Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend!
Today I am excited to share more about our New England Winter Road Trip that we took in February (prior to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus and stay at home/shelter in place orders)! To read about the exact route that we took check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
We arrived in Concord around lunch time and after eating at Margaritas (you can read my review HERE) we drove less than a half a mile to explore the historic area of Concord. If you go to Concord in the warmer months you could easily walk this, but it was freezing and we chose to drive! *smiles* For those who may need it there is ample disability parking which is wonderful!
The first thing we did was explore the beautiful and historical St. Paul's Episcopal Church. You can read all about that HERE and then we spent time exploring the historical and awe-inspiring New Hampshire State House (click HERE to read more)! After exploring the State House we moved our car (mostly to warm up *smiles*) less than a half a block up to the New Hampshire State Library (which you can read about HERE).
After exploring and then taking time to drive around Concord more we headed back to our hotel for the evening, the Hotel Concord.
The Hotel Concord is located right in the heart of the historic district downtown and after a full day of driving, exploring, and adventures we were excited to stay so close to the historic downtown.
The Hotel Concord has a distinctive New England and specific New Hampshire "feel" to it. As you enter for check in at the street lobby (you park in a different area in the back of the hotel) you are immediately struck with an elegant setting. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as the typical (or what I expected) choice for my blog of "cozy luxury" because there was an air of "coolness" to it, but it was very lovely.
I think part of the reason for the feeling of the air of "coolness" more came from my encounter with the staff during check in when I asked for the easiest way to bring our luggage if someone had a disability. Now, if you have been around this blog for a while you know that this is something that I always do simply because so many of my readers are struggling with health issues. I was a little surprised when I was given instructions and no offer to help (which is often accompanied in boutique hotels such as The Hotel Concord). I asked if there was anyone to help and I was told, "no and it is a short and easy walk to the elevators". Now from our parking space (that was not handicapped) it was a short walk but it did include stairs that we had to carry our luggage down. There are about 5 of them and if you are disabled I would definitely call the hotel ahead of time to discuss this as you would need to come in through the front lobby, not through the parking garage. Again, it wasn't "bad" and there was not a meanness to these instructions (I understand that I look perfectly healthy asking these questions and someone in a wheelchair might receive a different response) it just didn't invoke a spirit of "cozy luxury" and "inclusiveness".
The other thing that is a bit different about this hotel than other properties that I have stayed and reviewed is that there really wasn't a "warm or cozy" environment that you would want to stay at or hang out in the main area/lobby area. Instead, you were given the impression that you were to check in and go to your room. It was totally fine, but just different than I imagined from the hotels website.
We headed up to our room and we immediately felt that it was absolutely lovely.
As we walked in, we both thought it was just wonderful. It was a little cold, but it looked lovely. As you can see in the picture above there were even a pair of slippers that beckoned you to put them on.
The Hotel Concord's rooms (there are nearly 40 of them) are all different and have a distinctive modern and sophisticated feel. To make themselves unique and different, The Hotel Concord has designed each of the rooms to be different in size and shape which was really neat to learn.
Our room was set up lovely and it was incredibly quiet. We had a view of the back of the hotel and while it was extremely quiet it was not "picturesque" at all so I didn't take any pictures.
There were tons of extra little touches all around that made it feel incredibly sophisticated and it was a lovely room. Each of the rooms at The Hotel Concord come with the following amenities (as shared on The Hotel Concord's website):
*work space with multiple USB charging ports
*Huge closets (California style)
*amazon echo dots
*large TV's with premium movie channels
*complimentary wifi
*a safe
*original artwork
*lovely and luxurious bed linens and plush robes
*refrigerators
*marble tiled bathrooms
*luxury toiletries
Our stay was extremely quiet, but I do have to note something that was odd/strange that happened that didn't allow us to have the most restful night and why I can't fully endorse a stay here.
When we arrived to our room we noticed that it was a bit chilly and cold. It was in the middle of February so it was freezing outside but we didn't expect our room to be cold. At first we both thought that maybe we were just tired or cold from being outside, but we stepped back into the hallway and realized that it was our room that was an issue. We tried (unsuccessfully) several times to change the temperature before we called downstairs. Someone came up and tried to set it and we were assured that the room would get warmer. It didn't seem to help and we didn't hear any heat go on but we were told that it would and to give it a bit of time. We were also offered additional blankets if we would like them but told "not to worry the heat would come on quickly".
We decided to go downstairs and order our dinner and let the room warm up. Unfortunately when we came back to the room (about an hour later) it was even colder than it was before. We again called down and a sweet woman came up (she was the receptionist/front desk person on duty that night) to try to help us. She couldn't change anything and in the meantime mom and I were in our winter coats shivering and freezing. We asked if there was someone on staff that could come fix it or if we could be moved to a different room and she said that she would need to call someone. As we were shivering she tried (unsuccessfully) to get a hold of the manager. There was no answer.
After about 20 minutes with no answer from her manager, she also offered us blankets which we accepted and she brought back a couple to us. There was only two that she had and she brought us some extra robes. We asked again if we could move and she told us that while there were rooms available she couldn't move us without the managers permission. This was around 7 at night and I was a little irritated that the person who was in charge of the front desk duties didn't have this "power" as my poor mother was shivering and freezing. Shouldn't the front desk person on duty be able to make these decisions at night??
She told us that she was sorry and that she would keep trying till 10pm (when she was leaving her shift). She said that she would call us and keep us updated but when we didn't hear from her we had to call down and she told us that no one was answering. We tried calling her again around 9:30 and received no answer and then until about 10:30 we continued to call and no answer. I also went downstairs and didn't see anyone in the lobby. After waiting about 20 minutes I headed back up to our room tired and exhausted.
And so ... that night my mom and I put on several layers of clothes, the blankets, the robes, and even towels from the bathroom over us and both of us turned on our heating pads we brought and had a very unrestful night of sleep. In the morning we were burried under everything after a fitful night of sleep and ready to move and leave so we could get warm in our car!
I don't mean to sound rude, but in the middle of the winter, bless y'alls heart, The Hotel Concord, but there really needs to be heating or at least be willing to move people who are cold.
Honestly, I have to give this a negative review more because of the way it was handled then the fact that we were cold. I was shocked that this property (that comes so highly rated in different ways) didn't have a manager able to attend to this type of situation in the winter.
What surprised me even more was when I checked out. I mentioned our situation (expecting to get a credit of some sort on our stay due to everything) and the lady checking me out said, "sounds like it was an adventure". There was no apology, no offer of anything to help redeem the situation (I was literally still shivering when I saw her), no offer of even a cup of coffee on them to warm us up, no nothing. In addition to this when I asked if the hotel had been full she replied that it had only been at about 1/2 capacity! I asked why we hadn't been moved and she said she couldn't answer that.
Overall, I really couldn't recommend the property... not because we were cold but because of how the situation was handled.
Honestly, it is always hard to share a negative review here on the blog and this is only the fourth time here on the blog I have done so in the 7 years of travel writing. I hope that this helps people staying in the Concord area in the future to know how to make the best decisions for them on where to stay because sadly I can't recommend this property.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today! Please let me know if you have any questions about The Hotel Concord or our New England Winter Road Trip!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Monday friends and Happy Memorial Day!
Today I am excited to share that each of my Etsy shops are having some sales! Read below for more details and as always THANK YOU so much for ALL of your support for my shops!
Looking for a beautiful and bespoke heirloom journal? Then please grab a cup of coffee and come and wander at my shop, December Caravan!
December Caravan is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Caravan donates a portion of all of its proceeds to charity!
Looking for beautiful travel watercolor prints? Then please stop in over at December Lane!
December Lane is offering a 20% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Lane also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to help children in the foster care system!
December Lane can be found HERE!
Looking for lovely vintage and modern art supplies? Check please stop in my shop, The Creators Barn. The Creators Barn is a special cozy shop that is designed to be a restful haven & shop for the creative soul hosting lovely vintage & modern craft supplies for the artistic soul!
The Creators Barn is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase special supplies for all of your artistic projects!
The Creators Barn also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to Charity!
The Creators Barn can be found HERE!
Looking for new and gently pre-loved pieces for the hopeful and adventurous heart to create a beautiful and affordable cozy-luxury life? Then please check out my Ebay Store, Caravan Sonnet Factory!
I shared a bit about this new Ebay store a couple of weeks ago on the blog (you can read more HERE) and I always welcome offers on all of my listings! You can find Caravan Sonnet Factory HERE!
Thank you so much again for all of your support of my Etsy Shops and my Ebay Store (Caravan Sonnet Factory)! You are truly a blessing! Thank you again friends and I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!
"Freedom is never free."
I received this flag back in 2015 from a dear soldier that I was connected with through the Adopt-a-Platoon program. I have literally carried it with me throughout my health journey as it has soberly and humbly reminded me of the heroes that are tirelessly fighting for our country and those that have sacrificed so much.
I have been a part of the Adopt-a-Platoon family since 2005 and in these 15 years I have been humbled by the extreme sacrifice that so many make for the sake of our freedom. Freedom is never free and comes with a price that is often the greatest sacrifice.
With each soldier I have been honored to connect with I am reminded of how much our military does for our country, for our freedom, and for countless places around the world.
"M", thank you again for changing my life and for this tangible reminder of sacrificial freedom with this honor of this flag that flew on the other side of the world. It is a priceless gift that I will always treasure.
To all of the 49 soldiers (and their families) that I have met through AAP you know who you are and you have my gratitude & humble thanks. For so many of my former students, their families and my sweet friends who sacrifice so much as their loved ones have served and continue to serve our country, we celebrate you and the freedom that you help ensure for our country today, tomorrow, and every day.
Thank you so much. On this memorial day and everyday, we are speechless with gratitude.
When you are traveling, it is only natural that you are going to worry about your home and whether it is secure or not. In fact, worrying about home security is one of the most common causes of travel stress. You can’t enjoy your trip if you are constantly worried about somebody breaking in or a fire starting at home, so it’s important that you take steps to protect your home before you leave. These are some of the best ways to keep your home safe while you travel.
Move Valuables Into Storage
If you are taking a long trip and you are worried about somebody breaking in, there are a lot of things that you can do to secure your home. But before we consider how to keep your home safe, it’s important to remember that there is always the chance of a break in, no matter how well protected you are. That’s why it’s a good idea to move valuables into a convenient self storage unit while you are away. That way, you can relax because you know that, even if somebody does manage to break into your home, all of the most valuable items are protected. Burglars will usually look in through windows to see if they can see anything worth stealing, so moving valuables out of the house makes you less of a target.
Deal With Mail
When burglars are looking for houses to break into, they will often check to see whether there is a lot of mail piled up on the doorstep. If there is, that’s a sign that people are out of the house and their house is a good target. It’s important that you ask a neighbor to pop round and pick up your mail, so it’s not so obvious that you are away. Having somebody go to the house and check for any problems will make it a lot easier for you to relax as well.
Be Careful On Social Media
Burglars often scan social media to find people that are away, so they can break into their homes. A lot of people don’t realize this and they post lots of pictures of their trip on social media while they are away. Even though you want to share your trip with friends and family, it’s best to wait until you get back, so you don’t put yourself at risk. It’s especially important that you don’t post a picture of your boarding pass because criminals can find out a lot of information about you, even if you blank out your name and address.
Use Timers On Lights
If the lights are never switched on, that’s an obvious sign that nobody is in the house. But you can get around that problem easily if you just use timers on your lights. You can get some great timer plugs and plug a lamp into them so the lights come on in the evenings and make it look like the house is occupied.
Follow these simple safety tips and you can make sure that your home is secure while you travel.
*contributed post*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
One of the sweet aspects of When Calls the Heart Season 2 was having the opportunity to watch the interactions between Elizabeth and her family. There were some silly dramatic moments like the one above between Julie and Elizabeth, but even this exchange between the two sisters in the 5th episode of Season 2, shows a timeless truth for all of us to consider... the beautiful hope of finding courage.
When I watched this scene the first time I giggled a bit, along with lots of viewers I am sure, but as I sat down to write this chapter I started to think about the depth of what is conveyed here. Often times there are situations that we encounter in life that if something doesn't go the way that we want it to we feel we will "wither away and die" as Julie says. When Elizabeth points out that she won't die, Julie aptly responds that she will still "wither". Now, the scene is humorous and every woman I am sure can relate to the concept that was originally being discussed in this conversation, yet there is a deeper truth that is here that goes beyond the laughter.
Often times (and I am just as guilty of this as anyone) it can seem that circumstances can make us feel that we will "wither". I have been thinking a lot about this recently. There are several particular circumstances in my life where I want to be like Julie and say, "if this doesn't work this way than I will wither and die... okay not die, but I will wither". It sounds humorous but in reality I think a lot of times we all feel this way. We may never express it or be as dramatic, but in a lot of situations in our lives we live without the beautiful hope of finding courage.
Instead of having courage, we do wither. Instead of facing situations head on with bravery and hope, we assume the worst will happen. Instead of believing that the best things are to come, we assume that the worst will take place. Instead of living hopefully and securely knowing that we are prisoners of hope, we often live in fear of what may happen in a particular circumstance.
I was recently talking with a dear friend who has gone through a lot in her young life. She and I spoke for a few hours the other day as she talked through several difficult and daunting situations that she is facing. She grew quiet at the end of the conversation and I asked her what she was thinking about. She admitted with tears running down her cheeks, "I have realized as we have talked I don't have any courage or hope to face these situations. I assume the worst case scenario will always happen in my life." My heart broke for her and as we continued to talk I had to admit that I also sometimes feel the same way.
It can be easy in life to allow what we see and the circumstances in front of us to dictate the thought that we will wither under what is before us. It can be easy to believe that relationships that we long to see healed will always stay broken. It is easier to believe that our financial issues will never get better. It is easier to believe that we may never have the child or family we long for. It is easier to believe that our best days were behind us. It is easier to believe that when everyone is saying there is no hope, that there isn't. It is often easier to believe in the fear of what may go wrong instead of the truth of finding courage.
But here is the thing. There is a certain blessing that can only come from courage. There is a deep blessing of living fully in the hope that we don't wither when circumstances that we never expected face us. There is a beautiful blessing that comes as we live not being dismayed, not worrying, but having courage to face everything in front of us. There is a beautiful blessing that is indescribable that only comes from choosing to have courage. The English Author, C.S. Lewis once said, "Courage, dear heart"... and this is what we all sometimes need to be gently and firmly reminded of.
There is a beautiful hymn from 1898 entitled "Higher Ground" which was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. who had felt that his life was nowhere near what he had envisioned or dreamed. The limits of his ministry and his commitments had him "locked" into a situation that didn't allow him to change the direction. As he continued to pray and seek God's will for his life and pray for miracles, he lived in hope that someday the Lord would answer his prayers. After many years of prayers and tears, at 36 years old his prayers were answered when he found that he had a love and a gift for writing hymns. One of his most popular ones that is said to be one of his favorites, is "Higher Ground". There is a section in the song that I believe speaks beautifully to this hope of finding courage. The words say:
"My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, may aim, is higher ground."
Today, let us dare to live courageously. Today, let us not let our hearts stay where doubts arise or fears dismay. Today let us face the situations in front of us with strength. Everyone around you may be speaking doubts and fears into your situation, but let us make it our prayer and aim to not live there. Today, let us speak hope and courage into every situation that we hear of. Today let us find the joy and hope ... and today let us find the blessing that comes with living a life a courage.
"The grass withers... but the word of our God will stand forever."
-Isaiah 40:8-
"...Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
During the current coronavirus pandemic, mental health issues are on the rise. Throughout challenging times such as these, it’s vital to protect our own mental health and the health of our loved ones. To help you do so, there are several online resources which may be of use.
1 . National Institute Of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health are dedicated to research and support for those with mental health disorders. Their goals involve prioritising scientific research to gauge an improved understanding of mental health disorders.
The website provides a number of resources including help in a crisis situation; finding the right health care provider; or joining a mental health study. The site also provides info about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for a wide range of mental health disorders.
2. Mental Health America
MHA is dedicated to raising awareness and offering support for mental health. MHA believes it’s important to intervene early on, to minimize negative outcomes and suffering. The Mental Health America website offers advice in the form of five different options. Users can choose one option (based on how they would describe their current mental health). The resources offer advice on what to do next to support yourself or a family member.
3. National Alliance On Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a large health organization, working towards improving the lives of Americans with mental illness. NAMI works to educate communities over America, to ensure that educators, individuals and families are offered the support that they need. They work to influence the public policies that affect those with mental illness.
For those who are affected by mental illness NAMI offer a support group called ‘NAMI Connection’. They also provide a family support group especially for the families and close friends of these individuals. The website provides a number of helplines dedicated to various mental illnesses including depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
4. Mental Health Apps
There are several mental health apps available. One example is the ‘ Depression CBT Self-Help Guide’. The application includes articles about cognitive-behavioral therapy; depression assistance audio guides; and thought diary features. Another useful app is Happify, it’s a self-care app which uses games and activities to reduce negative thoughts and improve your mood. All Happify resources are based on science, with the goal of helping users to enhance their wellbeing.
5. Psychiatry Services
Those who’ve been struggling with their mental health long-term might be well advised to seek help from a psychiatrist. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, can help you to search for a psychiatrist online. According to Forbes, the USA psychiatry profession has experienced a shortage in the last few years. At a time when an increasing number of Americans are experiencing mental illnesses, we need psychiatry professionals more than ever. If you or anyone you know is searching for jobs in psychiatry, take a look at the Practice Match website.
While you are on this self-care journey, don’t forget to prioritize your physical health with plenty of foods that boost the immune system.
*contributed post*
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are having a lovely start to your week! Today I am excited to share more about our New England Winter Road Trip that we took in February (prior to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus and stay at home/shelter in place orders)! To read about the exact route that we took check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
We arrived in Concord around lunch time and after eating at Margaritas (you can read my review HERE) we drove less than a half a mile to explore the historic area of Concord. If you go to Concord in the warmer months you could easily walk this, but it was freezing and we chose to drive! *smiles* For those who may need it there is ample disability parking which is wonderful!
The first thing we did was explore the beautiful and historical St. Paul's Episcopal Church. You can read all about that HERE and then we spent time exploring the historical and awe-inspiring New Hampshire State House (click HERE to read more)! After exploring the State House we moved our car (mostly to warm up *smiles*) less than a half a block up to the New Hampshire State Library.
If you interested in American History (or ever watched West Wing), then the New Hampshire State Library is something that you are aware of that holds an incredible amount of History for our country in numerous ways at the state and federal level.
The New Hampshire State Library is the first state library that was founded in America.
Founded in January 1717, the New Hampshire State Library is considered one of the oldest institutions in the United States. While the State Library was originally situated in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this state library has been located in Concord since 1808. The current building, seen in the pictures above was opened right before the turn of the 20th century, opening in 1895.
Interestingly, the state library also housed the New Hampshire Supreme Court until 1970.
The New Hampshire State Library is famously known to host the first of many important steps in the presidential elections. There is a massive media coverage surrounding this time period and the publicity can often be a huge notice of who will end up being a front runner. This primary is often seen as a major testing grounds for both political parties as those who do well in this primary often become serious contenders for the presidency. Often times (in a matter of hours) the front runner changes the layout of national politics in unexpected ways. Most Famously this happened in 1952, 1968, 1980, and 2008.
How incredible is that? This piece of history is truly something amazing to see and visit.
Outside the Library there are a number of benches that hold additional historical value that you can read about in the pictures above.
It's always amazing to learn and read of all of the History of these buildings, where they started and where they are now. The stories and historical precedents that were made is a gentle reminder to continue to make wise and important decisions everyday for our country! Our actions truly can affect generations to come!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today! Please let me know if you have any questions about the New Hampshire State House or our New England Winter Road Trip! Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
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