Fabulous Fall

A few days ago I took a break at work to get a hot chocolate and began thinking about all the good things about winter (cute clothes, hot chocolate, the first snow). I was getting pretty excited about the upcoming winter season but then realized that I haven't really celebrated fall yet this year. After almost no summer this year (I heard someone refer to it as "summerish"), the fall seems to be planning the same "blink and you'll miss it" act as well. So before fall ends, I thought I would record some of the things I love most about this season.

• Crisp air
• Leaf-peeping
• Apple cider and cider donuts
• The back-to-school section at Target
• My birthday
• Curling up under a blanket again
  
• Seeing the largest pumpkin at the Topsfield Fair
• Annual visit from my parents
• College football (especially UT)
  
• Beginning of the figure skating season
• Choosing pumpkins from a pumpkin patch
• The colors: red, gold, orange, brown, yellow

Hopefully there will be a few more weeks of fall to enjoy. Even though winter offers some wonderful moments, I'll be happy to wait to experience them until much later in the year.

Weekend on the Cape

Last weekend my parents flew up to Boston to spend my birthday with me and visit Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. I left work early on Friday so that we could drive down to Hyannis, our home base for the weekend. We spent a very rainy Saturday exploring the Cape and then took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard on Sunday. On Monday we did a few more things on the Cape and then headed back to the mainland for some birthday shopping and dinner (The Melting Pot . . . yum!). These are a few highlights from our weekend together:

Picking pumpkins at a pumpkin patch in front of a church.

I had never been to a pumpkin patch so this was very special. I chose one large pumpkin and a few smaller ones. When I pulled my large pumpkin from the pile, it caused an avalanche of pumpkins that landed on my feet. My mom had to come save me.

Looking at all the tiny gingerbread houses in Oak Bluff, Martha's Vineyard.

The houses were built on a church campground in the 19th century. The houses are so close together and painted in every color combination you can possibly imagine. I decided that my favorite combination was yellow and blue. (You can read more about them here.)

 

 Walking down this long pier to see the seashore.

The water was so clear that you could see minnows swimming around. It was a little windy at the end of the pier but oh so beautiful. Quintessential Cape Cod.

 

Riding the Flying Horses Carousel on Martha's Vineyard.

The carousel is the oldest one in the United States. As you ride around, you're supposed to try to catch the brass ring. If you catch it, you win a free ride. I got pretty good at catching the rings (pictured above), but I never caught the brass ring. Mom, however, caught it twice! The second time she caught it, she let me use her free ride.

Visiting Sandwich.

We almost didn't go to Sandwich, but Mom talked to the owner of our hotel and learned that Sandwich was a not-to-be-missed place. We were really glad we made it there. We toured Dexter's Grist Mill; visited Hoxie House, the oldest saltbox house on Cape Cod; and ate lunch at Dunbar Tea Room. It was a nice diversion during our last morning on the Cape.

Eating clam chowder.

We all enjoyed trying the chowder at different restaurants, including The Lobster Claw in Orleans.

It's hard to believe that a week ago we were just beginning our trip to Cape Cod. I'm so glad that I was able to visit the area for the first time and enjoy spending time with my parents on my birthday.