Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Visit to Massachusetts

I got back on Sunday after a long flight and a quickish (8 days) trip back home to Massachusetts. The main purpose of the trip was to spend time with my grandmother, who has been having health trouble in recent months. Currently, she's doing well and it was great to see her as well as visit with the rest of my family and catch up with friends in the area. Fall has always been my favorite season, and there's something about fall in New England that you just can't find anywhere else. My mom had planned a big family dinner and surprised us with Early Thanksgiving- turkey, stuffing, and the whole shebang (otherwise known as "all the trimmings")- it was awesome! I was home for Halloween, but this year, instead of attending (or hosting) a wild party I opted for the kiddie version and took my nieces trick-or-treating. I did wear a costume, though. It was super fun; my nieces had a blast and there were TONS of people out- apparently the parents of America no longer live in fear of malicious neighbors distributing poisoned candy. Thank goodness. Check those apples for razorblades, kids! I was also home for election day, which came in handy because I had forgotten to request an absentee ballot. I voted in Waltham and felt reassured that Massachusetts is still the bluest of them all.
Overall, the trip was great but exhausting- I tried to pack too much visiting in for the time frame, and I also ended up scheduling three work-related meetings. Lesson learned: next time I'll be sure to leave myself a couple of empty days where I can chill out and actually feel like I'm on vacation. Or go the outlets and stock up on clothes and shoes- so much cheaper! My best night out was when I acted like a diva and requested that all of my friends meet me at one of my favorite bars, the Beehive.

I must say, though, I'm starting to get used to the long flight. It helps that I'm now a "Premier" customer on United, so I automatically get seated in Economy Plus (more legroom! woohoo!). Oh, and the red wine + codeine combo works wonders for in-flight slumber. On the way back, I had a 5 hour layover in San Fransisco and journeyed into the city to meet up with my SF friends for dinner; it was great to see them and nice to break up the flights a bit.

As for my next entry...reviews of the 4 books I read on the flight.

And I'll leave you with one last photo- one of the breakfast specials at the fabulous J&M Diner, where I had breakfast with my parents before they drove me to the airport. Nothing says Massachusetts like fluffernutter french toast.

5 comments:

Dean said...

I have absolutely no idea what fluffernutter french toast might be. However, I do understand the basic ingredients of "Oreo pancakes with whipped cream and powdered sugar" : butter and eggs with chocolate and sugar, cream and sugar, topped with sugar.

Willy Wonka would be proud.

Suldog said...

Fluffernutter French Toast?!? Be still, my beating heart! I didn't think there was any way to make breakfast better, but apparently there is!

ek said...

Um, somehow, despite seeing you numerous times last week, you neglected to mention your unbelievably ridiculous Halloween costume. Holy Big Bird, I can't even take it.

eileen said...

I didn't dare order the fluffernutter french toast.

And as for the costume, Beatriz had brought it up from NYC and I borrowed it. It's funny, kids who saw me were mostly "ho-hum, I see that bird all the time" where as all of the adults freaked about it. It was nice and warm, too!

TBA said...

So good to see you while you were home!!! :)

And those oreo pancakes sound like they'd be right up my alley...