A Summer of Happy

Rhode Island was surprising. Our two-week stay was fuller and busier than I expected. Something like 45 miles by 35 miles, they sure manage to stuff a lot of goodness into a tiny space. No matter what, I always know Shelton and I will be fine -- a good restaurant, a good view, maybe some music, we're easy to please. But keeping Paisley busy is a task! Our days split like this -- I work the mornings until around noon, giving Shelton and Paisley a few hours together. And he works the rest of the afternoon, while Paisley and I go find something to get us in trouble. I always present it this way, and Paisley always says "Nooooo mom! We're not going to get in trouble!" It's the balance we've struck in this work-from-home, stay-at-home, nanny-free (OMG HELP ME) life we've (temporarily) created for ourselves. So Rhode Island, Providence specifically. I was surprised to find so much to do. And not only that, but accessible and affordable. Denver, for instance, offered TONS to do, if we w ...

Our actual abode was in Cranston, RI, the neighboring town south of Providence, where our good friend Mary let us stay in here *ADORABLE* condo. We actually did more cooking there than we have in just about any other place we've stayed. It had a great kitchen that was fully stocked and it just leant itself to making ourselves super at home. Plus, Paisley's homesickness was showing pretty badly while we were there, and dinners at home seemed to be an easy fix. Still, there were plenty of dinners, lunches, and snacks far from the dining room that are worth raving about and putting in any Rhode Island travel plans you may have. The Lobster Sandwich at Aunt Carrie's THIS WAS EVERYTHING! In fact, I'm going to do a "best of lobster rolls" when we're finished and I'm pretty sure this is already the winner. It was fully loaded with lobster; they didn't skimp at all. Tip: Lobster sandwich has a few more ounces than the lobster roll and they're basically the same otherwise. W ...