OCTOBER 27-NOVEMBER 1, 2014

"Fall...the time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the Grand Finale!"

Lauren DeStefano

We got a little bit of a breather from our busy, busy lives of the last few weeks.  It was nice to catch our breath.

Our Monday was more low key just by the fact that we stayed close to home.  Mike and Susan only have 2 months :(  left so they want to leave feeling they really got to know Boston well.  We listed the places we haven't seen and will start checking them off.  The South End was one so we hopped on the T and went exploring this beautiful city. The south End was built up primarily in the 1880's and has rows of old brownstones  lining tree shaded streets. Quite lovely.  We also loved how you could see the new skyscrapers from here and the juxaposition of old against new. 

Just loving this lovely tree  tunnel!

Last blog I showed a taste of Halloween in NYC. This week it's Boston's turn to shine!

One for my kiddos!

We have just about given up on depending on other's ratings for restaurants, i.e.. "The Best Thing I ever Ate", etc.  It may very well be the best thing he or she ever ate but that is just one person with his/her own distinct taste.  Case in Point: Flour Bakery and Cafe.  A " Best thing...Ate", top ratings in every Boston food review/guide, recommended by locals as a "don't miss". We were not impressed. And we had a wide variety of dishes we sampled, including their famous Sticky Buns.  Our verdict: nothing special. Dale thinks Cinnabon's buns are better and I'll take any of my kids chocolate chip cookies over theirs any day!

 I got a kick out of this because we have been watching "Chopped" when we eat at home and they make such a big deal over plating.

 I have to admit- it was cute !

The boys wanted to see the library after we told them how fabulous it was so we walked there.  Susan and I explored the little square fronting it while Dale and Mike explored the library.  

 The Boston Public Library

 Once again, the old reflected in the new.

The Library Lanterns.  I thought they looked Halloweeny!

We wanted to walk through the Public Gardens once more on our way home. They truly are beautiful and we discovered a fun 'frame your point of view' that we hadn't noticed before.

 Does his tail look extra fluffy to you? 

(Please say no!)

We were told you can tell if it's going to be a rough, long cold winter by the fluffiness of the squirrels' tails. 

 Mother Nature has the best box of crayons!

We tried our best for a decent photo but the sun was just not cooperating! 

We had a late afternoon appointment in Concord on Tuesday so afterwards we explored some more of that charming town. We were kind of rushed last time we were there and didn't get to see all of it.

 We had dinner here in a cozy,warm ,inviting dining room.  We had THE best Chicken Pot Pie on earth! The puff pastry was enormous and so fluffy and buttery.  It almost felt like eating dessert- it was that good. The butternut squash bisque with cream, bacon and roasted pumpkin seeds was not bad either. YUM! 

We'll find our own Best Places to Eat , thank you very much!

 I know it's not exactly like it but it has the same feeling...this house reminded me of the one in "Marley and Me". Anyone else?

 Adore!

 Adore!!

Adore!!

Love the red against the red!

Thursday  we didn't serve in the temple  due to the fact that we had a special zone conference because Elder Lawrence from the 70 and his wife were here touring our mission. 

It was an all day affair - 9:30-4:00.  

He and his wife served as Mission President in Russia . Said you could fit the entire United States within their mission and it was so big that they spent 264 nights of their mission sleeping on trains traveling across the wide expanse. 

The conference was all about missionary work and we received several challenges. We need to so something extraordinary !  We will!

Since Halloween actually fell on Friday, our district and zone meeting day, I just had to throw a little party for our hard working crew! :)   (you know me)

We had chili , mummy dogs, banana ghosts, clementine "pumpkins", and donut spiders. 

We played several 'Minute to Win It" games which they really got into and loved.  They were all so very ,very appreciative .  It is fun doing things for them for that reason alone.  Several of the missionaries are from other countries and had never celebrated Halloween before.  

 Borrowed this from the ward party.

 Loooooove T.J.Maxx and the dollar store!

Dale made these spiders! I'm so proud of him  :)

 Love that Elder Walk down at the far end with his 2 thumbs up!

Let the games begin!

 Mummy Wrap

 Vampire Bites 

(transferring marshmallows from one plate to another while wearing vampire fangs)

 Creepy Crawler Toss

Candy Corn Crush

( bite off end and stick upright to paper plate. 1st to complete the circle with the most candy wins.)

They all had fun with the photo booth.  I regret Dale and I didn't get a pic of us. no costumes but I had on orange and black and Dale had on his 'Halloween' tie- orange, grey and black stripe.

Sister Elmer and Sister Valentine. They helped so much with the party. Made the ghosts and pumpkins and the cutlery envelopes and just helped however needed! Couldn't have done it without them.  

 He made this out of duct tape on his Pdays over a few months time.

 We love them all!  I'm sure you can just see why- they all glow with goodness. 

They always send us on our way rejoicing!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!