Happy Halloween!

♥

Dream Homes for Sale (MA, CT)!

Hello, everyone!

How's your October going?

Mine's been getting a little bit better;

Cuddles' death certainly did a toll on me,

but I've still been trying to enjoy my favorite time of
year as much as I possibly can, and I believe I've been

fairly successful thus far. I also have many pictures 

to show all of you (non-New England related), 

but I think I'll save them for after Halloween...

As for today, I couldn't resist sharing with you

these absolutely gorgeous homes I stumbled

upon on the website, Antique Homes 

...Take a look!

 1.

Townsend, MA

$478,000

"'The Old Salt Box' on 3 open, pastoral acres, suitable for horses or other animals. Authentic period features in this beautifully maintained home include five fireplaces, beehive ovens, gunpost beams, and wide pine floors and paneling. There is a cozy tavern modeled on the one at Concord’s Colonial Inn, an attached barn/garage with workshop and loft, and a more recent 4-season heated porch addition."

For more information on this property, click here ♥

2.

Woodstock, CT

$825,000

"The Historic McClellan Elms, Woodstock. Revolutionary War general, Samuel McClellan’s homestead, McClellan Elms, circa 1769. This pristine restoration will delight all antique home lovers! With all the classic details from cove molding and King’s boards to gunstock posts, granite lintels and chestnut floors. Recent updates include a wood shake roof, a new Buderus furnace and a Lennox central air system yet maintaining all the charm and character of yesteryear. The 4500 sq. ft. main residence includes five bedrooms, each with en suite full baths, a new granite kitchen amidst the original keeping room fireplace with bake oven. A 1400 sq. ft. one bedroom guest house makes for a great in-law, studio or office. There is also a classic New England barn and carriage studio on this surprisingly private 2 acre property. It’s on the common location makes for convenience as well as a prime location to consider that business venture you have always dreamed of."

For more information on this property, click here ♥

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Enjoy your evening!

♥

Meet the Locals- Erica!

Hello, everyone ♥

I'd just like to start off by thanking everyone for 

the extremely kind words about my cat, Cuddles.

It's been a very tough week for me; the first few

days were the hardest, naturally, but now I've slowly

begun to accept the reality. And even though I'll never know 

exactly what happened (she was in perfect health till her death), 

I know in my heart that she is at peace, and that truly comforts me.

Also-- I haven't forgotten about the Halloween cards

I promised to send some of you; I definitely will be mailing

them out the beginning of next week... hopefully, they'll

reach you on time for Halloween!

Now, moving on to our latest local . . . ♥

1.) What's your name? Where are you from?

Erica Houskeeper. I live in Burlington, VT. 

 

2.) How long have you lived in the New England area?
 

With the exception of college and a brief stint out west, I have lived most of my 39 years in New England and Vermont.
 

3.) What is your fondest memory of living here?

Too many to name. One of my fondest memories is riding my horse Banjo along an old logging road near my childhood home in Manchester, Vt.
 

4.) What is your favorite New England "hot spot" and why?

My hometown of Manchester, Vermont is my favorite place in New England. Nostalgia aside, Manchester is a special place. Even though it’s changed over the years, parts of it feel the same as it did 35 years ago. Whenever I go there, I feel like I’m on vacation and also right at home.

 

5.) What makes New England unique to you?

The seasons and town/village centers are very unique to New England.

 

6.) Do you have a favorite New England recipe or dish?
 

I’m not much of a cook. Maybe sugar-on-snow.

 

7.) What season in New England do you like most? Why?

Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp air, bright foliage, harvest festivals and fall fairs. It’s my favorite time to get out with my camera.

 

8.) How would you describe New England to an outsider?

New England is a beautiful region that has character, community spirit, and so much great history.

 

9.) In your opinion, what is the best thing that ever came out of New England?
 

Lake Champlain Chocolates of Burlington, Vt.

 

10.) Do you have a photo that captures your love for this region? Insert it here:
 

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Learn more about Erica by checking

out her blog, Happy Vermont!

♥

Cuddles

On October 13th, 2010

my loving and faithful cat, Cuddles,

passed away from this world...

Sunlight streams through window pane
unto a spot on the floor....
then I remember,
it's where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound....
then I remember,
It's where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road, 
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours....
your golden voice is still.
But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.

I'll love you forever, my little girl

♥

Halloween Cards

Good eve-a-ning, everyone ...

(said with my best Dracula impression)

I'm writing this now on a dark and stormy night;

rain is pattering upon the grass, thunder is rumbling
grumpily behind the trees, and every so often a quick
spark of lightening flashes white against the blackness...

... The perfect atmosphere for a crisp October eve!

With that being said, I thought I'd take the opportunity

to ask my followers if they would like to receive a

Halloween greeting card in the mail from me!

If you're interested, please send me an e-mail

(erinxtreme77@aol.com) with your address,
and I'll be more than happy to comply

 Boo!

 ♥

Meet the Locals- Elaine!

    1.) What's your name? Where are you from?  

Elaine from Stoneham, Massachusetts

   

2.) How long have you lived in the New England area?  

My whole life

   

3.) What is your fondest memory of living here?  

Probably summers as a kid at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.

    

4.) What is your favorite New England "hot spot" and why? 

Guess I'm getting old!  I never gravitate to hot spots anymore. I love Martha's Vineyard and Rockport, Mass. Really anywhere near the ocean is a hot spot to me.


    5.) What makes New England unique to you?

I think New England has a mystique. It is so old and has such history. It really is charming. I love walking the cobbledstoned streets and sidewalks, visiting the little fishing villages, and taking in the beauty of foliage season.

    

6.) Do you have a favorite New England recipe or dish? 

I defer to Susan Branch.  Her cookbooks have fabulous New England recipes.

    

7.) What season in New England do you like most? Why? 

Autumn. I love cooler temperatures and how can you beat the colors of Fall?

    

8.) How would you describe New England to an outsider?

New England has it all. Mountains and lakes, beaches and oceans. Modern cities and quaint old towns and the best seafood anywhere!


    9.) In your opinion, what is the best thing that ever came out of New England?

That's a tough one.  I have to think on that.


    10.) Do you have a photo that captures your love for this region? Insert it here:

 This photo is of Rockport, Massachusetts; quintessential New England

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Learn more about Elaine by checking 
out her blog, Cafe Chatelaine! 

♥

Meet the Locals - Kristen!

First, I really want to thank Erin for giving the opportunity to be featured on her blog as a New England local! This was so much fun and I hope to "meet" more of Erin's readers!!! :-)


    1.) What's your name? Where are you from?
Kristen from Peabody MA (about 12 miles north of Boston)

2.) How long have you lived in the New England area?
My entire life...almost 40 years!

3.) What is your fondest memory of living here?
Oh my gosh I have sooo many wonderful memories of living in this area! Skiing in the winter and camping in the summer in the White Mountains, summers at Salem Willows with our grandparents, fall days spent at the apple orchard in my hometown, going to college in Boston, whale watches off of Gloucester, Salem at Halloween (I am lucky enough to live one town away!), Patriots games in Foxboro, Red Sox games at historic Fenway Park, Bruins and Celtics games at the old Boston Garden, and of course New England's rich history!


    4.) What is your favorite New England "hot spot" and why?
I don't know that everyone would consider this a "hot spot" but it is my hot spot...the White Mountains in NH, specifically Lincoln and Woodstock at one end of the Kancamagus Highway and North Conway at the other end. I have just always loved this entire area, ever since I was a little girl. It is truly a four-season paradise: skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, camping and every outdoor activity you can imagine in the summer (my favorite is swimming in the cold crystal clear lakes and rivers!), and of course, THE BEST fall foliage in the fall!!! Luckily my husband shares my love of this area, too, and we head up there whenever we can, even if just for a day. It is our dream to one day have a little cottage or cabin to escape to for weekends up there!

 5.) What makes New England unique to you?
For sure the people! New Englanders are a hearty breed. And there is no doubt we are a little nutty! :-) But all in a good way. We have our quirks. But we are a loyal, hard-working bunch with a rich sense of where we come from and how special that is. The other thing I love about New England that I think adds to its uniqueness is, because it such a compact area, you can literally visit all 6 states in one day if you wanted to. You can be at the beach along the rugged Atlantic shore in the morning and in the mountains in the afternoon. And don't forget the quintessential New England accent. There is nothing like it! And if you are not a New Englander you can just can't do it justice! It is torture listening to actors try to get it right! :-)

    6.) Do you have a favorite New England recipe or dish?
I know there is some debate as to where Whoopie Pies originated from but I believe it is Maine. My Mom makes THE best Whoopie Pies with her super-secret recipe! ;-) I also love New England seafood, preferably eaten in the rough at a seaside lobster shack! There is nothing that beats a lobster boiled in sea water served with melted butter! And steamers! And fried clams!


    7.) What season in New England do you like most? Why?
AUTUMN!!!!! Hands down, without a doubt AUTUMN!!! We are fortunate that we can experience all four seasons here, and each season certainly has it's beauty and charm, but when autumn arrives...well, New England just does AUTUMN the best!!! Brilliant foliage, numerous fairs and festivals, charming small towns to explore, miles and miles of hiking and biking trails, lakes and rivers to paddle, apple orchards and pumpkin patches at every turn, hearty comforting meals being offered everywhere from 5 star restaurants to the tiny Mom & Pop diners. We have mostly sunny days, crisp and blustery, but warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, and cold clear nights for seeing the stars. There truly is nothing like fall in New England!


    8.) How would you describe New England to an outsider?
Oooh! This could be hard for me because they would probably get sick of listening to me talk! lol Once I start talking about my beloved New England I tend not to stop! I guess if I had to keep it somewhat short I would just highlight the fact that New England truly does have something for everyone. Big cities, small towns. Very rich history. You can be at the beach and the mountains all in one day. Great food. Major sporting events, theater, and music. Festivals and fairs in every season celebrating anything you can imagine. Any outdoor activity you could ever want to take part in. Unique shopping experiences catering to every taste and budget. But I would also try to explain how....I don't know, special it is to be a New Englander. The pride we feel. It is hard to explain that, But I would try!


    9.) In your opinion, what is the best thing that ever came out of New England?
Besides me?! Just kidding! Gosh, this is another tough one! There is so much! Let's see, in no particular order: my beloved New England Patriots, lobster rolls, Toll House Cookies, Sam Adams beer, the Boston Bruins, Aerosmith, fried clams, Topsfield Fair, Matt Damon ;-), our rich history...I could go on and on!


    10.) Do you have a photo that captures your love for this region? Insert it here:

It is soooo hard for me to pick just one! People think my camera is surgically attached to my hand! :-) So, I have lots to choose from! The picture I ultimately chose is the road leading to the orchard near my house. I took this in late October last year. I spend a lot of time up here all year long but that time increases dramatically come fall! I live in a fairly large suburb of Boston then right here in the middle of it we have this peaceful country oasis. Never is it more beautiful than in the fall!

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Learn more about Kristen by checking

out her blog, Scrappin' My Bliss! 

♥

Happy October!

Halloween morning on Nantucket
(photo taken by ghinson)

“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, 
and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.”
 Nathaniel Hawthorne

♥