still enjoy your funny side too.

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  4. Laura @ 52 FLEAAugust 25, 2009 at 5:21 PM

    Why Joan! You're a softie at heart! Love your images, love your warm and sweet childhood memories....thanks so much for sharing them and that side of yourself!
    Your pal, Laura

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  5. DeniseAugust 25, 2009 at 5:35 PM

    I also spent many summer days on the Lake Michigan dunes! I haven't been for several years, but think I need to take a short trip!

    XXDenise

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  6. Debra@CommonGroundAugust 25, 2009 at 6:26 PM

    Beautiful memories, beautifully shared. How wonderful to have summers full of the beach, good fun and good friends.
    Debra

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  7. Lori R.August 25, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    your post is just precious. I too remember spending summers at the beach in Michigan, grandparents' cabins. Those are the best best memories. Thanks for your post, it brought out my own childhood memories that I treasure. Oh, and I love your jars of shells and your picture is just so sweet ,,,,

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  8. Amy SAugust 25, 2009 at 7:18 PM

    awe=sweet post - love the pictures- TFS

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  9. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageAugust 25, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    Hi Joan,
    I have such wonderful memories of the beach too and fortunately, I'm still making them! My hubby grew up on the beach so I guess you could call us 'beach bums.' Your pictures are wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  10. MarieAugust 25, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Hello Joan - what a beautiful seashell collection you have! And wonderful memories to go along with them. Thank you for sharing!

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  11. Blue Creek HomeAugust 25, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    This sounds like a children's story. You should write these wonderful memories and publish a book.
    Oh yeah, great seashells and beach things, but your story stole my heart!
    Rhonda

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  12. PamAugust 25, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    wow, how touching. Love the pics also.
    Pam

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  13. Michelle HughesAugust 25, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Wow! Followed the party here and I love your shell collection, but I love your sweet photo even more!

    Smiles!
    Michelle

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  14. Lori R.August 25, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    Since I didn't see an email address for you,I will answer your question to me here. I lived at grandparents' cottages in the summer in my younger years at Houghton Lake, Lake City and Traverse City in Michigan. I'm originally from Michigan and as soon as school was out, my mom would pack us all up and we would be off. Then my dad would join us when he got off work. It was spectacular!!!

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  15. Signing OutAugust 25, 2009 at 9:46 PM

    Joan, what an awesome post! It brings back memories of a simpler time. We had it good growing up. Life is so different for kids now.
    Thanks for sharing this and making me smile.

    Jane

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  16. randeeAugust 25, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    oh, that was so sweet. when i was little, i wanted to live just like you really did!

    loved all the shells in the jars, too.

    randee

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  17. Shari @ My Cottage of BlissAugust 25, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    Very enjoyable post. Sweet memories. Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  18. Personalized Sketches and SentimentsAugust 25, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    Your beach memories were so sweet! I enjoyed all your photos! I have all of my dad's side of the family on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan and his one sister in Traverse City.

    wow! did you find all our wonderful shells yourself throughout the years?

    Sweet, sweet. memories.

    Blessings & Aloha!

    (I have come to realize that it is ok to post multiple photos and that I should not do such tiny collages, in the attempt to keep the photo numbers down in my posts. Ah well...I'm constantly learning.)

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  19. MarianneAugust 25, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    Wow, you really know how to draw me into your summer memories, as if I was part of it. Love your sea collection around the house, the corals especially are very nice.

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  20. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)August 26, 2009 at 3:24 AM

    How wonderful! It sounds like the best childhood and in such a lovely part of our Country! I love all the beautiful shells and in such neat containers too! Cindy

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  21. AllisonAugust 26, 2009 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. MichelleAugust 26, 2009 at 7:51 AM

    Thanks for a walk down your memory lane, makes you wonder why do we have to grow up? Another wonderful post and congrats on your progress out in the garage. Soon I'll share a peek at what's in mine. Have an awesome hump day! ~The Sweet Gardenia

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  23. Julie@beingRUBYAugust 26, 2009 at 8:13 AM

    Joan. This is just too sweet. What wonderful memories. Is the photo of the girls you & friends? [it's hard to date]
    Well I may have grown up in Sydney yet going to the beach wasn't something we did much as kids. Now though I live near the beach. Just beautiful. How great to meet the girl within. xx Julie

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  24. UnknownAugust 26, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    Those jars full of shells are heavenly! Love that pretty coral, too. You always have the bestest "stuff"!

    Thanks so much for joining me, my friend, it wouldn't have been the same without you.

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  25. santamakerAugust 26, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    Wow, you are a talented writer... I could smell the musty beds and feel the crunching of shell under my feet! Love your photos!

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  26. Nice and Easy AntiquesAugust 26, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Beautiful memories of days gone but not forgotten! Thank you for sharing them!

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  27. Julie MarieAugust 26, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    What beautiful photos and precious memories... I for one love the smell of smelly wet dogs!...

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  28. Glenda/MidSouthAugust 26, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    It is great that you have those wonderful memories of growing up. You have some beautiful shells.

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  29. RobertaAugust 26, 2009 at 10:39 AM

    Great beachy childhood memories I can relate to! xo Roberta

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  30. Lisa @ Fern Creek CottageAugust 26, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    I love the way the shells look in the jars. What a great idea!

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  31. Maya @ Completely CoastalAugust 26, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    Oh, you have so many wonderful shells, rocks..., I got to do some serious collecting. Just love it all. And you found a fishing glass float too?!

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  32. AmyAugust 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    Sounds like an awesome childhood!

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  33. RebeccaAugust 26, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    Thanks for sharing your childhood with us Joan, such nice memeories. Wasn't it sweet back then. Your photos are awesome the colors are so soft and muted perfect for a white Wednesday.
    Blessings
    Rebecca

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  34. Kim @ Starshine ChicAugust 26, 2009 at 4:18 PM

    Loved your post & your photos. What a fabulous childhood memory to have. You are a lucky girl.

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  35. OutofmymindAugust 26, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    I miss the beach. Utah needs an real ocean beach. I wish I had the money to move.

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  36. xinexAugust 26, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Lovely and precious memories! I love all your pictures especially the last one...Christine

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  37. Alison GibbsAugust 26, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    Sounds like the perfect childhood to me. Love the photos you have shared with us and how fabulous all your jars of shells look. Come visit me for Waterside Wednesday
    Alison

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  38. Barbara JacksierAugust 26, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    Gorgeous photos. You are obviously a serious shell collector. I'm envious.

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  39. Barbara JacksierAugust 26, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    Oops, I forgot to say thank you for joining Waterside Wednesday. So, thanks!

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  40. cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.comAugust 26, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    unbelievable - love the big bottles of small shells. Are they yours?


    cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com

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  41. JaneAugust 26, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    Thanks for taking us on a journey down your memory lane. I truly enjoyed it.

    As a child, I remember a trip with my parents to some dunes on Lk Michegan...I don't remember where they were, but I do remember their beauty and the fun we had in the dune buggy.

    Smiles...
    Jane (Artfully Graced)

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  42. Leigh of Tales from BloggeritavilleAugust 26, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    I. LOVE.THIS. What a great memory!

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  43. Karen August 27, 2009 at 12:51 PM

    Hi, I just discovered your blog at "Better After" This really brings me back to summers spent in Northern Michigan collecting Petosky stones.

    Glad I found you.

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  44. UnknownAugust 27, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    What a fabulous post! I didn't grow up close to the beach, but spent a few weeks there every summer. I love the way you have all of your seashells displayed.
    Thanks for visiting my VTT!

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  45. Cristin // Simplified BeeAugust 27, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    what a sweet post!

    xo,
    cristin

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  46. DesignTiesAugust 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    I'm so jealous -- you had the greatest place to spend your childhood!! I would have loved to be able to go to the beach every day when I was growing up. Heck, I'd love to be able to go to the beach every day now!!

    Kelly @ DesignTies

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  47. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutAugust 27, 2009 at 10:00 PM

    Lovely sentiments...I love that little B&W pic of the girls holding hands!

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  48. Joanie @ The Bright SideAugust 27, 2009 at 11:14 PM

    What a wonderful post and it sounds like an idyllic childhood! Very vivid descriptions. Thanks for sharing!

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  49. AnonymousAugust 28, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    I'm envious. I would LOVE to live close to a beach... Great post!

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