Every time we leave a hotel, especially early in the morning, my husband ALWAYS asks me if we are suppose to check out. And for some reason, I think it’s the funniest thing. Seriously, Why? Why would we do this? If it was 1990 and key cards were not invented yet and we had to return an actual room KEY to the front desk, then YES, yes we would need to “check out” of the hotel. Or if we were staying at a bed and breakfast or a country inn or something with only 5 rooms then of course we would, but not at a big chain hotel where the maids are going to knock on your door at 8 am regardless of whether or not you have told the front desk you were leaving.
The little things he does…. sometimes just make me roll my eyes.
I don’t even know what these are…. but I’m pretty sure the boys couldn’t have resisted and they probably bought a dozen for breakfast. Gag.
We left Ohio around 5:15 am and watched the sunrise over the great state of Pennsylvania. And let me tell you Bob, all I could think about was pulling into our driveway before dark. And every time we had to make a pit stop…. I sort of let out a little scream… WE ARE REALLY DOING THIS….. We are MOVING to the east coast. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! 🙂 🙂 🙂
All you Northeast gardeners out there…. Am I going to have to wrap my bushes with burlap to protect them? Is there some sort of trick? Should I be buying burlap by the bolt? Help! What exactly needs to be wrapped and what does not?
Yada yada yada… 12 hours later… WE MADE IT to the house at around 5:30 pm. To be able to pull into the driveway, get out of the car and to be staring back not only at my dream home, but something so unique, so wanted, so well cared for, something that feels like a “home” right out of the gate… was magical.
It’s so quite, so down to earth, and so peaceful here that I feel like I’m in a James Taylor song or something. I can’t imagine I’ll ever run out of projects with this place… and for this girl, who has always needed to keep moving, I know, I am truly home. This is it. This is my forever home.
The previous homeowners left us a bottle of champagne, and cheese and crackers in the fridge as a wonderful welcome gift.
And our realtor showed up about an hour after we arrived with dinner.
And this is the view from my new home office.
Dreams. They really do come true.
So if you have something you are hoping, wishing or working towards…. Make a plan, and HANG IN THERE until you can make it happen. Stay true to the course. Don’t give up on what you want most, and remain focused. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
It’s good to be home.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone,
~Mavis
Jane says
Congratulations! I’m excited for you! Looks like that window was made for your pup!
Cathy says
What state are you in?because there is new England and then there is new england!
Libby says
You wouldn’t be implying something negative about southern New England, would you? I think each of the six states has pros and cons just like anywhere.
Kirsten says
Welcome to New England!!! We’re glad to have you here!
Susan says
So excited for you Mavis! Can’t wait to read your posts! And just in time for spring, too!
Sheila says
Congratulations and welcome home!
Amanda says
Congratulations on reaching your new home
Lisa L says
Congratulations and Welcome home! So happy for you and can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the new home and town. And we definitely need to hear how miss puggle princess likes her new place!! Love to you and yours and may you find peace and happiness in your home for years to come.
Peggy says
That’s so nice! I imagine you had to be up by Erie, PA in your sunrise pic. My son in law is from there and my daughter attended grad school there. Nice little town, and Presque Isle State Park is amazing. Glad you’re home, I’m looking forward to all of your gardening and new house blogs. 🙂 The view from your new office is spectacular! 🙂
Peggy says
Oh, you only need to shield or protect your shrubbery if it’s an area that’s going to be hit with road salt, otherwise, I only grow things that can take the cold. 🙂
E in Upstate NY says
and wind, which is the reason, I think, for this wrapping.
UpstateNyer says
I think it is to strengthen them In Heav snow falls.
Kathleen says
Congratulations, so glad you made it safely to your new home ! I sure have enjoyed following your adventure and look forward to all of your new projects !
Stacie says
So glad to hear you made it to your new HOME!! Can’t wait to hear all about it! I love your snow pictures; I’m so jealous its been in the 80’s this week in Texas.
Debi says
Welcome to your new 4-ever home. I know I did my travel and found my home from taking vacays to the place I always wanted to be. In the winter, I found snow tires to be better than all-weather tires. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so we get the snow.
Libby says
I agree with Debi – Blizzak snow tires are AMAZING. I’ve found no need for four wheel drive living in ME, MA, and CT and lots of driving in VT and NH.
cristinasorina says
I completely agree Libby! We got ours at Costco for the best price. Our minivan that has the set handles better than our four wheel drive in the snow with our Blizzaks
Torry says
Debi, I will never forget the time I was talking to my sister and she said the snow was up to the bottom of the windows. I said, “Wait, when did you move?”
She said she hadn’t moved and I said, “The snow is up to your windows on the second floor?! You need to move home!”
She was living in Calumet-Laurium area then. (Hope I’ve spelled it right.) We now are both living in the town we grew up in. In the Pacific Northwest.
Em says
Congratulations! I bet hanging up your sampler is going to feel great, too!
Barbara says
I am so glad that you had safe travels and made it to your forever home! I LOVE that office view and the window just gives such a cozy feel. Lucy is already at home and I bet she is happy to enjoy freedom after being in the car for days! I can’t wait for all the adventures and pictures to come!!
Kaia says
My husband doesn’t even ask if we are supposed to check out..according to him, it’s a must do! I’m like no, we just leave the cards in the room and go but nooo, we must stop by the front desk and tell them we are leaving, as expected We haven’t been married a whole year yet, so I’m still hopeful that he will change (ha!)
Dena says
I have found that some ‘unexpected’ charges that make it onto my bill, can best be dwelt with, in person, at an in-person check out, rather than via a phone call when you are 100s of miles away. E.g., items removed out of the refrigerator (where everything is so pricey!), missing towels, a different rate charged than what you were quoted at check in, etc. Agreed, some things may be charged after you leave that requires a phone call, but much better to do (initially) everything in person.
Jennifer says
Agreed. One time we didn’t check out in person and the hotel charged us for two days we weren’t even there. It was crazy trying to prove we didn’t stay those days. Had to find receipts for gas stations and other hotels to show we’d kept traveling, to get our money back.
Tamara says
It takes one minute to hand the key cards to the manager. Comment on our stay. Pick up our “to go” breakfast bags. Human contact in our crazy world. But I am horribly old school!
So glad you & your family arrived safe and sound! Sending you Best Wishes for much happiness and joy and many years in your home!
Kristina says
Oh, well done! Welcome home.
Patty P says
I’m glad that you made it home (and that there was snow there to welcome you)! I’m glad that you found your forever home! I look forward to hearing all about your new adventures!
Marlena says
Congratulations and welcome to the east coast! Looks like you have an amazing new home. I protect my newly planted (as of that year) bushes and trees with burlap. I also make sure that what I plant is within my zone and can handle the extremes. So far so good! Enjoy your new home!
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Welcome home to Mavis and the HH!! You did it!! So glad you are safely there… I remember several years ago when you asked HH if he would consider moving east if you could figure out how to pay down a substantial chunk of the mortgage on the HOA house, and he said he would. You wrote, “Game on, husband… Game on!” And now there you are! I am smiling with you and wishing you all decades of happiness! Looking forward to more pics as the days unfold.
livingrichonthecheap says
Things like cedars can easily die in cold winters, in Alberta (where it gets bitterly cold) some wrapped the shrubbery. After a while you likely will just get rid of those type of plants. Anything in a planter though doesn’t have much of a chance so people wrap those.
Yankeegal says
Welcome home Mavis! So happy for you!
Mim says
Congratulations and welcome to New England! Depending on where you are (I’m in Vermont), the temps are supposed to be in the 40’s for the next several days. So enjoy the snow — it will start melting in the sunny spots soon.
It is a tantalizing time to be here. Seeds are sprouting in the basement, the garden is buried in snow, but in a week or so will be visible, the springs are beginning to fill and rush with the increasing snowmelt, and there were robins in the backyard this morning. If that’s not enough, there are the annual warnings to put your bird feeders away, as the bears are coming out of hibernation. Oh, it’s a glorious time and I’m glad you’re all here to be part of it!
Emily E says
Yay! So happy for you and glad you all made it safe! Just the glimpses you shared in the post of your new home look beautiful and I can’t wait to see more! I hope you all take some time to get some much needed and well deserved rest! Lucy already looks right at home and the views from the windows/your office are lovely! Welcome home!!!
Mama Cook says
Bawling!!! So happy for you!!!! Welcome Home!!!
Joyce in Indiana says
Mavis, I am so proud of you and your family! I just love the pics so far. I once had a home with very deep window sills…love them. and cats do too.
Don’t wear yourself or the family out getting everything “just so” ….take time to live and appreciate where you are and the times you are in. Savor each moment, the time just passes so quickly.
Enjoy!!!!
Cathy says
Best wishes
So happy for you and your family
Sheri says
Wow, I could look at the view from your office all day! How will you get any work done? . Congrats on reaching your dream destination.
Ms Sandie says
From one life long New Englander to another (at heart) welcome home! Do we get to know what State you chose?
RebekahU says
I’m so happy for you!!! Have an awesome weekend!!
Diana says
Congrats I’m so happy for you! Can’t wait to see more pictures of your new forever home!
Leslie J Honcoop says
So happy for you! It’s beautiful!
Can’t wait for all the stories and projects to come!
Lisa MTB says
Congrats, Mavis and family!
Julie P says
Oh Mavis how lovely, everyone should follow their dreams! I wish yo a very happy and long life in your forever home.
Robin says
Congratulations! So very happy for you and your family!
Robyn says
Here in the PNW where I am it is snowing! You may have spring before we do!
Congratulations Mavis- you’re where you are supposed to be at last! Enjoy every minute.
Margo says
Congratulations, Mavis. May you make many new and happy memories in your new forever home.
Terri says
So happy you are safely home. Bubbly in the fridge and your evening meal delivered. Will steel you for unloading that truck!
Martha Stewart has her crew wrap just about every shrub in burlap at her home. She tells about it in her blog.
Tami Lewis says
Oh Mavis! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes , I am so happy for you! This is utterly fantastic!!
Emily Brower says
I know you are a “do-er” and a “go-er”, but I hope you are taking time to just breathe it all in and enjoy the fact that you have realized your dream.
I have lived vicariously through you and your adventures. This live changing move has been so exciting to experience through your blog and instagram. I literally cannot wait to see what spring in NE will look like with your green thumb looking after it.
Also? Class act for the prior owners to leave you a welcome treat, and the realtor to deliver dinner within an hour of arrival. You seem to have picked a great new place to nest.
Next exciting thing to be part of? Lucy’s babies!
Marybeth says
Welcome Home! You got snow your first night which is perfect!. I always check out. I just like to check that the bill is correct. I wrap my fig trees up. I bury the base of my grape vine and my blueberry bushes in leaves. Now go take that puppy for a walk.
Laura Aguero says
Congratulations!
Jamie B. says
Congrats and welcome to New England!
Laura T. says
Yay! At last! You wanted snow, you got snow!
How fun getting a surprise in the fridge & food from the realtor!
What does Lucy think of the new place & the new views?
Have fun setting up your new home!
ann in E. oregon says
Yay! 🙂 Very happy for you & your family! Happy gardening!
OregonGuest says
What a long trip, but you’re home now — congratulations!
Sarah says
I hope you recap the journey to this home. In particular I’m wondering about family relationships; the kids and being so far from your mom.
I know where my heart is, but my husband’s career can’t transplant there; it’s a unique heartache I try to not dwell on too much. I’m so sincerely happy for you, Mavis!
Pam says
Congratulations! A beautiful view from your office.
Maria Zannini says
I’m so happy for you. Get some rest. You guys have earned it.
Dale Ann Widen says
Here ornamental cedars are wrapped for 3 reasons…to keep the deer from munching on them during the winter, to protect them from getting “burnt” from whatever causes that in winter, and to help keep their shape when collecting snow has a tendency to weight their branches down and pull them every which way.
Welcome home Mavis and family! It looks beautiful there!
Gigi says
Burning usually happens on southern exposures where the solar heat zaps the moisture from the plant and it dries out and dies.
Patty says
Ahh, there’s no place like home (click heals together), there’s no place like home… Glad to know you all arrived safely to such a warm welcome from the previous owners and realtor. Also that you were able to take a few moments to see the beauty in your new surroundings. Enjoy these moments Mavis! We all wait with “baited breath” for updates in the future.
Kim says
I am sooooooooooooooooooo excited for you………………and for us, as your readers. Thank you for taking us along in this new adventure. We are very curious and will love every detail you share. Can’t even imagine the project list you are compiling. This. is. gonna. be. fun!!!!!!!!
Amy says
Awesome! I glad to read that you and yours arrived safely, that was quite the trek.
That was so thoughtful of the previous owners and your real estate agent to leave you a treat and bring supper! I really enjoy hearing or reading of people doing kind things like that. Thank you for sharing, Mavis!
Christine says
So glad you all made it safely to your new home with a wonderful adventure to boot!! Congratulations on your next chapter, I’m so excited for you!!!
Lynda says
Yahoooo! You made it! Congratulations on a dream come true!
Angie says
So what state did you move to… I am very excited. We live in New Hampshire and love it (although this winter needs to stop ASAP)… lol
Em says
I’ll add that at my previous job, we were required to get a “zero-balance receipt” from the hotel, showing that everything had been settled to the card we had on file. (I think they didn’t trust us, and thought we might be turning in a receipt to get reimbursed for something we did not actually pay for.) If we didn’t get the zero-balance receipt, we could expect trouble from the folks in the home office.
bobbi says
omg! You’re home! Yay! So happy for you!
And that view! wow, so pretty!
Congratulations!
Denise says
Congratulations to you and your family! So beautiful, can’t wait to get started on your new adventures! We did have snow today in Puget Sound, pretty, but melted quickly. You are so right about making plans and having them come true. My motto is “Conceive, Believe, Receive”! Three little words, so easy to remember. Totally works. And it’s fun seeing what you can do if you just try.
Brenda says
You are tormenting us! Where did you land? Please let us all know ASAP…Please, please, please.
Brenda says
I am doing a bit of detective work ..I am figuring you are in the NW section of Vermont, MA or Ct…since NY is not part of New England and getting to NH ME or RI would have taken you longer..Hope you chose the Berkshires of MA!
Nancy W says
Love the view from your office! Looks just perfect. Congratulations on your new forever home! I do hope you let us readers know what state you ended up in!
Lisa says
Congratulations Mavis and family! I am so excited and happy for you! I actually got a bit teary eyed reading the blog today!
Carol Hager says
Welcome home Mavis. Looks like little Gladys Kravitz has a spot just made for her.
Wendy says
Congratulations Mavis! Having lived in Massachusetts most of my life, I can say you will love New England. All of its states have a special charm, no matter where you have landed.
Libby says
It all looks beautiful and quiet and private. Congrats for going for your dream. So happy that all four of you get to be there at the beginning – even if just for a few days.
Will you post a video of Lucy in the snow?
Welcome to New England!!!
joely says
Congratulations Mavis! Your new home looks like a picture perfect New England Dream. Welcome home.
Kj says
Congratulations!
Pineland farms cheese, yum! That’s close to me, are you in maine?? Many specialty type trees are wrapped up here during winter, but not all. Happy unpacking!
Cass says
You only need to wrap the things you don’t want the deer to eat. I wrap nothing here in Upstate NY. Let them eat it, less for me to prune. LOL But if you wish to have anything left of anything that stays green all winter, you better wrap it.
Audra from Ohio says
Congratulations, and I wish you many happy years in your new home!
Lisaoctavia says
Welcome to New England! I hope you brought spring with you
cristinasorina says
Congratulations, I wish you and your family many wonderful new memories as you start this new adventure on the east coast! Thank you so much for sharing your journeys with us!
Vicki in Birmingham says
I cannot say how delightfully happy I am for you. A forever home…the place you are meant to me!!! That makes my heart happy for you Mavis. And oh my goodness, those views are WONDERFUL! Best wishes for your new chapter and your new life. May we all be so lucky and blessed!
Stacey says
I am so happy for you, Mavis!
Joanna says
God Bless you and your family! Congrats on your new home!!!
Nancy D says
You are an encourager of dreams.
Thank you for helping us understand how to break big dreams into tiny steps.
Martine Hamilton says
It’s ridiculous how happy I feel for you when in actual fact I don’t actually know you! I love your blog, it has been so inspiring for me in so many areas of life. I congratulate you on reaching your dream home and I look forward to seeing it become ‘yours’ over the next wee while. I live in Scotland and the only reason we wrap plants is if they are a bit delicate and may get frost burn or frozen in the pot. I daresay where you are now the huge amounts of snow might impact on some of the branches of plants too. I wish you and your family every happiness in your new home. with love. x
Cindy says
Wow Mavis, Congratulations, what a great adventure you and your family have been on and now you are living your dream.
Melinda says
Dear Mavis!
If you traveled I-90 from Ohio into New York, you went right by my house! So crazy to think of that. I can literally hear the traffic from the interstate while sitting in my living room. 🙂 And although I’m a newish gardener, (a couple or so years under my belt), I’ve never wrapped anything burlap and have never had any issues with my flora. I’ve never seen neighbors do it either. But I’m sure there’s a reason such as the ladies above have mentioned. Blessings to you in your new home! I’m a transplant from Arkansas. And I certainly love it up in these parts! 🙂 <3
Leslie says
So excited for you! And good lord, is there an Aldi’s near by, or what?!
Leslie says
My emoji didn’t post- imagine two laughing-with-tears-emojis 🙂
Teri says
YOU DID IT!!! So happy for you!
Jeni says
Your dream of moving east helps me believe my dream of moving south will actually come to fruition! I live in Minnesota and I’m so tired of the bitter cold and snow. Been wanting to move south for many, many years. We started remodeling our old farmhouse way back in 2001 and are just now finishing it up, just in time for the new buyers to enjoy*sigh*
We are currently on about remodeling completion time frame Plan Z but this one actually seems like it is going to be the last one*she whispers not too loudly for fear of jinxing it*
Congratulations and I hope your new home will be everything you expect and desire.
Enjoy!
Jeni
Paula says
How exciting! You may have mentioned this, but did your husband retire? Or is he working from home? This is the aspect that makes decisions this radical hard to imagine. If you could share the planning for this I would be grateful. Again, welcome home!
Katie P NC says
I’m so excited about seeing pictures of this new house!! I love the rough hewn beam in your picture. I’m sure you’ve gotten a ton of suggestions on blogs to check out but SouleMama lives in Vermont is a homesteader. I think you’d really enjoy the blog and maybe get some helpful, Northerner, tips for farming. The adventure begins, can’t wait to ride along with you Mavis!!!