Tag: Pioneer Valley

“I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived…”

by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments on “I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived…”
“… And when it’s time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift.”

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

While many of us typically dread Monday mornings (I still have to work today while many others can enjoy and embrace a long October weekend!)– this week is shaping up to be a fun and easy one- so I’m not too distressed at having to return to my office so bright and early. I have tomorrow and Wednesday off to spend some time in Boston, catch a Bon Iver show, and enjoy the company of someone near and dear to me. Thursday is my half-day at work, and then on Friday I get to attend an afternoon seminar until the end of the day- which keeps me away my desk for a few hours at the least!

Not all that bad, really!

And despite this past weekend being filled with my other jobs/obligations, errands, and preparing for the days ahead- I still managed to take a couple of hours to go leaf peeping and get some hiking in at a nearby reservoir while the sun was high- and caught some brilliant photos along the way!

Early to Mid-October is usually when the foliage is at it’s peak “pretty-ness” here in Massachusetts- and despite a few hotter than normal days at the beginning of the month and some recent torrential downpours- it looks like the leaves are changing right on schedule this season!

You can see larger versions of the photos below by simply clicking on them!

So, so unbelievably beautiful- and there’s still some that trees haven’t even started changing yet!

A little later on this week I’ve got a recipe for a fun take on miniature pecan pies (a hint- it involves cinnamon buns!) as well as a recap of my time in and around Boston! I’m so excited!

But until then, I’ve got to really take on the morning grind so that everything gets done before I head on out to the city tomorrow afternoon!

Have a great day off to those of you not working- and good luck to the rest of us who are! Here’s to a good week ahead!

xx

– Ashley –

Old Fashioned Autumn…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Old Fashioned Autumn…

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

It’s hard to believe that September is already winding down considering it feels like it only just started- and the first day of Fall was only a couple of days ago! While October is undoubtedly my favorite month out of the year and Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday- I love those early Autumn, breezy mid-September days we’re lucky enough to get here in New England. There’s something really special about them. The fairs, the farm stands, the first signs of pumpkins and apples. It’s magic!

This past weekend, when the temperatures gradually started to cool as the sun was setting after a couple of hotter-than-expected afternoons- I took a quick drive over to Historic Deerfield to stroll, stop by their outdoor Fall craft fair– and try to photograph some of those hints of Fall in what is one of the most picturesque locations in Massachusetts.

The leaves are just starting to change- some are already falling onto the ground- and with the sun shining and the lovely Autumnal displays outside some of the historic homes- it made for some great pictures and a wonderful afternoon overall!

This coming weekend I’d let to set off to to the Mohawk Trail to really capture the bright reds, oranges, yellows and golden tones I’ve noticed during my drives to/from the area. The trail is truly one of the prettiest backdrops for leaf peeping!

But that’s after I share my September ’19 favorites this coming Friday- and after I get some work done from home today, first!

Enjoy your “Hump Day”, everybody! Let’s push through to Friday together!

xx

– Ashley –

Notes From The Big E…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Notes From The Big E…

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! We made it!

As much as I would love nothing more than to just sleep through this entire weekend since I am absolutely wiped out from these past couple of days (not including work!)– there’s still plenty of things left on my September “To-Do” list I  want to see through before this month begins winding down- and this coming weekend is the time to do it!

One thing I managed to scratch off my September/Fall Bucket List this past Wednesday was popping by The Big E for a late afternoon/evening filled with the unhealthiest (and delicious) fair foods, carnival rides and bizarre attractions. It’s pretty much a must-do for New Englanders- often a tradition for my friends and I- and I wanted to make sure I could enjoy it for a few hours while the weather was nice and the sun was shining!

Now that I live in the Valley, getting to The Big E takes no time at all- so I was able to park and walk in without having to sit in post-work-pre-dinner traffic for hours on end (another less favorable tradition…)

I had a lovely time squealing over cute farm animals, eating half my body weight in Friskie Fries (and fried Oreos!) and soaking up the sunset amid all the flashing lights and rickety rides while simultaneously wondering whether or not I needed any of the unusual gadgets and accessories vendors were pitching in the exhibit halls.

Naturally, I snapped some photos along the way…

Such a nice way to spend a Wednesday afternoon.

The Big E is up and running through September 29th if you want to check it out for yourself!

Next week on Blondie Birdie- I’ve got my annual Autumn playlist ready to go for those in need of a dreamy soundtrack, more photos from my early Fall adventures- and some of my favorite things from this past September (and believe me- there’s a lot!)

But until then- enjoy your weekend, everybody!

xx

– Ashley –

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice…

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

While the thought of returning to work after such a great weekend isn’t exactly ideal- I take comfort in the fact that I’ll be heading to The Big E in a couple of days for some early-Autumn fun- so at least that will break up the humdrum of daily office life. I am more than ready for some fried Oreos, hot apple cider- and carnival rides that may or may not have passed “mandatory” safety inspections!

This past weekend was also filled with some early-Autumn fun. After hosting my show on Indie617 and performing in Salem on Saturday night- I made a point to spend my Sunday at Red Apple Farm to pick some apples, find myself the perfect pumpkin, and indulge in all the farm-fresh snacks I could find- all with my beloved little Oliver in tow!

It was a beautiful, sunny- and comfortably cool afternoon. Oliver was completely fascinated by the apple trees, the tractors that were driving by, and the goats and piglets the farm has available for viewing/feeding/petting. I’m pretty sure he’d be okay if I were to adopt a pet pig in the future. They’d probably get along famously.

Naturally, I picked up some apple dumplings, some all natural peanut butter and some homemade strawberry-apple jam before we left for the afternoon- and I’m excited to dive into all of it in the coming days!

But of course, I’ve got to dive into my caseload at work, first- and make sure I stay ahead so I can get an early jump on this coming weekend!

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful start to your week. I’ll be back on Wednesday with a pretty fantastic appetizer recipe that takes no time at all to whip up!

xx

– Ashley –

“Bring Me Back to Autumn…”

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on “Bring Me Back to Autumn…”

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I hope those of you who were able to celebrate the long weekend enjoyed it immensely. I personally had a wonderful couple of days off that were spent outdoors despite the occasional drizzle and thunderstorm- and also catching up on some much-needed sleep. Although I’m back at work bright and early this morning- I’m feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day and the remainder of this short work-week!

With this past Sunday marking the beginning of September, the midst of Labor Day Weekend- and the unofficial [official] end to the Summer- I dove headfirst into the Autumnal activities. I had my first Fall-inspired coffee beverage (a pumpkin pie chai, courtesy of Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters) and made the short journey to Phillipston, Massachusetts to check out the Appleseed Country Fair at Red Apple Farm.

A friend had actually been the one to tell me about the fair- as I hadn’t even known the farm existed- but I’m certainly glad she did because the place is adorable and filled with all the apples, pumpkins, sunflowers and homemade, farm-fresh snacks/sweets a Fall-loving girl could ask for.

The fair itself was very busy but fun- with hay rides, animals to pet, tractors to pose for photos with, hot air balloon lifts, live music and plenty of vendors and food. The farm is also dog-friendly- which means Oliver can join me in a couple of weeks when I go back as there will be less of a crowd so I can pick apples for baking and pumpkins for decorating. He’s going to love it.

And while I wanted to stock up on all the jams, natural peanut butter, kettle corn popcorn and apple dumplings I could carry- I opted for some apple cider to enjoy at home and apple cider doughnuts to share with my mom. They. Are. Delicious.

Yesterday, after running some errands and cooking up a seafood recipe (which will be on the blog this coming Thursday!)– I made a point to swing by Patriot Place at Gillette Stadium to snag a new t-shirt for the upcoming Patriots season and do a bit of window-shopping before a pretty significant thunderstorm rolled through the area and I had to take cover in my car during the subsequent torrential downpour.

Catching an actual game at Gillette this season is on my “Fall 2019 Bucket List”- so here’s hoping I’ll be back there sooner than later!

And the new shirt will definitely be making an appearance on my Instagram this week. It’s really nice!

But with quite a bit of work in front of me and a pretty busy couple of days ahead- I’m off to get things sorted and done early so I can enjoy this coming weekend (and the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival) properly!

Enjoy your day, everyone!

xx

– Ashley –