Surprise! A Crumb Bun

The surprise went off without a hitch. My mother cried and my father hugged everyone to death. We joked about how we may have ruined my parents favorite breakfast spot because, after surprises times two, they may start expecting us to jump out of the bushes everytime they come out here. They like this place too much. And it's a good thing that sometimes a crumb bun is just a crumb bun.

We sauntered down to the inlet to watch for tuna boats, or today the lack thereof, but nothing could deter us from thoroughly enjoying our sugar sprinkled deliciousness and sweetly glazed heaven. Yuula even skipped (sunk) a few stones into the inlet.

It's A Beach Blanket Hideout

Yesterday we threw a surprise party that spanned the entire state of New Jersey, literally, shore to shore, east to west. It was my parent s 40th anniversary and we surprised them where we knew they'd go first thing in the morning. Mueller's Bakery in Bay Head. The lure of the crumb bun cannot be denied. But first we had to stage ourselves nearby and where else to hideout but the beach.

Alas...

One Surprise, Six Sites

We surprised my Dad for his 60th. Muellers to the inlet to the OB diner to Ro's house to Mom & Dad's house to Ty & Melissa's house. The day was a success.

Refraining From Labor, Day

Sunday off. Headed down to Jackson late Saturday night, got in around midnight and sleeping in wasn't an option. My parents have been driving to Bayhead for decades to Mueller's bakery for their crumb buns and to sit along the Manasquan Inlet to watch the fishing boats go out. But you gotta get up early for that. Bayhead Mueller's is infamous for their sweet & delicious pastries and the line can get pretty long. We packed up the dog and headed out, bright and early.

A crowd had gathered outside the bakery. Expected. We went in to get our number.



...and they're on...



We got some time. Laura & I decided to head down to the beach just two blocks away. The town was buzzing, but everyone in leisure mode which makes for a pleasant stroll.

The beach was surprisingly quiet, except for a few waving flags and a well-attended yoga class, but very windy, which I'm sure aided in both.

20 minutes later, they were taking number 42, so we headed next door to get some morning drinks to hold us over. We found a hidden bench by Twilight Lake and tho it was far from Twilight, the view was still pleasant.

Laura worried that her hair had become too windblown and that she looked crazy. She did but I didn't tell her that at the time.



Finally it was our turn to order, and boy did we ever.

• 2 orders of crumb buns
• a Boston cream
  
• 2 glazed
  
• a cheese danish
• 6 eclairs
  
• a jelly sugar raised
• a cinnamon roll
  
• an apple turnover

And I'm pretty sure we ate them all.

We got to the inlet and was a little too late to catch the rush, but there were boats, and there were fishermen, but not so much together. So we sat & ate and watched what we could.

Laura & I decided to climb some rocks, but didn't get very far.

On the way home we were trailed by a giant group of motorcyclists. Laura captured some of them on film and we made up stories of where they were heading. My money was on a hot air balloon ride with Elizabeth Taylor.



Laura & I made it out to Freehold Raceway to look for wedding wear, and pretty much struck out, but I did find a nice winter jacket, something I've been searching for over 2 years. So, victory there. But Laura didn't find any dresses she liked. The search continues.



Back to Mom & Dad's for a little burgers on the grill and outdoor enjoyment which centered mainly around Max. Good dog.



We packed up the truck with a few things my parents didn't want anymore, and old giant trunk, a small table, an old bicycle, and headed home, optimistic and exhausted.



Good Labor Day or Labor Day Eve.