Backpack to Buggy

It has been one year since moving from California to Connecticut.  While adapting to the culture shock, I began to explore and embrace some of what Connecticut and New England have to offer.  Here are my favorite new discoveries:

10. Watching ice flowing down the Connecticut River.
The Connecticut River is amazing anytime of the year, but standing near its banks on a warm winter day watching flats of ice the size of cars float, crash and slip down the swift moving river takes my breath away again and again.

Fish Family Farm Creamery Truck

9. Knipschildt Chocolate with Jersey Cow milk.
Leaving some of the best food in the world available at my twice-weekly, year-round farmers market, I knew there had to be some local gems.  I highly recommend a Chocopologie bar (Dark chocolate, burnt caramel and Hawaiian red sea salt)  washed down with 100% Jersey cow milk from Fish Family Farm Creamery.

8. Farmer’s markets at historic homes.
Would you like some history with your hard neck garlic and macoun apples?

Dancers from the NYCB teaching ballet before a performance at SPAC.

7. Summer ballet at SPAC.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosts the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Philharmonic during the summer as well as a host of other events including the Saratoga Jazz Festival.  We loved watching one of the world’s premier ballet companies for only $10 on a very kid friendly lawn. Who says kids need dumbed down versions of  performing arts?

Mirielle eating blueberries off the bush in Martha's Vineyard

6. Eating blueberries off the bush.
Ker-Plink, Ker-Plank, Ker-Plunk.  While the wild blueberries from the Halifax Saturday market are the best I ever had, eating berries right off the bush on Martha’s Vineyard was pretty amazing (and delicious).

Top 10 Things I Discovered in New England During My First Year, #1-5