We had a quick get away to Providence, Rhode Island. Jim was at a conference, and the kids and I met up with him last night. Only an hour away from Cambridge, but it really felt like we were in a different place all together. People seemed much friendlier there: some actually smiled and said hello to us on the street. That doesn't happen here.
The one place I really wanted to visit in Providence was the Farmstead Cheese shop. Similar to Formaggio Kitchen of Cambridge, Farmstead was abundant with endless kinds of cheeses from all over the world. I had been reading about it since we were living in California, so it was a treat to actually go there in person, and eat cheese and bread from this infamous, up-and-coming institution.
When people around here talk about 'apple-picking', it's really a code word for 'cider donuts'. Sure it's fun to pick apples, and to roam about an orchard even on a cold autumn day. But what's more fun is to get inside the farm house where there is a real fire burning in the fireplace, mulled cider boiling, apples being pressed the old-fashioned way, and most importantly, cider donuts hot off the oil!
Our kids have been hearing about cider donuts months before we moved back to New England. We thought maybe it would give them something to look forward to even though they had not a clue of what it meant. Today at Russell's Orchard in Ipswich, Mass, they got their first taste of this very uniquely New England pastry. I don't think they were disappointed. Jim and I, at least, appreciated this side of New England today!
With full tummies, and our trunk full of apples, we drove just a little bit further to Crane Beach. In Santa Cruz, we were spoiled with countless beaches to choose from. Crane beach is probably the closest 'real' beach to us here. It was clear that the kids had been missing their beach time.
They were as happy as they could have been as though they were on some tropical beach on a hot summer day.
When Claire didn't want to get out of the car at Blue Heron Farm today, I knew it must have been really cold. As soon as she felt the air with the windchill factor, she froze. I can stay in here, Mommy, don't worry. (Ummm... I was worried). I know it's cold, Sweetie, but you've got to get used to it, I said. That's okay Mommy, I am okay. 
Kids are resilient. They really are. Despite the cold, they were thrilled and distracted at the thought of finding the cute little carrots that survived the many frosts the farm had already encountered. Their little hands searched for the right leafy stems, then gently pulled up the sweetest carrots that we had ever tasted. They brushed off the dirt on their multi-layered clothing, and popped the tiny tubers into their mouths. That is what I call a little piece of (cold) heaven on earth.
On cold mornings, I struggle to get the children to dress appropriately. Today was one of the first frosts in the city, and after pulling some teeth, they agreed to look like the michelin men and faced the cold air outside.
I don't blame them: I wouldn't wear 5 layers of clothes, a hat, mittens, and a scarf (and can't move) either if I didn't have to. It's a good thing that even on a cold day like today (and it's nothing compared to what is to come!), nature still bestowed us all sorts of beauty to make it all worth while.
When we have visitors, especially those not too familiar with New England, we like to show off the other side of Boston. So we took our family to the farm, the pond, and the town of Concord today to get the last glimpse of the fall foliage before the more subdued winter scene sets in.
We have them for just one more day before they go back to the wine country they call home. The cousins will miss each other and the adults will remember fondly of the visit that I am sure we will talk about for a long time.
Cousin Anders and Aunt Terry are visiting from California this weekend. Though it had been five months since we last said goodbye to them at the San Francisco airport, when we are with them, it feels like just yesterday. The only difference is that Anders is just that much taller now!
We took them on the subway train into Boston. We showed them the Boston Garden and the Make Way for Ducklings. We also had lunch at a delicious pizza parlor that is a rarity in California. How hard is it to make good pizza? Somehow the Eastcoasters just do it better!
We were lucky with such a beautiful fall day. The forecast is for some rain this weekend, but we are not worried. They city is full of indoor activities to discover, and we will make good use of them.
