Before our siesta, I suggested that we make our jars of intention, so Emi and I took a pair of simple glass jars and went around the yard to collect various objects that we would imbue with some symbolic meaning to signal our hopes for the new season. Fall was in the air, even as the sun still lent the day some warmth. On the ride home we’d seen several trees already changing their leaves. It was almost time.

We chose a stalk of lavender for luck, a sprig of rosemary for remembrance and protection, a few white flowers of oregano for happiness, and a leaf of sage for wisdom. I found a feather to fly, and Emi dropped a small acorn in her jar for the strength conveyed by the mighty oak. Then it was time for an indulgent siesta before the movie, which was originally the main impetus for our weekend, but felt almost like an afterthought following such magical time together.

After the movie, we headed almost immediately to bed as we had another early morning breakfast call to answer the next day, and Emi had to be back home early to host some friends. I dressed for the goodnight greeting then went to bed myself.

Suzie had recommended the Little City Kitchenette and it was a happy revelation – a delicious ending to a wonderful weekend with my niece (who was, by this time, pretty much over posing for my pictures!)

We had a very good talk over breakfast – the sort of talk that can only happen after a weekend together, when trust has been built, comfort established, and the safety of reliable family had put us both at ease. In some ways, both Emi and I have always been craving that, and if we have to find it in each other, that’s very much a gift of the universe arriving just in the nick of time.

While the weekend was supposed to lean toward fall, and the bewitching season almost at hand, the weather was almost too sweet – warming into the mid to upper 70’s as the sun drenched the roads to Vermont. When we arrived in Manchester, the flowers were still putting on a spectacular show, and we took our time walking around and enjoying the beauty. Our main goal was the Maple Creamie we’d discovered a couple of years ago, but having just had breakfast we agreed a walk and some shopping was in order first.

Emi was also mostly game for posing in whatever ridiculous setting we discovered – hence this fun capture of an elephant outside the local Thai restaurant.

The riverwalk was a peaceful place to pause on this beautifully sunny day – the water a relaxing sound and sight to take in and appreciate. With all the phone action and fast-paced lives of teenagers today, it’s good to slow things down and remind them of what really matters, what’s actually happening if they don’t look up and around and take everything in. I need that reminder too sometimes.

Hints of ice cream were starting to appear, nudging us toward our main goal of the day: procuring that delicious Maple Creamie. Some were bigger and more prominent than others.

Eventually our chosen purveyor opened their doors and it was time – we had our maple ice cream in Vermont and all was well with the world.

Along the sidewalks the asters were in full bloom – their colors and freshness rivaling anything spring might conjure.

Our final stop in Vermont was the cozy Northshire Bookstore – a place I’ve been visiting with the twins since they were young children. Some things remain the same, and some things change, and it’s all good in its own way. On this day, we inhabited the moment – a rare instance of mindfulness and being present in a season that was already racing to its end. We had a few more itinerary items to check off however, so we made our winding way back to New York, and a siesta that was calling to both of us…

Due to their schedules, my niece and nephew joined me separately for our somewhat-annual end-of-summer weekend hangout, so while Noah’s adventures can be found here, here and here, we are just beginning to post Emi’s Magical Almost-Autumn Weekend adventures with her Uncle Al, starting with this post – the first entry of her trio of features to commemorate a whimsical weekend at the end of summer. I managed to cobble together an itinerary and we checked off every item on it – something that makes my Virgo heart sing.

Lola arrived with Emi on Friday afternoon, and we sat down to a dinner by Uncle Andy – Emi’s favorite chicken parm and a dessert of lemon meringue pie in honor of Dad’s birthday, which was his favorite. It felt wistfully poetic – Emiliana was named after my father, and as I see bits of my dad in both of the twins it’s reassuring to know he lives on in them.

We began with a brief attic moment of intentions, and a quick run-through of our witchy weekend, built around the new ‘Practical Magic 2’ movie that just came out. What is a magic spell but an intention cast into writing or incantation? They are wishes or desires or hopes for something to happen. Whether or not they manifest is up to myriad elements and forces, some of which are directly under control, most of which are not. As in many situations, harmful or hurtful intentions tend to double back on the person doing the casting – negativity and evil leading to more of the same – while happy and supportive spells tend to foster happiness and support for the person behind them. We kept everything on the positive, and wrote out what our hopes were for the weekend ahead.

Emi’s intentions were to be relaxed, stay calm, share fun memories, and have fun – and I couldn’t improve upon those items if I tried. Happily, that’s pretty much how the weekend would go, starting with a gift basket that had some chocolates and soap and a book of magic intentions for Emi to fill out in the days to come.

After dinner, we set up camp in the cellar for a viewing of the original ‘Practical Magic’ – had some popcorn and candy – then called it a night – as we had to get up early to secure a table at Manory’s in Troy on our way to Vermont.

Troy has its own magics, and its own mayhem. A very upset woman approached our car in the first place we parked, screaming at Emi before we even shut the engine off, so I drove around the block and found a more welcoming space before our breakfast at Troy’s oldest restaurant. There’s usually one bit of drama on every weekend with Uncle Al, so at least we got that out of the way early and could focus on fun and relaxation as originally intended. The breakfast was good and, fortified for the moment, we got back on the road to Vermont…