October 8, 2010

o focus on the simple things in life, why not try writing a daybook of your own? It is a lot of fun and gives a real glimpse into your daily life...over time.

So, for today, Friday, October 8, 2010...

Outside my window...It is dark and I can hear the freeway noise. We have left the magical enchantment of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and are staying the night in Hartford, CT. We have a nice suite at the one of the Choice Hotels which basically just means we are not tripping over each other and have a little kitchen which is most helpful with Spencer's food allergies.

I am thinking... that it is fun to be in Hartford, Connecticut and think about the Gilmore Girls. If you have never watched the series on TV or are not familiar it is a favorite of mine. It is about a mother and daughter who lived near here (in TV land) and I just loved the show. Very witty, quick and entertaining. I am not a TV person but loved this show on DVDs well after it ended.

I am thankful...for all of my blessings, each and every one and I try never to take them for granted. This has been such a lovely time and so wonderful to see places we have heard about all our lives. Sometimes I think we paint our worlds so small and forget there is so much more out there. Traveling puts things in perspective. Traveling with family is the best.

From the learning room...I have learned so many fun things this week. Did you know that it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of maple syrup! Did you know the sap looks like water when it comes out of the tree? Today I learned a lot about Mark Twain. What an interesting life he led. I learned that there are 62 lighthouses in Maine and one state has even more. Do you know which one?

I am reading... Fablehaven in tandem with Laura to our boys. Fun book. We have been reading in the car and we are all loving it.

I am wondering...about the people of the Gilded Age that lived in such opulence and had so few modern conveniences and life savers like anesthetics, antibiotics, etc. Mark Twain had a 12,000 square foot home here in Hartford. Just think about that size compared to your home or mine? Crazy, really crazy! The first indoor bathrooms in the country were in Newport, RI and Harford CT. We have see them on this trip. In Newport, one of the bathrooms we saw had four spickets into the marble tub...hot and cold fresh water and hot and cold salt water? Seriously?

I am hearing.... Laura read to the boys, freeway noises and and me crunching on licorice popcorn. I love black licorice and someone in Maine figured out how to put it on popcorn, now I hear Jim crunching on it too. I cannot believe we still have it after five days or so. We are savoring it! And no one under 30 is allowed to eat it...they had their own flavors. The best part was they were safe for Spencer...no nuts, no soy.

If I could change one thing...we would be able to pick up our house and magically transport it to Vermont, lock, stock and barrel. We could live there in a heartbeat...at least until the severe winters set in! The next best thing would be a mission at the Visitors' Center in Sharon, Vermont where Joseph Smith was born.

I am quoting...Mark Twain, "The lack of money is the root of all evil." "Always respect your superiors if you have any." Books are the liberation of the souls of men, "Those are the ones I remember from the Visitors' Center today. And Laura adds, "Always do right, it will gratify some and astonish the rest."

I am going....to visit Yale University tomorrow with the family and then we are heading back to their Island and Robert.

I am missing....our bed!

I am hoping....you will not forget me while I am gone. I love you my blogging friends.

One of my guilty pleasures....seafood, so far we have tried the lobster in Maine, crab cakes and fish and chips in Rhode Island, New England clam chowder and Calamari in New Hampshire.

One of my pet peeves...the weird hangers in hotels that don't come off the rod. Hate'em!

One of my favorite things.....Autumn Leaves and everything that goes with them but Halloween.

An enjoyable movie I have seen lately...Dare I say Letters to Juliet again? Laura had never seen it and I wanted to watch it with her as I knew she would love it...she did!

I am curious about...the incredible impact a large population has on a place. More people have flown past this window while I have been writing than we have seen in a week.

A few plans for the coming week....go to Yale, drive home to Laura and Robert's place, church on Sunday, Monday flake out, Tuesday head to Boston for a few days just with Jim and then over to Cape Cod. After that not too sure.

Here is a picture and thought I am sharing with you...

These guys are so much fun!

I have accumulated so many ♥ prints over the last weeks.