Post by Honeylioness on Sept 8, 2009 15:14:56 GMT -5
*Sigh* Where DID the Summer go? It is hard to believe it is Labor Day already and that school is back in session.
It always seems odd to me that many of the schools here start before the Holiday weekend, run for only two or three days, then break for four days off.
Anne had no school on Friday, and as I had to work, with the possibility of getting out early, I thought it might be nice for her to be able to spend some time with people her own age.
Last weekend we had gone down to Norwood, another YFU Host family had a barbecue to introduce the families and students to each other. There Anne had met Maeva (from France) and Yui (from Japan) who are living together with a host family only a few miles from us. So I contacted the host mother and we arranged that I would pick up the girls around lunch time and drive them to the shopping mall in Nashua, NH - and that the host father would pick them up.
This wound up being the best arrangement as not only did I not get out of work a bit early, as is customary for a long weekend, but I had to stay late to finish up yet another project relating to the Audit last month. In the meantime Anne got to spend time with other girls shopping, giggling, and taking pictures of each other wearing silly accessories. And I got to stay OUT of a Mall!!!
On Saturday Ruth came by around 8:00 am and we headed North for Vermont, with a brief detour to Mt. Sunapee, NH and Mountain View Lake. This lake has a long family history for me as my great-grandparents began vacationing there in the 1910's and then purchased a renovated barn which was our summer cottage for decades. It had passed out of the family through a series of events too traumatic to go into here. The current owner was very nice and even let me go inside to see the old home once again. I got to show Ruth and Anne the places I spent every Summer as a child and then we drove the two miles to where my grandparents are buried.
It was not until I had placed the flowers on their grave and went to gently stroke the etched names that I realized what the date was. September 5th - etched there in stone - it was 12 years to the day since I lost my beloved "Papa" - and I just broke down and sobbed. Thank goodness Ruth was with me. I still miss him so much, and it was good to have a warm shoulder to lean on.
After a bit of recovery it was back on the road and onward to Vermont - first stop: Norwich and the King Arthur Store
www.kingarthurflour.com/ourstore/. Who knew this little gem was tucked away in the mountains of Vermont - and who knew there were that many kinds and blends of flour? We got not only some unusual baking items, but Anne was able to pick up a few Christmas gift items.
It's never too early to shop for Christmas by the way - especially when you have to ship cross country and over seas.
Then it was southward and a stop for lunch at what had to be the world's SLOWEST deli counter before we were off towards The Vermont Country Store. www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Visit-Our-Stores/D/80000/P/1:300:3010 Another sensory overload - but a fun one. Just the browsing would be worth the trip. But after finding a few more items for Christmas gifts I lucked into the softest, fluffiest of bathrobes - and for only half price. Anne was enthralled by not only the vast number of items but the variety of each kind - especially the old fashioned candies. Boy does she have a sweet tooth!!!!
Then back in the car for the long loop home. While the entire drive was scenic the best views came when we parked just at the end of the French King Bridge in Erving, MA. This bridge spans the Connecticut River www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=bridge/frenchking&sid=bridgeData I would like to re-visit the area once the foliage has gone to it's Autumn glory.
We ended the evening with Dinner at the Lowell Beer Works - where I treated as a "Thank you" to Ruth for the use of her vehicle and gas.
Sunday was another lovely day - temperatures in the 70's and a light breeze. As Parlee Farms had posted that the raspberry fields were not open to let the fruit ripen, I took Anne into Boston for the first time (The first proper time, because just seeing the airport does not count)
After parking at the end of the Red Line I showed her how to get tickets for our subway system then we boarded for the short journey to Park Street. This is the oldest subway station in the country and Boston's subway system the oldest also. After leaving the trains and walking up old steps you emerge onto the northern end of the Boston Common which was established in 1634.
We walked through the Common as I pointed out various historic and interesting features of the park, then we signed up for a guided tour of the first 12 sites on the Freedom Trail tour. This was led by a former history teacher in period costume including tricorn hat and gartered stockings. He was very good and knew not only the standard history of the area, but interesting pieces of trivia that made sites come alive.
The tour ended at Faneuil Hall where there were large crowds of people enjoying the temperate weather and the last unofficial weekend of Summer. After browsing a few stores I took Anne for a late lunch/early supper at one of my favorite restaurants - Durgin Park. The oldest continually operating restaurant in the country.
From their website:
The restaurant has a long and colorful history and serves the most authentic New England food anywhere.
Fortified we wandered through the large three building market place window shopping. I went into one of my favorite stores which specializes in only Christmas decorations and ornaments. This was just a bit too much for Anne. As she wandered around looking at all the themed trees and myriad of different ornaments for sale she kept shaking her head.
"No" she said "This is not right? What does a seashell or a ball player have to do with Christmas or a tree?" I learned that for her a Christmas tree is decorated ONLY with colored balls - no dolls, or sailboats. No Red Sox baseball or tiny reindeer. Trees like these were just unthinkable to her. She is going to HATE my, and my mother's house I think!!
(These are a sample of the kind of trees she could not get over)
www.santasbestchristmasdesigns.com/gallery.html
Monday was another beautiful day - mid 70s and occasional wispy clouds. And I had nothing planned. If the berry fields had been ready I had considered making some jam, but as they were still closed to allow the fruit to ripen we could enjoy a lazy quiet day at home.
Of course this was also the perfect excuse to actually cook breakfast - bacon and pancakes with real Vermont maple syrup. And later that day we did make cookies - Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. Anne told me it was her first time ever to make cookies from scratch. Another new skill she is getting. I also learned that in Germany oats are primarily grown only to feed horses and other livestock.
I did have a chance also to work on my budget, update my spreadsheets and pay some bills. But I am still unsure about the Vegas trip .... more deliberating is needed I think.
Pictures from the weekend: s25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/honey36_/Anne%20T%202009-2010/Labor%20Day%20Weekend%202009/
It always seems odd to me that many of the schools here start before the Holiday weekend, run for only two or three days, then break for four days off.
Anne had no school on Friday, and as I had to work, with the possibility of getting out early, I thought it might be nice for her to be able to spend some time with people her own age.
Last weekend we had gone down to Norwood, another YFU Host family had a barbecue to introduce the families and students to each other. There Anne had met Maeva (from France) and Yui (from Japan) who are living together with a host family only a few miles from us. So I contacted the host mother and we arranged that I would pick up the girls around lunch time and drive them to the shopping mall in Nashua, NH - and that the host father would pick them up.
This wound up being the best arrangement as not only did I not get out of work a bit early, as is customary for a long weekend, but I had to stay late to finish up yet another project relating to the Audit last month. In the meantime Anne got to spend time with other girls shopping, giggling, and taking pictures of each other wearing silly accessories. And I got to stay OUT of a Mall!!!
On Saturday Ruth came by around 8:00 am and we headed North for Vermont, with a brief detour to Mt. Sunapee, NH and Mountain View Lake. This lake has a long family history for me as my great-grandparents began vacationing there in the 1910's and then purchased a renovated barn which was our summer cottage for decades. It had passed out of the family through a series of events too traumatic to go into here. The current owner was very nice and even let me go inside to see the old home once again. I got to show Ruth and Anne the places I spent every Summer as a child and then we drove the two miles to where my grandparents are buried.
It was not until I had placed the flowers on their grave and went to gently stroke the etched names that I realized what the date was. September 5th - etched there in stone - it was 12 years to the day since I lost my beloved "Papa" - and I just broke down and sobbed. Thank goodness Ruth was with me. I still miss him so much, and it was good to have a warm shoulder to lean on.
After a bit of recovery it was back on the road and onward to Vermont - first stop: Norwich and the King Arthur Store
www.kingarthurflour.com/ourstore/. Who knew this little gem was tucked away in the mountains of Vermont - and who knew there were that many kinds and blends of flour? We got not only some unusual baking items, but Anne was able to pick up a few Christmas gift items.
It's never too early to shop for Christmas by the way - especially when you have to ship cross country and over seas.
Then it was southward and a stop for lunch at what had to be the world's SLOWEST deli counter before we were off towards The Vermont Country Store. www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Visit-Our-Stores/D/80000/P/1:300:3010 Another sensory overload - but a fun one. Just the browsing would be worth the trip. But after finding a few more items for Christmas gifts I lucked into the softest, fluffiest of bathrobes - and for only half price. Anne was enthralled by not only the vast number of items but the variety of each kind - especially the old fashioned candies. Boy does she have a sweet tooth!!!!
Then back in the car for the long loop home. While the entire drive was scenic the best views came when we parked just at the end of the French King Bridge in Erving, MA. This bridge spans the Connecticut River www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=bridge/frenchking&sid=bridgeData I would like to re-visit the area once the foliage has gone to it's Autumn glory.
We ended the evening with Dinner at the Lowell Beer Works - where I treated as a "Thank you" to Ruth for the use of her vehicle and gas.
Sunday was another lovely day - temperatures in the 70's and a light breeze. As Parlee Farms had posted that the raspberry fields were not open to let the fruit ripen, I took Anne into Boston for the first time (The first proper time, because just seeing the airport does not count)
After parking at the end of the Red Line I showed her how to get tickets for our subway system then we boarded for the short journey to Park Street. This is the oldest subway station in the country and Boston's subway system the oldest also. After leaving the trains and walking up old steps you emerge onto the northern end of the Boston Common which was established in 1634.
We walked through the Common as I pointed out various historic and interesting features of the park, then we signed up for a guided tour of the first 12 sites on the Freedom Trail tour. This was led by a former history teacher in period costume including tricorn hat and gartered stockings. He was very good and knew not only the standard history of the area, but interesting pieces of trivia that made sites come alive.
The tour ended at Faneuil Hall where there were large crowds of people enjoying the temperate weather and the last unofficial weekend of Summer. After browsing a few stores I took Anne for a late lunch/early supper at one of my favorite restaurants - Durgin Park. The oldest continually operating restaurant in the country.
From their website:
The origin of Durgin Park and its typically Yankee recipes goes back to the pre-revolutionary days. In 1742 Peter Faneuil, the topmost merchant in town, erected a large market house near the waterfront. Soon afterwards, a warehouse was built which housed a small dining room that catered to market men, and the crews of ships anchored in Boston Harbor.
Around 180 years ago one of the customers, Eldridge Park, bought the restaurant with local merchants, John Durgin and John Chandler. Although both Mr. Durgin and Mr. Park died within a few years of purchasing the restaurant, their partner retained their memory by naming it Durgin-Park.
Around 180 years ago one of the customers, Eldridge Park, bought the restaurant with local merchants, John Durgin and John Chandler. Although both Mr. Durgin and Mr. Park died within a few years of purchasing the restaurant, their partner retained their memory by naming it Durgin-Park.
The restaurant has a long and colorful history and serves the most authentic New England food anywhere.
Fortified we wandered through the large three building market place window shopping. I went into one of my favorite stores which specializes in only Christmas decorations and ornaments. This was just a bit too much for Anne. As she wandered around looking at all the themed trees and myriad of different ornaments for sale she kept shaking her head.
"No" she said "This is not right? What does a seashell or a ball player have to do with Christmas or a tree?" I learned that for her a Christmas tree is decorated ONLY with colored balls - no dolls, or sailboats. No Red Sox baseball or tiny reindeer. Trees like these were just unthinkable to her. She is going to HATE my, and my mother's house I think!!
(These are a sample of the kind of trees she could not get over)
www.santasbestchristmasdesigns.com/gallery.html
Monday was another beautiful day - mid 70s and occasional wispy clouds. And I had nothing planned. If the berry fields had been ready I had considered making some jam, but as they were still closed to allow the fruit to ripen we could enjoy a lazy quiet day at home.
Of course this was also the perfect excuse to actually cook breakfast - bacon and pancakes with real Vermont maple syrup. And later that day we did make cookies - Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. Anne told me it was her first time ever to make cookies from scratch. Another new skill she is getting. I also learned that in Germany oats are primarily grown only to feed horses and other livestock.
I did have a chance also to work on my budget, update my spreadsheets and pay some bills. But I am still unsure about the Vegas trip .... more deliberating is needed I think.
Pictures from the weekend: s25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/honey36_/Anne%20T%202009-2010/Labor%20Day%20Weekend%202009/