I have to start this post with an apology.  Some of you have noticed (and notified me) that I haven’t posted anything since July 30^th and that is true.  I should have realized that having a long stretch staying with friends and family might impede my blogging and posted to that effect so when I stopped, you knew why.  I am sorry I did not do that and am extremely thankful that many of you cared enough to worry about me.  Back when I originally started blogging as I traveled alone, I did so primarily to keep my friends and family aware of where I was.  So, duh…dumb me.

My trip from Providence to Plainville was quite relaxing for most of the trip but then my GPS took me through the city of Hartford where I naturally (for me) got confused.  I am just not good with highways sporting multiple lanes.  But, I got through the city and found my way to this cute town, Plainville, where my good friends and neighbors, Vito and Mary Ellen, live when not in Florida.  I pulled into a community of lovely homes, manicured lawns, mature trees, and beautiful flowers with Mary Ellen’s gardens probably the most impressive.  My pictures of their yard do not do it justice.  They even have their own private bocce ball court!

Their home is magnificent with the layout incredibly thought out.  Vito and Mary Ellen did what most of us would love to do—pick a home in a neighborhood you enjoy, with good “bones”, then redesign the interior to meet your every need.  The layout is so open and inviting, you automatically feel welcomed.  And, they have a full separate apartment downstairs which they stocked with provisions for both Chloe and I – treats for each of us!

Adding to this, the yard!  Gorgeous plantings, fencing, pool, and, to Chloe’s utter delight, a yard she could run around in and a chipmunk who lives under their patio.  Chloe was especially appreciative.

Mary Ellen took me on a tour of the Farmington area where I saw some of the most elite institutions in the country—Miss Porter’s School (where Jacqueline Kennedy attended), the Farmington Polo Club, elite country clubs, and huge estates.  This whole area is incredibly beautiful but my favorite part of this visit was Vito and Mary Ellen.

We spent most of our time talking, drank a lot of wine, and stayed up late.  We went out one night to a delightful Italian restaurant and then, the next night, ate some of the best shrimp scampi I have ever tasted (made by Mary Ellen), It was wonderful!  (By the way, Mary Ellen very kindly offered to let me take the leftovers, which I intended to do, but somehow managed to leave without remembering to take them!)