Last summer my friend Jenny asked if I wanted to go to New York for two weeks with her and her family, all expenses paid. Uhm, is that even a question? This is the same Jenny who baked a cake every Thursday to share with her friends and complimented me almost daily for no reason at all other than her inherent sweetness. I was blown away by her generosity, and after checking with my parents, I was on a flight to her family's three story rental home in the small, idyllic community of Chautauqua (looks weird, but it's pronounced Sha-taw-kwa). Her grandmother told me that when Jenny was a little girl she would have dreams of going back east and spending her summers there, and I now realize why. I find myself day dreaming of the magical land of delicious baked goods, after dinner walks, charming gift shops, and spending hours on a porch just reading and resting. It's a place where all your worries can be put on hold. Everyone is nice and relaxed and content to spend their day doing anything their heart desires. I found myself missing it even more lately, so I thought I'd share some of the photos I took while I was there.
Church service right across from the house we stayed in.
Small library in the main courtyard.
Lake at sunset.
Cute ducks in the lake :)
Eating ganache like the dessert junkie I am...
Baking an amazing six layer cake. After the peach cobbler, cookies, and ice cream were consumed, of course.
Maybe it's because I was only around 9 the last time I went to NY, but my memories of Central Park and the city are hard pressed to compare to my experience in the low-key countryside of Chautauqua. If I ever get the opportunity to go back I would in a heart beat.
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