Peonies and Chocolate

The last day Andrew's parents were here, Dan and I trekked out in the rain to get Kilwin's ice cream and fudge.  Ice cream for the kiddos and fudge for us!  Andrew's favorite is the maple walnut fudge.  I think we finished it off the day we got it. 

Two nights ago I went over to chat with my neighbor--I wanted to take a photo of her trellis--and caught sight of the peonies in her back yard.  I gasped in delight--they were so resplendent and regal!  She invited me back and asked if I wanted some.  Goodness, yes!  She kept clipping them off and piling them into my arms.  I couldn't believe it.  I'm now surrounded by pink beauties--they smell heavenly!

Newport has been therapeutic for me.  Not only as a beautiful place for us to live these two months, but also because it's been a needed haven for me after my grandmother's passing.  We arrived here two days after her funeral.  It's been a balm.  It was brutal having to say goodbye to her and Petoskey.  And Walloon.  And the cottage I spent all my summers.  Newport's waters and the salty sea air have soothed me, comforted me.  The fact that they have a Kilwin's chocolate shop, and a score of tacky nautical hoodie shops, and sailboat masts rising out of the landscape--I could cry over how wonderful it's been.  Katy Kilwin was a life-long friend of my grandparents.  She and her husband created the original chocolate recipes for their shop in Petoskey.  Katy was there, in her smart red suit, the day of my grandmother's funeral.  I don't know... it's continuity.  It's a blessed flow of energy, from one special spot to the next.