Globe-trotting Grovers: Our 5th Month Bemus Anniversary

Another month (another week at we are at our 6th month anniversary!!) we have yet again enjoyed living in New York, and you know what, we love it more each month! We love our house, the change of seasons, the weather, and all the new activities that come with it. Put it simply, we like change. Since we decided to pick up and move our entire life to the East Coast, change has been our mantra. It can be scary at first after you've had the same routine and lived in the same climate and region for soooo many years (at least for me..... raised, schooled, worked, married etc. etc. in California.) But once change is embraced, it can be SO good for the soul. The best thing about the change of seasons, is the change in wardrobe, change in daily activities, and new things to look forward to. You kind of seize the moments more, and really enjoy when the sun shines, when it rains, when the temperature goes up, then down...... never bored and never a dull moment. We've probably been lucky, but since we've moved here we experienced a beautiful summer with very mild humidity, and a colorful crisp fall. Temperature drops have been gradual, we are easing into Winter, and very excited for the snow! They are reporting another mild Winter, but we shall see..... we want snow!!! (update: we got our first snow this weekend! More on this in another post!)

The colorful leaves have fallen, the trees look naked and skeleton-like without the leaves, and you can see through what once was private and guarded. We found out there is another house behind us that we didn't even know about!!! Because of the forests and trees that separate properties, you just never see the other houses! What great privacy, right? Our house provides us with front row seats for sunset viewing, and also views of some pretty exciting storms (Hurricane Sandy). One month we look out of our windows and see luscious green trees, another month colorful orange, yellow, and red trees, then we watch the falling leaf showers on the rainy windy days, and this month we wake up to frost in the grass, bare trees, and as a result so much more light and sun shine through. Fall has beauty and vulnernability all rolled into one.

My favorites about our NY Fall 2012 have been the toasty cuddling at home with my boys, forest bike rides, nature walks, watching the boys jump around in leaf piles, Mommy & Jax time exploring the Chautauqua area while Taj enjoys his pre preschool, our friend play dates and get-togethers. The harvest wine tasting, nights out and partying with Brad, and wearing leggings, jeggings, Uggs, and comfy sweaters! Did I mention how much of a fan I am of Fall/ Winter clothing? I just might like it more than Spring/ Summer fashions!! Shocker, right?! My favorite is the frost-free down fill vests! Never got to wear those in Southern California! Keeps your chest warm but your arms free, loooove this! And a surprise to many, I have turned into a wino and coffee drinker! A nice glass of fine red wine compliments any meal, especially before, during, and after you cook it! LOL As far as coffee drinks go, there's nothing like going through a drive-thru Starbucks, and sipping on a warm Chai Latte in 30-40 degree weather (Fahrenheit). Soups, teas, and hot dishes even seem to taste better when temperatures cool outside. Have you ever noticed that? [insert the aroma of crock pot cooking] and it feels like Fall!

This past month our tummies have found FIVE restaurants/ cafes to indulge in over and over: Coppola's Pizzeria (for our weekly calzones, and occasional pizza), Jones 212 Bakery for delicious homemade breakfast/ lunch specials, Ryder's Cup cafe for those aromatic coffee drinks and juices, Phoenix Palace chinese food, and our favorite date night hot spot Forte in Jamestown (they even have a sushi menu!) Obviously not an extensive list of dining options as in California, but we think quality beats out quantity anyway :)

As far as our daily life goes, we continue to have the same schedule as in California. Mommy & Me classes, storytimes at the library, and a pre preschool Play Group at the YMCA that Taj attends 1-2x a week. We have just as many friends (if not more) and playdates. The main difference is we have less car time, drive time, and NO time spent sitting in traffic. The time spent sitting in a car driving in traffic in CA, is now spent more efficiently having fun and playing outdoors! I also cook more. (Sing with me......"Call me a gourmet chef maybe......baby,") but seriously, I have made some pretty damn good meals from scratch! The boys play more.....whether inside (hooray! for our fancy baby gate at the stairwell!), or outside. We continue to be social butterflies. Who would have thought a small town could be so jam packed with events, parties, and exclusive clubs (not the techno bar kind, but the platform tennis club, book club, mommy club, country club, and wine club kind). There's something for every member of the family. There's always someone to hang out with, someone's house to get together at and celebrate something, anything, and you don't even need a reason....

Here are some more photos of our 5th month:

Josh's 40th Birthday