A BOSTONian Birthday

(Warning: I took so so many pictures of this lovely event,

it was too dang hard to pick which ones I wanted to share,

so here is the large volume of pics that I just

couldn't get myself to whittle down any further)

My sweet sweet husband took me on a magical weekend

trip to Boston for my birthday. He was able to use our sky-

miles and credit card points so the trip was almost a freebie.

Reece is the best trip planner, guaranteed. He knows I love

metropolitan vacations, he took me to Chicago last year

which totally enchanted me and for this year Boston couldn't

have been more perfect. I love colonial architecture and then

to see it in the fall, what a dream! Again he didnt tell me where

we were going till we were at the airport and I was breakfasting

on my favorite airport treat, Cinnabon. I was so excited shrieks,

howls, kisses and hugs inevitably ensued. I was so glad I

brought my book club pick for december, Little Woman, along

to read on the flight, it totally got me into the Bostonian

mood.

(I was so excited to see the lights out my window, had to

pull out my iphone)

We had the best taxi driver that took us from the airport

to our hotel, he was from Ukraine and was living in Boston

with his daughter who went to North Eastern for micro-

biology (wow) he told us tons of stories and was such a

jolly and proud grandpa. Right after we dropped off our

suitcases we couldn't wait to jump on the hotels shuttle and

visit the wharf for a yummy seafood dinner. Coconut curry

mussels, crab cakes with Dijon mustard, and stuffed

lobster. And then Boston cream Pie for Dessert.

The next morning we visited the Museum of Fine Arts and

feasted our eyes on priceless works. Ahhh so beautiful.

The interior of the museum was gorgeous, the main rotunda's

ceiling was painted in mythological scenes by the artist

Sargent. We also couldnt help strolling the area and playing

in the fall leaves as it was 70 degrees!

Renoir my favorite impressionist, and Reece with some

of Monet's series, haystacks and Rouen Cathedral,

seriously priceless in my mind.

'The photography and contemporary wing was surprisingly

fun, iconic images on the walls and some very entertaining

installations (movies to follow).

(This gigantic cyanotype looked so much like one of my

student's photograms, I hope she sees this and realizes

she was on the same wavelength as some big-time

artists, way to go Esther)

These paintings remind me of prints that hung in my house

as a child, pretty sure that one of the girl with the hat is

still up somewhere...craft room, or guest bedroom closet

I know Ive seen it recently.

When we stepped out of the museum the wind was blowing

the leaves high in the air in little tornadoes, so so magical.

We then ventured to Boston common to find the freedom

trail. I could easily move into one of these brick town

houses lining the park in a heartbeat. I love the white trim

and shutters.

(Make way for ducklings!)

You could probably guess that I loved the fat and tame

squirrels.

Follow the red-brick road! The Freedom trail is marked

with this lovely red line all throughout the town so you

can find all the historic spots and not get lost.

I loved this creepy old cemetery with its blanket of fall

leaves. The last time I was here in Boston I was photo-

graphing for my application portfolio for the BYU photo

department. It is amazing how photographing enhances

your memory, I was stumbling across the very spots

where I had stopped to take pictures all those years ago.

There was a familiarity with the whole town that I adored.

I will have to post those early pictures of bubble lampposts

and crooked gravestones. It was because to those images

I was accepted into the program as a freshman in college.

Reece and his man-crush Ben F. (for Reece's sake its not

as much of a man-crush as is it a general emulation of Ben's

achievements (but not actual lifestyle though))

We lost the race with the winter sun and only walked half of the

freedom trail during daylight. We stopped at Quincy

Market for some dinner and dessert, the largest macaroon

I have ever seen, as big as my face. We finished the trail

in the night lights but decided to return in the morning

to be able to enter more of the buildings.

(anyone want a Lobster Christmas tree, haha)

The new bridge that completed the Big Dig.

(The Old North Church where Paul Revere began his

midnight ride, where lanterns were hung in the steeple,

one if by land two if by sea, do you remember how many Paul

saw that fateful night? clue: I took a picture of it)

(TWO)

The next morning we went back to finish the freedom

trail in the daylight. We visited Paul Revere's house which

was just down the street from the very cute restaurant

Mamma Maria which we had our eye on and even came

back to dine later that eveing.

We then rented the cutest mini cooper through a very

awesome company called zip car. They have cars stashed

in various parking lots throughout the city and with an

iphone app you can be guided to the car nearst you and

which allows you to make a reservation while

standing next to the car. You then swipe a membership

card on the outside of the car which will unlock the car

and the keys are inside along with a gas card. So

amazingly easy and quick. With our cute little automobile

we drove down to New Port Rhode Island where we drove

through the most picturesque towns of wood slatted houses

of all different colors and then ended up at the Mansions on

the Coast. There are about 10 mansions all built in the

guilded age of the late 19th century, by industrialists like

Cornelius Vanderbilt, Edward Berwind, and William Wetmore.

I visited these mansions with my family on a road trip up

the east coast were we stayed in bead and breakfasts. My

favorite was Rosecliff. Sadly I wasnt going to be able to

show Reece around my favorite mansion as it was closed

for the winter season , but we were able to visit two of the

most stunning of the properties, The Breakers and The Elms.

The interiors were all decorated for the christmas season with

flowers and glittering decorations that matched the decor of

every room. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when

they told me no pictures, literally almost a panic attack

how can they have such amazing displays and not allow

anybody to record it. They allowed people to only take

pictures of the trees in the main halls and I slapped on

my wide angle and tried to get as much of the scene as I

could. I was able to make it through the houses without

taking any pictures and without making a scene, although it

was very difficult. Ill scan some pictures of the rooms from

a book that I got so you can see some of the beauty we were

beholding.

The Breakers

The Elms

The sun was setting when we got out of the house so we

took pictures in the rose light on the beautifully trimmed

grounds. Ah so romantic.

We wanted to stop by Plymouth to see the infamous rock

in token of the season, (I was born on thanksgiving by the

way...) but it was too dark and we had dinner reservations

that we need to make, so we then raced back to Boston.

A dinner at Mamma Maria, then a showing of New Moon

(yes I admit we went and saw it, it was not my favorite

but it was funny to be in a theater with all the hype)

after we strolled the town took night shots, and then

popped into PF Changs to warm up and get some of their

mini desserts, the s'more one is my ultimate favorite.

The next day we went to the Isabella Steward Gardner

Museum, again no pictures, Killer! It was a beautiful

collection displayed in the most beautifully decorated

rooms. We loved this museum for all the same reasons

we love the Frick Museum in NY, stunning and intimate.

After we raced to the Aquarium for a quick visit before

we had to fly out. I love aquariums and Im so glad that

I have a man that will enjoy little pleasures like these

with me.

(*wink*)

What a wondrous weekend. Jam packed with beautiful

things, I was endlessly fascinated, and I couldnt have asked

for someone to enjoy it with me more than my dear husband.

Reece you spoil me beyond words and I am forever indebted

to the kindness you show me everyday. From the small to

the grand you are so selfless and generous. Thank you from

the bottom of my heart. I love you.