Mother's Day in Northwest Connecticut
My family and I moved up to the Northwest corner in early 2019 and we have been in love ever since. People always ask me what brought me up here but it’s a long story. I’ll tell you here!!
My college friend, Laura, lived in Kent, CT after college. After we graduated, I would come up and visit her all the time. Her then boyfriend (now husband) was a racer at limerock, so the Memorial day/July 4th visits were pretty regular. These were my first introductions to Connecticut besides the times I went to Hartford for a project back in the day (totally different up here).
our son ezekiel on moving day, January 2019
Through the years, I would visit Laura, and feel at peace sitting in her backyard, watching her hummingbirds, sitting around a bonfire at night and dazing at the stars above us. The northwest corner of Connecticut is nothing short of magical. I told Laura how lucky she was to live her and how I would love to move up here…move anywhere honestly, away from NYC. However, CT was a short drive away from my family in NYC so it felt the most practical after we had a child. A few years ago, when there was a job opening at the architecture firm she was working for (and knowing how fed up I was with the city), she put in a good word for me, and the rest is history!
We moved up with our 1 year old in tow, acclimated ourselves into our lovely neighborhood, and got used to the gorgeous Summers/Springs/Falls/Winters (Winter is so ugly and dirty in NYC, I have fallen in love with the season again up here) in this upper northwest corner of CT. Now, living in Falls Village, we truly feel blessed every day to be in this gorgeous area and enjoy seeing friendly faces and visiting the local shops around us on a daily basis.
For Mother’s day, I thought I would highlight some of the places I would go to (or hint to my husband to go to), for a beautiful day up here in Northwest, Connecticut. Let us know if you try any of these ideas out!
1. Great Barrington Bagel Company - Great Barrington, MA
If you are a born and raised New Yorker like me, then you’re likely a bagel connoisseur. It’s just a rite of passage! These bagels are the closest I’ve found to NYC bagels up here, and the Great Barrington Bagel Company also makes the best breakfast sandwiches. If you’re having breakfast at home, buy a dozen bagels, or order some breakfast sandwiches for breakfast in bed for your significant other 😊 P.S. You can order online!
2. Falls Village Café - Falls Village, CT
If you’re looking for a local breakfast or lunch spot with beautiful scenery and laid back atmosphere, go to the Falls Village Café. Owned by a lovely young Hungarian couple, this spot offers both breakfast and lunch meals that will satisfy your every need. This is the type of place where the barista knows your order and asks you how you are on a daily, and that’s what I love about going here!
3. Mountainside Café - Falls Village, CT
This local brunch spot offers decadent, flavorful meals and farm to table, fresh ingredients. I promise you, everything you have here will be delicious. It also helps that supporting them means you are supporting a greater cause! I always go for the specials because they seem to never fail me, so dare if you wish to try something new!
4. Blackberry River Bistro - Canaan, CT
Order and pick up some cookie or macaroon boxes from my friend Audrey at the Blackberry River Bistro! I also consider myself a macaroon connoisseur, and I have to say these are so fresh, and delicious! Do yourself or your wife a favor and order a sweet treat for every sweet thing she does as a mother.
5. Honeychurch Home - Lakeville, CT
What’s Mother’s day without flowers? I love flowers, and whenever I get the urge, I go to none other than Honeychurch Home. The owner, Carolyn, has a special eye for making floral arrangements and her selection is unmatched! If you just choose a couple of flowers you like, she can put together something so unexpectedly beautiful for an affordable price. Not to mention, the rest of the shop is filled with homewares and vases that will make your floral arrangement shine. I always refer people to her Honeychurch Home for flowers and try to get a bi-weekly bundle for myself. Fellas, don’t go to the grocery store, for the LOVE of God!
6. Innisfree Garden - Millbrook, NY
I wanted to include a place to decompress in, for all those mom’s out there that just need a restorative day off. As many hiking trails that are up here (also a great alternative), I though a garden could be most regenerating. The Innisfree garden is a gorgeous, well-manicured and designed garden that sets your soul at peace. They have upcoming events in April, and you’re able to visit freely in the month of May. Don’t do yourself a disservice. Have your partner take care of the kids while you forest and nature bathe in this garden.
photo courtesy of new england home magazine
