bex77

Happy Easter!  It's a brisk. clear sunny morning.  We just reached 40 degrees.  It's not snowing!  We're off to my sister's house for lamb and family time.

I am remembering the festive Easter Sundays in Ravena - the sunrise service in the cemetery, the pancake breakfasts at church with folks from the churches in the area, the only time we had two morning worship services and were packed to the gills, the amazing display of white lilies on the altar, the favorite hymns, and the sumptuous lamb dinner!  At least the lamb tradition remains!  

Here's the answer to the question, "What did we do for our 18th anniversary?"   We made it a weekend-long celebration with two delicious dinners!  

Saturday, October 25th 
Maine

We drove to Maine!  We spent our honeymoon in Maine, so it always feels right to make it back there.  It only takes an hour to sneak over the border into Kittery.  

We tried a new restaurant to us - the amazing Warren's Lobster House!  Why did I not know about this place?!  Many thanks to the vivacious Vickie for the recommendation!  It's a casual spot along the Portsmouth Harbor, easy to find on Rte 1, with a big sign, huge parking lot, waterfront dining, a huge seafood menu and a 60-item salad bar!  And they make the most delicious pumpkin bread ever!  

We got there at 5 pm and were seated right away.  It got crowded with people waiting by 6 pm, but never got too crazy at the salad bar. 

I had the salad bar.  It comes with all the dinners!  I adored it because it was not just lettuce and garnishes.  I had potato salad and raisin/carrot salad and pasta salad and beets and candied apple slices and edamame and hummus and pita and yum!  And crackers and spread cheese.  And pumpkin bread.  There was soup, too, but I didn't grab that.  I wish we had salad bars around us!  

I had a lobster sampler called "The Triple Play" with boiled claws, stuffed tail and fried popcorn lobster.  The popcorn was a waste… no taste of lobster just little crunchy bits.  The other two parts were a delight!  And the baked potato was perfect.  

N. tried the salmon and shrimp bernaise over rice pilaf.  HIs eyes rolled back in his head upon tasting the sauce.  

We grabbed more pumpkin bread from the salad bar or dessert.  So moist and flavorful!

The service was just right - friendly, efficient and helpful to newcomers.  The prices are very reasonable!  

The sign on the hostess desk says "NO CELL PHONES" which I found a little rude even if it might be a good policy.  No one was paying any attention to that, so I casually took photos of my food as always.  

We bought pumpkin bread to take home - one for the office and one for Vickie.  It's only $3.40 per loaf!   

Sunday, October 26th
Malden

We drove to Malden to eat at our favorite Asian fusion restaurant - All Seasons Table.  We took a couple of theater pals to introduce them to the wonders of this stunning place hidden in a random suburban seedy downtown storefront.  We got the perfect table in the back area, surrounded by orchids and zen decor.  We shared so many dishes!  I had their hot & sour, seafood scallion pancake, and the Mongolian lamb.  N. had the sirloin tips special.  I got to taste a basil tomato seafood Udon dish that seemed like Asian paella!  And several very tasty maki rolls.  N and I shared the fried bananas with coconut ice cream for dessert.  Every single dish makes me think, "Aha!  That's the way it is supposed to taste!"  

 My birthday was a REALLY GOOD DAY ™. 

The weather was perfect - another clear, dry, cool 70's delight! 

The best thing I did was to take off from work!  I still woke up early but enjoyed connecting with all the folks who spread good wishes around my Facebook wall and texted and emailed and called!  

N. went out to get breakfast from Dunkin' Donuts and we watched the light and fun Robin Hood episode of "Doctor Who."  

I had a short bout of "what am I doing with my life?!" that my birthdays always seem to bring about, but tamped it down with some help from my pals and some theater work! 

I meant to take a nap, but the greetings kept rolling in and I kept answering until it was time to head out for supper.  It was so wonderful to be with my sister E. and her family!  She treated N. and I to a spectacular Spanish tapas dinner at Dali in Somerville.  We had their back dining room to ourselves, surrounded by the copper celling and pots and pans!  We ordered a plethora of small plates and shared.  I started with a fun non-alcoholic drink: the Oscaritos, which is a refreshing mix of lime juice and mint and fizzy water.  I adore places that have festive drinks for those of us who can't do liquor!  

We shared so many dishes I'm not sure I can recall them all!  So many amazing tastes!  The highlights were the
- gazpacho, so cold, fresh and spicy,
- the ceviche with it's protein-rich mix of cold seafood and citrus, 
- deep-fried cheese with honey and sweet onions
- baked goat cheese with tomato and basil 
- beef short ribs in Rioja wine sauce
- duck in berry sauce,
- scallops in saffron cream
- pheasant with bacon and mushrooms
- lamb meatballs with tomato mint sauce
- prunes wrapped in bacon filled with goat cheer and almonds
- grilled baby lamb chops with peach sauce - this was my niece's choice and definitely the best of the evening with the most tender lamb I've ever eaten, marinated in delicious spices and covered in a perfect fruity sauce! 

There were several other dishes I wanted to try - their menu is astonishing! 

For dessert I had their cool and smooth flan, covered in candied clementines!  The waiters gathered around to sing happy birthday with tambourines and present me with their metal frog candelabra!  My brother-in-law took a fun photo of me giggling at all that!  

I took a few photos - pop over to Facebook if you want to see them.  

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and being part of a wonderful day! 

 Neil and I had a lovely afternoon on Monday adventuring to the north.  The weather was perfect - another of the series of beautiful days we've had this summer!  My work is about to get super-busy so I wanted to get out and about before that hits.  And Mondays are a great day to avoid the crush in the tourist/beach towns. 

We set out up Rte 1 and stopped to gas up the Tucson at the cheap Hess Station, then popped in at our favorite convenience store - a random Cumberland Farms in Ipswich that has clean bathrooms and stocks interesting new products.  N. picked up 3 of 4 new flavors of Lays potato chips: 

• Wasabi Ginger,
• Mango Salsa and
• Bacon Mac & Cheese.  
• He eschewed the Cappuccino flavor, not caring for that flavor in real life and rather horrified at the entire idea!  

I picked up the Muddy Buddy Chex Mix.  We shared a "Wild cherry Italian ice" which was actually mild flavored but still tasty. 

We went to Michael's Harborside Restaurant on the harbor in Newburyport.  It's easy to find - just a quick right and left off Rte. 1, with a huge parking lot, right next to the marina.  It's a gorgeous setting - an outdoor bar, a covered deck, an open deck and an interior restaurant with big windows.  We opted to sit inside and were placed right at the front with views of the boats.  Our server, J.R., was helpful, if a bit busy and inattentive, but we weren't in a hurry.  I had the most delicious creamy clam chowder!  It was full of fresh clams and potatoes.  Yum.  They served hot sourdough rolls and whipped butter - a real treat!  N. tried their soup du jour - a very ordinary vegetable soup with thin broth and lots of summer veggies.  I saved him from having to eat a big chunk of zucchini!  From there, things went downhill.  He ordered the tuna with ponzu sauce and found it inedible in that "smells" way.  Bleh.  He mentioned to the server, who took it away and brought him a menu to try something else.  His second choice was wonderful - the swordfish with garlic citrus butter.  I had the lobster pie, which was an odd recipe with mascarpone cheese that overrode the lobster flavor.  I tried to pull out the nice chunks and rid them of the gloppy sauce, but it was mostly bad.  Both our dishes came with grilled asparagus, which was fresh and perfectly cooked.  They also came with rice pilaf which was an odd mixture of overcooked and undercooked grains and inedible.  And the prices were 1/3rd higher than similar places.  So despite the lovely setting and perfect chowder, I can't see going back.  

We took a post-prandial stroll along the harbor.  They've created a lovely walk with sculpture and benches and plantings!  

I had an hankering for ice cream, so we drove back down Rte 1 to the traffic circle and stopped at Haley's Ice Cream. a fun retro shop with a 50's interior and picnic tables outside.  I got a sugar cone stuffed with raspberry truffle ice cream!  It was a spectacular combo of raspberry ice cream with little chocolates mixed in.  N. tried the ginger ice cream which had crunchy bits of real ginger.  We sat outside in the afternoon sunshine and made a big mess with ice cream dripping down our hands.  Thank goodness for the lovely bathroom inside to wash up! 

We rolled on to the beach at Plum Island. I drove around the cute little enclave of houses and drove down to the light house on the far end.  I thought we'd park after 5 pm - only $2.50 at one place - but N. wasn't feeling well, so I left him parked in the residents only section and walked on the beach myself for a few minutes.  I had fun sitting on a rock, taking photos and a short video.  Pop over to Google+ or Facebook to peruse those!  Here's one to entice you! 



We took off for home and it was only an hour!  Traffic was the lightest I've seen.  

Such a lovely excursion... stored up a bunch of memories to carry me through the busy fall!  

Hope you are enjoying the end of your summer!  

 Want my mother's car?  It's time for her to stop driving and we'd like it to go to a friend or someone you know.  Great condition - less than 45,000 miles!  Always been parked indoors.  Edmunds.com says it's worth $11,212.  Drive it away for $10K or best offer. Email me at bex77@comcast.net if you're interested.  If not, please tell your friends!  

Don't you adore dealing with car repairs?  No?  Me neither. 

Our wonderful 8 year-old mini-van had gotten to the stage where we had to take it to the mechanic a lot.  So when we got our new car in November, one of my main thoughts was "YAY!  I won't have to deal with repairs for YEARS!"  I made a vow to try to trade-in before the worst of the failures start.  

So in late January... the fan stopped working except on setting #2.  Which is not enough to blast the defroster on a snowy day!  Or keep the car warm enough when the temperature is 5 degrees.  

So I went online (like that!) to get the "next available appointment."  In February.  Okay.  There were only three snowstorms in the time I waited.  
Monday.
N. took the car in at 11 am.  He was a little early for our appointment.  It took them two hours to tell him what was wrong, and that they didn't have the part to fix it.  What is the point of having an appointment is if they aren't going to work on the car anywhere around that time? They said they could order the part delivered overnight and they'd fix the car Tuesday.  Great!  We get to make another trip out there.  

Tuesday.  
They called the house (why not N's mobile phone?) after lunch to say that one part had come in but not another.  They'd call Wednesday when it came in.  

Wednesday.  
They did not call. 

Thursday.  
They called me (why?) to tell me the second part was back-ordered.  They had a call in to see when it might be available.  They had no idea when it would be.  They'll call when they know. 

Good thing it's not something important that would keep us from driving the car! 

I'm glad it happened under warranty so I don't have to pay them, but I am honestly looking forward to the day when the warranty expires and I can go to the mechanic I adore and stop dealing with the blasted dealer who wastes our time!  He fixed things while we waited, or the next day if he needed a part. 

Any bets on when it will be fixed?  How long will I be limited to #2?!

Today marked my return to the ice rink after a hiatus of 7 years.  I used to travel all over to see figure skating - Skate America, Nationals, Worlds, and exhibitions or pro skating too!   But it got too expensive and they changed the scoring system and life changed and I stopped.  Today it was time to go again! 

US Nationals are in Boston this week!  And my loving sister made it possible for me to go!  We have all-event tickets and will be popping in to the arenas this week for many hours of skating practices and competition!  Most of the action is at the TD Garden later in the week.  

I started today with the Novice competition at the Boston Convention and Expo Center in South Boston.  They build an ice rink inside the exhibition space on the lower level!   Most of the competitors today are in their mid-teens.  There are five levels of competition at Nationals:

1) Juvenile
2) Intermediate
3) Novice
4) Junior
5) Senior (the ones you usually see the top 3-4 on TV)
        (they go on to the Olympics in a month) 

I got to see the novice ladies and the pairs short programs with my 6 year old niece.  I was worried that it would be too tough for her to sit hour-after- hour watching skaters, but she was enthralled!  I also worried that I had forgotten the rules, or how to judge the moves.  But it all came back to me, and we were sitting with experienced fans who were kind enough to help me indoctrinate her.  

I saw friends that we made online in the 90's that often traveled to the same events with us, that I had not seen in 10 years!  And I made new pals, some of whom told tales of starting in with skating fandom when it came to their city in 1971!  Skating fans are good people! 

I had also forgotten how fun it is to people watch!  Many of my favorite skaters are coaches now.  So you can looks behind the boards and see past champions, or glance left and right in the stands and see faces you've seen on TV so many times!  You can even get a glimpse of Brian Boitano!  Skating is still a small sport where everyone mingles!  It was so wonderful to be back mingling with them.  

Last Sunday, I got the last paper copy of the Boston Sunday Globe I will ever have delivered.  It makes sense but seems... sad.  Definitely a sign of the changing times.  I was just about the last person getting the daily Globe when I switched from daily to "Sunday only" in December 2009, and now leave my next door neighbor as the only person on the hall in my condo building to get the paper delivered.  

After poking around the Boston Globe web site for more than 15 minutes, I finally determined that it is not possible to unsubscribe online by myself.  I had the choice of opening a chat or calling.  So I chatted with Adam and asked him to help me stop getting the paper.  He tried to entice me to stay with a 25% off special but I had made up my mind.  He asked why and I told him I get my news from other sources.  He told me I would get a credit for the 3 weeks I had pre-paid.  He asked if he could help me with anything else.  I said no and thanked him.  He logged out.  I was surprised he didn't remind me I'd also lose my online access.  So ends my decades of connection with the local newspapers.  

So I will be about $15 richer per month and not have to tote piles of paper to recycling that I never read.  I feel bad that I don't clip the coupons but they had less and less bearing on groceries I am buying.  

If I need online access, I have my mom's account info.  She still gets the daily paper and reads it!  I'll probably use it for obits.  Or on the rare occasion they post something about our community theater.  But otherwise, it is rare that I even look at the Globe online, and then it's through a Facebook link that allows access.  There are so many other places to get the news.  

Farewell, Boston Globe.  You served me well but now it's over.  *sigh 

 
GO SEE THE BALTIMORE WALTZ?!

Forgive me while I gush... 


We have an incredible theater company!  I hope you knew that already.  I knew, but it was driven home in a whole new way last night at fabulous opening night for "The Baltimore Waltz."  They crossed new frontiers in directing, acting, in projection, in integrating music and sound, in lighting, in costumes and props and show-targeted concessions!  Try the popcorn!  The program is a glorious purple!  There was a wonderful, responsive audience - I adore seeing Theatre@First's alums and new faces.  This show came together on short notice when a tragedy robbed us of the director of another show, had a lot of challenges, but that makes the magic all the more amazing!!  And I managed to get three great photos!

There are several items that make this show different - Andy Hicks does a masterful job on the projector with images that enhance the story and timing as he snaps them up and down at the perfect pace to let you take them in, enhance the lines and keep the scene rolling.  Kay Coughlin's festive lighting is also very special.  I adored the way it made me think of Paris.  The Ensemble of three new actors did an incredible job of evoking a time and a place- Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Baltimore!  They pose and handle a wide range of props and costumes and roles.  The silhouette work is a stunning combo of lighting, directing and acting genius! 

Bridgid Battell and John Olson were stunning in the lead roles, pushing and pulling the audiences through Europe and a broad range of emotions with a flare I appreciated on so many levels.  

Finally, I must single out James Scheffler's versatility as an actor.  He plays seemingly dozens of roles - changing costumes, accents and mannerisms - making me believe he is someone different in each one - serious, sexy, silly and stupendous!  It is such a treat to watch!!

I hope to see you at the theater soon! 

http://www.belleisleseafood.com

What a wonderful meal by the water!  If you're looking for fresh seafood, in a casual setting, with great prices and a spectacular view  - get to Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop.  It's felt like a mini-vacation.  

How did I end up in Winthrop? 
The amazing eclecticavatar talked about her dinner there in glowing terms, which sent me to their website, where upon I saw the magic words... LOBSTER PIE.  

How to get there 

By T - it's about 1/2 mile from the Orient Heights Blue Line stop - turn left out of the stop, half a block then left on Saratoga Street and it's on the right just over the bridge. 

Driving
A. Above the airport - Pretend you're going to Logan, but keep going up Rte 1A N and make one right hand turn on 145 and go until you cross into Winthrop - the first thing on the right is it!  With a big parking lot.  Easy!  

B. Below Revere Beach - Or pretend you're going to Revere Beach, turn right instead of left on Ocean Ave and wind your way along the water into Winthrop, take a right on Main Street and go until you see it on the left.  Easy!  

(Take the airport route in and come back the other way to avoid the $3.50 tunnel toll, if you're into saving bucks.)

(I'd pick a non-rush hour time to avoid spending all your time sitting in the tunnel or along Rte. 1A.)

The deal 
It's cash only.  There's an ATM in the entry with a $2 fee. 
If you're plan to eat inside, order at the counter and they give you the cutest beeper you've ever seen - it's a lobster!  When it goes off, go back to the counter and get your food.  There are bar stools, booths, tables and picnic tables. 
If you want to eat outside, see the hostess and a waitress will take care of you out there in sun. 
The menu is only one page, but almost everything comes baked, broiled, stuffed, blackened, fried or teriyaki so there are dozens of options.  Depending on which cooking method you choose, the dinner side options are locked in.   Or you can order a la carte.  

Note: This place is NOT vegetarian friendly unless you are fond of french fries, onion rings, cole slaw or dinner rolls. 

What we ate 
Clam chowder pint $6.25 (big enough for 2) 
Stuffed clams 3 large shells $7.75  (shared) 
Blackened swordfish with rice pilaf, roll, cole slaw, tartar sauce and lemon $13.99
Lobster Pie (1/2 lb of meat) with rice pilaf, cole slaw, tartar sauce and lemon $20.99
Large sodas with free refills (serve yourself) 

Other pluses
THE VIEW!  Fabulous view of Boston across the harbor, jets taking off from Logan, and a pretty marina beside it. 
The staff is very helpful, friendly and patient with people who didn't figure out it's cash only until they're ordering. 
It's also a market, so you can take home fresh seafood and do your own cooking if you like.  

 Enjoy!