Happy (Almost) Halloween, everyone! As I prepare for a weekend full of long overdue spooky and scary activities and parties with friends- things we couldn’t enjoy in 2020- I’m also preparing to bid a fond farewell to my favorite month of the year and all the spontaneous travel, pampering, and splurging that came with it before I gear up for the impending holiday season.
It’s always so difficult to say goodbye to October, but October 2021- a much more festive and fun one than last year- is especially challenging. As a lover of all things horror and Halloween- I’m not ready for the haunted houses, creepy decorations and Jack-O-Lanterns to disappear until next year!
I kicked off this month with a day trip to Sudbury, Massachusetts- and a stop at one of my favorite inns/restaurants in the area- who were also hosting a farmer’s market at the time. While their selection of pumpkins was certainly impressive, I waited until just a few short days later when I was visiting the Equinox Valley in Vermont to pick out a perfect one to put on display in the front window of my apartment.
In keeping up with my October tradition of researching and writing about some of the more macabre and unusual graves/monuments and markers here in New England- I shared the tragic story of the Kneeland Maids earlier this month. I had wanted to extend my series for a few more posts, but some last minute travel plans took priority (I’ll get into that momentarily!)
October saw me visiting one of my favorite and historic candy shops from my childhood, catching late night back-to-back classic horror movies at Medfield State Hospital before a weekend hiking excursion with friends- and taking the time to cover my updated and extensive makeup collection for the Fall.
Of course, the big event this month was my spur-of-the-moment long weekend in Chicago– where I did some fast-paced sightseeing, dining and spending quality time with one of my favorite people in-between his scheduled work commitments. while he was also in town. It was such a wonderful mini-vacation!
And leading up to this weekend’s planned festivities (I’ll have a recap and lots of photos next week!)– I visited Roger Williams Park Zoo a couple of nights ago for their annual Jack-O-Lantern trail/display. It was spectacular as always- and the weather was surprisingly calm given the recent and rainy Nor’easter we had here!
So what do I have in store for ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ in November? More local highlights and light travel around New England before the snow makes it’s inevitable return, of course. I’m also planning some more Autumnal-inspired recipes and a peek into my Fall/Winter holiday function wardrobe as we inch a little closer to Thanksgiving!
So here’s to the final days of October- the best month by far- and the hope that next year’s is just as good as this one was!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 