Fall Things

For the time being, my weekends can best be compared to running virus software on a computer. By the end of the work week I'm a jumbled miserable mess full of toxins and my weekend activities serve as the sort of software that gets in there and revives me and makes me all fresh and new again. I'll save resetting the BIOS for vacation (hah! whenever that happens) or, Lord forbid, when I make a more drastic move.

But let's talk happy things like pumpkins and apple-picking and bewitchingly good times in Salem.

I'm definitely work's bitch right now, but have managed to make time on the weekend to do all of my favorite fall things. I'm hoping my current work misery is as fleeting as the fall season.

Last weekend we went up to a local orchard to pick apples...and pose by tractors, eat apple cider donuts, look at cute farm animals and generally escape the corporate/academic hell(s) that currently control our existences. 

Come back! Me want more apples!

Yesterday we continued our annual tradition of heading up to Harvard to check out the Head of the Charles Regatta or, as I like to call it, the Blue Blood Carnival.

Finally, today we trekked up to Salem for a decidedly different sort of carnival. Actually, Salem is a charming town even without all of the crazy Halloween shenanigans (don't get me wrong--I love the Halloween shenanigans!) Property up there is helluva lot cheaper in Salem than in Boston, so maybe we'll make a second home there some day. Hah...

I look at these next two images and all I see are work analogies...

And, finally, the strawberry and Nutella crepe we consumed before leaving:

Hope you all are having a festive and enjoyable fall :)

I'm crawling back into the depths of despair now.

Rendez-Vous New England (A Month After the Fact)

A month ago I attended the Saturday night mixer portion of Rendez-Vous New England, hosted by {long distance loving} and Cornflake Dreams. Why am I recapping now? Because life has been crazy and a task is better completed later than never, right?

My takeaway points:
1. The Boston/New England-area bloggers are a welcoming and friendly bunch. No divas here.
2. Meeting new people, socializing and enjoying a pretty cocktail in a swanky venue is a great way to spend a Saturday night. I rarely get out these days, so the event was a welcome change in pace.
3. The organizers did a fantastic job (thanks, ladies! :) )
4. I look forward to attending similar events in the future.

Man, that recap came out like a horrible "Intro to Creative Writing" assignment. When words fail, use photos:

Group Shot

Emily from So Anthro and her pretty cocktail

Mixing and mingling

I'm on a hiatus now. Will be back when work loosens its grip from around my neck--hopefully sooner than later. Can I wish myself Godspeed?

My Love Letter

With the turn life (aka: work) has taken over the past three weeks, I'm really afraid that I'm not going to have the time or energy to enjoy the month of October. I've been putting in 12+ hour days, which wouldn't be a huge issue during any other season, but who wants to slave away in a cubicle when there are apples to be picked, fall goodies to be baked and trips to Salem to be made?

I'm making a trip to Richmond, VA at the end of the month for the wedding of one of my best friends. More than occasionally do I feel homesick for Richmond. I only lived there for a little less than three years, but it's just as beautiful and charming as Boston.

I took these photos two years ago on a perfect October Sunday along Monument Avenue in Richmond. Strange as it my sound, the two hours I spent alone walking and snapping photos is one of my all-time favorite memories.

Alas, here are the photos (best to post today before October's work schedule eats me alive). I'm calling this post a love letter to Richmond and to the fall season.