Tag: New Jersey

Five Things

Sadie2 Comments
I miss about New Jersey
1. The Produce: The Garden State is actually called the Garden State for a reason. During the summer that reason is tomatoes and corn. For example: my mother felt the need to send me pictures of her Jersey fresh dinner the other day.
Tomatoes grilled corn
2. The open spaces: Not that Virginia doesn’t have wide open spaces, but I live and work in a more urban area now. I am not a city mouse, I am a country mouse. That is for sure. So I’m just trying on the city for a bit, and seeing what happens.
3. My friends and family: Again, I have friends that I love in Virginia and DC, but the NJ ones are the originals and I always miss them when I don’t live there.
4. The Beach: I’ll be honest, I have no idea where the closest beach is here, and I don’t want to go to it. I want to go to Stone Harbor.
5.My Hairdresser: I got my hair cut in a mall last week. No offense to my very nice hairdresser, but your name is not Melissa and I haven’t been your client since before you were married and had two children who are now in first and second grade.
Homesick much? What do you miss the most when you’re away from home?

Hurricane Sandy

Carrie2 Comments

On Sunday and Monday, my house became Fort Todd.  It became a refuge for 5 residents of Stone Harbor, just one of the barrier island communities of New Jersey.  I made sure that my guests felt like my home was their home away from home while we were waiting out the storm.  As it turns out, I was able to be a great host as we were fortunate enough not to lose electricity until late Monday night.  I was able to make a spread of comfort at each meal.  I must say that mealtime really brings people together to appreciate each other.

I feel blessed to report that our small community of the 7 mile island was fortunate enough to survive the storm with only a few bumps and bruises.  Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky as we were.  My heart goes out to those who do not have homes to go back to and to those whose businesses were pulled out from under them.

I inspected the bakery this morning and found it to be in near perfect condition.  You can see all the reed grass piled up outside the door, but somehow the water managed to stay outside.  My dad piped silicone around the door frame to keep out the water but I never thought that would be enough to stop nature from taking its course.  I’m not quite sure what act of God left the bakery almost untouched, but I certainly made sure to thank Him for his protection.

There have been horrifying pictures all over the news this week of destruction and devastation.  In all of this tragedy, I realize that we must enjoy the life we have created because you never know how it will change overnight.