a perfect weekend

Thank you!!! You all totally rocked it with the Portsmouth recommendations, and I've decided that I will never go anywhere again without asking you first. Seriously. I printed off the comments and that was our guide! I could totally have a little love affair with Portsmouth. And I don't think Portland would mind - they're sisters, I'm convinced. Portsmouth was so beautiful, full of history and vibrancy, and just the right size for me.

For those who want the Portsmouth details - we had the treat of seeing Jen's work at Nahcotta Gallery and Abby's work at Three Graces Gallery. Both quite stunning. There was yummy food and drink at The Portsmouth Brewery. A picnic at Prescott Park and Strawberry Banke. And a stop for yarn at The Yarn Basket. A heavenly hour spent leisurely at River Run Books. The Friendly Toast - top on our list, sadly had such a wait that we just couldn't do it (we opted for sleeping in. sleep is good). And the Odd Showroom was closed all weekend - though, man, I stared at their fabulous window display of vintage and handmade goodness long enough willing them to open, but that didn't work.

At the viewing of Seven Sunny Days (the whole impetus of our trip - to visit friends involved in the tour), I had the distinct pleasure/horror of feeling like a complete and total MOM while viewing this segment on wingsuits. You gotta check that video out. Calvin has already informed us that he'll "totally do that when I'm a raft guide". Ezra says he'll do it "when I'm a teenager". Great.

In the end, my favorite little moments are those we didn't plan or expect. Of course. They're the same kind of moments we get on date night, or early mornings at home before anyone else has risen. Or any other time we steal away a few minutes of time together - the little quiet moments of leisure and peace that keep the whole thing going. Sometimes they're hard to make happen in the busyness of family life, but oh - they are so worth it for the whole family. And for that, it was a perfect weekend.

Comments

[Suzanne]

Just the kind of little getaways we treasure too--and Portsmouth is beautiful! Glad you had a wonderful time:-) We need one of those too!

[jean]

so so glad you had a perfect weekend.

[Melissa!]

It's fun to frolic & prance (or not - just sit) with your significant other to remind each other why you're together and to plan the next following months/years together, huh?
Which reminds me, my husband & I are due for a weekend!

Calvin will need to post what the 3 mice did while the cats were away! :)

[bubbachic]

A wonderful weekend, in what looks to be a wonderful place - perfect for recharging the batteries. I am from Portsmouth, accross the pond in England - and that too is a good place to recharge..

Dee
x

[Sarah]

What a grand weekend in my favorite town. I used to live right over the tugboats so your first photo was a frequent sight out my window. Glad you got to get away and recharge. When my DH and I get away to recharge we go to...Portland!

[judi]

Ahhhh... to live in such a beautiful are of the USA! It makes me proud!

I on the other hand, live in Southeast Georgia..... the leaves have yet to turn as our lows are still in the seventies...... so I shall think good thoughts of your surroundings and perhaps put on a new scarf I bought for my Amelia and pretend. You never know...... it just might work and make it turn cool here. (We still have to run the Air Conditioner all day..... bluck!)

[Sarah]

Have to leave one more comment about the books in your sidebar--Laurel Ulrich was my grad school advisor. I got to work with her when she was just getting going on "Midwife's Tale." What a grand experience. Thanks for reminding me that I need to go get "Well-Behaved Women."

[emily]

looks like a splendid weekend. and the new banner is fantastic!

[Angie]

It sounds like a wonderful weekend :-)

[shari]

lovely, lovely photos. glad you had fun. xo

[charlotte]

how nice for you both to be away together on such an adventure...and yes, the banner is delicious. xoC

[Qalballah]

Looks like lovely bright autumn weather you enjoyed.

[jen j-m]

hey, thanks for stopping to see my art while you were enjoying your time together! looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time - i'm so glad. love the knitting in bed photo so much!

[julia]

looks absolutely lovely. it's so important to have those recharging moments (or weekends) to do just what you said- keep everything going.

[molly]

sounds wonderful amanda. taking care of mom and dad is good for the whole family...

[geek+nerd]

Oooh I love your picture of Market Square - the church looks so beautiful at night! I'm glad you had a great time in Portsmouth...and that video is NUTS! Ahhhh, I was having heart palpitations just watching it!

[Grace]

Oh, my! I think we're due for a weekend away, too! This sounded great!

I love your new banner.

[Nikki]

Yes we all need that "couple time", it does wonders for my parenting. Love your blog, again thanks for sharing.

[m]

Sounds (and looks) like a wonderful way to spend a weekend together. My boy is too young and we're expecting Number Two soon enough, so I'm not sure when my husband and I will actually be able to have our first weekend getaway, but I love to be reminded the time will come and when it does, it will be lovely.

[Amanda]

It looks as divine.
We have one of these magical weekends coming up in the very near future. Our little slice of heaven out here on the west coast is Stinson Beach, CA. There is Absolute Bliss to be had there!

[shannon]

Looks like a great weekend.
I now know a sport I will NEVER attempt! My three year however asked me how old you have to be to fly and where to get the wings. Oh no!

[Amber]

Great to hear you both are refueled. It is so important for a relationship...

[Karyn]

Thanks for the pictures - I got a little teary seeing the North Church in all its glory and the bridge we used to drive over to see my grandmother. I'm ridiculously proud that you loved it - I still feel like I own it a little bit.

I totally agree about Portland and Portsmouth being sisters. I've always felt like Portland is just a bigger Portsmouth, and I've often thought of moving there to have that feeling of home again.

[Robin]

I love the new banner! Awww.

[kate]

OOhhh, whatcha knittin'? The colors are fabulous!!

[julie]

Oh, it looks like a beautiful weekend getaway... how blessed you are!

[Kati]

Looks like an absolutely beautiful weekend! Someday I would really love to experience an autumn week in New England. What a beautiful place any time of year, I'm sure, but it's almost otherworldly beautiful in Autumn (at least to this Alaskan girl).

Man..... I don't envy you the boys who'd WANT to do something like that!!!! *shudder* I cannot imagine throwing myself off a cliff & scraping my nails on the cliff-sides like that. Of course, it looks like something my mom would attempt (and enjoy).

[Christina]

Thanks for passing the tips along -- we've driven though Portsmouth many times but never knew where to stop -- until now! And good for you for recharging your batteries -- we moms and dads don't always remember to do that often enough, it seems and it is so necessary.

[Veronica TM]

what a beautiful weekend! so glad you and steve enjoyed it! dave and i had date night last week {for the fourth time since fiona was born} and it was magical.

[kimberly/tippytoes]

It sounds lovely - I am absolutely jealous!

[Jen]

Wow, looks like an awesome place.

[Dacia]

oh, I too love portsmouth. we spent just a day there on our way to Bar Harbor last year and I just loved it. such a nice, quaint, peaceful town. vacation home anyone?

[Kelly]

it does look like a wonderful weekend!

[tiff]

havnt got time to read your post, but that photo of your man sitting for a picnic is so lovely, brought tears to my eyes.

[kit]

I love the blue and red vibe up top there! Your great new banner and the ship view photo look fantastic together. (Was that from Prescott Park too? didn't you dig the falling-down old building on the pier right near the park's entrance?)

Someone above mentioned the Laurel Ulrich book you put in your sidebar, and now I can't remember if I left a comment about her 2001 book The Age of Homespun when you first announced your work on your new craft book. My apologies if I'm repeating myself, but -- it is so up your alley! Full of all the rich history of handmade, and all about New England too. But I'm guessing if you're reading her new book, you've also seen that one...

[traci]

holy moly that clip is insane!! i noticed that while i was watching i began to steer myself in the direction of the jumpers... what the... good luck with those boys when they become "teenagers" and "raft guides"!

i grew up in new hampshire and it's so nice to see good ol' portsmouth up there. it's about time i made a little trip north too.

[abbyjane]

Yeah! I'm so glad you had a good trip. Thank you for taking the time to see my work. That means so much to me.

I have a show in Rochester, NH, in March and I'm really hoping for a weekend, or even a night and a day, in Portsmouth with Charlie. I know we would have so much fun.

[rachel burgos]

i love your blog! i'm so excited to read more. i'm glad you had a great vacation.
your comment on my recent post made me smile.
hell yeah fugazi!

[Cypress]

Yikes! That clip gave me the roller-coaster-willies. Calvin could probably make his own wingsuit...better keep an extra sharp eye on your stash in case any parapack or mylar go missing. Glad your weekend was fulfilling - here's to many more getaways and lots happy-at-home days in between.

[robin]

Oh, the allure of the East Coast just grows and grows!! Glad you 2 had such a refreshing time!! It sounds just wonderful, Amanda!! And the pictures were stunning! Welcome home. <3

[Lora]

I just love the east coast!! We moved here from KY last year. It's dreamy! :)

[Julie]

Your pictures, as always, were gorgeous, but mostly I just finding myself wanting that nice, dark glass of beer. Looks worthy or a trip to Portsmouth all by itself.