The Best Clam Shack

Once a year we head to Mystic Connecticut to have the best fried clams in New England. The Sea Swirl has won many many awards for being the best clam shack around. We have been making this trek for years...it would not be summer without fried clams from this treasure chest! Don't you just love the sign...a fish holding an ice cream cone...lucky fish...lucky us for discovering this place!


Cars from all over pack in on both sides of the shack...there are picnic tables to dine at and in the background you can see a covered pavilion with rows of tables underneath for more dining.

The sign says it all...
These are the golden nuggets we travel for...we get one dinner that includes the fried whole belly clams, french fries (sprinkled with vinegar), cole slaw and tartar sauce...we add a side of just whole belly clams (and extra tartar sauce please)and then we dig in! YUM!!!!! The side of clams come in a paper bag...I feel like I have entered clam heaven when I open that bag...a booty of clams in a bag...it doesn't get better than that!
The dinner menu...they had oysters that day as well...tough decision because oysters are so good too...but had to stick to tradition and get the clams. We may have to return for another go at the menu...let's face it the summer is still young!
People lining up to order and pick up their orders...once you order, they give you a number. When your dinner is ready they call out the number and you just pick up your bounty from the ocean and dig in...they also have ice cream for dessert if you have room...everyone here has a smile on their face...
If you are ever in the area make a point of stopping here...you will not be disappointed...we promise!

Fun Website

Good Morning!!!!!

Found this new addictive website...www.polyvore.com

You can create all sorts of collages and it is fun and very very addictive. Give it a try...you won't be able to stop making new collages...

Enjoy,

Elizabeth

Good Morning

Independence Day 2008

Every year we have our 4th of July celebration on the pond...we put new flags out in all the flag holders and on the pole...we place pots and hangers of flowers about and spruce up the island for our family party. This year about 50 people came from all over to celebrate...we have the traditional grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with sides of potato salad, pasta salad, homemade baked beans, munchies, dips, and of course lots of homemade desserts...brownies, cookies, cupcakes, blueberry slab pie and fresh strawberry shortcake. Everyone pitches in to cook and clean up...it is a group effort! Below are the strawberries ready to be cleaned and sliced to sit in a little sugar the day before the 4th to make a nice syrup.

Fresh from scratch shortcakes just out of the oven and ready to go in...YUM!

Different size life jackets hung on the line ready for anyone boating or the little ones swimming in the pond...I call this picture "SUMMER COLORS"

Floats lined up and ready to enter the water!

Bob washing up at the new pump...we have no running water so all the water is pumped from the well for use on the island.

Taylor and Alexis swimming in the pond...they jumped in the water when they got here and rarely got out of the water...these kids are little water bugs!
Cousins fishing for sunfish...

Randy the experienced fisherman supervising his sister and cousin....

The newest family member...Olivia with Aunt Whitney

Family enjoying a summer meal

Lots of talk and good times being shared

Emily found a comfortable spot to take a little nap...she climbed up onto the dressing room bench and covered up with a towel when she got tired...Smart Kid!Once the bonfire got going everyone got in position for the fireworks show! We had our own show with over seventy different shots and then a grand finale that was the best ever...the show was put on by the men in the family organized and lead by Ray.
The show goes on with patriotic music and songs playing...
Getting ready for another round of sky high explosives....
After our show the Pond Association put on a fireworks show that was fabulous...we all turned our chairs around and watched another 20 minutes of some of the most beautiful fireworks we have ever seen...enhanced by our flagpole and torches blazing....
What a wonderful day and evening we had...good food, good times and good company...this is exactly the way a family should celebrated our country's independence...we are blessed to all be together to do it just this way...

Elizabeth