Living my best New England Life…..

It’s been 10 days since I landed back in Boston after sharing a beautiful ceremony/funeral of 24 hours back at home with family. Rachel & Whitney scooped me up from the airport Wed night for my short visit. Helene’s funeral service was filled with treasured memories, all the kids spoke , my sis, and my brother in law with his humor- it was special. The shiva night was so touching, meaningful, and special to be a part of with everyone. So glad I was able to be there. Back to the airport I go…..

After shuttling to the car at 6am and jumping on the freeway, (actually called highways) to arrive at my August home in West Hartford, CT with family. So blessed to be spending quality time with my Alfin crew while working remote. The remote work/lifestyle is truly where it’s at in my book. I had a full work day, Friday. Made my way to West Hartford Center…..look it up if your unfamiliar. This town has been my favorite New England town since age 9 when I started visiting every summer. The streets and area reminds me of the main st town center from the Father of the Bride movie. I bounced around 2 different coffee shops to find a quiet spot for my calls. Sophia’s Cafe is my WH office. The coffee served in a mug(the way I like) is SO good! By mid day I was ready for a healthy lunch at my fav italian place, Treva. I turned the bar area into my afternoon office, finally ate a healthy salad…..yummy arugula salad with salmon. On a mission to be a bit healthier in Connecticut. The weekend has arrived…..I got to enjoy a shabbat dinner at home with my aunt and uncle. My second weekend in a row to observe a real shabbat dinner. My Aunt Marlene is a great cook and my uncle Jeff says the prayers with an old prayer book, a kipah ( Maceys tonight), wine , challah- the real deal. We had great conversations and I got all unpacked into my wing of this beautiful home. I have a wonderful weekend planned.

If you’re a new follower and unaware of my family makeup……This is my mom’s side, her only brother is CUJ(crazy uncle jeff, he’s not really crazy :-). He is one of my biggest fans of the blog or that I’m actually sharing my writing. He has written and published 1 book with another on the way. He reminds me SO much of my favorite grandpa that it is always a treat to be in his presence. Plus he blessed us girls in AZ with our only first cousins, (4 of them). So Adam is one that lives here in CT with his wife and 2 kids. I headed to their country home in Ellington, CT to go to a fabulous farmers market Sat morning and spend 24 hours with them at Melissas parents Lake house in Sturbridge, MA. This is really turning into a very special New England tour. The farmers market was yummy and beautiful to walk around with Saige & Lincoln. Lincoln is my baby cousin who was born on my birthday. We passed by a Sunflower field that was like out of a magazine- SO cool! Of course I had to jump out of the car for a photo shoot, lol

We made it to the Lake House, seriously out of Architectural Digest….the views and perfection of this modest gorgeous home was a treat for me to experience. Her parents were so kind to extend an overnight invitation to me. We played games, drank rose, watched the kids fish and play in the water. It was so mellow, relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful. I was in heaven!! Adam took me out on a jet ski and we passed by all the beautiful lake houses on the water. Each one was nicer then the next, all with their own style. We saw kayakers, boaters, a water ski school. It was a dreamy day on the lake. We went into the main town to grab some needed groceries at this italian authentic store. A home cooked meal with a sunset pontoon boat ride. The sky showed off for us as the entire sky was like a bright pink/orange water color painting. My pictures don’t do it justice. An early bedtime after sitting in the sun all day and playing. Everyone was tired. Melissa is Adams wife and her 2 cute nephews were with us too. So 4 kids all under the age of 5……we really had a fun filled day. Rise and Shine to hot fresh coffee, home cooked breakfast, and more games. I sat on the docked boat at the end of the pier watching the kids catch fish. I could get used to lake house living. I departed at noon to head back to WeHa.

Sunday was a day to get organized and do laundry. We are getting on the rd early Tuesday for Newport, RI. Had a productive Monday filled workday. My work is crazy busy, this start up is on fire and I have never been so productive, and busy doing what I love in a play hard/work hard kind of way. So my other cousin Jared, has a condo in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island. He has the cutest 7 yr old daughter, Alex. His wife had to wk….so me, my aunt/uncle, and the 2 of them headed to Newport for 3 nights. The 2 of us work all day on computers at home, while the grandparents bond with their grand daughter. Well……my days got a routine very quickly. 3 days in a row this girl started her day screaming how glorious life is….pinch me! My walk was the famous Cliff Walk along all the Newport mansions and the coastline. Pristine beauty to be surrounded by water, and it was only a .7 mile walk to get to the path. Sunny perfection with the waves crashing. I found the cutest cafe, The Harvest to grab coffee and breakfast before heading back. This cafe had the most delish almond croissants. 3 days of delish meals at fun dinner restaurants by the water, watching boats. Repeat…..walk, work, eat, walk, sleep. Bye bye to Newport.

Besides family, I have friends in CT. Its been a first for me to have my own car and so much freedom while visiting here. I have met up for dinners w/friends and have some coffees planned. Its like real life for me here. Im loving it, and so lucky to spend quality time with my fav aunt/uncle in their home with them. I chose to go explore the Farmington River Trail Saturday morning. CUJ had warned me about bears…..I thought he was not really serious until a woman stopped me to say wait a bear is crossing. I had a small heart attack…..and there he was a big cute cuddly black bear on all 4’s crossing my walking path along the river in the middle of the trees. Holy moly, I quickly got educated by this lady who gave me instructions on how to behave around a bear. Wow!!! It was nuts and cool at the same time. I was not fast enough to capture a photo. I ended up running into Jared/Alex/Elina on the trail and ended up walking 6 miles in total. A great exercise day for me. I earned the pool day at Jareds in Burlington. Last night was another night out in WeHe center. It is where the action is…..a small town version of out Kierland/Quarter set up. Everyone went out to Max’s Oyster Bar,….there was 9 of us. Yummy food, drinks, and desserts.

And here I sit on my lazy Sunday in an Adirondack chair outside in a shopping center book store soaking in the beautiful breeze surrounded by green trees to update my blog. I visited the Pinchot Sycamore tree earlier today, known to be the largest tree in CT. And estimated to be over 200 years old. It has special meaning to me connected to my dad that I always make it a point to visit and sit on the bench observing its beauty and recognize how nature is magical at times. Happy Sunday everyone!

love laurie sue

aka Dora 🧚🏻‍♀️💫💕😉

PS. He’s always around……as I was on one of my Newport walks…..he said hi on a sign I wandered by…………