Wow! I've had so many sunny moments this week that it's just spilling out of me.
(I've, also, had a few cloudy ones but that's okay!)
If you love chocolate, fabric, a dash of literature and/or architecture, this is the post for you!
(I have quite a few photos, though; so, you'd better do some scrolly finger stretches and warm ups!!! =])
What we need to do here is to focus for just a short moment on the word:
Ecstasy!
The online thesaurus succinctly defines it as bliss.
Got it in your mind? Okay ......
I went out this week! Thursday.
My mom is here, visiting from California. (I think that it was really the puppies that drew her and my dad out here.)
We went for an adventure. An indulgent adventure.
This is the entrance to L.A. Burdick's and that pod hanging over the sign is a representation of a cocoa bean. This bodes well, no?!
Ecstasy = beatitude, blessedness, elation, felicity
I love going to lunch (or dinner) at Burdick's!
delight!
It's charming!
joyfulness
They have delicious gourmet cuisine and they have....
euphoria
dessert!
enthusiasm
My mom and I shared the fourth special down - the Flounder Meuniere.
Before the flounder, however, we had a salad that I've been dreaming about for 5 months (since the last time I had it, in fact)!
Warm Goat Cheese Salad with endive, watercress, walnuts and a honey drizzle.
delectation
That little fried ball is the herbal goat cheese. It is light as a feather with subtle melting flavors that are in perfect complement with the peppery greens and the honey drizzle.
Absolutely incredible!
After the flounder, we, um, well, what do you think?
We had dessert, of course!
Which one would you pick?
delirium
We got the opera cake.
exaltation
The opera cake is espresso soaked sponge cake layered with a coffee butter cream, topped with chocolate glaze.
Their decor is both romantic and whimsical and practical (open shelving) at the very same time.
inspiration
They have multitudes of wall sconces and chandeliers and very few of them match ~ I love it!
This one was over my mom's shoulder.
Your might just notice the picture of the two sweet mice below it. This is because of something that was on the other side of this very wall.
They sell these signature chocolate mice....
Extreme gladness!
....in these boxes....
....on this counter....
....by this very pretty shop girl....
In this amazing chocolate store.
(obviously, selling chocolate - not made of)
fervor
trance
All of this is in the very quaint village of Walpole, New Hampshire.
I really like this Greek Revival style house with a Georgian style door frame for some reason. The color and moldings, perhaps?
(but not the best photo of it. I wish that the front door was closed.)
It's right across the street from Burdick's.
cool!
This gorgeous Italianate is next door.
A federal house with a Queen Anne porch.
You just might want to click in to get a closer view at the details.
This house made my heart thump as we drove near to it because of the history attached to it. It was owned by Louisa May Alcott's aunt. (Authoress of Little Woman and my coming of age book, Eight Cousins. She had a huge impact on who I am.) The summer(s?) she spent here made a huge impact on her life. It was a very precious, favorite and formative time in her life! It turned up in her stories in different guises as the happy, healthy place where all is well and people grow strong.
Another Georgian style house.
Then, we went to the Keene Mill End fabric store (now known as New England Fabrics). Being there is like floating in a cloud of gorgeous pattern and fabric. The way they display their wares is really a work of art!
7th heaven
paradise
happiness
inspiration
rhapsody
transport
intoxication
rapture
I'll be back for the brown floral in the middle (above) and the puffy stripe in the middle (below).
What do you think I should make out of them?
parachutes, perhaps?
Yes! Felicity!
I did find some fabric on sale and then, WE WENT TO THE BOOKSTORE!
Life just doesn't get any better than THAT!
(well, you know what I mean!)
heaven!
(I think that I'll use the fabric for a table cloth.)
When we came back, even the steeple of our church looked like a tower on a fairytale french castle.
enchantment
My eyes are swimming with .... happiness!
Enstasy means to 'stand inside the self'; ecstasy means 'to stand outside the ordinary self'.
Best of all, are friends that listen to you twaddle on about the wonderful day you had!
Thanks, Friends!
Love,
Katy Noelle xo
