I have to admit, I don’t really care for breakfast.

In fact today I forgot to eat until lunch time. I didn’t miss it.

When I worked, I had a routine where I ate pretty much the same breakfast everyday. Now I eat after I play pickleball or I forget.

But, breakfast on vacation is different.  It’s kind of special.

As I thought back on my fun trip this month to Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut – I did and saw a lot.  I visited with people who are important to me.  And the one thing that stood out was breakfast!

Blueberry pancakes in Maine

So isn’t it cool when our kids grow up and now have their own place.  Buddy and Charlotte had barely finished unpacking when I showed up with Buddy’s brother Matt. A quick family reunion before Matt is off again to travel the world.

Their home is comfy and I slept soundly on the futon.  Wasn’t I in for a nice surprise when breakfast was homemade fresh blueberry pancakes, real maple syrup and coffee in bed!

Love is blueberry pancakes.

Peanut Butter Toast in Connecticut

Growing up I spent many summer days on the north shore of the Long Island sound staying with my cousin Laurie and her extended family.  We have some amazing memories of lazy summers on the beach.

Swimming at high tide to the giant landmark named Whale Rock.

Infamous sailing adventures on a dinghy from the shore which rarely returned to where we started.

And the chores! We had a lot of families staying in the “cottage” and the kids were often assigned a chore list which had something to do with setting the table and cleaning dishes. And if the dishwater wasn’t hot enough, Aunt Jean sure would scold us!

Breakfast was pretty much on our own.  My cousin Laurie and I would occasionally have boxed cereal but toast with peanut butter was the favorite.

So, last week when I visited Laurie in Connecticut she gracefully hosted me in her cottage and then in the morning suggested we have toast and peanut butter.  I was thrilled and it never tasted so good.

Love is toast with peanut butter.

New Hampshire Mornings

Next stop on my New England visit was to cousin Peggy’s home in the historic area of Portsmouth.

The full coffee pot welcomed me as I tiptoed into the kitchen before my cousin woke up. Sipping coffee, I scrolled through my phone.

When my smiling cousin woke she immediately set to making us each a slice of toast with red currant jam, native to New England. Just enough to give us energy for a morning biscuit walk for sweet Lucy, the dog.

Love is red currant jam.

Morning After in Ogunquit, Maine

If you can plan all this around a girl’s weekend, why not.

What a wild scene we enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon in Qgunquit.  Something about a Madonna birthday party Tea Dance then a piano bar. LOL.  We had a good time.

The next morning, I did not feel the need to run off and find breakfast.  The bed was comfy.

So Jenny and Peggy went off looking for food.

They returned. Jenny handed me a delicious scone from the local bakery and another not-decaffineated pod of coffee from the hotel room.

Love is a scone.

Traveling With a Different Eye

One thing I have noticed since becoming a travel advisor is that I don’t quite travel the same way anymore.

I still want to enjoy myself. I still want to sleep in, wander around, find a good restaurant and see what is around the next corner.

But now I also notice things I might not have noticed before.

Where is the hotel located? Is it easy to get around? Would I recommend it to a couple? Would it be good for a girls’ weekend? What kind of traveler would love this place?

On this trip, I had a chance to experience a few places that I can now look at through that lens, including the Anchorage Inn in Ogunquit and the Pemaquid area.

I find myself taking mental notes everywhere I go.

(Next girls’ weekend should be Ogunquit!!)

And honestly, I like it.

I like learning what makes a place special and thinking about who I might send there.

I suppose that’s one of the fun parts of this new chapter. I get to travel for myself, but I am also learning how to help other people find the places that will make their own trips special.

I’m still figuring it all out.

But I’m learning a little more every day.

The Shells Come Home With Me

Of course, I couldn’t travel to Maine without collecting a few shells.

I have a hard time walking along a beach without looking down. What started as a hobby has turned into something much bigger with Coastal Creations by Kristin.

I came home with shells in my bag and more ideas in my head.

The little shell business continues to surprise me. I’m getting special orders for weddings and events, and what began as something I did for fun has become another little business that I really enjoy.

I love that travel feeds that part of me too.

In fact one of my goals for visiting Maine was to come home with 60 oyster shells, and I have exceeded my goal. Now I have some work to do!

Coming Home

And now I’m home for a spell.

After all the travel, visiting family, seeing friends, collecting shells and thinking about where I might send future clients, I’m ready to be home.

I’m trying to make health, family and my home environment a priority.

That last one needs some work.

I have decided it is time to declutter. Not just shove things into a closet and close the door, but really look at what I have and ask myself why I’m keeping it.

Maybe I need to edit my home the way The Home Edit people would. (I listened to a podcast from them while driving around and it hit home)

Need it? Use it? Love it?

Make room for what’s next.

It seems appropriate for this stage of my life. I have spent a lot of time creating new chapters, and maybe my home needs to catch up with me.

So for now, I’m home. I’m catching my breath, playing some golf and pickleball, spending time with Pete, working on my shells and learning more about this travel business.

There will be more trips.

There will be more shells.

There will be more people to visit and places to discover.

But for the moment, I’m happy right here.

And I still don’t really care that much about breakfast. (Although Pete makes a great egg sandwich)

I just seem to love the memories that come with it.

Maybe that’s what this trip reminded me.

Love is blueberry pancakes.

Love is peanut butter toast.

Love is red currant jam.

Love is a scone brought back to you in bed.

Love is breakfast.