Paradise.... found!

This librarian has the recipe for chillin' out. Take one family, 1 laundry basket of swimsuits, towels and accessories, and 1 extra large duffel bag of clothes. Mix well and add to 1 mini-van packed to the hilt with people, food, lawn chairs and sparklers. Bake for 2 hours while traveling to a cottage in Michigan for the 4th of July. Empty the contents and spread out on a lawn and blend with more family and friends, corn hole games, boat rides, kids big and small, barbequed burgers and hot dogs,and enough Jimmy Buffet music to satisfy even the biggest die-hard Parrot Head and you have the absolute best way to relax. Ahhhh.... our annual trek to this cottage makes my entire summer and I start dreaming of it by the first of June. I've been going to this cottage since I was just a little kid and every year, it's just as good as the year before. Disgruntled patrons and coworkers have no power over me here. Disorganized events and last minute schedule changes matter not. I can sit by the shore and sip an "adult beverage" while my kids run amok with the other youngsters and nobody minds the noise even a little bit. The sun is bright, the breeze is perfect, and the water is clear and warm. The day ends with the annual boat parade and fireworks, and my kids (and the hubster) are all tuckered out and as relaxed as they can be. This year I returned to the library approriately tanned and rested and ready to face another week of the Summer Reading Program. Let me tell you, folks, you need to try this recipe!