Mom’s looking at us; the little girl is staring at her, and grandma’s playing with her lobster. Dinner is served on a modern, multi-colored set of divided plastic dishes with matching mugs; coral, aqua, lt. yellow and white. The white enamel pot next to the slide bread is probably where the melted butter is. The pots-and-pans print tablecloth really stands out next to mom’s plaid jacket and grandmas print skirt. A wood wall provides a rustic backdrop.

Speaking of a lobster at camp this reminds me of when I went to camp last summer in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. My campmates and I arrived just in time for a genuine, old fashioned, outdoor lobster and clambake feast served generously with all the trimmings. During the time we ate the moon replaced the sun in the sky. For desert Chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes with fresh raspberries, melted butter and whipped cream were served. Yes, I went back for seconds! They’re delicious! You can easily make them at home. Use Bisquick and toll-house chocolate chips. And don’t forget the whipped cream. The secret is not to add the chocolate chips to the batter but to drop them separately onto each pancake right after you pour it in the skillet.

After a very satisfying dinner I was informed by my hostess that our camp was only reachable by canoe and that I would have to row a canoe full of luggage one mile across the moonlit lake all by myself. My canoe was loaded up with luggage and I as-gracefully-as-I possibly-could climbed in took my little seat between the paddles. She said “You do know how to paddle a canoe don’t you?” I said “Of course, I’ve been to Disneyland!” As I was pushed off something was off balance-probably me-and the canoe began rocking back and forth and a bunch of the luggage fell over to over side. I was sure I was going in. Inside I kind of panicked as I quickly realized this topsy-turvy canoe wasn’t easy to handle and I was going in circles. The audience of well wishers and pusher-offers on the dock seemed to think that was very funny! They cheered as I finally got the canoe going in a straight line just in time to get tangled up in someone’s fishing line! Talk about embarrassing! Oh well. Then I got a cramp.

Here’s to lobster, camp, canoes, chocoloate chip pancakes and YOU!