Although we had an almost unbearable three day heat-and-humidity wave just last week, this morning the air is crisp and the breeze is cool. Fall is my favorite season, but this year I’m hard-pressed to say goodbye to summer. It could be because this summer was full of travels, good food, and more importantly, people I love.
So take a moment with me to say a final farewell to summer, as I subject you to a photo journal of my summer travels.
Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford, PA:
I was obsessed with these bronze sculptures placed throughout the property. Especially this pig:
New Jersey Adventures with Jules:
Locally-raised pork chops, locally-grown potatoes with Peppermeister’s own hot peppers.
(These were the best pork chops I’ve ever had.)
Counting Crows in Atlantic City:
Philly:
A completely natural pose on the museum steps
My favorite Van Gogh. Doesn’t it make you want to take a long, cozy nap or just cry?
In the Delawhizzle (translation: In Delaware):
Domaine Hudson in Wilmington for a birthday dinner
This couscous tasted JUST like Stove Top stuffing, in the best way possible.
What? You think my costume requires an explanation?
Chicago (my kind of town):
Spare ribs at Sunda. Thank you, Food and Wine Hedonist, for the recommendation.
U.S. Open, Queens, NY:
Of course the U.S. Open offers local, grass-fed, GMO-free concession products. It’s classy like that. (I spent about $365 on water alone that day – Evian, naturally.)
I still own a 1994 Andre Agassi calendar. I prefer the long-haired (and high) Andre.
The Williams sisters, killing it (loudly) in women’s doubles.
Newport, RI:
All across New England:
New England Corned Beef Hash. The. Best. Breakfast. You. Will. Ever. Eat.
Farewell, Summer. Thank you for being so full of beauty, warm sun, cocktails, and inspiring food. Until we meet again. . .
Rachel's Table 
What a great summer! Thanks for sharing. Let me know if you’re ever in STL. We’ll find some good grub and beer. I promise.
Seems like Jules and I need to take a road trip…
Gorgeous pictures, especially of Newport (you’re making me all misty for home with those). And also, praise everything that is the corned beef hash breakfast! I had totally forgotten about that gem I’ve been away for so long, and you have brought me back to the light. Guess who is going to trash her kitchen this weekend trying to recreate that dish?
Newport is so, so beautiful. I can’t get over the water and the grass and the mansion gardens.
I’ve never made corned beef hash before, but the photo is from a place that makes it in house. It’s the best I’ve ever had. Let me know how it goes! You are ambitious!! It can’t be too hard, right??
Summer’s here are always deceptive, because it gets cool, then heats up again until mid-October; teaching, of course, summer kinds of slams to a halt regardless of weather, though. This was the first summer with the baby, so there’s plenty of memories – best one might be her splashing in the edge of a lake up in the mountains.
I taught first grade for a few years and I always loved the fall field trips, because I could actually enjoy the cooler, yet sunny weather. And who doesn’t want to go on a hay ride with 24 six-year-old, am I right?
Holy balls, that looked like an awesome summer! Especially those N.E. pictures… Our summer was consumed by our recent move, so no fun trips. But next year – watch out! Glad you enjoyed Sunda…
New England is beautiful beyond belief in the summer. I ate at a few other places in Chicago, but only had room for so many pictures. I thought Sunda and those pork belly bao buns deserved to be in the spotlight.
Can I spend my next summer vacation with you? That looked like fun!
Of course! Plan to be exhausted by the end of the summer, though!
I didn’t realize I had such a kick-ass summer until I started choosing photos for this post.
Feel like I was there.
That’s because…i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart)…for some reason I thought an e e cummings reference would be funny, but that came across a little creepy.
e-stalker.
good one. 🙂
Whoa, that New England breakfast looks hashtastic. Glad you enjoyed the porkchops. I was sure to give our rave reviews to the man who lovingly raised/ slaughtered those tasty piggies.
It’s hash-errific! A New England tradition, but like Taylor’s pork roll.
That piggie farmer deserves our sincerest thanks.
I can see why you are not ready to say goodbye! What wonderful photos, they capture all the fun you had. I am not ready to say goodbye either even though I too, love Fall.
Thanks!
Today is a perfect fall day, but I keep thinking about that lobstah roll and those summer cocktails. I need to make an apple pie – that should help!
It really is a shame you didn’t get to do much this summer. My goodness, woman! These are all amazing photos – it was such a treat looking at them! I LOVE the picture of you in the window, and you and Joe kissing. And the ‘natural’ pose is GREAT.
“Doesn’t it make you want to take a long, cozy nap or just cry?” HA!
P.S. – We look so nautical. I’m framing that and putting it next to my bed right now.
P.P.S. – I keep ‘liking’ this post, and then WordPress ‘undoes’ the like. The same thing is happening every time I check the box in my Settings to keep receiving email notifications. Does WordPress start messing with you if you fail to post for over a week?
Who knows what WordPress thinks. Maybe they are trying to separate us because we are so clever and amazing – they don’t want us taking over. Yeah, that MUST be it.
My summer was awesome – or so these pictures tell me. And this doesn’t even showcase some of the other awesome things I did (clears throat)!!!
I’ve already exchanged every photo in my house for that very photo, Jules. It’s like a nautical, bloggy friend love fest around here. As it should be.
Van Gogh gets me. I spend at least 20 minutes looking at that painting when I go to the museum. They had a Van Gogh exhibit last year–first time his European paintings were shown in the U.S. Truly amazing. I may have cried.
Love this photo journal. You are completely adorkable in the Star Wars get up.
You and Jules are absolute cuties and Mr Rache is not too bad either.
The food porn is truly rocking my world and making me super jealous (and hungry)
Looks like you had an amazing time 🙂
The food porn is my favorite part, Daile!
And thank you for acknowledging the costume made for a 10-year-old boy that I wore for no reason at all on a hot summers day in July. You get me.
And ps. Happy freakin’ birthday to the sauciest blog minx I know xx
Whoa, SO much to comment on here! The photos of you in the window, you two kissing…the giant pig…the C3PO costume….all very entertaining. Looks like you had a busy summer, Miss RP.
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
It WAS busy and full of beautiful food, but more importantly, new and amazing friends!
I’m exhausted from the summer. Can I just watch New Girl reruns and drink coffee until Spring arrives?
Thank you for the birthday wishes! Virgos unite!
Looks like you had an amazing summer! New England is lovely.
On an unrelated note, I found this on Pinterest just now and thought of you. Have you seen this one?
You went to ALL THE PLACES! Loved all your photos and am just a tad bit jealous you stopped by Chicago, my former adopted hometown.
Of ALL THE PLACES, Chicago was my favorite place. Did you live there? At the airport on the way home, I was looking at real estate listings – THAT’S how much I loved Chicago.
Pingback: Farewell summer | Marly And June
Delicious food and stunning pictures…i liked it.
Thanks, Tyana!
You look extremely happy – and impressed with that pepper.
Yes, I gazed upon dozens of awesome pics and yet, that one grabbed my attention. What can i say? I’m a guy through and through….
By the way, C-3PO has never looked better!
Think I spoke too soon about being a gentleman. haha. 😉
It was such a fun summer! And thank you for commenting about the C-3PO costume. Nothing is more fun than wearing a child-sized, polyester and plastic costume and attending a Star Wars party in the middle of summer.
I appreciate you letting me off so easy, Rachel.
You are a kind and merciful soul with a great sense of humor.
I may be surrounded by pastors, but I’m not a nun.
Well said.
I like you even more now!