“Bond didn't defend the practice. He simply maintained that the more effort and ingenuity you put into gambling, the more you took out.” ~ Ian Fleming,

Bruce and I just returned from a few day stay at The Golden Nugget in Atlantic City.  I am not a gambler, and don't really know much about casinos - but I do know this - Bruce loves them, and he shares when he wins. He and his golf buddies have gone on several golf/gambling trips over the years - he always comes back happy, win or lose.  He is also a very sensible guy.

He has recently been comped a couple of free nights at the casino, and so we went down for a relaxing stay. It really was relaxing.  We danced; slept late; ate wonderful meals; read by the pool (under the shade); and in general left the day-to-day responsibilities at home.  It was lovely - and I thank him for taking me as opposed to a golfing gambler!  It was a nice reconnection after having been back from Florida for several months.

Some photos below, shots of the gambling sites are discouraged.

~our room~

 ~heading to the deck (dock?) where we both danced up a storm~

~and after the dancing~

~some interior shots~

~and lastly, an iphone shot of the boardwalk at sunset~

~a very nice few days~

On my needles and on the deck!

I have put aside my baby sweater knitting for the time-being, and am working on a little shawl (scarf) for myself.  I haven't done anything just for myself in a bit.  I actually chose the yarn before I decided on a pattern.  I got some Malabrigo Silky Merino in the lovely "Lavanda" shade.  It looks more blue in the photo than purple, which it is.  I then went to Ravelry, entered the yarn name, and looked for projects that had used this yarn already - all kind of backward from the way I usually do it - but very satisfying.  I selected the pattern 22 Little Clouds, written by Martina Behm, and free on Ravelry.

The pattern is well written and easy to follow.  I am nearly done, with only the ruffly edging yet to do, but I know that it will consist of 5 very long rows, so it will take a bit more time to complete.

Now for a hawk update!  Our hawks are still with us - delighting us with personal visits nearly every day. The mornings seem to be particularly busy - I don't know why this is.  I have taken to keeping one camera upstairs and another down (my smaller point and shoot).  This running up and down the stairs to get the camera was getting to be a bit much.

If you look closely, you will see one on the rail, and the other on the lower branch.

The only downside to having the hawks around is that the songbirds aren't.  The price to pay for our brief summer visits!

"Camping is nature's way of promoting the motel business." ~ Dave Barry

The magnet above sits on the front of my refrigerator - and no truer words were ever written.  When I was younger, my family camped every summer on Cape Cod.  I don't know that I hated camping then, but I knew that there were things that I didn't like about it. Sand in my sleeping bag, or rain that mixed with the sand in my sleeping bag.  How damp everything seemed - so clammy, or as we girls used to say, things had "the clams". Having to walk to the common bathroom - never my idea of fun.  I'm not a girly-girl, but I like my creature comforts, and my own bed and private bathroom rank right up there.

Now I know that there are people who absolutely love camping, and I'm not going to rain on their parade, but my roughing it days are long gone.  Recently however, I came across an article that could persuade me to consider not checking into the nearest hotel - this is "roughing it" Tracy style.

"Above: The tents sleep two in king-size beds or two twins. Laura Aviva of l'aviva home masterminded the linens: she cloaked the beds in crisp white cotton duck that echoes the tent fabric and is squared-off to fit crisply over the sheets and blankets. These slipcovers were designed to work well in a rugged setting and to provide a clean backdrop for l'aviva home's frazadas, vibrant traditional blankets handwoven in Bolivia. Frazadas were also repurposed as pillows backed with Belgian linen. Yes, the tents are electrified and have hot and cold running water."://www.remodelista.com/posts/summer-tent-hotel-at-cresto-ranch

"Above: The bathrooms are shed-like structures within each tent. They're built from Zipsystem's weatherproof roofing and wall sheathing and are clad in corrugated tin with beadboard ceilings and slate floors. Each has twin vanities (with towel warmers), as well as six-foot-long, extra-deep bath tubs that double as showers."://www.remodelista.com/posts/summer-tent-hotel-at-cresto-ranch

Yes - I could do this! For more information and pictures, visit Remodleista!