What summer vacations are made of ...

What summer vacations are good for ..., originally uploaded by toyfoto.

Clockwise from top left:

Baths - Ama Linda has a tub. We. Don't. (But I'm not bitter).

Pesto - Ama Linda knows how to make and cook with basil. And she let's grandchildren sit on the counter.

The Backyard Birdsong Guide (for Eastern in Central North America) by Donald Kroodsma - and gifted by Aunt Bambi. Hours of fun. (And SO much better than the call of a rubber chicken.)

Cocoa - Lots and lots of chocolate products.

South Portland - where we have friends willing to cook for us and put up with our shennanigans.

Candlestick bowling - on a rainy day. New tradition, right there.

The light in Ama Linda's stairwell - 'round about noontime - it's golden.

Cocktail hour - begins upon arrival ... right on the dot.

Flashlights - They're always some fun.

Off line and out of touch - except for the DVD player in mama's computer ... and when the family parks in the driveway of Bufflehead Cove Inn and captures a whiff of its wireless.

Bowling - So much fun it's worth a second mention.

Bathtub - Of course there's also an ocean in Maine and we availed ourselves plenty ... I just didn't bring the camera this time. Beach sand and gadgetry don't really mix.

And central to it all. ... of course ... is the mid-day nap It, above all things, is what summer vacation is all about.