Enjoying Autumn

The past few weeks have been both good but trying. We are so grateful for the love of our family and friends. We will keep you posted on things as we hear more.

We love Autumn in New England!!! It is so beautiful. I wish everyone could be here with us and see the most majestic sights that we see merely by walking out our door. New England has a special spirit in the Fall. There is so much to see and do and we have been trying to do it all!!

APPLE PICKING

Last weekend we took part in a time honored New England tradition of apple picking. The girls had a blast. We went with our good friends.

(I cannot get enough of this baby. We are calling this year "the year of the Kate Lovefest")

APPLE BAKING

What to do with all those apples? Apple tarts and pies, of course. Here we are baking an apple/almond tart. The girls LOVE to bake with me. Together we are becoming gourmet cooks.

The BIG E

Every state has a state fair. But when you live in New England, your states are VERY small. So we combine all of our state fairs into one great big one called the "Big E". I remember going as a child, and now it is so sweet to bring my own daughters. Along with the normal state fair activites like rides and petting animals, each New England state has a building that is somewhat a replica of a famous building in that state. Each state's building highlights their agriculture and industry. It really is an amazing event to go see. Mike LOVES it! This year I really was fine to skip it with three girls now. But it was Mike who INSISTED we go. I am so glad, it was a great time.

BRIMFIELD

Martha Stewart fans should know what Brimfield is (she loves it and writes about it annually. For us once might be it). Brimfield is the largest anique show anywhere in the country. For one weekend a year, in the Fall, of course, this little town of Brimfield turns farm fields into a tent city with "antique" vendors. You really have to sort through it, though. MOST (and I really mean MOST) of the items for sale are garbage. But we had so much fun spending the day there together. Mike has been working so long and it was such a treat just to be with him. We did manage a couple of great finds. I found this beautiful silver platter with a monogrammed "C" on it dating back to the 1800's. I also find a silver plate and cup for display in Kate's room. Along with the antique vendors, there are also artisans. We bought the most beautiful painting of a girl walking the beach. It reminds us of our daughters and our great love, the ocean.

Here is the platter on display in our China Hutch