Since I can remember we have been going on a family beach trip each summer and it is always my favorite week of the year! I credit my sweet grandparents with instilling a deep love for the beach in all of us and for keeping this annual tradition alive. There is truly nothing better than the sand in your toes, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the smell of sunscreen in the air and most of all enjoying all of that with your family!
Recipes
For a true kitchen recipe it wouldn’t be a beach themed Substack without Connor’s Pina Colada Recipe – delish with or without rum!
Happy Highlights
Games with the fam – I love the laughter that comes from our family game evenings. We did a game of fishbowl in honor of my dad for his birthday and the giggles could not be contained. I am not sure if he loved it as much as we did (haha!) but it was so fun to play the game themed around one person. We also played Code Names for the first time as a family and had such a blast. We definitely need to add that game to our collection!
Friendly neighbors – I absolutely love making friends when traveling and we had the sweetest family staying next to us. Extra special was their darling toddler and getting to see wonders through the eyes of a little one at the beach.
Marine life – Captiva has the best ocean marine life and I swear we saw dolphins at least twice a day. One morning Jordan and Connor went paddle boarding and had dolphins jumping around them and then manatees swimming beside them. So magical!
Family Cooking Sessions – Time in the kitchen is my favorite and it’s so fun to rotate dinners and to be cooked for and then return the favor the next night. We learn and teach each other new recipes and I had such fun learning how to make Carbonara, new salad dressings… and of course we had to get some fresh seafood to enjoy. It wouldn’t be the beach without shrimp galore. Also, if you have never had a Caesar salad with fried calamari on top you must add that to your list of things to get. It’s my favorite thing to order at the beach when we go out for meals.
Reading on the beach – it’s my favorite place to read and always so relaxing. I couldn't put The Women down and there was even a page with a letter from Captiva that I read while in Captiva, fate!
My grandma is the craftiest person I know and always comes prepared with supplies galore. This year we enjoyed making shell napkin rings together and she gifted everyone with a beautiful homemade frame with special pictures of the beach with our beloved uncle. She is the absolute sweetest and most thoughtful!
The sunsets – I am convinced Captiva has the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Every night the sky explodes with color and it is just the most breathtaking and beautiful reminder of all that is good in the world.
It was the perfect way to conclude our summer and fill our souls up before fall comes.
Thanks for reading!
Tate
