I know that I haven't posted in a week, my apologies.
As I mentioned in my last post, I've been in and out of town all month. Yesterday I got back from my trip to Cape Cod/Boston, and today I have a
LOT to share with you from my weekend away from home
(apologies ahead of time for the HUGE PHOTO BOMB that you are about to experience). Originally I was going to break these pictures up into two
(or maybe even three) posts; but since we are leaving again on Wednesday morning to head up to Alabama for Thanksgiving, I just don't think that I am going to have the time to get more than one post done.
Here goes nothin':
I went up to the Boston area to visit my friend Colbi. She and I met while Bo and I were stationed in Corpus Christi. Colbi went to grad school in Texas, and was working in Port Aransas
(just outside of Corpus) at the time.
Since then, she has gotten married and moved up to Cape Cod to live with her husband.
Long story short, Colbi and I both love the Twilight franchise. In fact, if you have been a reader here for a while, you might remember that we went to the midnight showing of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 this time last year. Outside of Twilight, we also have a ton of other similar interests, including:
In fact, she has one that I gave her framed and hung in her yoga room. :)
For instance, I just loved the little built-in shelves in the upstairs bathroom. The woodwork is amazing, and adds something unique and special about an otherwise common feature.
The staircase was beautiful. I especially loved the railing (original to the house) and the hardwood floors - which you can't really see in this pic, but were also gorgeous and seemingly original to the house
The kitchen needs some work, but the bones were really good. The room itself has P-L-E-N-T-Y of room for an island or small breakfast nook set, and lots of natural light makes its way in through the kitchen's four large windows.
The floor and countertops would probably need to be replaced; but the cabinets were in good shape, and the windows are brand new.
I LOVE the wood details around the windows and cabinets.
In the end, I think that a coat of paint and new fixtures would do wonders for making this kitchen look brand, spankin' new!
Also in the kitchen (directly across from the sink and windows) is this large, GORGEOUS, built-in shelving unit. I would love to display some of my china or great-grandmother's silver on these shelves; and once again, the wood detailing is stunning!
Continuing with the theme of built-in character, the formal dining room includes two of these corner cabinets. These would be the perfect place to display old family heirlooms or family pictures.
The living room has a large portrait window that opens into this unobstructed view of New England's fall colors.
Here's a view of the house from the front yard (I was standing right in front of the trees from the previous picture. You can see the portrait window right in the front of the house).
Isn't it adorable?!
Granted, if you owned the house and wanted to refurbish it, you would need to redo the outside quite substantially. Regardless, I think that the house itself is so cute! It has a personality all its own!
Old tree, outside.
Colbi and Brad's chickens!
Beautiful fall foliage.
View from one of the stained glass windows in their home.
By some strange stroke of luck, when we arrived at 7:40PM on Thursday night we were the only ones there!
I couldn't believe it.
Last year we had to stand in line - outside - for 30 minutes, before we were even allowed to enter the theater and wait.
Whatever the reason, we were stoked!
By being the first in line we were certain of having the best seats in the house for the grande finale!
WHO-HOO!
The theater ended up being packed, so we were really glad that we got to the theater as early as we did. Our earliness really paid off!
YES, we are that big of fans!
YES, we loved the movie that much!
AND YES, we were first in line AGAIN!
Again, the theater ended up being completely packed, but our pre-planning paid off. We sat in the best seats in the house for the second time in a row; and the movie was just as good, if not better, the second time around.
I won't spill any spoilers for any of you who have yet to see the film; but let me just say, if you are a fan you WILL NOT be disappointed. The franchise's finale film is awesome, action-packed, full of surprises that you won't see coming, and concludes with an ending that will leave each and every fan satisfied.
On Saturday we took the T into Boston for a day of exploring!
And, of course, stopped along the way to take pictures. :)
I loved the cobble-stone streets.
As we were walking around downtown Boston, I could imagine horses trotting along these roads, people protesting before the Boston Tea Party, and some of our countries greatest leaders walking to meetings that would change our countries' history forever.
And then we walked by the Christmas tree that was going to be lit later that evening.
As you can see, it was HUGE!
I'm not even sure that the tree in Central Park, NY is that big!
Originally, we were planning to stay for the tree lighting later that evening; but truth be told, after 5+ hours walking around in the city, we decided to head home. Downtown Boston was getting CRAZY busy, and the cold factor was getting chillier by the minute. After all, we did get to see the tree, it just wasn't lit yet.
I had never eaten there - or even heard of it - but Colbi promised me that it would be a good time.
For those of you that don't know the premise behind Dick's, it's this: the waitstaff are rude, a little mean, and a lot condescending...but the whole thing's in fun. The restaurant is an attempt to loosen people up, make people laugh, and give everyone a chance to enjoy their delicious food (especially dessert)!
Colbi and I split one of their infamous Mile High Peanut Butta Pie's and it was TO. DIE. FOR. delicious. Seriously, this is the best peanut butter dessert I have E.V.E.R. eaten, and it was HUGE!
Colbi and I couldn't even finish our piece.
(Well, we could have; but we would have been miserably full afterwards, so we didn't.)
Beautiful downtown Boston.
Mike's Pastry is a local legend, a national treasure, and is known for its cannoli.
We ended up buying four cannoli (Don't worry, two were for Colbi to bring home to Brad. We weren't THAT greedy...especially after our Mile High Peanut Butta Pie for lunch!): strawberry, chocolate chip, pumpkin spice, and pistachio.
Of the two I tried, the pistachio was the best. I would be in serious trouble if I lived too close to this place!
Before we left to head back to the hotel, Colbi snapped one more picture in front of the Christmas tree.
I had an absolutely amazing time with Colbi in Cape Cod and Boston. I feel so blessed to have several amazing friends in my life, of which, Colbi is one. We share so many interests, and have so much fun when we are together.
I can't wait to do it again!
Until then, I do have a new book series to keep me company.
Question of the Day:
Have you ever been to the Boston area? If so, what did you think? Did you like the city? Did you have a fun time exploring?!
Blessings,
Ally and Bo
