I Can Never Spell 'Massachusetts' Right the First Try.

Eleven days away from home, and we’re back! Our trip was wonderful, and I’m sure I’ll show you eleven million photos sometime soon. We were tucked away on the side of a hill in the Appalachian Mountains under maple trees, next to the farm’s working maple sugarhouse (aka: where all of the liquid gold is processed). It was absolutely gorgeous. We spent our days reading, making pancakes with just-picked blueberries, playing cards, napping, long drives singing Take me Home, Country Roads, visiting the horses and goats, enjoying the river, visiting little towns in western Massachusetts, drinking coffee, giving Gabe lots of undivided attention, soaking up nature, and cooking. (And, therefore: EATING. Oh, the eating! The two of us went through a pound of fudge, a quart of half and half, a pound of coffee, a pint of maple syrup, and a jar of peanut butter. Thanks to the miracle of breastfeeding, I gained only one little pound. It’s probably the fudge I basically ate all by myself.)

I spent several mornings a cup of coffee in one hand, a spatula in the other, flipping pancakes, with Gabe playing at my feet and NPR’s Morning Edition on the radio. The simplicity of each day left me refreshed, as did going to bed at 9:30. Gabe slept more than he does at home, too, and spent his days trying to injure himself on the spiral staircase. Good times, Gabe. Good times.

Though it certainly wasn’t as laid-back as last time (hellooo, vacation with an eleven-month-old), it was still quiet and free of any distractions. Oh, except for the Direct TV. Yes, that. Cupcake Wars is a good show, what can I say?

We also spent two nights at our friends’ place in Ithaca, New York. We don’t get to see them as often as we’d like, so spending a couple of relaxed mornings just hanging out was wonderful. They are expecting their first baby in December and I am absolutely giddy for them. My whole soul smiles when I think about them becoming parents for the first time. (As well as for my friend who just became a parent for the third time.)

After being away from home for 31 nights of the last three months, it’s nice to be here for a while. Though it is difficult coming back to the reality of long to do lists and a messy apartment after steeping in this for nine days: