It is absolutely beautiful right now in Mass. The sun is shining in my window making my whole office glow. I think a nice loooong walk with my favorite girl (who is still in bed at 10) is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. I believe it to be one of the last warm days we’ll have for awhile, not that I mind it getting colder.  I appreciate the feeling of warm on bare skin knowing it will be months before I feel that again; I have to go soak up all that I can…

And that’s when I decided to leave and go for a walk before I finished my blog.

It was a soul cleansing walk. Such a happy, calm feeling in the air. Every time the wind blew you could hear 20 quiet thuds of acorns hitting the forest floor…

The first day of fall is always a cause to celebrate in my book. We spent it with friends…

Our close friends moved to Pepperell a month back and now I want to. It’s just the coolest area, its the picture of “quaint”. Every time we drive there I love it even more…

The day started with the Pepperell farmers market and then on to a fall festival a couple towns over in Groton. And so the four of us spent the afternoon being festive.

We had an actual conversation with a teenager, I did not think that was possible anymore. I should have taken a picture of him… Isn’t it amazing that having a 90 second back and fourth with a 16 year old is so uncommon that it sticks out in your mind.

This house makes me miss my sister Mary Kay, it is sooo her…

I want to see what it looks like on the inside.

I just realized I have two disco balls downstairs and not one in my office, the room in the house that needs it the most!

Dear little girl,

Your coloring is sub-standard at best, I hope you have other skills or you’re going to have a hard life. Take a lesson from your friend, she seems to have the coloring thing down…

This baby almost came home with me!

My husband had that look in his eye that told me not to even ask…

If it’s still there next time, I’m going for it… Why not, it’s a giant disco ball! I’ll find space.

The second half of our day was spent with more friends playing mini golf and eating chinese food.

Words can’t describe how much I love this man…

Even the props master of the group (her actual job title for you all that don’t live around theater and have no idea what a props master is) couldn’t figure a good reason for two halves of a bucket instead of a whole. Shirley a whole bucket would be easier to find…

Yes, that is my ball… Skill.

Matt was the champion!  I came in fourth, shocking I know. I lack the competitive edge needed in such sports; and the hand eye coordination for that matter… It was a blast!

Lastly, scotch, cigars and a campfire.

A perfect end to a perfect first day of fall…

I ordered my garlic yesterday!!!! This year I will be planting Inchelium Red  and  Music. One softneck and one hardneck.

I’m beaming as I’m writing.

The first thing that will go in my garden this year. Garlic is a commitment and I’m overjoyed to be in that place in life making it possible to commit.

The first time I looked at my phone the morning we left for our anniversary trip. I figured it was a good omen to have an extra 11. It happened again four days later but my camera wasn’t around.

Every other year we trade off on who plans our anniversary trip. This year was my year…

I decided on Portsmouth, NH. Only about an hour from our house so we didn’t spend the whole time in the car.

It was a great little town! On the water which is always a plus, usually means great restaurants.

This gal was so nice! She gave us a list of her recommendations for the area…

Wynn spent the three days with Michelle and Lola freeing us to sit for hours eating and drinking without the worry of her sad and lonely in the room.

We sat at the bar in the Gaslight and visited with the cooks. The bar opens up into the kitchen, very cool.

This was the best hummus ever! I wanted to eat it with a spoon…

The cooks told me how they make it,  I’m going to try it.

And we had a fire…

We found a great little spot for breakfast. You would think there would be more than one breakfast place in a town that size… There were a lot of coffee places that served danishes and such, not a whole lot inside for two people who don’t eat grain (more on that later).

Three words,  bacon and eggs.

And they served you a whole pot of tea, not just a cup. It’s the little things…

This place was packed about 30 seconds before I took this. Everyone seemed to come all at once and then leave all at once.

Cafe Mediterraneo, another great place. Good sangria!

Out for our anniversary dinner, in our wedding clothes:)

I’m a lucky gal…

Our view for dinner… Like last year, (and also our wedding day) it was warm enough for us to sit outside. The end of September is a great time to get married!

HA! I’m not much of a blingy girl but Nat insisted I get this when we were out shopping months before the wedding. I still wear it on occasion, makes me laugh.

He’s just my favorite…!

Portsmouth is right next to Kittery, home to Roberts Maine Grill. We eat there every time we are anywhere near it.

They never disappoint…

And home once again…

To raspberries! They just keep plugging away.

And our anniversary gift… Whoever doesn’t plan the trip picks the present.

He makes me laugh! Pretty good, cotton is a hard one…

My husband and I are going gluten and dairy free. We pretty much gave dairy up awhile back and aren’t too heavy on the  grains but we decided to be strict about it for two months to give us a realistic view.

I don’t see us going back… After four days I found my energy, I didn’t even know it was gone.

It’s indeed soup weather…  I’ve been trying to think outside the box.

Whatever soup:

• leftover pork broth
• one can of chopped tomatoes
• grilled hot italian sausage
• leftover roasted beets, carrots and chicken
• 1/4 large sweet potato chopped small.
• couple cloves of garlic
• dry basil
• red pepper

I think it turned out good enough to put the recipe on MDG…

This year I finally made it to the MIT pumpkin patch…  It was great to see friends and hunt for the perfect first pumpkin.

I had ADD bad! I of course expected nothing less. Colors everywhere!!!

Our first pumpkin… I had this one in my hand the whole time, others came and went but this one remained.

It was so beautiful and simple; it stood out in the sea of color…

Our friends have a party every year that includes sauce made entirely with tomatoes from their garden. I didn’t go to the party but I hung with them that day while they prepared…

And they sent sauce home for me and the mr. We’ve had one jar so far,  it was phenomenal of course…

Jar two tonight I think.

One thing we’ve  allowed ourselves on this diet experiment, our friend Tamiko’s chocolate jalapeno ice cream. It is a true treat! Life isn’t worth living if you deny yourself too much. It didn’t hang around long enough for a picture…

A little ball time with the Moose in the backyard…

I broke out Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus the other day… It’s officially that time of year!

Happy Autumn Loves!!!!

And happy Winter to all my MT/WY Loves!! Snow on October 3! Certainly don’t miss the two season thing…