Thoughts from the Carolina Coast

Yet another gorgeous day on Topsail Island. The photo is one of many John made on “our” beach yesterday. I just came in from sitting on the deck, staring out to sea. It’s the sort of view that makes nothing earthly matter. Not the dirty carpet, the door that sticks, not rheumatoid arthritis or the flies in the kitchen. Just God and me out there, along with a whole bunch of gratitude.

(ps: to those of you who commented or emailed me about missing Story Weekend, thank you! I love knowing that you enjoy it enough to miss it. My intentions were good, but ocean-pondering got in the way. It will be back this coming weekend, I promise!)

12 Comments

  1. Pat Fordyce on October 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I love Topsail! We live near Holden Beach now. Moved from Va. 3 years ago, don’t ever want to leave. I’m in Colorado now, planning my son’s wedding in Dec. Would have loved to come visit!! Me and your other million fans! I’ve seen the weather has finally cooled off! Can’t wait to get home to N.C. I am so sorry about your RA. I was tested for RA, but have plain old arthritis. I can’t imagine how much pain your in! My cure is to sit on the beach with a good book…(preferably by Diane Chamberlain) and enjoy the sea air, waves and QUIET now that the crowds are gone! Hope you enjoy your stay, and I love your novels! Pat

  2. Margo on October 3, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Diane, I think this is my favorite photo that John has ever taken…I absolutely LOVE the blues, the serenity, the seabirds…it tells a story and I love it.
    I got to thinking after I posted my comment yesterday, story weekend was probably not happening because you were at the Beach…I have to confess that I did miss it, but it’s more important to me that I know you’re enjoying yourself at the seaside.
    You and John are immensely blessed to have each other and share your love of nature by the Sea. I’m so happy for you both.

  3. Diane Chamberlain on October 3, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Pat, Holden is beautiful too. My writing gang goes there occasionally to work. Love it.
    Margo, the light is so great here this week (once it stopped raining…). The other night we went out to dinner and John saw the view outside and he was gone. I ate alone while his dinner got cold. Good thing I understand what it’s like to need to go with the muse! I’ll see if I can talk him into sharing one of the pics he made that evening. It was worth my lonely meal!

  4. Diane Chamberlain on October 3, 2011 at 4:45 pm
  5. Ann on October 3, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Diane, those are 2 of the prettiest pictures I have ever seen. I have taken hundreds of pictures at Topsail Island and some are very nice but those 2 are fabulous!!!!!
    Enjoy your time there – we leave for the Outer Banks next Sunday. That is another one of my favorite places. Looking forward to the sweet potato biscuits at Kelly’s. You blogged about those a few years ago and we have enjoyed them every year since that.

  6. Diane Chamberlain on October 3, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Have you tried making them at home, Ann? Easy, except for the very sticky batter!

  7. Reine on October 4, 2011 at 2:59 am

    Diane, it’s relaxing just looking at that photo. So lovely!

    I’ve never had sweet potato biscuits. I bet they are delicious, and I’d love to try making them. I’ve ever seen one, though, so I’m not sure how they are supposed to come out. Any suggestions for a helpful recipe?

  8. Ann on October 4, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Diane I did try making them 1 time – the sticky dough was too much for me! I had it stuck all over my hands and the bowl and did cook blobs of it but the blobs were nowhere near as good as the ones that were made by someone else as Kelly’s!!!
    Reine, the recipe is on the website of Kellys Outer Banks tavern and restaurant. If you have trouble finding it let me know.

    • Reine on October 5, 2011 at 6:47 am

      Thanks. Anne! I’m going to try it. It really looks like fun, and I love making a mess.

  9. Diane Chamberlain on October 4, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Lol about your attempts, Ann. Reine, the recipe uses Bisquick! Just be sure to have a lot of extra Bisquick to dunk your hands into as you work with the dough. Have fun.

    • Reine on October 5, 2011 at 6:48 am

      Oooh . . . great tip, Diane. Thanks!

  10. Ann on October 5, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Reine, let me know how much fun you have with this recipe? The extra bisquick might really help. By the time I realized how badly I was stuck in the dough I couldn’t take my hands out to get to the bisquick! I think I might try the recipe using canned pumpkin – I think my sweet potatoes might have been too sticky if that is possible. Oh well, I will enjoy a few good biscuits at Kelly’s next week and dream of cooking my own good ones some day.

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