Making Memories and Marking Milestones

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Happy AUTUMN, dear readers! What an exciting start to fall it has been here at our house! The last month has been one of the most exciting for our family in some time! Grab a cup of pumpkin spice tea, and celebrate with me, decorate for fall, and meet our newest (furry) little family member!

My husband and I kicked off the fall season in September by attending our town’s Labor Day Parade. We have memories of taking our daughter to the parade when she was a baby. A Newtown tradition, the Labor Day Parade starts at one end of Main Street, and ends in front of two of our town’s local grocery stores (each across the street from each other). Floats, vintage cars, polished and shiny fire trucks, and local businesses and groups entertain the town each year with the beloved traditional parade. 

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The leaves and trees are changing, and fall is in full swing. Temperatures are dropping, and it gets darker earlier. Time to cozy up!

Turning leaves amid clear blue, fall skies

Turning leaves amid clear blue, fall skies

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Native “Virginia Creeper”might be a plain green during summer, but in fall it is ablaze in red!

Native “Virginia Creeper”might be a plain green during summer, but in fall it is ablaze in red!

Beautiful day at my favorite trail

Beautiful day at my favorite trail

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One of our favorite events in Fall in New England is the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, in Lebanon, CT. We take the back roads to the fair, enjoying the season. We love this fair so much, enjoying the vendors, the food, and fun!

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I’ve now decorated the house and glamper for fall and Halloween. My favorite Halloween special was always “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”, which originally aired in 1966, the same year as “Gidget”, our vintage glamper, so we pay homage to that with a “life-sized” Snoopy greeter.

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BOO!

BOO!

I was overjoyed when my childhood friend (we met in kindergarten) and her husband said they were coming to visit Connecticut for the weekend in late September. I had so much fun showing them around, wanting to give them a real taste of New England. We went to several small town Connecticut “Main Streets” to shop, ate some great meals, visited Kent Falls (a picturesque, woodsy area with a covered bridge and waterfall), and walked on my favorite beach.

A lone loon swims in the ocean at Westport, CT.

A lone loon swims in the sound at Westport, CT.

We visited Kent Falls on our first chilly day of fall, just three weeks ago. The leaves had not quite started to change yet.

We visited Kent Falls with my friends on our first chilly day of fall, just three weeks ago. The leaves had not quite started to change yet.

We also celebrated my husband’s birthday with our Texas friends, eating at the 1754 House, one of our favorite restaurants.

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Always delicious food, the site was first opened as an inn in 1754. Beautiful and cozy, it is one of the oldest inns in New England – if walls could only talk, these would have some interesting tales!

Later the following week, we celebrated another milestone – our THIRTIETH wedding anniversary. My husband outdid himself. He surprised me with dinner at a restaurant that I did not even realize we had in Connecticut! Cava in Southington, is a beautiful restaurant, with spectacular decor that changes with the seasons. We ate on the rooftop, which closes during the winter. Though we were there on a chilly evening, we were toasty warm as heat piped through the floor.

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When we climbed to the top of the stairs to go to our table, we were greeted by a life-sized statue of Captain Jack Sparrow, in front of a pirate ship made of flowers! The rooftop was dreamy, and our dinner was delicious! Mother Nature even treated us to a rainbow! 

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After dinner, we toured the other rooms, decorated for the fall season – the “Villain” room and the “Wizard” room. Christmas is also supposed to be spectacular there, so we can’t wait to go back! 

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Malicifent!

Malicifent!

That same exciting week, we were so happy to add to our little family. Meet “Trooper”, our 30th Anniversary pup! 

Our new fur-baby, Trooper. I am smitten!

Our new fur-baby, Trooper. I am soooo smitten!

We had been discussing for a while about adopting another little dog. Pip, our beloved chihuahua, is now elderly, “retiring” from lots of activity. He is still fine, but at fourteen, he is slowing down. I saw a photo of a pup on the website of the rescue that we have adopted from three other times. Smitten at first sight, I thought the little dog was just the cutest, and sounded like he was just who we were looking for! 

Part of the pack! Happy babies!

Part of the pack! Happy babies!

Trooper’s transition into our blended fur-baby family was seamless. He loves Pip, and Pip’s happy to have another “little” around.

The “littles” go for a walk.

The “littles” go for a walk.

In his new coat, Trooper is officially a “New Englander” now! Lookin’ spiffy, Troop!

In his new coat, Trooper is officially a “New Englander”! Lookin’ spiffy, Troop!

Mittens and Trooper play together. They are good friends!

Mittens and Trooper play together. They are good friends!

Daddy’s Home! Such love…

Daddy’s Home! Such love…

The big dogs love him, too, and he even gets along with the cats, (though Norman has been a bit aloof in protest of being outnumbered).

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The pink ears!

The pink ears!

Trooper and I have bonded so much! He has my heart wrapped around his little paw, and is my go-everywhere buddy.

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As October arrived, we were bursting with pride at our daughter, who also crossed a milestone as she graduated from The Toni and Guy/Ricci’s Academy. She will take her last state exam to be a licensed hairdresser.

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We are very happy that we have such a great hairstyling and barbering school nearby, as she met future stylists from all over. It was a great year for her, and she loves what she is doing, with dreams of someday having her own salon. Audrey has also started work at a wonderful, organic hair salon! We are so proud of our girl!

Lastly, we also took a one-day road trip to Milford, Pennsylvania, to meet up with my friend, Robin, and her husband. We were surprised how close we are (it only took an hour-and-a-half to get to northern PA). The Poconos are so beautiful, and we loved having lunch at the Water Wheel Cafe, which is in an old, historic grist mill! So much history in that building!

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It’s been a fun-filled, memory-making and busy month, and we are now looking forward to a cozy fall, with the holidays right ‘round the corner! How about you?

Wishing you all a wonderful fall season, and a very Happy Halloween! Leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by!

Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole



  1. Judith Smith-Coleman says:

    Such a fun post. Congratulations to your daughter and that new fur baby is just precious!!❤

  2. Lori Fresina says:

    Wonderful blog

  3. Denise says:

    Happy anniversary! We celebrated our 40th at beginning of the year. Such a beautiful time of year. Autumn is my favorite and October my favorite month!
    Congratulations to your daughter. I have never heard of an organic hair salon. Interesting.
    Your photos are so beautiful. Enjoy your day!

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Denise, thank you, and Happy 40th anniversary to you!!I hope you got to do something special!
      We are very proud of our daughter, thank you so much for the wishes. The salon she works at only uses organic-based products, whichI think is really great! I’m glad you enjoyed the post – that makes me happy. Enjoy the fall! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  4. Renee says:

    Nicole,

    Thank you for sharing the part of the country that you love and your family with us! The Gidget is adorable! Wish she was in my yard. Trooper I’d too cute for words!

    Best,
    Renee

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Renee, thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the post. Now that the weather is cooler, we really enjoy Gidget! I hope to one day attend one of the Halloween camper rallies. Enjoy the fall! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  5. Marti Wynne says:

    How exciting. Fall is my fav time of year. I have a birthday October 27. But a trip this Friday for 9 days in Ohio to have a sisters week with my two sisters. We are going to an Animal Sanctuary for pieroghis and farm fun one day, Witches Night Out shopping spree another day and Amish Country for the day. And many other surprises and treasures the rest of the visit
    Farm girl
    ThisChickenRoadChick

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Happy Happy Birthday! Enjoy your trip – it sounds so wonderful! I have a cousin in Ohio; looks so pretty there. Have a fun, happy fall! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  6. I really enjoyed your post today. Fall is my favorite season of the year, for many of the reasons you mentioned. Here in Indiana we have the Covered Bridge Festival which highlights many small towns with (you guessed it) covered bridges, old mills, etc. Vendors stack up on the town streets to sell hand-made goods and celebrate the season.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Diane,thank you! I bet where you are is just beautiful, too! I have yet to make it to the midwest but it is on my list. The Covered Bridge Festival sounds wonderful! Enjoy the fall! Thank you for reading and leaving me a comment! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  7. Marilyn says:

    What a great September you had. Your new dog is cute. Wishing you and your husband many more years of happiness and blessings. Happy Belated birthday to your husband, Congratulations to your daughter.
    HAPPY FALL
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Dear Joan, Marion and Marilyn, thank you ever so much! I hope you all have a very Happy Fall! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

  8. Sandy says:

    Lovely post! October is my favorite month! On Oct 30 hubby and I are celebrating our 51st anniversary! Our twin daughters turn 43 this Friday. Hubby and I met in October. I love the colors of fall as well. Congratulations on your wedding anniversay.

    • Nicole Christensen says:

      Hi Sandy, thank you so much! And CONGRATULATIONS on your anniversary! Wow! 51 years – so awesome. And a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your twins! October is such a nice month. Enjoy all the fun and fall colors! Thank you for sharing with me today. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

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