Tulips

 Right in the front of our home are these amazing tulips that Scott planted in November. They waited under the snow all of those cold, dark months. And they are so worth it. 

Week Recap

We had this past week off from school. We enjoyed the most amazing weather, had dinner out of the porch (breakfast and lunch too), enjoyed the tulips coming up, refreshed so many parts to our home that needed organizing. I decorated and baked and just enjoyed myself so much. We even went away for an overnight in Vermont. 

I love having a little treat for my family on this little spot in our kitchen. It makes home feel cozy, warm, and wonderful. These are cottage cheese banana muffins (for extra protein). I also made homemade donuts for fun too! And even lemon raspberry mini muffins. 

I do love what I do; teaching is a passion and the place God has called me to serve. But our family and caring of our home comes first, and I make sure to enjoy those blessings that God has bestowed. I sure did enjoy a whole week of being home. 

Other things from this week was that my dad visited Abigail on her college campus. She goes to a school that has a pretty cool story and tie to her grandfather. The land the college is built on was many many years ago his grandfather's farm. Yes, my great grandfather, Abigail's great great grandfather's farm. So my dad visited so he could see what he might remember. They had a precious afternoon and Abigail sent me this picture. 

This week Scott got a chance to play tennis (been playing since high school). On Friday we all went to daily Mass, confession and out for breakfast. 

 

First Warmth

Last night we ate dinner on our porch for the first time. The weather in Connecticut has been unheard of. This week we've had upper 80's!!! The sunshine and the warmth feels too good to be true but I love it so much! 

We know it's not here to stay. It's only spring and so that means we are back down to 40's all next week but I love a good dress and jean jacket teaching day too so that's ok! 

One thing this warm weather did was force all of our spring flowers out. I don't have a picture of all of the tulips popping in the front of our yard but I'll post those soon. 

This is our cherry tree and it's blooms only last hours it seems so I'm so glad I thought of getting a few pictures. This beauty of a tree was bought by my class when my Grandpa passed away and is the sweetest reminder of his love of flowers and gardening. 

Dinner on our porch feels so much more relaxing than eating inside. We love it so much. If we ever move I'll just pick up this porch and take it with me, ha! 

 

Looking foward to many many more days and evenings enjoying outdoors from his spot. 

A Little Visit to Our Favorite Town

There is a backstory to our favorite town. 

Years ago we had an adorable travel book. We picked it out in a bookstore together. I don't know if we were married, engaged, or dreaming of one day being able to travel together. The book was called, The Best Places to Kiss in New England. It was filled with the most romantic inns across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 

One such place in this book as the Victoria Inn. 

So when it was our 1 year wedding anniversary (seems like yesterday but actually was 29 years ago), Scott and I booked a night or two at the Victoria Inn in a tiny little town called Chester, Vermont. 

And we loved it. We actually stayed there again just a few summers ago (that post back here)  We've actually been to Chester Vermont and stayed over with our girls (at a different place) a few times. 

One of our visits on the way home we stopped at Grafton Village and fell in love. The home, the hospitality, the inn, the restaurant, the general store... every single detail. 

And we've been back to Grafton a few times. Once last summer for our 29th anniversary (that post back here). We adore it there so when April break was coming up for us we decided to book a night in the lovely inn, go hiking, eat a delicious dinner, a country breakfast, and shop at antique stores. 

And so we did! 

Here are some pictures from the past few days:

Part 1: (no pictures of) 

We went to Chester Vermont first for antique shopping. I found a few fun pieces (mostly antique baskets) that I'm thrilled to have. 

Part 2: Grafton Vermont

We were ready for lunch and ate right at the general store overlooking Main Street. We ordered and split The Vermonter... the best sandwich ever! 

Then we were off walking in their trails through the woods. So fun! 

One place I really wanted to find was the home from Funny Farm. I've always loved that movie for the town (the town we were actually in), the inside of the home, and the beauty of the outside. Well we found it, just up the road from where we were staying. 

It was surreal to be standing on the road that lead to this charming home. 

This picture below is my favorite... it's like it's right out of the movie! I wanted the owner to open their door and invite me in a cup of tea and tour. 

After we walked back down and started getting ready for dinner. 

The inn is so charming inside with sitting rooms throughout the first floor. This was our room with a view of Main Street. Lovely lovely lovely. 

We ended up having enough time before dinner to go to church. 

Part 3: Evening in Grafton Vermont

We had the most wonderful meal and talked for two hours over a shared appetizer, dinner, and dessert. 

Breakfast in the morning was the Inn's Country Breakfast. Blueberry pancakes for me please! 

Before we checked out we had time for one more trail walk. 

We picked up some of the town's cheese to bring home and off we went. 

So grateful for this time away!