Maine.

Earlier this fall, Todd and I drove up the coast with no real plans in mind besides making it to Portland, Maine in time for dinner. We stopped in Portsmouth, New Hampshire first, where we poked around the cute downtown area and escaped the drizzle in a little pub. It had stopped raining by the time we made it to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, so we took our time exploring the tacky beach shops then continued up the coast, stopping at Crescent Beach State Park and Cape Elizabeth. We reached the Portland Head Light just as the sun was setting and an old park ranger was shooing everyone away, then drove into Portland for dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. My favorite thing about this trip? Realizing how incredibly diverse this small patch of New England coastline is. One minute I felt like we were in Ireland; the next, Florida.

cabin in the woods.

Todd and I had to admit that driving 12 hours was a bit far for a four-day weekend—especially since we'll be doing it again in a few weeks—so we decided to stick closer to home for Thanksgiving this year. We knew we didn't want to stay home and be lonely all weekend, so we rented a teensy little cabin on Cape Cod. Sadly, I don't think this monster storm is bringing us any snow, but I'm still excited to get cozy with a stack of books, movies, and magazines. If anyone has Cape Cod recommendations (specifically Provincetown), please leave a comment!

winterizing.

I've always loved Boston, but for years I said I'd never move here because of the winters. Then I changed my mind. Being an obsessive planner — I always like to have a five-year plan, a 10-year plan, etc. — this change was a bit disconcerting. But it's also exciting to know that I can surprise myself. Who knows where I'll be in five years? I really can't say.

So here I am, prepping for my first New England winter. The autumn leaves are blowing away fast now, and it's pitch black when I get out of work. I thought this would be depressing, but I find myself more energized than ever as I watch the lights come on in downtown's tallest buildings. I've always loved a skyline at night. It makes me want to take a long walk through the city, even though it's dark and cold and the wind makes me want to cry a little. The other night, I bypassed the warm tunnels of the T and walked straight through downtown, across Boston Common, and down Newbury Street to meet Todd for dinner.

I'm stocking up on fleece-lined leggings, sensible boots, and crock pot recipes. I'm winterizing the house and car and piling the bed and couch with blankets, and we even bought the dog a coat (why should he get cold and wet on walks?). I'm obsessively tracking the first snow, which might come as soon as next week. Call me crazy, but for the first time in my life I'm excited for winter.