Drum Roll Please...

.....Thanksgiving was A***W***E***S***O***M***E!!!!!!!!

In all my wildest dreams, my deepest prayers, and in my fondest hopes, I never expected my first time meeting Beloved's mom to have gone as perfectly as it did. After all that was said and done, there was no drama, no hurtful words...nothing of the sort. I had questions, oh boy did I have questions! What brought about the turn around? Is this really my life? Am I dreaming? Are you the same person I remeber from pre 08-08-08???

But, I didn't ask the questions. I allowed myself to bask in the warmth and acceptance (finally) that I felt, and that we felt as a couple. It was wonderful. It was delicious. I savored the sweet taste and let the warm molasses of love wash over me.

Connecticut is pretty much as idyllic of a New England state as possible. Driving around, seeing where my love grew up, I was impressed by how different that part of the U.S. is compared to the rest of the states. Everything is antique, history, and old. Amazing.

As bleak as the landscape looked with the bare trees and crisp late autumn wind, the residents still looked for color on their homes. That usually came in the form of colored front doors. There were red ones (lots of them), green, blue, and even pink and some purple doors. Very colorful. I love color. I wish I could have taken some more pics of the doors in town, but Beloved wouldn't let me. Party pooper. I was able to snap a few quick shots of colorful, unique front doors. Love my camera baby!

Sorry babe, can't help myself!

In CT, they do NOT joke around when it comes to holiday decorations. One day there was Tom Turkey in all his puffed out glory on Ed's sister's lawn...

Leftovers weren't cold yet and there was Frosty already waving at passing cars...
If you've ever seen "Pizza Paradise" on the Travel Channel, then you've heard of Pepe's Pizza, Frank & Filomena Pepe's famous restaurant established in 1925. Ed just HAD to get there for a pie and what a pie it was! Soooo delicious! No fanfare, nothin' fancy, served on a cookie sheet...pure pizza heaven.

Here's Beloved waiting for Pepe's to open....mind you, we had just landed that morning...

Ed's Auntie A is a SERIOUS cook. Good God!!! This is the pumpkin pie she baked from SCRATCH....doesn't this pie look like something straight out of a magazine!?

Beloved's sister, besides running around caring for her triplets, also somehow manages to find time to create miniature masterpieces of history....here is her display of Henry VIII and his six wives. If you know your history and what was worn throughout each period of English queens, you'll know how exact these details are......very impressive.

One of the greatest highlights of our trip to meet the in-laws was the unforgettable dinner/party that was given in our honor by Beloved's parents. His father gave a speech that left a giant lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. it was also the very first time in over a decade that every single member of his family in the same place at one time. A panoramic picture of the family was taken, and I was in it. I WAS IN IT. Blogistan, these words I type will never capture how much that meant to me. I was so happy. To commemorate our happiness, I subjected us to our patented "self-portrait":

Our cake was from Luigi's Bakery. Chocolate banana nut cake. Have I ever mentioned I LOOOOVE cake? Mmmm, cake. It was a beautiful cake. I love cake. Those of you who know me, you already know that I live for "deflowering" a cake. Any cake. Anywhere. Any time. I love to take a sugar flower or a swipe of frosting before anyone gets to the cake, and I usually do it undercover. I've NEVER been caught. I love cake, in case I haven't mentioned it.

My own cakes are not even safe. Trust me. I took a giant swipe of our cake's frosting off the left side. I also ate one of the silver leaves, but had to spit it out when I realized it was tin foil. Blegh!

Another huge highlight of our trip was that I fell head over heels in love with Beloved's sister's triplets. I'll refer to them as Tinkerbell, Batman and Robin. They're 8 years old and they stole my heart. Thieves! They're lucky they're so adorable. Here is their Lego rendition of Uncle Eddie and Auntie KBL:

Auntie A made meatloaf sandwiches for our flight back to San Diego, gave us pistachio chips, and a clementine. Auntie R's contribution was delicious Italian chocolate and "everything but the kitchen sink" cookies. We have never feasted so well on an airplane...

Ed's Aunti G builds the most amazing, most detailed, and most fascinating miniature dollhouses. Since I'm not "allowed" to post those pics, I'll post pics of the colorful doors of CT instead....here's one:

...and another (with stars!)...
We were literally glowing with happiness upon our return. It was so hard for me to say goodbye to the triplets. I miss them very much. Our first day back, Beloved brought me flowers for no reason, which is the best reason, if you ask me. As I sit here typing, the wonderous scent of tuberoses surround me.
I love this man. I love him even more when he puts up with my incessant love for my camera. Even when we're at the airport.
I also love my boys, who were cared for and loved by Lynne and Amos and Katie while we were away. We should all be so lucky. CT was fabulous and I had a great time, but return to my sanctuary was great. As I was drifting off to sleep on our first night back, I heard the click-click of my golden babies' nails on the wood floor as they filed into the bedroom to settle in at my side for the night. Home, at last.