Giving Tuesday | Make a Charitable Donation and get a $20 Gift Card!

<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU9sto0yCjwV-jI_Ax7hzD8fXRi04kUxzM0oM_IpSv03d-enh67Jb5RUMzKSEBNMPiitsLGb-pzGjdJJTGjZcbiJvbJce5t9J8f46HpPPCzLEhUKpw35NKzGstcrsrRj-qq1dWyjW53KR/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU9sto0yCjwV-jI_Ax7hzD8fXRi04kUxzM0oM_IpSv03d-enh67Jb5RUMzKSEBNMPiitsLGb-pzGjdJJTGjZcbiJvbJce5t9J8f46HpPPCzLEhUKpw35NKzGstcrsrRj-qq1dWyjW53KR/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you know that there is enough food on the planet right this second to feed everyone in the world? </span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><i>‘When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ - Matthew 25</i></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't give out of a need to get bonus points or to redeem myself in some way, or to help me "feel" the holiday spirit.  These types of giving become more about myself than others.  I give because I want to help.  I believe that this world, this earth is filled with so much bounty, so many gifts - enough for everyone.  I like to help others, strangers and ignored people just as I would help my own.  We have enough, we just have to figure out how to share.  I have more than enough, so I share.  If you are reading this blog, you likely have enough to share. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each year I share my favorite ways to give (read last year's <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/3-ways-to-help-this-holiday-giving.html">here</a>).  Throughout the holiday season I find a way to give spontaneously to strangers, Emma helps me pick out toys to donate toys to children's' charities, I spend some time volunteering and and I give money.  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I always give anonymously</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, if possible.  The credit is not mine to take.  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I <strike>probably</strike> know I don't give as much as I can, but I try.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of these things take some planning, but for me are a part of our holiday schedule - because we have enough, too much, not to share.  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Giving Tuesday<br /><br />I know that most of you are givers, too.  Today I am going to give to you for giving to others.  For the first 10 people who donate any amount to a charity of their choice (I've listed some of my favorites below), I will send you a $20 gift card for my store.  Forward the confirmation email to store@jennysteffens.com from your donation (again, of any charity of your choice - church, foundation, soup kitchen, whatever) and I will send you a code for a $20 gift card.  </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">We all want to give, but sometimes we don't know how or who.  I've listed some of my favorites below - some local, some global.  I would love to know some of your favorites, as well!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hopehouse.net/">Hope House</a> (this is a local domestic violence shelter, but it is easy to find one in your neighborhood)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">The mission : Hope House services form a safety net of prevention, education and support for thousands of people traumatized by domestic violence every year locally in the Kansas City area.  </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Your money at work :  Last year we donated a car full of gifts to their Holiday Store where the women are able to "shop" for gifts for their children.  So, a mother who is a victim of domestic abuse and who is living with her children in a shelter will have gifts to give her children on Christmas morning.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/">Action Against Hunger</a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The mission:<span style="line-height: 18px;"> To feed malnourished children around the world and help communities grow their own food sources.  </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">It’s simple. Action Against Hunger/ACF International fulfills its mission by delivering aid to 7 million people in more than 40 countries annually. “Saving the most vulnerable is our first priority, so we focus on rescuing young children who are on the brink of death, and we have a 90 percent survival rate in the communities where we work,” says the organization’s chief executive officer, Nan Dale. The group doesn’t only offer handouts: In Kenya, ACF has taught more than 43,000 people how to establish vegetable gardens and plant crops that are resistant to drought.</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px;">Your money at work:</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> A $45 donation provides 45 days of special energy-dense food for a severely malnourished child.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/about-oxfam/">OxFam American Unwrapped</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The Mission : </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Your money at work : $18 can buy a pair of chickens which </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">produces both eggs and baby chicks, providing families with income for today and tomorrow—making this a gift that’s worth crowing about. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> A $100 donation can fund a woman's new business.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtqkA4rFM8vPTCok0_tjOlqIsknQhaJ-o6QiYgDME15XtsRpQQOEsyOmuDkTMxed7bxXBB1EfTGWifvmCkbqN8mpRrZEXp80S4kOHiLTgPlLQBoSf4au0dtxdyaxw0Pq41Vgo5LiRY__M/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtqkA4rFM8vPTCok0_tjOlqIsknQhaJ-o6QiYgDME15XtsRpQQOEsyOmuDkTMxed7bxXBB1EfTGWifvmCkbqN8mpRrZEXp80S4kOHiLTgPlLQBoSf4au0dtxdyaxw0Pq41Vgo5LiRY__M/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="height: 0px;"><br /></div>

Giving Tuesday | Make a Charitable Donation and get a $20 Gift Card!

  Did you know that there is enough food on the planet right this second to feed everyone in the world?  ‘When did we ever see you hungry an...

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Annual New England Trip | Concord, Ma. & Woodstock, Vt.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oo7TF4pEE-qG57nwvJSaAT3YqYSCvaMyM_UkBrH_0R-NcEZkxdLHUPURAskpA5oZxFf20NXA0PeBC-CLJyM6_p-JvT5TqvdApd0csxYI99vGvNmrU9txXDRy8XxB4uKXY-IUdLSUvfTM/s1600/IMG_6429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oo7TF4pEE-qG57nwvJSaAT3YqYSCvaMyM_UkBrH_0R-NcEZkxdLHUPURAskpA5oZxFf20NXA0PeBC-CLJyM6_p-JvT5TqvdApd0csxYI99vGvNmrU9txXDRy8XxB4uKXY-IUdLSUvfTM/s1600/IMG_6429.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDZnQ9NJt5_aGr34Zy7v87zioaGCqV5KAIretWr6jXrg9JfJwujFxebTt68cqS0f6OV9a7MYdtp_nawbhTMn9JOBOeNJsBWzeNLalooZoaC0fwsHzqdxa0LSgq-Tj4FOSBheXzfU97JN2/s1600/IMG_6416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDZnQ9NJt5_aGr34Zy7v87zioaGCqV5KAIretWr6jXrg9JfJwujFxebTt68cqS0f6OV9a7MYdtp_nawbhTMn9JOBOeNJsBWzeNLalooZoaC0fwsHzqdxa0LSgq-Tj4FOSBheXzfU97JN2/s1600/IMG_6416.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>As most of you know, we <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/search/label/concord%20ma">lived in Concord, Ma</a>. for a short time a couple of years ago.  It was where I was pregnant with Emma and where we lived until she was 10 months old.  We moved back home to the Kansas City area to be closer to family.  I am so glad we did move back "home" but there are a lot of things I miss about the New England area.  Mike still works for the same company and travels back to the Boston area almost monthly.  Each year his company has a week worth of budget meetings in mid-November, so Emma and I tag along.<br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/11/nantucket-beacon-hill-concord-ma-our.html">Last year we visited Nantucket and stayed in Boston</a> and piddled around the Public Garden and Beacon Hill.  Emma was really good at being content in her stroller then, and took frequent naps as I pushed her around, in and out of shops and cafes.  As I type it as a memory is sounds very lovely and nice, but I also remember some fits mid-lunch, candy bribery to stay in the stroller and an occasional boutique breakdown, too - don't worry. <br /><br />This year I learned my lesson a bit and now as a very active almost 3-year-old she likes the stroller even less.   She likes to run and explore.  I can usually talk her into a stroller ride at home, so I can exercise, but usually have to dub it as a "treasure hunt."  Instead of fighting the stroller in the city for the entire week, I decided that we'd enjoy relaxing out in the country in Concord, just as we did when we lived there.  We spent our week visiting old friends and bopping from The Toy Store to the Barefoot Bookstore to the Main Street Cafe and all of our favorite old spots - living small town life.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCtyYUF89M1GSo8XYtOtbvUtY4CGLNVe8miJXspVdSzm7aYxr1pGk1VWZSTbESDV4P3SjBQlsv7WsUn6GhCDWrZiWpyBgMgRmgPdtboow-hwIGHuDBAPvD7T5_aCmpdWOWsoH6X_NjSmA/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCtyYUF89M1GSo8XYtOtbvUtY4CGLNVe8miJXspVdSzm7aYxr1pGk1VWZSTbESDV4P3SjBQlsv7WsUn6GhCDWrZiWpyBgMgRmgPdtboow-hwIGHuDBAPvD7T5_aCmpdWOWsoH6X_NjSmA/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I didn't take too many photos of Emma and I running around town during the week, because it was just the two of us - you may have seen some on Insta.  I have found that the older she gets, the harder it is for me to take those sweet, beautiful photos of her - because we're too busy moving and playing.   Am I the only one that has discovered this?   When she was tiny it was easy to keep up with her and snap photos, but now my time behind the camera seems less fun for her and too distracting. <br /><br />These few photos of us were taken in the Concord Town Center by Mike on Friday morning before we all headed to Vermont for the weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi891QVgeFkHiQWFhivzBEcHJavEvQRqaKeehQoGSaUn_f6ZVs0M5-K9XyKYtz_8MuOE_n3wWrkv5mgvBSoKueeCFXNVvjPSxy1_ETbGCKwHuo3s6aQjRxtwHDbOaK7xclAGHloI4sGw4Ez/s1600/IMG_6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi891QVgeFkHiQWFhivzBEcHJavEvQRqaKeehQoGSaUn_f6ZVs0M5-K9XyKYtz_8MuOE_n3wWrkv5mgvBSoKueeCFXNVvjPSxy1_ETbGCKwHuo3s6aQjRxtwHDbOaK7xclAGHloI4sGw4Ez/s1600/IMG_6424.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking Dad to her "New Favorite" Toy Store... and telling him all about the new Sleeping Beauty Lego Duplo she's got her eye on.  She can't stop talking about it. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NJVZj7L-doj5TYua5laVq98xVjx8gB_G_2QL2vk6m4wfvM39wkUR2no0Br8VhH6A6hVescsFl7hJjfW0EAsDd0cm__uCCrPJVkfVV8s77MeiN1oLWTYf4SZc4CCJqu4BFzSEDobnCR_U/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NJVZj7L-doj5TYua5laVq98xVjx8gB_G_2QL2vk6m4wfvM39wkUR2no0Br8VhH6A6hVescsFl7hJjfW0EAsDd0cm__uCCrPJVkfVV8s77MeiN1oLWTYf4SZc4CCJqu4BFzSEDobnCR_U/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We set out at noon for Vermont - Woodstock is about a 2 and a half hour trip.  All beautiful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf3xBIgqL7o0GxZ27xTHdWJGq9EHHSY_0AR-3KUZKjNrjIVNDXyC9ijrkqkSbhwUmLfB0gHx9O1pcQZ_Up9ewgf_osTsjWIcomB2EuTV4HjswFhnKLg0DAjCCF13raekOPsVonYsIuoPc/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjf3xBIgqL7o0GxZ27xTHdWJGq9EHHSY_0AR-3KUZKjNrjIVNDXyC9ijrkqkSbhwUmLfB0gHx9O1pcQZ_Up9ewgf_osTsjWIcomB2EuTV4HjswFhnKLg0DAjCCF13raekOPsVonYsIuoPc/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYa-PsYBiEWwJImqG52HILJqTiPik1ZyLTyU8ZiC78NpiJ_NOMd4pBMHqO8DOdBFK0V3zMYGp6FdumbdlJFBkKjfijO4p9qmkajW1pD0BNfy90uzgP9K-Gv6K4U1OnhV0dcrWk8-hehtP/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYa-PsYBiEWwJImqG52HILJqTiPik1ZyLTyU8ZiC78NpiJ_NOMd4pBMHqO8DOdBFK0V3zMYGp6FdumbdlJFBkKjfijO4p9qmkajW1pD0BNfy90uzgP9K-Gv6K4U1OnhV0dcrWk8-hehtP/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I couldn't get enough of all of the charming farmhouses along the way - rural Mass and Vermont (and the entire New England area...) is filled with them. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2we8FkbTwJFsjAf9NZKzUSb5ojE1pS2E0bOyArOzPn5TU1OPYGnpcgb5Blj5ifDw_eBdNQkr2SM7tXgsc6BP8hSpKiT69yjHCsGo5a7HvLyQ9YJCx0soeJxlqPnlx3rmJ0UdaLrBq_xY/s1600/IMG_6486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2we8FkbTwJFsjAf9NZKzUSb5ojE1pS2E0bOyArOzPn5TU1OPYGnpcgb5Blj5ifDw_eBdNQkr2SM7tXgsc6BP8hSpKiT69yjHCsGo5a7HvLyQ9YJCx0soeJxlqPnlx3rmJ0UdaLrBq_xY/s1600/IMG_6486.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Our first stop was Simon Pearce.  We've been there before, but it never gets old. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIQGI9_FKbolqOviWPGXdc3V3wgPvY9Ah6QqgnvF4BMCWKSP39dHpncyBvJ90NlxgGjP8aYpUhfcWhBh2pvTlsl0veryRCephz1a3Lg8YdFvwlRZHxPcrKzcewGd3yXpcQBOn81ARm8Gh/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIQGI9_FKbolqOviWPGXdc3V3wgPvY9Ah6QqgnvF4BMCWKSP39dHpncyBvJ90NlxgGjP8aYpUhfcWhBh2pvTlsl0veryRCephz1a3Lg8YdFvwlRZHxPcrKzcewGd3yXpcQBOn81ARm8Gh/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5XJqOpDYh2JogmDtwLSdjQjh68NYPMBhbWTbANrl2i67O03R_trI4jLyMF8YQ-Ij2WpSv2EV0WdE_ooC8YTQJzpN71Cnn0u-bMDMegBcWyWqT4U5jBUDSRcgdFkqOzDHppHAwo2BO5so/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5XJqOpDYh2JogmDtwLSdjQjh68NYPMBhbWTbANrl2i67O03R_trI4jLyMF8YQ-Ij2WpSv2EV0WdE_ooC8YTQJzpN71Cnn0u-bMDMegBcWyWqT4U5jBUDSRcgdFkqOzDHppHAwo2BO5so/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The "factory" and the store sits over a waterfall by this covered bridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9fooA2H9CjG0t3nw1ZLLG4gRBTZZyNi3_SuLMMsxYVyKgNmmwgMF_OnrelsVpnQfnYq2Ej5g_A3LnTOlGvtDYqTQWtXYCnhfVXHFXVo98ShocP7jD9cI8UfoOmzRpEcd-xcf7cGM3aOK/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9fooA2H9CjG0t3nw1ZLLG4gRBTZZyNi3_SuLMMsxYVyKgNmmwgMF_OnrelsVpnQfnYq2Ej5g_A3LnTOlGvtDYqTQWtXYCnhfVXHFXVo98ShocP7jD9cI8UfoOmzRpEcd-xcf7cGM3aOK/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />Inside they have a showroom/store that carries their beautiful hand-blown glass and other local treasures.  And the most amazing cafe.  So, so good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jfi5RGpHEkNeJ33cv2toGvoXO2oAv7MMBRe1lIT28026Iglv2uoEr7FTbFsGrbDZy4td5NpQBvYa8S5lMurMBxT76oR2aVII-9qIjGbYcGvAya2UhL4zwGjlhwtXcdgJNy03-QdpdfUu/s1600/IMG_6455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jfi5RGpHEkNeJ33cv2toGvoXO2oAv7MMBRe1lIT28026Iglv2uoEr7FTbFsGrbDZy4td5NpQBvYa8S5lMurMBxT76oR2aVII-9qIjGbYcGvAya2UhL4zwGjlhwtXcdgJNy03-QdpdfUu/s1600/IMG_6455.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />The cafe sits over the waterfall - It kept Emma mostly entertained during lunch... and yes, that is a cake pop.  I ordered a big glass of wine, so I needed to buy myself some time to enjoy it.  Life lessons.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSkQs6tMKi8LBPhs6yzrEKq-E2uae5RdX5Ep_T73WaPj6HI8wZTTv11lJYNsqfPOh4K-rciBweBxctpe6CSkRwl1kUkpRIEOZPhrAiPy5DkZcxriwNEYYV9atUw9hGdCHp_Imvo9_NBht/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSkQs6tMKi8LBPhs6yzrEKq-E2uae5RdX5Ep_T73WaPj6HI8wZTTv11lJYNsqfPOh4K-rciBweBxctpe6CSkRwl1kUkpRIEOZPhrAiPy5DkZcxriwNEYYV9atUw9hGdCHp_Imvo9_NBht/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypsSJlMXJkfCrp2mR7QODDGSRokpzLV1q_8TefFZYgGNw8HIDU8eWQUzrMR5DferRljmKDLzilMzHbp9G_HzLSRmTVLtfigfmEy7UXSjaYQZtM5P9fdsG5NxyYJTW73sBxlrsWNlrzB4F/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypsSJlMXJkfCrp2mR7QODDGSRokpzLV1q_8TefFZYgGNw8HIDU8eWQUzrMR5DferRljmKDLzilMzHbp9G_HzLSRmTVLtfigfmEy7UXSjaYQZtM5P9fdsG5NxyYJTW73sBxlrsWNlrzB4F/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The food was amazing.  So, soooo good.  This is what I had - roasted salmon with some sort of sweet mustard cream sauce.  I need to figure it out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvMUT1hiWJSwgB2aq0WMt8xdFL0Gt0leM1S1DiZ3lhkgl7vB-UMj6jYzrMWqi2Bchc80XukMf23Wm3eOPOj-W1eRzoe5JpcHIXB-_lJ2UqUtJWau9TNrXv09E0P-sJ3VQLGWFEo24927a/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvMUT1hiWJSwgB2aq0WMt8xdFL0Gt0leM1S1DiZ3lhkgl7vB-UMj6jYzrMWqi2Bchc80XukMf23Wm3eOPOj-W1eRzoe5JpcHIXB-_lJ2UqUtJWau9TNrXv09E0P-sJ3VQLGWFEo24927a/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Emma's corn and ricotta ravioli - which she barely ate any of... I was happy to help her out : )<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr4pu8wU7BGuTrGQmMq1-BKgOkVMbnNhdXgFwf0yUkNSc1fh40srwuuuirbGkmi7GGOSj3gtQw3F-ZqT5C1xVADZheXuEqiEQsVj_etJgQ8GFQ56VyCBOg_Yof2e5OSeeX5okrEl1lTGb/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr4pu8wU7BGuTrGQmMq1-BKgOkVMbnNhdXgFwf0yUkNSc1fh40srwuuuirbGkmi7GGOSj3gtQw3F-ZqT5C1xVADZheXuEqiEQsVj_etJgQ8GFQ56VyCBOg_Yof2e5OSeeX5okrEl1lTGb/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Downstairs they have the actual factory where each piece is made by hand.   This is not a sponsored post, I swear - I just really love this place :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowyDaCYrTcAAzKzy4P5tJjoW4Xfnh_8vZ5BCJy8TkhM-UUOtYh3m0QA5E-amReN6qcj-Snv7M0s3URLvCBRVcZI-xSJJf-8NHyr8mTEkJLfVLYTX-KR64RnW8EMrawXpGiSTR945USqdS/s1600/IMG_6468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowyDaCYrTcAAzKzy4P5tJjoW4Xfnh_8vZ5BCJy8TkhM-UUOtYh3m0QA5E-amReN6qcj-Snv7M0s3URLvCBRVcZI-xSJJf-8NHyr8mTEkJLfVLYTX-KR64RnW8EMrawXpGiSTR945USqdS/s1600/IMG_6468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53a7Hn0buQJgsKl2dx-pIUZaW8YOz2s2BFEFQ7-YTF2D5pWRPBzPiZizlZrPDMRAx9r39HyJE0AloO-XxbOrAVOwsZNZgviTCWf0iJMcfDK84C_ZYZe5ok7w1joqLfPEBzjXS1VjU4Gpg/s1600/IMG_6469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53a7Hn0buQJgsKl2dx-pIUZaW8YOz2s2BFEFQ7-YTF2D5pWRPBzPiZizlZrPDMRAx9r39HyJE0AloO-XxbOrAVOwsZNZgviTCWf0iJMcfDK84C_ZYZe5ok7w1joqLfPEBzjXS1VjU4Gpg/s1600/IMG_6469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9ECyzTB-S_SoWZ6Dvn7atl6Dpde-ZWqCZF3dEyypkCyskhAwPeYeH8I7wX354GrCe0nAkrRY2z5uc7BuJvcgdd57Ercfjfp2ecOZiabj4vk2i0tZ21FuVxrAZS0GpY-N86DTG3pl_665/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9ECyzTB-S_SoWZ6Dvn7atl6Dpde-ZWqCZF3dEyypkCyskhAwPeYeH8I7wX354GrCe0nAkrRY2z5uc7BuJvcgdd57Ercfjfp2ecOZiabj4vk2i0tZ21FuVxrAZS0GpY-N86DTG3pl_665/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfygb1cfjtAhDz4LwYjW3eel0OEZVvhYJGZK-lqQ1is3Eil223eYwpxhkKudbJ_wU-2BbjWN5hpjD8WLgzNlPRsjzRBTtVnmETePuZxL2JoicF4Aknth4aoPZGWukwQu1EYeoCD_RfobSK/s1600/IMG_6473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfygb1cfjtAhDz4LwYjW3eel0OEZVvhYJGZK-lqQ1is3Eil223eYwpxhkKudbJ_wU-2BbjWN5hpjD8WLgzNlPRsjzRBTtVnmETePuZxL2JoicF4Aknth4aoPZGWukwQu1EYeoCD_RfobSK/s1600/IMG_6473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The holiday collection - do those candles look familiar?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa47AVeYunPuZ98VWNktbuIKSehnCKZV6kF-UoZbulzgkhyTu2hAG-IT94ICYJiYXCA-B2Br0EQCXvEEGK4-LvlM5INdL2ksZY_m1waUO-lQgZCod8hlNTYnEicEijCyltrS4fElBY9BK/s1600/IMG_6476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa47AVeYunPuZ98VWNktbuIKSehnCKZV6kF-UoZbulzgkhyTu2hAG-IT94ICYJiYXCA-B2Br0EQCXvEEGK4-LvlM5INdL2ksZY_m1waUO-lQgZCod8hlNTYnEicEijCyltrS4fElBY9BK/s1600/IMG_6476.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Creative Candles, same maker of the candles I carry, also makes Simon Pearce candles (and lots of other private brands - Neimans, Martha Stewart, Williams-Sonoma, etc.).  These are all colors I have in my store, too, just with his label on them.  I don't have the silver metallic - should I consider?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D1PW7EaIAm4UEBgRWEqUzx3tW25nNdBOZ-W1RYtGf4iXapkRgCjPr7Xa7sgqs9mBWKeNNJ_PhxZDT1tFMKVS4Y7N8rscmpd06zkCZnHqWie3JhFs1xr5y156-1AJNZXgtRw5DZ8Dwt0Z/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D1PW7EaIAm4UEBgRWEqUzx3tW25nNdBOZ-W1RYtGf4iXapkRgCjPr7Xa7sgqs9mBWKeNNJ_PhxZDT1tFMKVS4Y7N8rscmpd06zkCZnHqWie3JhFs1xr5y156-1AJNZXgtRw5DZ8Dwt0Z/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I especially loved this ice bucket and the lantern with the pewter trim.  Love that they also have the wheat bundles, too... good taste ; )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have another "factory" tour of a new find to share with you later - it deserves its own special post.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH99mKypFijP689RLY7TofItzYIdPhCnM_Rjek9prutwo6wUPjGl29hhDKiLVtJDNHuQKSPVLaTysVnINGRpXDSeeDVFC0SxRZp5oFzn_BLCElZpkXo47Mjm_InceZ2m6A0SZL9q-jxvm/s1600/IMG_6489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH99mKypFijP689RLY7TofItzYIdPhCnM_Rjek9prutwo6wUPjGl29hhDKiLVtJDNHuQKSPVLaTysVnINGRpXDSeeDVFC0SxRZp5oFzn_BLCElZpkXo47Mjm_InceZ2m6A0SZL9q-jxvm/s1600/IMG_6489.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We continued down the road to Woodstock, Vt.  It is (in my humble opinion) the most charming little small town in the area.  It is just so quaint, small, but luxurious and special. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-0x4ZlI-zPA_QvJatoSnak6IijS4W6egbxsWW_VaJkbs6GZpOSTj1g-M2anaPd0UcA64-TW7_EV3VsypCloi7hRpW26XZsQGQXxkxTZi_skwpAtNg_Ko2baIFUNCUXvcGzEsTAoAiM6O/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-0x4ZlI-zPA_QvJatoSnak6IijS4W6egbxsWW_VaJkbs6GZpOSTj1g-M2anaPd0UcA64-TW7_EV3VsypCloi7hRpW26XZsQGQXxkxTZi_skwpAtNg_Ko2baIFUNCUXvcGzEsTAoAiM6O/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love little towns like this that seem to be stuck in time.  The air is so clean and fresh - and laced with burning wood-smoke from everyone's chimneys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZtoLXht_I5RU7R-vlfWvfNeY3UsSvRTaIItLX2SsyT3kH0EZG_KJ9F_XQUqZf0mVmrKzqGb_Zlv4m5t0ONnZd368AtaN6c0LxtWeUIKVnLHCvziYrT2CUGsRNYfYmjZn_v4gPs2tDavQ/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZtoLXht_I5RU7R-vlfWvfNeY3UsSvRTaIItLX2SsyT3kH0EZG_KJ9F_XQUqZf0mVmrKzqGb_Zlv4m5t0ONnZd368AtaN6c0LxtWeUIKVnLHCvziYrT2CUGsRNYfYmjZn_v4gPs2tDavQ/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEkIrs6tBH6At56JUufHuUUFV9FKwTaGr6cdXC2psbFt6R-Mz2tzx9y70N4FyKCDXyE3z4I0haiJAUOpIxz-FIMeQcoqjPtKPg7GN3bFXh8-a0UAmqa_1YLlgsj7FPIIb_FbrE8GnFNBD/s1600/IMG_6547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEkIrs6tBH6At56JUufHuUUFV9FKwTaGr6cdXC2psbFt6R-Mz2tzx9y70N4FyKCDXyE3z4I0haiJAUOpIxz-FIMeQcoqjPtKPg7GN3bFXh8-a0UAmqa_1YLlgsj7FPIIb_FbrE8GnFNBD/s1600/IMG_6547.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />The Rockefellers also loved Woodstock so much that they built The Woodstock Inn (where we stay).  They also had a farm here and helped keep the town so beautiful and authentic.  I told Mike that I'd also like to build a resort and also restore an entire small town.  He thinks I'm joking (or crazy).<br /><br />This is not a photo (above) from this trip, but <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/vermont-skiing-weekend-woodstock-inn.html">one from our trip two years ago (in February)</a>.  I forgot to take a photo of the exterior this time.  It is a sprawling, old style Inn that has been completely updated and restored.  Now it has a clean, farmhouse feel.  You can see more photos of the interior in the link above from our trip before.<br /><br /><br />Emma warmed her hands in the foyer by the largest wood fireplace in the I've ever seen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB261UH0Hng1M3hX1mWurM10oJ5TiQ5IVlVJt_ATaCHwB5eDJhzGUbSzXEW6TY_fIZTXPex3VVMctqhHH-0EDFjEf5ab1R8pzbaFBoUsS9K7at4C9Mc2Ecp2iIy6UI0c5vRiov-rYT0C-J/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB261UH0Hng1M3hX1mWurM10oJ5TiQ5IVlVJt_ATaCHwB5eDJhzGUbSzXEW6TY_fIZTXPex3VVMctqhHH-0EDFjEf5ab1R8pzbaFBoUsS9K7at4C9Mc2Ecp2iIy6UI0c5vRiov-rYT0C-J/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We headed back outside for some exploring before it got dark, which it tends to do around 4pm.  Talk about good hibernating weather.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9cYWH8F7E3SoYj-RMWCn4-gADFYI3Tx0trMhcoM97hJ3QbgbDqL2Guqw8b61fNBUROata7TNEKIO-0Q4BgEbaamsdUcS3RVK9XfyZkzFCNEzoxsr9OSBsKQQxx_TWTwsFPZXBgGYoKfD/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9cYWH8F7E3SoYj-RMWCn4-gADFYI3Tx0trMhcoM97hJ3QbgbDqL2Guqw8b61fNBUROata7TNEKIO-0Q4BgEbaamsdUcS3RVK9XfyZkzFCNEzoxsr9OSBsKQQxx_TWTwsFPZXBgGYoKfD/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is what Vermont looks like at every turn - I feel like there are little churches peaking through the woods, nestled on every hill.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCakOKRKEkKCDlhn3utbs8V5qqKHAHer51cU9eY5WtnjjGh1cZG_53zs1_p6zez_1MLa-PQqAO7eo1RS6D-FMRI57Ek2OXBnT2gpJvmf-KcQOmwcAWBEvFbMc2q-GFzXPsF8qr3EHkGFq/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCakOKRKEkKCDlhn3utbs8V5qqKHAHer51cU9eY5WtnjjGh1cZG_53zs1_p6zez_1MLa-PQqAO7eo1RS6D-FMRI57Ek2OXBnT2gpJvmf-KcQOmwcAWBEvFbMc2q-GFzXPsF8qr3EHkGFq/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This was one of my favorite farms.   Wood barn, tone-on-tone green/blue house, pond, stone walls...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oiy_RqmMQcuRtMYHmnXwqlcy3y5F6wuvSqJ7feVkBa6aHXRYu2PvU4KamJYAMwWDE7IlfrqqGkKjiIN4c0QcmhJxlOTjaXVqFKywdKroRhkkZspOJWAHMuZrZaVunHjd_FdleY0Bi4TV/s1600/IMG_6511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oiy_RqmMQcuRtMYHmnXwqlcy3y5F6wuvSqJ7feVkBa6aHXRYu2PvU4KamJYAMwWDE7IlfrqqGkKjiIN4c0QcmhJxlOTjaXVqFKywdKroRhkkZspOJWAHMuZrZaVunHjd_FdleY0Bi4TV/s1600/IMG_6511.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It will definitely be going in my book of inspirational clips.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oS9yv-Pn6jnlwWp0yu7n-yOZQ8yB-kq0_rAAWcItfYZCgaam4ggbx91FRnYVLOo8yq32eFGooFYyDs_aMkhY8cSxuDHWzaMTDjNGZ6oOI3_jmXzlKEC7WBhkHJLhaGfY73HyDKozJewa/s1600/IMG_6513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oS9yv-Pn6jnlwWp0yu7n-yOZQ8yB-kq0_rAAWcItfYZCgaam4ggbx91FRnYVLOo8yq32eFGooFYyDs_aMkhY8cSxuDHWzaMTDjNGZ6oOI3_jmXzlKEC7WBhkHJLhaGfY73HyDKozJewa/s1600/IMG_6513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-73gUtwC1EidEGgMqIidy7gj76FBc3sXUgs-36xfjvDodjd-ydGTPltHL9YpFVKbyVFvp6lUjHoBcCIbukOv7DM1ZQ9HKhX5ncHjaKVRjacwoMoXCzZ1h2KXJUtX7PcWFuGsb6B0EkhPH/s1600/IMG_6523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-73gUtwC1EidEGgMqIidy7gj76FBc3sXUgs-36xfjvDodjd-ydGTPltHL9YpFVKbyVFvp6lUjHoBcCIbukOv7DM1ZQ9HKhX5ncHjaKVRjacwoMoXCzZ1h2KXJUtX7PcWFuGsb6B0EkhPH/s1600/IMG_6523.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Emma loves a chocolate on the pillow - remember from our Bachelor Gulch trip last year?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHM_p_pCxx6pIQ1s9CmGKDUpW0W-TK6UpCIMuw7W05H1_grmLIz16hIJM7VZjVsAyVG_Mjpu6jHLnmb57gUNCUWOMN_tlrX10w9LpNxJUzds7Iyjek1INBp46j5Im8YzipRsGiSazSEh7/s1600/IMG_6562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHM_p_pCxx6pIQ1s9CmGKDUpW0W-TK6UpCIMuw7W05H1_grmLIz16hIJM7VZjVsAyVG_Mjpu6jHLnmb57gUNCUWOMN_tlrX10w9LpNxJUzds7Iyjek1INBp46j5Im8YzipRsGiSazSEh7/s1600/IMG_6562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The next morning we went to Billings Farm to see some dairy farm animals take a wagon ride. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27gqRRASBSxWPGq1AOmyfX1NUewNbiMpBYw819CeTy1nYHuuYdXTKLwW8NDt64Sr55cwEXvgmuHWvFDWrmpYdoxU-r93sUDmC3bz_Rf59K9B_OcnW34RT0v1K3O9p61RMcxMST3kJzrsL/s1600/IMG_6565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27gqRRASBSxWPGq1AOmyfX1NUewNbiMpBYw819CeTy1nYHuuYdXTKLwW8NDt64Sr55cwEXvgmuHWvFDWrmpYdoxU-r93sUDmC3bz_Rf59K9B_OcnW34RT0v1K3O9p61RMcxMST3kJzrsL/s1600/IMG_6565.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This might be another framer for our <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/11/cape-cod-co-lantern-dining-room-update.html">"favorite spots" gallery wall</a> in the new house.  I have no idea where it will be, though.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7DnPODV4dfgK8oW4sHt2JGlAHmKF4Xt5x4HuWNveXIMHo5WNMFIrDOBARTcz7m9RyrIAgOQZNqHPV1-pmhB5_YzwwBhnS-tTYiP5l-FUwNNHZ3oAop67ItMPVUihVQjVaz5v1atJ2iqX/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7DnPODV4dfgK8oW4sHt2JGlAHmKF4Xt5x4HuWNveXIMHo5WNMFIrDOBARTcz7m9RyrIAgOQZNqHPV1-pmhB5_YzwwBhnS-tTYiP5l-FUwNNHZ3oAop67ItMPVUihVQjVaz5v1atJ2iqX/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunbathing beauties.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmf9iwA2-j7PFN49E7ZcT3xg0Vk4ytfW8SZnYpwonNgJ06SWRPiK-KerqyeBIkrWyvFjZsk06dDx1PlGxd6KqeRitmTMPG2tunZXLTIaHSlFclygHJIBkYuwHnuhyphenhyphenoy6GYcnfWwlEJs2H/s1600/IMG_6568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmf9iwA2-j7PFN49E7ZcT3xg0Vk4ytfW8SZnYpwonNgJ06SWRPiK-KerqyeBIkrWyvFjZsk06dDx1PlGxd6KqeRitmTMPG2tunZXLTIaHSlFclygHJIBkYuwHnuhyphenhyphenoy6GYcnfWwlEJs2H/s1600/IMG_6568.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBpv421kGBAolsJJk1PR3CHnQ_Tx1l-dpWaAO0DP8RLaM9bkR0c1qeBY9JGGu9TuY2Cvg9mcjHt0bhdSfqC14_oD_xhzQkiIaIycnaOtdzo27aQHUI7_pe2bwse9wdywzLaQX1t3wkhFR/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBpv421kGBAolsJJk1PR3CHnQ_Tx1l-dpWaAO0DP8RLaM9bkR0c1qeBY9JGGu9TuY2Cvg9mcjHt0bhdSfqC14_oD_xhzQkiIaIycnaOtdzo27aQHUI7_pe2bwse9wdywzLaQX1t3wkhFR/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1vUybT7ePPg8I5tNmXPqYRrrUzvNeoT3n9LKJv6Tk-TDEoKtlvcFcMfGyrAsPkoq35TjEPmLVLaagE3aCzlUmOukgk1OTjj0doop2XXsVjBMDsMxE3HW7QdnaIvMdF0gGB-5SW5M-aL8/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1vUybT7ePPg8I5tNmXPqYRrrUzvNeoT3n9LKJv6Tk-TDEoKtlvcFcMfGyrAsPkoq35TjEPmLVLaagE3aCzlUmOukgk1OTjj0doop2XXsVjBMDsMxE3HW7QdnaIvMdF0gGB-5SW5M-aL8/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_46tVk06cab90pO_38q5EkPqriScLgoBw4EQkBZa03TWMf_NMdrATMeKh7r-C9ObQDwmUaT4Xb3Ga3tkGSTMRRTxQgZ8kQO0Gu_akzv1AazNi4TUzOalM3BNlT1ZDUsoAzQGU_K3qCoQs/s1600/IMG_6579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_46tVk06cab90pO_38q5EkPqriScLgoBw4EQkBZa03TWMf_NMdrATMeKh7r-C9ObQDwmUaT4Xb3Ga3tkGSTMRRTxQgZ8kQO0Gu_akzv1AazNi4TUzOalM3BNlT1ZDUsoAzQGU_K3qCoQs/s1600/IMG_6579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsSapXJBu1BPekTdwAS_TQhtE02zNjIYqD5qDZrTJf8m28PUv8gM4z4Fh0-Hf4n3vWbUVbYagwTt012cuvcLl90I9TjLiFDu1Xub8hKLh-jqhn0lGhtLjGB_hygAH3GIa9nPe_ns_3M5p/s1600/IMG_6585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsSapXJBu1BPekTdwAS_TQhtE02zNjIYqD5qDZrTJf8m28PUv8gM4z4Fh0-Hf4n3vWbUVbYagwTt012cuvcLl90I9TjLiFDu1Xub8hKLh-jqhn0lGhtLjGB_hygAH3GIa9nPe_ns_3M5p/s1600/IMG_6585.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Or this one?  I do love the sheep in this one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj94zIq-LraKduv3W4kKiGVuppCAut8RFFGvSc1ksaALUZWgIRiNvFyv1MMu-zgiS0iXK8NpR3CovUkc6I1FdGRjaplFAWz_gWic2_Dmc_GB0gzICbbODlzVEWfrJZYI-k0PFk6Heaynmf/s1600/IMG_6586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj94zIq-LraKduv3W4kKiGVuppCAut8RFFGvSc1ksaALUZWgIRiNvFyv1MMu-zgiS0iXK8NpR3CovUkc6I1FdGRjaplFAWz_gWic2_Dmc_GB0gzICbbODlzVEWfrJZYI-k0PFk6Heaynmf/s1600/IMG_6586.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6SKuauOgsL8ndb0-j_EXQAqwRlThXjK1WqHunxDJnAUkUySmXRNvARsMLRRuvv9Os6guXcLoPF2L5CJnRnv7HBgaI1WqVfrRZ065vCzO12IgSS5iUTlXXvZ3T2iyd8iyDJEchUJ49M2m/s1600/IMG_6590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6SKuauOgsL8ndb0-j_EXQAqwRlThXjK1WqHunxDJnAUkUySmXRNvARsMLRRuvv9Os6guXcLoPF2L5CJnRnv7HBgaI1WqVfrRZ065vCzO12IgSS5iUTlXXvZ3T2iyd8iyDJEchUJ49M2m/s1600/IMG_6590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We thought they looked like Mr. Darcy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSOkHQ0p1QLFeDgW2aXo_tcAVXcp-dcpjicmJdZuDpYEn9fKBpb2UEPSL-cysmvbANwrM__FcH68K9olNFmtEFoIL4mBIPj4YV92R7dd1o6Sa1XvmolhMNxCEPGw4xpIqeIcoTVk4EgvC/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSOkHQ0p1QLFeDgW2aXo_tcAVXcp-dcpjicmJdZuDpYEn9fKBpb2UEPSL-cysmvbANwrM__FcH68K9olNFmtEFoIL4mBIPj4YV92R7dd1o6Sa1XvmolhMNxCEPGw4xpIqeIcoTVk4EgvC/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXp8PTWL0Y7kOY7j4c3-zECVUacYaMkJFIjfK6vNjjSZbJMEKCGZwJskoVl7xymAJoo4e90KBfT-QeGZP6jpNfX_aMN2qA58EN3aUE3A5XVnVpX5mdRXr8ZwEuHhejJubclV44jgv9BMU/s1600/IMG_6657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXp8PTWL0Y7kOY7j4c3-zECVUacYaMkJFIjfK6vNjjSZbJMEKCGZwJskoVl7xymAJoo4e90KBfT-QeGZP6jpNfX_aMN2qA58EN3aUE3A5XVnVpX5mdRXr8ZwEuHhejJubclV44jgv9BMU/s1600/IMG_6657.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These two watching a movie as I was leaving for the spa...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JIbnLEcB_1yUqGf727aadL2ilD3q5s5tUA7s-5mJZnEqShXd9YyxhxWqoS2hU5QkhatVK7TM5Y3FtqGZkhLS7_rhcMoXKMbHlw4kBv3pLmJTFVAtVVqiAXe3-ZTqxGDh5R7LZIVND1D5/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JIbnLEcB_1yUqGf727aadL2ilD3q5s5tUA7s-5mJZnEqShXd9YyxhxWqoS2hU5QkhatVK7TM5Y3FtqGZkhLS7_rhcMoXKMbHlw4kBv3pLmJTFVAtVVqiAXe3-ZTqxGDh5R7LZIVND1D5/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Which was right outside our window.  It is glorious.  It has an outdoor whirlpool by a wood-burning fireplace, and a cedar sauna - being outside with the cold air, breathing in the wood smoke is my idea of a perfect spot.  We spent the rest of the weekend just "brelaxing" (as Emma would say) and taking turns at the spa and playing games with Emma. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ppwf461FF_mXhYnYdyZAmZG8afBQlKuWMFNuw_EuOYlfBex3Tjh1AbDFCBnA2PkeH1AqCotxbH_tj3jpli8UsF4g2qGyI0vZ8aRad_4XGMUEWjFzZ91IprrFpsc92duLRyCBmCr0w60P/s1600/IMG_6661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ppwf461FF_mXhYnYdyZAmZG8afBQlKuWMFNuw_EuOYlfBex3Tjh1AbDFCBnA2PkeH1AqCotxbH_tj3jpli8UsF4g2qGyI0vZ8aRad_4XGMUEWjFzZ91IprrFpsc92duLRyCBmCr0w60P/s1600/IMG_6661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />When we woke up the last morning of our trip, Emma thought it was Christmas : )<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfosUx0OaTEXVmno8kQhTz_XZWvIlsXg2ReOfNQfV5oMLiofmr0eBskWSJvvnbKooyP6uuCMGYX3CmZ3o_Oc_jZC-ftZrQLNHcMF3t77z9RJnfxv2L2v4bFJr4tYFc7o77LpCbJjSnbzae/s1600/IMG_6662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfosUx0OaTEXVmno8kQhTz_XZWvIlsXg2ReOfNQfV5oMLiofmr0eBskWSJvvnbKooyP6uuCMGYX3CmZ3o_Oc_jZC-ftZrQLNHcMF3t77z9RJnfxv2L2v4bFJr4tYFc7o77LpCbJjSnbzae/s1600/IMG_6662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Can't imagine why?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXAU-VKagFY4oe1FF30QidYhpuUeuOK8KmcsW68rZ2meJsYfRl5nqRuM8dguoKGJeowXSRzFTFPItGpEjig2hV5a9AQcKv9RGEVCP5GOuPDvxx-oPX2PTnsxEd_H-qTT-jI8ekjuLeu-l/s1600/IMG_6664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXAU-VKagFY4oe1FF30QidYhpuUeuOK8KmcsW68rZ2meJsYfRl5nqRuM8dguoKGJeowXSRzFTFPItGpEjig2hV5a9AQcKv9RGEVCP5GOuPDvxx-oPX2PTnsxEd_H-qTT-jI8ekjuLeu-l/s1600/IMG_6664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I wanted to turn back around and stay and "brelax" for the entire week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjg2eC83GdRO-71KX15R_CJe1ir6K4_oJ8KnUp9tDG2nn1DziBZxvmMfelkmfwIToVvc-1VmqgRjStMNdFZ_yb0BJzIdNjxunKwXcDkCKI3_BwVwzIoQhVBVSIC0Ddd-5Beu5VukcsdGD/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjg2eC83GdRO-71KX15R_CJe1ir6K4_oJ8KnUp9tDG2nn1DziBZxvmMfelkmfwIToVvc-1VmqgRjStMNdFZ_yb0BJzIdNjxunKwXcDkCKI3_BwVwzIoQhVBVSIC0Ddd-5Beu5VukcsdGD/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was trying to get a photo that showed how incredibly huge and fluffy the snowflakes were - like clumps falling.  Very Vermont-y.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GUMHRI-HsXFr5AfWRAhOdWbW_HhJiHyCwfWLtRvX0_78g4Edp7pv_nA54JIuvmSEVQ2jjk6sOPX9A5O6sqqVk_lQhiP5kf2ZKWV7rcwPPwWw8H886dcwwsSwBVg9KihuQc8SlHZUi2pU/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GUMHRI-HsXFr5AfWRAhOdWbW_HhJiHyCwfWLtRvX0_78g4Edp7pv_nA54JIuvmSEVQ2jjk6sOPX9A5O6sqqVk_lQhiP5kf2ZKWV7rcwPPwWw8H886dcwwsSwBVg9KihuQc8SlHZUi2pU/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIVqChIXpI0-BZtezcI3_TVaKUdYXPCu0VynTOh3GltjAHK9LjWJA3ANyC1fbngbgGplx2aE4H0hErtEQdwbjLxiIoWehzrH5y5OxKvP5VOAYCRrC5-neIOQume00sfOe4RLeBsALA-O/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIVqChIXpI0-BZtezcI3_TVaKUdYXPCu0VynTOh3GltjAHK9LjWJA3ANyC1fbngbgGplx2aE4H0hErtEQdwbjLxiIoWehzrH5y5OxKvP5VOAYCRrC5-neIOQume00sfOe4RLeBsALA-O/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4jDgnsUEJA7PPQH4dQjj-0FfQ-b62xqQHcabnlAhgBgEnPM4KO9JpSpalWdG4aFNGH5_0hVQv84WsEv_yYJDgaoUqws9dVlZZ05cft5RCMx2xIDBja_X1d0RDQxlyyy9mAPo4ZOtH0eG/s1600/IMG_6673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4jDgnsUEJA7PPQH4dQjj-0FfQ-b62xqQHcabnlAhgBgEnPM4KO9JpSpalWdG4aFNGH5_0hVQv84WsEv_yYJDgaoUqws9dVlZZ05cft5RCMx2xIDBja_X1d0RDQxlyyy9mAPo4ZOtH0eG/s1600/IMG_6673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Singing Jingle Bells.<br /><br />It was the best way to end a really, really lovely weekend.  And the perfect way to head home and start the transition to the Holidays.   It is amazing what a relaxing trip can do for your spirit.  I am feeling so full, so thankful and so in love with my two favorite people.  We are officially ready for the Holidays : )

Annual New England Trip | Concord, Ma. & Woodstock, Vt.

As most of you know, we lived in Concord, Ma . for a short time a couple of years ago.  It was where I was pregnant with Emma and where we l...

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