Out for a Sunday drive

Today we headed out on one of our favorite fall trips - a ride out to the Hidden Hills of Western Mass. Our main destination was Jameson's High Meadow Farm in Chester for apple picking. It's tucked away down the road from the main farmhouse, and you have to stop at the farmhouse first to pick up and pay for a bag. Yes, we learned this the hard way last year. The best part of this farm is the implement you use for picking the apples. They've fashioned these pickers using something that looks like the cage on a lacrosse stick. You use the wire "fingers" on the cage to pull the apple into the cage. Brilliant!!

As we got close to the farm, it started to rain. Of course it did. We lucked out, though. We caught a break in the clouds and we were the only ones at the orchard. The sun actually came out and it got quite warm. A little too warm for our liking, actually. We prefer it a bit cooler so it feels like fall, but at least it stopped raining. Matthew had a blast - he loved trying to get the apples in his mouth. Check out the slideshow in the right sidebar for some pictures - there are too many to include in this post.

We also like out to check out the foliage at the Knightville Dam. We usually get there when it's way past peak, and this year, we were actually just a bit too early. So no photos. Good thing because the battery in the camera croaked as we were leaving the orchard.

We then made a stop at our favorite place, Huntington Country Store. It's such a fun place - lots of different rooms filled with all kinds of goodies. There's one room that's just full of kitchen gadgets - mushroom brushes, corn silk removers, nutmeg graters, etc. The best part of the store is the bakery. They make so many wonderful things, and we always buy a nice assortment to devour on the ride home. Today, we bought a pepperoni pizza bread (yum!!) which we ate for lunch, and my absolute favorite - a Wrapple® - their trademarked apple confection. (Personally, I prefer to call it a Rappalie!) Check out the slideshow for a picture!

Despite the rain, it turned out to be a fabulous day. We saw some great foliage (everywhere but the dam), traveled down some beautiful country roads, followed the East branch of the Westfield River, and found some lovely spots we'd love to build a house. One of these days....

Trip #4

Today we made our 4th and final trip to The Big E. It was an impromptu trip, since the forecast was calling for a washout today. When we woke up this morning, it wasn't raining at all, so we decided to hit the fair.

Apparently, not many folks shared our idea - it was dead!

Matthew was still a little sleepy when we got there, but he perked up a little later...

...especially when he got to meet Smokey Bear!

We didn't partake, but I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Bought this cute little sign in the New Hampshire building. Great day to go through the state buildings - no lines, no waiting.

We visited our old friend, Harley, who hangs out with the Hallamore Clydesdales.

We decided to head home around 12:30. I suggested we just walk through the New England Center first, since I hadn't had a chance to look around in there. Yeeeahhh, not a good choice. As we stepped out, it started to pour! Luckily, we had a rain cover over Matthew's stroller, and we had our raincoats on. Even still, by the time we got to the car, Dennis and I were drenched. If only we'd skipped the New England Center...

We stopped at home long enough to throw our clothes in the dryer and pack up a bag of toys before heading out to a cookout at Chris and Allison's. Thank goodness for the delicious pasta salad, because Chris got a bit distracted while grilling...

Sorry, Chris. You knew I was going to post that picture. But seriously, most of them were just fine, and the second batch came out perfectly.

We got to spend some time snuggling with Ella and playing with James.

It was a busy day, and now we're enjoying just lounging on the couch in our cozy clothes. The forecast is calling for more rain tomorrow. Maybe we'll get lucky again and it will be nice enough to go pick apples (or make one last trip to The Big E before it closes up for the year).

A lovely day.....

If you're a duck!!

Trip #3

Third trip to The Big E tonight. Dennis was able to get out of work early so we had our first weeknight visit.

We arrived just in time for the parade. Here's the mascot, Biggie...

I need to drive this thing, don't you think???

Matthew was in the silliest mood tonight!

We also got to see our favorite guy from Hallamore washing down the Clydesdales as he does every night...

I'm pooped, so that's all for tonight. We've officially made buying the 17-day value pass worth its price.

Such a big boy

Look who's learning to feed himself!

Trip #2

Today we made our second trip to The Big E. We attempted to go yesterday with Chris, Allison, James and Ella, but the traffic was an absolute nightmare. We sat in it for a while, trying to find a place to park, but every place was full. We decided to skip it and head over to Nanna and Poppy's instead. Thank goodness - when we talked to the woman who owns the lot we always park in, she said everyone was complaining that it was too busy to actually enjoy.

We decided to arrive early to beat the rush, so we got in just before 10. As we were heading toward the state buildings, all of a sudden everyone stopped. The national anthem was played over the speakers, signalling the opening of the fair for the day. It was so nice to see everyone standing at attention, hats off and hands on their hearts. We've never been there at that time of day, so it was very cool to see.

It was a chilly morning - 54 degrees - so we were bundled up (in sweatshirts!) and had Matthew in multiple layers and a blanket to top it off.

We took Matthew through the Farm-A-Rama, and saw this crowing rooster....

and Daddy showed Matthew the baby chicks...

Then, in the Mallary complex, I finally got some pictures of the Oreo cows!

We also saw this lovely display of fall plants...

...and got to try out this bad-ass leaf blower!

After a couple of hours, Matthew finally gave in and fell asleep....

Oh, and we snapped this shot...now we know what's in the Polish Plate!

Tonight, Matthew watched as the Yankees played their last game in Yankee Stadium - probably the first and last Yankees game he'll get to watch when they're not playing the Red Sox. I told Dennis he should get to watch the game, since I get part of him, too. His response? "Not the sports part." =)

At this moment, they're winning 5-3. Let's hope they go out with a win.

You tell me...

Is there anything better than when your baby falls asleep on you? I think not.

My favorite time of year!

It's sweatshirt weather!

Doesn't take much, does it? But, come on, how nice is it to wake up with a chill in the air and throw on a nice cozy sweatshirt? It's a good thing I work from home on Thursdays - might look a bit ridiculous if I went in to the office dressed this way.

I have a thing for sweatshirts. I know - I have a thing for coats, too. And flip-flops, right, Denise? Never you mind. =)

My poor husband can attest to being dragged back to a store on more than one occasion to buy a sweatshirt I initially passed over. There have been times when this meant going back to a town we were no longer visiting. He's a good, patient man. Love you, babe.

OK, back to my sweatshirts. I could probably wear a different one every day for a month. At least. I've got zip-ups and pullovers, hoodies and crew necks, really any kind of sweatshirt you can think of. I've got sweatshirts older than I care to admit. When I go somewhere, that's what I do. I buy a sweatshirt. Whichever one I've bought most recently tends to become my new favorite, and all the rest get relegated to the back of my closet (or a bin in the attic). With the exception of one gi-normous pink one I bought in San Francisco probably 10 years ago. That one's never far from reach, and it's the one I've pulled out for today.

We're looking at a high of 67 for today, and there's a frost warning for tonight. Better cover up my mums. 4 days 'til the official first day of fall, and I'm loving this early preview. Looks like it'll be a good weekend to pick some apples (and go to The Big E, of course!)

Oh, and yes, I do have a light blue zip-up hoodie like the one in the picture. =)

Best of friends to be

Today we visited our friends Adam and Chrissie and their 5 week old son, Timothy. He's such a cutie! He's grown so much since we first saw him at 2 days old. He's unbelievably strong - pushing up on his arms and pushing with his legs. I haven't decided yet who I think he looks like - I see both Mommy and Daddy in him.

Here are a few pictures from our visit. Matthew had a great time hanging out with his friend, and only had to be reminded a couple of times to be gentle! Won't be long before the two of them are rough-housing together!

Thanks for letting us come visit, guys!

Trip #1

Today we made our first trip to this year's Big E, and Matthew's first trip ever. I know, I know...opening day was yesterday. Believe me, I wanted to be there. Hard to imagine, but I've never been on opening day. Once again, it just wasn't in the cards. It was absolutely pouring last night, and even I'm not that nuts.

We tend to shy away on the weekends, just because it tends to be crazy busy. Today was unusual in that it was almost more quiet than the weeknights we usually go. It worked out perfectly - the weather was great for being outside, and we weren't forced to shuffle through like cattle like is typically the case on the weekend.

We had a great time, and Matthew really seemed to enjoy himself. He loved staring at the cows. I'd share some pictures of that, but my camera battery died when we got to the Mallary Complex. Figures - they had my favorite - Oreo cows (a.k.a. Belted Galloways). Don't worry - the battery's charging, and we'll definitely be going back there on our next trip.

Here are some shots I got before the battery croaked...

Inside the Main Gate

The Hallamore Clydesdales all hitched up

Don't you love how he puts his foot on top of the stroller?

The Budweiser Dalmatian

Just having fun!

Tootsie's fried dough. Didn't have any today, but we will, and we only buy it from the one that looks like this.

Millie's pierogi and golumpki, baby!

Matthew's soccer ball (or should I say football) from Ireland

The Eddy Law Office

Check out the tracks on this thing!

All tuckered out!

By the way, I must give special kudos to The Big E. I was looking around for an out of the way place to feed Matthew, and we decided to head toward the First Aid area. What a pleasant surprise when we saw a sign outside the New England Center for a Nursing Mothers Lounge. La Leche League has a curtained off area set up for nursing moms, complete with gliders, recliners, and a changing table with wipes and diapers of all sizes. Very nice!

Back in the land of the living

Man, it's been a while....

Life has been busy, work has been stressful, and I just haven't found the gumption to actually put a post together. I've concocted a bunch of pieces of posts in my head, but that's where it has stopped. So, here's an amalgamation of some of the things happening around here lately.

For any of you who read my sister's blog, you know that my brother and his family just moved back to CT. Dennis flew out to Vegas the Friday of Labor Day weekend, and he and my brother set out Saturday morning for the drive back across the country. At first I was jealous of all they'd get to see along the way. But the more I thought about it, I realized I'd be miserable driving for 16 hours like they did one day. I'd still like to do that someday - just not in less than 3 days. They landed at our house around 5 p.m. on Labor Day, tired and ready to be out of the car. Matthew was so happy to see his Daddy and Uncle Chris.





Notice how he gives kisses - grabs you on both sides of your head (usually by the hair) and plants one on you! Love that!

My brother stayed with us for that week (along with their dogs and cat) since his belongings weren't arriving until the weekend. Matthew enjoyed playing with one of the dogs, Rocco.



He also enjoyed playing with one of the presents Daddy brought him from the trip - a stuffed Ernie doll that he bought at the Iowa 80 truckstop. Here he is giving him a big smooch.



All the excitement of the week made Matthew extra tired. So much so that he fell asleep standing up in his activity center. How sad (but cute) is this picture??!



Then, this past weekend was move-in weekend, but not before a quick trip to The Big E to get our pictures taken for our 17-day value passes. I love going there before it's open - you get to drive around all the roads and see everything being set up. We saw the milking cow from the Farm-A-Rama being delivered!



We spent the rest of Saturday helping Chris move in. Well, I should say Dennis helped, along with my cousin and a friend of my brother's. Matthew and I just hung out, although we did make ourselves useful going to Big Y to get lunch stuff for everyone (with the help of my cousin's daughter, Jenna).

On Sunday, my brother and I ran around on a wild goose chase in search of the perfect mums. Dennis and Matthew hung back at home to watch the first Pats game of the season. It was a glorious fall day - couldn't have asked for better.



On Monday night, Allison, James and Ella flew in. Tuesday evening, they came over for a visit, and we got to meet Ella. She's so cute, and such a peanut! Matthew enjoyed playing with James and showing him all his toys.





So, that's the news. While I haven't been posting, I have been reading a lot of new blogs. Check out the additions to my blogroll. One that I must highlight is this one, especially this post. I must make this ASAP.

That's all for now. Be back soon.