I tend to celebrate my boyfriend Troy in both big and little ways on an almost daily basis. He’s one of the sweetest, funniest, most thoughtful and generous people I’ve known in my life, and he’s made our seven-year relationship (and over twenty-year-long friendship!) a consistent and continuous adventure with his spontaneity while still always making sure I am safe and secure at every turn. He’s my person, who makes me feel so thoroughly loved, and I’m so grateful for that.
His birthday was last week, and I let him take the wheel on where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do to celebrate. He opted for a day trip to Woodstock, Vermont so that he could visit one of his favorite bookstores and indulge in his favorite ice cream sundae over at Woodstock Scoops – and I was happy to oblige (I love their warm waffle dessert!)
I had mentioned last week when writing about The Yankee Bookshop that Woodstock, specifically it’s Main Street area, is in the process of transitioning from all things Fall and Halloween into the Christmas spirit. So many of the shops already had their decorations up or were in the process of getting them ready to set up, all while there were still pumpkins on nearly every porch. November is such a wild month for décor!
While there, we did some window shopping, grabbed lunch at the famous Woodstock Inn, and crunched all the leaves that weren’t affected by the rainstorms rolling through the area before it was time to head home for movies and a curl-up on the couch.
By Friday, it was still raining on/off and really hard at certain intervals, but that didn’t stop us from extending the birthday celebration with a trip to Lincoln, Massachusetts to check out the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. While Troy had been before, I never had, so he served as a guide while we walked around to check our the different sculptures and installations.
The grounds were WAY more expansive than what I’d originally thought, and despite being there for over an hour – nearly two! – I still didn’t get to see all of the works since we were losing daylight and were gradually getting soaked to the bone when the rain picked back up about halfway through our walk.
But out of what I did see, I really loved Venetia Dale’s “Within Time” installation in the woods and the very cool, kind of surreal “Huff and a Puff” crooked house by Hugh Hayden. I’d love to go back and see the rest of it on a brighter, less wet day!
And to close out the week following the sculpture park and drying off to the best of our abilities, we ended our Friday night by catching a live set from the Irish band Amble at the House of Blues in Boston – a sold out show that was so full of fun and upbeat energy, It was such a great night, made even better by seeing longtime friends who were working at the show.
Although I’m back to work as of this morning (and not at all looking forward to being in my office again!) I’m so thankful for having had a week to rest, reset, and spend time with my friends, my family, and my boyfriend before the inevitable holiday rush comes along.
A little later on this week, I’ll be sharing another outdoorsy piece from my closet, as well as one of the cutest Thanksgiving appetizer recipes you can whip up for your guests in no time at all!
Until then, though – it’s back to work I go!
xo
