No, I'm not saying what you are thinking... what I'm saying is, "WHERE'S THE FIRE???!?!!" I mean, why is everyone in such a rush???
Did the guy have to fall on his horn because I didn't go around the city bus? Did that woman have to leave two more messages for me at 10:17 and 12:23 because I did not return her call from 8:39, which was a follow up from her 7:43 e-mail message? Does the lady at the bagel store have to tell me that I'd better get there before 9:45 to pick up my order even though they close at 10?
Where is the fire?!?!
Wouldn't it just be nice for one day... heck, I'd even take one hour... just to not rush around, stressing out about what's next? Trying to figure out, "what can I squeeze in?" Asking, "What can I do quickfastandinahurry?"
I believe it is counterproductive and contrary to being organized, content and peaceful...
Besides, some things you just have to do slow...
For example, you know that you can't cook grits fast... just as the guy in "My Cousin Vinny" says, "no self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits"... and everyone knows that you really can't make the Polaroid pic develop any faster by shaking it in the air... did I just drop a bomb on my age???... and gosh-dern-it-all, no matter how many times my kids ask me, "are we there yet?", it still takes more than two hours, a Shrek movie, a bathroom stop and a run through the drive thru for a happy meal to make it from NJ to VA in my mom-mobile.
So why the rush? I'll tell you why... I blame it on the microwave. From the moment we figured out that you did not have to stand over the stove... flicking that Jiffy Pop tray 'til the foil top swirled into a balloon... but just press a button and voila (you know the rest)...it all went downhill. Think about it... it's like the loss of innocence...
So what does our timer-synced society do? Does it free me up to used the "time saved" to kick my feet up and watch that episode of American Pickers stored on my DVR? Do I get a chance to snuggle up with my baby boy for that one last rhyme sequence from Green Eggs and Ham? Do I spend the seven minutes gained by cooking instant vs. regular oatmeal writing my Aunt Minnie who, from my childhood days 'til now, sends me a birthday card with crisp dollars in it? I would bet my bottom, or a dollar, or my bottom dollar that the answer is a big old, capital N-O.
So what am I to do? I declare, I cannot exist like this...I am going on a "fast" strike... I will deliberately drive the 25 mile per hour limit, as posted, and I will wait patiently behind the person making a left turn instead of swerving into the bike lane, jut missing the dude imagining himself to be Lance Armstrong... (Hey man... if you are reading this, sorry that you ended up in the bushes that time... but hey, they were probably softer than the side of my car...) I will make homemade biscuits on a Wednesday night instead of my usual evening affair with the "dough boy" and his Grands.
I will sip, not gulp. I will walk, not run. I will chew, not scarf down. I will read, not skim. In essence, I will take my sweet time and enjoy each minute, each action, each experience and I won't feel guilty for tossing a bucket of water on the "fire".
Thursday
Wednesday
I cannot believe that I have not set foot on this page in aeons! I mean, alarms go off in my head almost every thirty seconds, generated by some sight, sound, smell or taste... and that's when my imagination goes into OVERdrive/super-daydream mode... remembering all the experiences I should have memorialized in print...
Like when I was standing on the banks of the James River this past weekend as I explored the early 1600's fort at the Jamestown Settlement thinking about those who spent their days collecting sand to be mixed and coaxed into beautiful vessels by the glassblowers who labored over the sun-hot stoves...
Or when I was navigating the pretzel-like twists and turns of Perkins Memorial Drive, sun rays held back off of my head by the shade of the trees... then sitting atop Bear Mountain's 1,284 feet as the Hudson... while at its edge, known as wide and deep... just looked like a wading pool from my view.
Then there was that late night in Miami, almost midnight, when...fresh off the plane from NJ... we stood in line with my daddy in front of "World Famous Mr. Boneless Ribs" and his portable pit with LTD pulsing through the towering DJ speakers as smoke, scented with charred wood and pork fat, floated us up to where he took our order and rewarded our patience with a mound of BBQ that melted on my tongue, placed on a cushion of a white bread slice (which I surely used to "sop up" the sweet smoky elixir...or sauce, as commoners would call it).
I laugh when I remember the time when my sister-friend and I made an early morning (read: before sunrise) pilgrimage through the tubes of the Hudson and stood on the dim platforms of the subway station which, thanks to the brew of summer heat, rain run-off and assorted garbage and pest remnants, put out a smell for which it was too early to digest... all to arrive at the just in time to be at the front of the pack when Smokey Robinson stepped on the "Today" summer concert stage and sent his honey-twinged tones over the dancing flutes of "Tears of a Clown."
I cannot lie... I need to write...everyday... In fact, in my imagination, I think I AM some kind of lost journalist who had not found her way... creativity stifled by "the man" and his corporate slammer (GoogleDilbert July 8, 1993)... (OK, humor me!) Although my check stub, schedule and parking tag say different, I've decided to take the time to answer the call of my imagination and manage to peck out a few words here and there to hush the sirens... but for now... I'd better get back to my cell, um, I mean, day job!
PS - mom, if you are reading this... I am OK... and yes, I am thankful to God for my good job... (smile)
Like when I was standing on the banks of the James River this past weekend as I explored the early 1600's fort at the Jamestown Settlement thinking about those who spent their days collecting sand to be mixed and coaxed into beautiful vessels by the glassblowers who labored over the sun-hot stoves...
Or when I was navigating the pretzel-like twists and turns of Perkins Memorial Drive, sun rays held back off of my head by the shade of the trees... then sitting atop Bear Mountain's 1,284 feet as the Hudson... while at its edge, known as wide and deep... just looked like a wading pool from my view.
Then there was that late night in Miami, almost midnight, when...fresh off the plane from NJ... we stood in line with my daddy in front of "World Famous Mr. Boneless Ribs" and his portable pit with LTD pulsing through the towering DJ speakers as smoke, scented with charred wood and pork fat, floated us up to where he took our order and rewarded our patience with a mound of BBQ that melted on my tongue, placed on a cushion of a white bread slice (which I surely used to "sop up" the sweet smoky elixir...or sauce, as commoners would call it).
I laugh when I remember the time when my sister-friend and I made an early morning (read: before sunrise) pilgrimage through the tubes of the Hudson and stood on the dim platforms of the subway station which, thanks to the brew of summer heat, rain run-off and assorted garbage and pest remnants, put out a smell for which it was too early to digest... all to arrive at the just in time to be at the front of the pack when Smokey Robinson stepped on the "Today" summer concert stage and sent his honey-twinged tones over the dancing flutes of "Tears of a Clown."
I cannot lie... I need to write...everyday... In fact, in my imagination, I think I AM some kind of lost journalist who had not found her way... creativity stifled by "the man" and his corporate slammer (Google
PS - mom, if you are reading this... I am OK... and yes, I am thankful to God for my good job... (smile)
Monday
I'm Not An Expert, I Just Play One On TV...err, the Web
Since I started my blog, I've gotten a lot of questions about where to go, what to do, how to get from here to there... I must admit, I did not expect (yes I did) to be thrust into the spotlight as a person, "in the know." On one hand, it is scary... I mean, people are listening to me! On the other hand, I love it... because, well, people are listening to me!
It is no secret... anyone who has known me for more than 30 seconds knows that all I do is daydream about traveling. (Dear Boss: If you are reading this... don't worry, when my door is closed, I am really am on a teleconference.) I also love to talk about traveling... to anyone who will listen... tell me where you are going and I'll give you something... although it may not be expert advice, it is usually something you can take and build on.
I kinda feel like the guy from Trapper John, MD... I mean, if you met him on the street, wouldn't you feel like he should be able to tell you what to take for your headache?? And he would probably look at you like, "Hey man, I'm an actor." But you would still want him to tell you something, right??? And he would probably say, try aspirin. You know that already, but it just feels like you got a pretty good piece of advice, right?
Well, that's what it's like with people asking me about travel... I love to go... I'll take a trip almost anywhere... and once I get there, I try to experience everything I can... from seeing the most beautiful vistas to going to the pickle festival (... yes, I really did go to a pickle festival). But, that doesn't make me an expert... I'm just a gal who likes to share the bits and pieces that I have picked up here and there. I also like to "remind" people of the stuff they know, but sometimes forget because they travel infrequently. Kind of like saying, "Take an aspirin."
With that in mind, I'm going to share a few tips... some you've heard, some you may not have heard... that will, hopefully, make planning travel a bit easier.... Especially for those who are trying to book those last minute trips before Labor Day, the unofficial expiration date on summer.
In the next section, I have posted my "100 words or less" takes ( don't count them, that's just a gimmick) on a few of the top travel "how to's" that I'm often asked about...
Air Travel: Getting the Lowest Fare
Check Travelocity and Expedia and other on-line booking engines to see what airline has the lowest fare. Then go to the airline's website to compare their fare against what you found on Travelocity (or whomever)... they may offer web-only discounts if you purchase directly from their site. If you decide to use a 3rd party booking engine, watch for service fees; some charge as much as $25 to process your transaction. (Cheers to Expedia... they recently stopped charging fees for booking flights... nice.) If you book directly with the airline, try to use their on-line tools... remember, if you use a phone rep, there is usually a fee. And always, always, always make sure you understand the change fee and refund policies.
Don't forget, fares change frequently (sometimes within the hour), so if you can, be ready to make a go/no-go decision. My primary airline, Continental, started a practice that will allow a full refund within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket. This is great if you want to lock a low rate in while you finalize your arrangements. Two things... just be sure to read all of the terms and watch the time!
Are You a Not-so Frequent Flyer?
Even if you only fly once or twice a year, sign up for the frequent flyer clubs. The miles add up. Believe it or not, you can redeem miles for more than free tickets... many airlines will exchange as few as 1,000 miles (a typical trip from NY to Orlando) for magazine subscriptions, merchandise (I'm trying to get a Callaway club for my sweetie) or gift certificates to retailers and restaurants. With my American Airlines points, I scored a year of (you guessed it) Travel & Leisure magazine.
To go a step further, many airlines even let you earn miles when you go through their site to a "partner" retailer's site to make a purchase. For example, I earned 15 miles per dollar on my Continental OnePass account for flowers I sent to my mother-in-law... and she thought I was sending them just because I love her... (No... Mom... just kidding... I do love you, really!) You will find retailers like Barnes & Noble, Target, Dell, Gap, J. Crew and many more... check out Continental's shopping partners! My advice?? Sign up and start earning today! You'll thank me when you cash in those points for that subscription to Us magazine (don't be embarrassed, you know you read it).
Booking Your "Home Away from Home"
Most booking sites allow you to search by an address... This way you can find the closest hotel to Aunt Betty's house... (even though she says she has room to "put you up", I know you can't take another pillow made from folded-up quilts or sleeping on Uncle Jesper's medi-bed... rest his soul...)
Once you figure out where you want to stay, call the hotel directly and ask for their in-house reservations person (who is usually there during regular business hours). Ask if there are any special rates or upgrades available for whatever you have... AARP/Senior Rate, AAA, veterans/military, student.... in fact, ask them if there are any special groups they recognize... who knows, your membership in the International Silver String Submarine Band might score you an upgrade! Even if the hotel does not have an in-house person and transfers you to the 800 number, still ask. Last but not least, call the hotel directly 2-3 days before your stay and ask them to please check to see if you have the best rate available.
Pre-Paid Hotel Sites
I have used sites like Hotwire, with pretty good results, but you have to be completely comfortable with shelling out the dough in advance, and for good... no refunds... and the suspense of not knowing what hotel you are staying in until you pay. My advice?? If you are going to a city you are familiar with or your stay is brief or it's a city where you can narrow down the offerings, try it out.
With Hotwire, once you punch in destination and dates, they show you everything available and allow you to further customize your search by hotel rating, area of town, etc. They also give a high level overview of what the property has to offer... pool, on-site restaurant, etc.
I used a prepaid booking engine for a trip to Tampa... I knew that there were only a couple of four star hotels in the Westshore area of town (because I did a little bit of research on Expedia), so I was OK with the blind booking... I netted a $67 rate at the Grand Hyatt on Tampa Bay. I also hit the jackpot with a $92 rate at the Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal. In DC, I got the rock bottom rate at the luxurious (read: best hotel bed ever) Phoenix Park Hotel, a boutique hotel across from Union Station.
The one time my luck was kind of shaky, I ended up in a haunted... I mean, historic hotel in upstate NY. I was waiting for Ichabod Crane to ride by my window. And when I heard the toll of the town bell (no joke)... you know that Bible they put in the nightstand???? Well, you can figure it out... (yes,I am being overly dramatic) Don't get me wrong, it was a nice hotel and the staff was great... it just was not my personal taste.
All jokes aside, I have not been terribly disappointed with any of my arrangements to date, but if you do consider using one of these sites, just be sure to read all the fine print to help determine if you are ready to try it out.
Overall, I like having the opportunity to network a bit with the hotel's staff before I make my decision, so I usually go the traditional route, but on the days when I am looking for a four-star at a two-star price, especially for a last minute trip when the likelihood of canceling is low, I definitely check out the pre-paid sites. (Note: many hotels offer the pre-paid/discount option on their websites, so don't forget to look there as well.)
So, there you have it... Your dose for the day... Happy hunting!
It is no secret... anyone who has known me for more than 30 seconds knows that all I do is daydream about traveling. (Dear Boss: If you are reading this... don't worry, when my door is closed, I am really am on a teleconference.) I also love to talk about traveling... to anyone who will listen... tell me where you are going and I'll give you something... although it may not be expert advice, it is usually something you can take and build on.
I kinda feel like the guy from Trapper John, MD... I mean, if you met him on the street, wouldn't you feel like he should be able to tell you what to take for your headache?? And he would probably look at you like, "Hey man, I'm an actor." But you would still want him to tell you something, right??? And he would probably say, try aspirin. You know that already, but it just feels like you got a pretty good piece of advice, right?
Well, that's what it's like with people asking me about travel... I love to go... I'll take a trip almost anywhere... and once I get there, I try to experience everything I can... from seeing the most beautiful vistas to going to the pickle festival (... yes, I really did go to a pickle festival). But, that doesn't make me an expert... I'm just a gal who likes to share the bits and pieces that I have picked up here and there. I also like to "remind" people of the stuff they know, but sometimes forget because they travel infrequently. Kind of like saying, "Take an aspirin."
With that in mind, I'm going to share a few tips... some you've heard, some you may not have heard... that will, hopefully, make planning travel a bit easier.... Especially for those who are trying to book those last minute trips before Labor Day, the unofficial expiration date on summer.
In the next section, I have posted my "100 words or less" takes ( don't count them, that's just a gimmick) on a few of the top travel "how to's" that I'm often asked about...
Air Travel: Getting the Lowest Fare
Check Travelocity and Expedia and other on-line booking engines to see what airline has the lowest fare. Then go to the airline's website to compare their fare against what you found on Travelocity (or whomever)... they may offer web-only discounts if you purchase directly from their site. If you decide to use a 3rd party booking engine, watch for service fees; some charge as much as $25 to process your transaction. (Cheers to Expedia... they recently stopped charging fees for booking flights... nice.) If you book directly with the airline, try to use their on-line tools... remember, if you use a phone rep, there is usually a fee. And always, always, always make sure you understand the change fee and refund policies.
Don't forget, fares change frequently (sometimes within the hour), so if you can, be ready to make a go/no-go decision. My primary airline, Continental, started a practice that will allow a full refund within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket. This is great if you want to lock a low rate in while you finalize your arrangements. Two things... just be sure to read all of the terms and watch the time!
Are You a Not-so Frequent Flyer?
Even if you only fly once or twice a year, sign up for the frequent flyer clubs. The miles add up. Believe it or not, you can redeem miles for more than free tickets... many airlines will exchange as few as 1,000 miles (a typical trip from NY to Orlando) for magazine subscriptions, merchandise (I'm trying to get a Callaway club for my sweetie) or gift certificates to retailers and restaurants. With my American Airlines points, I scored a year of (you guessed it) Travel & Leisure magazine.
To go a step further, many airlines even let you earn miles when you go through their site to a "partner" retailer's site to make a purchase. For example, I earned 15 miles per dollar on my Continental OnePass account for flowers I sent to my mother-in-law... and she thought I was sending them just because I love her... (No... Mom... just kidding... I do love you, really!) You will find retailers like Barnes & Noble, Target, Dell, Gap, J. Crew and many more... check out Continental's shopping partners! My advice?? Sign up and start earning today! You'll thank me when you cash in those points for that subscription to Us magazine (don't be embarrassed, you know you read it).
Booking Your "Home Away from Home"
Most booking sites allow you to search by an address... This way you can find the closest hotel to Aunt Betty's house... (even though she says she has room to "put you up", I know you can't take another pillow made from folded-up quilts or sleeping on Uncle Jesper's medi-bed... rest his soul...)
Once you figure out where you want to stay, call the hotel directly and ask for their in-house reservations person (who is usually there during regular business hours). Ask if there are any special rates or upgrades available for whatever you have... AARP/Senior Rate, AAA, veterans/military, student.... in fact, ask them if there are any special groups they recognize... who knows, your membership in the International Silver String Submarine Band might score you an upgrade! Even if the hotel does not have an in-house person and transfers you to the 800 number, still ask. Last but not least, call the hotel directly 2-3 days before your stay and ask them to please check to see if you have the best rate available.
Pre-Paid Hotel Sites
I have used sites like Hotwire, with pretty good results, but you have to be completely comfortable with shelling out the dough in advance, and for good... no refunds... and the suspense of not knowing what hotel you are staying in until you pay. My advice?? If you are going to a city you are familiar with or your stay is brief or it's a city where you can narrow down the offerings, try it out.
With Hotwire, once you punch in destination and dates, they show you everything available and allow you to further customize your search by hotel rating, area of town, etc. They also give a high level overview of what the property has to offer... pool, on-site restaurant, etc.
I used a prepaid booking engine for a trip to Tampa... I knew that there were only a couple of four star hotels in the Westshore area of town (because I did a little bit of research on Expedia), so I was OK with the blind booking... I netted a $67 rate at the Grand Hyatt on Tampa Bay. I also hit the jackpot with a $92 rate at the Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal. In DC, I got the rock bottom rate at the luxurious (read: best hotel bed ever) Phoenix Park Hotel, a boutique hotel across from Union Station.
The one time my luck was kind of shaky, I ended up in a haunted... I mean, historic hotel in upstate NY. I was waiting for Ichabod Crane to ride by my window. And when I heard the toll of the town bell (no joke)... you know that Bible they put in the nightstand???? Well, you can figure it out... (yes,I am being overly dramatic) Don't get me wrong, it was a nice hotel and the staff was great... it just was not my personal taste.
All jokes aside, I have not been terribly disappointed with any of my arrangements to date, but if you do consider using one of these sites, just be sure to read all the fine print to help determine if you are ready to try it out.
Overall, I like having the opportunity to network a bit with the hotel's staff before I make my decision, so I usually go the traditional route, but on the days when I am looking for a four-star at a two-star price, especially for a last minute trip when the likelihood of canceling is low, I definitely check out the pre-paid sites. (Note: many hotels offer the pre-paid/discount option on their websites, so don't forget to look there as well.)
So, there you have it... Your dose for the day... Happy hunting!
Sunday
Discovering Columbus: Part 2... A Long Day in Short North
Today was such an easy day... I guess it was the kind of easy Sunday that inspired Lionel Richie... As for me, I didn't have much to do... or maybe it was that I didn't choose to do much...
A great brunch at Toast officially started the day... loved the Banana (no "s") Foster French Toast... and the roasted potato home fries??? I am so jealous that mine don't taste like that!!! A little crisp on the outside, so tender on the inside, each golden cube evenly cooked... I guess you can tell that I will be going back soon. Next time?? Maybe the Filet Mignon Eggs "Benny", as they call it... (I know, I know... I'm working on the red meat thing...)
So back to my easy day...
I spent a lot of time remembering the great destinations we traveled to over the last few weeks... One place that really stands out for me is Columbus, Ohio. I think it's because I didn't really know what to expect... and had never even thought about visiting until literally 36 hours before the flight out!
Maybe I was being a bit of a snob... I mean, the "Big Apple" is in my backyard... DC is just an Acela ride away... two hours flat to Miami and only 30 minutes more to Nassau... LA, Phoenix or Vegas... just an in-flight movie's time away. Heck, I can even get to Zurich in about the same amount of time as it takes for a drive to Nana's house. So why would I (nose in the air, speaking through lemon-puckered lips... think: Mrs. Slocumbe on "Are You Being Served?") take a voyage to Columbus? Little did I know....
On our second day in Columbus, I think we packed in more than most first-time visitors would take on during a week-long stay!
After breakfast at Max and Erma's, off to a p0wer walk in Goodale Park, where volunteers from the Friends of Goodale Park were out pruning and picking a summer's harvest from their hybrid vegetable/flower gardens. Then, a stroll back through the streets of the Short North section of downtown brought me to wonderful cafes, boutiques and a very inviting church, Ekklesia, where the diverse flock exited the sanctuary, practically joined arm-in-arm in fellowship.
Gone to the Dogs
To my surprise, one of the eateries that really caught my attention didn't even serve food for humans!!! Three Dog Bakery featured canine culinary treats that, although I knew that I was looking at dog food, made my mouth water. (Trust me... I know it sounds weird, but until you see those bakery cases lined with fresh "cookies", "pastries" and "fruit tarts", with your own two eyes... don't judge me.) On the day we were in, they were crafting "happy hour cocktails" for pooches in anticipation of happy hour at the cafe across the street. How cool?!
The North Market
Our visit to the North Market was inspired by a invitation to witness artisans creating and sharing their crafts, live music and an indoor market filled with diverse offerings at each stop.
In the sea of creativity, I was drawn immediately to Blaze and Jessica and their "melted" bottles. Everything about their stand and their story drew me in. Their creative take on being Earth-friendly via baking recycled bottles stole my heart... love at first sight for me. I picked up a wonderful "slumped" (as they call them) Mason jar. I'm so ready to showcase my homemade apple butter pats on it to accompany "from-scratch" cinnamon pancakes at my next brunch. Best of all, they are a steal of a deal... with prices from $5 (and they ship for only $7!) , you can't walk away from the table without grabbing one of these pieces (I left with four), which will surely be a conversation starter at any table.
A Market Insider
Although I tried to savor all the market had to offer, these spots earned a special place in my travel log...
At the end of the night... in fact we dashed in just before they closed the kitchen... it was dinner at Marcella's, one of the Ohio-based Cameron Mitchell restaurants. The Melted Pecorino with crostini, apples and truffle honey... let's just say it was practically time for bed, but after that teaser, my mouth was wide awake... just in time to welcome Roasted Chicken Risotto and a sampling of my sweetie's Sicilian, which was bursting with the flavor of fresh ripe tomatoes and asiago cheese.
Thank goodness we had to walk back to the hotel... well, at least then I could trick myself into feeling a little less guilty about that bite of Ricotta Cheesecake sitting atop a biscotti crust drizzled with blueberry sauce!
(Stay tuned to HAFH for the details of our final day in Columbus...)
A great brunch at Toast officially started the day... loved the Banana (no "s") Foster French Toast... and the roasted potato home fries??? I am so jealous that mine don't taste like that!!! A little crisp on the outside, so tender on the inside, each golden cube evenly cooked... I guess you can tell that I will be going back soon. Next time?? Maybe the Filet Mignon Eggs "Benny", as they call it... (I know, I know... I'm working on the red meat thing...)
So back to my easy day...
I spent a lot of time remembering the great destinations we traveled to over the last few weeks... One place that really stands out for me is Columbus, Ohio. I think it's because I didn't really know what to expect... and had never even thought about visiting until literally 36 hours before the flight out!
Maybe I was being a bit of a snob... I mean, the "Big Apple" is in my backyard... DC is just an Acela ride away... two hours flat to Miami and only 30 minutes more to Nassau... LA, Phoenix or Vegas... just an in-flight movie's time away. Heck, I can even get to Zurich in about the same amount of time as it takes for a drive to Nana's house. So why would I (nose in the air, speaking through lemon-puckered lips... think: Mrs. Slocumbe on "Are You Being Served?") take a voyage to Columbus? Little did I know....
On our second day in Columbus, I think we packed in more than most first-time visitors would take on during a week-long stay!
After breakfast at Max and Erma's, off to a p0wer walk in Goodale Park, where volunteers from the Friends of Goodale Park were out pruning and picking a summer's harvest from their hybrid vegetable/flower gardens. Then, a stroll back through the streets of the Short North section of downtown brought me to wonderful cafes, boutiques and a very inviting church, Ekklesia, where the diverse flock exited the sanctuary, practically joined arm-in-arm in fellowship.
Gone to the Dogs
To my surprise, one of the eateries that really caught my attention didn't even serve food for humans!!! Three Dog Bakery featured canine culinary treats that, although I knew that I was looking at dog food, made my mouth water. (Trust me... I know it sounds weird, but until you see those bakery cases lined with fresh "cookies", "pastries" and "fruit tarts", with your own two eyes... don't judge me.) On the day we were in, they were crafting "happy hour cocktails" for pooches in anticipation of happy hour at the cafe across the street. How cool?!
The North Market
Our visit to the North Market was inspired by a invitation to witness artisans creating and sharing their crafts, live music and an indoor market filled with diverse offerings at each stop.
In the sea of creativity, I was drawn immediately to Blaze and Jessica and their "melted" bottles. Everything about their stand and their story drew me in. Their creative take on being Earth-friendly via baking recycled bottles stole my heart... love at first sight for me. I picked up a wonderful "slumped" (as they call them) Mason jar. I'm so ready to showcase my homemade apple butter pats on it to accompany "from-scratch" cinnamon pancakes at my next brunch. Best of all, they are a steal of a deal... with prices from $5 (and they ship for only $7!) , you can't walk away from the table without grabbing one of these pieces (I left with four), which will surely be a conversation starter at any table.
A Market Insider
Although I tried to savor all the market had to offer, these spots earned a special place in my travel log...
- Jeni's Ice Cream - native to Columbus, but I heard that they may make their way to Brooklyn. (this is me chanting... We want Jeni's!! We want Jeni's!!) Jeni uses organic, local dairy to craft my new favorite frozen flavors: Riesling Poached Pear, Goat Cheese (no, I'm not kidding) with Roasted Red Cherries and Salty Caramel!!!
- Taste of Belgium - Jean-François Flechet's team creates waffles cooked with imported Belgian beet sugar that caramelizes on the outside to protect the melt-in-your-mouth lightness of the waffle, and handmade crepes that burst with the goodness of fresh ingredients (loved, loved, loved the savory veggie with Gruyère)
- The Greener Grocer - loved the fact that they offer picture perfect local produce at pocket-friendly prices... and was so excited to hear about their Veggie Van that takes these fresh gems into under-served communities that have limited access to these "foundations" of a heart-healthy meal
At the end of the night... in fact we dashed in just before they closed the kitchen... it was dinner at Marcella's, one of the Ohio-based Cameron Mitchell restaurants. The Melted Pecorino with crostini, apples and truffle honey... let's just say it was practically time for bed, but after that teaser, my mouth was wide awake... just in time to welcome Roasted Chicken Risotto and a sampling of my sweetie's Sicilian, which was bursting with the flavor of fresh ripe tomatoes and asiago cheese.
Thank goodness we had to walk back to the hotel... well, at least then I could trick myself into feeling a little less guilty about that bite of Ricotta Cheesecake sitting atop a biscotti crust drizzled with blueberry sauce!
(Stay tuned to HAFH for the details of our final day in Columbus...)
Saturday
He Works Hard for the Money
Anyone who knows my sweetie (I call him, "Bay"... I guess short for "baby"), knows that he is a hard working man. Like... worked all day, cut the grass, weeded the garden, washed the clothes, picked the kids up, fed the kids, bathed the kids, read to the kids, fluffed their pillows and gave them zerbets (a raspberry a la Cosby Show), hard. And after all that, he doesn't even register a sigh when I ask him to pass me the remote, which is only a fingertip away, as he drags himself to the bedroom.
So when I asked him to "help me" tear down our front porch and transplant some flowers (read: you work, I tell you what to do, you smile and nod), I felt like I was asking too much, especially since he had already done his good deed for the day... he brought me breakfast in bed. But in true, "anything you'd like, honey," fashion, he jumped right on the case.
Bam, BAM... down came the first panel. Crack, clank... "Hmm, where can I donate these storm windows?" Pow, smash... never mind... a dust pan will do.
It seemed like hours passed, but this guy would not get off the clock.
Me: "Bay... are you hungry?"
Him: "No, pass the hammer."
Me: "Bay, do you want some iced tea?"
Him: "Nope... can you pass me the scraper?"
Me: "BaaYY, the mosquitoes are out!"
Him: "Go ahead inside... I'll be in soon."
Even though I felt so bad, probably because I would need to put a few drops of Campho Phenique in his water, like mama used to do for us to soothe those bug bites (old Southern remedy), deep inside, I think was glad he pressed on... besides, I did not want him to feel like he did not meet my...er...umm... his goal.
Finally, when the glow of the street lamp shining on him cast a shadow over the last pile of scraps, and he could no longer see past the end of his rake, he reluctantly threw in the towel. He would never say it, but I owe him one... big time...
When I arranged the picnic blanket on the living room floor ('cause the bugs cancelled my outdoor reservation for a party of two)... set out the plates of al dente rigatoni with a "backyard garden fresh" roasted tomato, red onion and yellow pepper ragout tossed with (fresh picked) sage infused butter (inspired by my class at Rustico Cooking)... poured two chilled glasses of a 2007 from Veritas.... lit the candle... and got lost for a minute in the eyes of my hard working guy, I thought to myself... "he works hard for the money, so I'd better treat him right."
So when I asked him to "help me" tear down our front porch and transplant some flowers (read: you work, I tell you what to do, you smile and nod), I felt like I was asking too much, especially since he had already done his good deed for the day... he brought me breakfast in bed. But in true, "anything you'd like, honey," fashion, he jumped right on the case.
Bam, BAM... down came the first panel. Crack, clank... "Hmm, where can I donate these storm windows?" Pow, smash... never mind... a dust pan will do.
It seemed like hours passed, but this guy would not get off the clock.
Me: "Bay... are you hungry?"
Him: "No, pass the hammer."
Me: "Bay, do you want some iced tea?"
Him: "Nope... can you pass me the scraper?"
Me: "BaaYY, the mosquitoes are out!"
Him: "Go ahead inside... I'll be in soon."
Even though I felt so bad, probably because I would need to put a few drops of Campho Phenique in his water, like mama used to do for us to soothe those bug bites (old Southern remedy), deep inside, I think was glad he pressed on... besides, I did not want him to feel like he did not meet my...er...umm... his goal.
Finally, when the glow of the street lamp shining on him cast a shadow over the last pile of scraps, and he could no longer see past the end of his rake, he reluctantly threw in the towel. He would never say it, but I owe him one... big time...
When I arranged the picnic blanket on the living room floor ('cause the bugs cancelled my outdoor reservation for a party of two)... set out the plates of al dente rigatoni with a "backyard garden fresh" roasted tomato, red onion and yellow pepper ragout tossed with (fresh picked) sage infused butter (inspired by my class at Rustico Cooking)... poured two chilled glasses of a 2007 from Veritas.... lit the candle... and got lost for a minute in the eyes of my hard working guy, I thought to myself... "he works hard for the money, so I'd better treat him right."
Friday
An Evening Under the Stars
What better way to spend a Friday evening in town than a concert in the park? Well, I guess I could be cruising the French Riviera, but I'm feeling very "local" this evening, so close to home it is!
Although I am always looking for my next adventure "away from home", I thought it would be a cool to hang out in my own "backyard"... in this case, my local green space. And tonight, for free, which is my second favorite four-letter "F" word (my first is, um... FOOD), I get to see The Stylistics, a group I have swayed to for many years.
So I am here and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night. The air is crisp, the stars are dancing over the treetops, the crowd is mellow and, best of all, I am here with my sweetie.
Now I know that my fellow concert goers think I am a weirdo 'cause I am sitting here, thumb-pecking on my BB... screen illuminating my face like a mischievous kid who's ready to tell ghost stories at a camp out... I mean, other than the flicker of a few citronella candles in the grass (I don't think Smokey Bear would be happy about this), wandering kids waving glo-sticks and the beams from the stage that seemed to carry the notes of "Stone in Love With You" straight to my heart, a blanket of darkness has fallen over the park.
I'm loving every moment of the show... Well, except for the moments when they preface a song with, "the year was 1971" or, "this song was from our first ALBUM," as in, L-P... as in, put a nickel on the needle... I mean, I'm still getting over finding grays two days in a row... I am not ready to claim the year that I first heard "Betcha By Golly Wow" streaming from my box radio. (Note to self...add Clairol #120A to the shopping list.)
I hate to admit it, but the concert is almost over... I can tell because The Stylistics have crooned most of the popular tunes and now they are doing "the song that was #3 on the charts in the UK and Japan"... but they have not done their signature song (read: finale), so I am safe for a few more minutes.
Aw heck... I spoke too soon! I am not ready for the silky serenade to end, but something just happened... Since I don't think anyone would spit on my forehead, it must be rain. Dang-it! (Bill Evans did tell me to expect showers late tonight!) OK, pack it up buddy, the rain is starting to fall... I'm not looking to be in... let's just say, a bar-variety "T-shirt contest".
As the notes of "You Make Me Feel Brand New" echoed behind me and my footsteps quickened toward the car, I chuckled and thought to myself, "Still... couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night!"
Looking for a FREE summer concert near you? Check out events in these popular destinations:
Or, you can always log on to NPR (National Public Radio) for live and "recorded live" events right from your PC!
Although I am always looking for my next adventure "away from home", I thought it would be a cool to hang out in my own "backyard"... in this case, my local green space. And tonight, for free, which is my second favorite four-letter "F" word (my first is, um... FOOD), I get to see The Stylistics, a group I have swayed to for many years.
So I am here and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night. The air is crisp, the stars are dancing over the treetops, the crowd is mellow and, best of all, I am here with my sweetie.
Now I know that my fellow concert goers think I am a weirdo 'cause I am sitting here, thumb-pecking on my BB... screen illuminating my face like a mischievous kid who's ready to tell ghost stories at a camp out... I mean, other than the flicker of a few citronella candles in the grass (I don't think Smokey Bear would be happy about this), wandering kids waving glo-sticks and the beams from the stage that seemed to carry the notes of "Stone in Love With You" straight to my heart, a blanket of darkness has fallen over the park.
I'm loving every moment of the show... Well, except for the moments when they preface a song with, "the year was 1971" or, "this song was from our first ALBUM," as in, L-P... as in, put a nickel on the needle... I mean, I'm still getting over finding grays two days in a row... I am not ready to claim the year that I first heard "Betcha By Golly Wow" streaming from my box radio. (Note to self...add Clairol #120A to the shopping list.)
I hate to admit it, but the concert is almost over... I can tell because The Stylistics have crooned most of the popular tunes and now they are doing "the song that was #3 on the charts in the UK and Japan"... but they have not done their signature song (read: finale), so I am safe for a few more minutes.
Aw heck... I spoke too soon! I am not ready for the silky serenade to end, but something just happened... Since I don't think anyone would spit on my forehead, it must be rain. Dang-it! (Bill Evans did tell me to expect showers late tonight!) OK, pack it up buddy, the rain is starting to fall... I'm not looking to be in... let's just say, a bar-variety "T-shirt contest".
As the notes of "You Make Me Feel Brand New" echoed behind me and my footsteps quickened toward the car, I chuckled and thought to myself, "Still... couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night!"
Looking for a FREE summer concert near you? Check out events in these popular destinations:
- Atlanta, GA
- Charlotte, NC
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Freeport, MN
- Houston, TX
- Miami, FL
- New York City
- Northern NJ
- Orange County (Anaheim/Santa Ana), Ca
- Philadelphia, PA
- Naples, FL
- Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, VA
Or, you can always log on to NPR (National Public Radio) for live and "recorded live" events right from your PC!
Discovering Columbus, Part 1
I think my daddy asked it best... “What in the heck is in Columbus, Ohio?!” When he asked me, I was in Newark Airport trying decide whether I should squeeze in a last minute eyebrow wax in at d_parture spa (just call me, "Una Brau") or going straight to my gate, hoping...no, praying for an on-time departure.
At that point, you’d think I’d have a pretty good answer, right? Well, I did not. Not because Columbus isn’t a great place to visit… heck, I was about to spend my hard earned recession-shaken greenbacks on this trip, so I had to see something in this curious Midwest locale. If nothing else, I was set to explore a city named for an explorer extraordinaire.
Although I had booked this trip only 24 hours earlier via the Continental.com specials, let's just say thank goodness for the "Experience Columbus" website. Between the time I left Newark airport (on time, thank goodness) and I touched down Ohio’s capitol city, I had a planner’s page full of ideas, both grand and small to experience during my 48 hour stay.
First up, a visit to the Lincoln Theatre for a concert headlined by the legendary Motown Miracles. I had no idea when I crossed the theatre's threshold that I was walking into a living history lesson. As the historic marker registers, they were all there at one point… Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker.
Showtime with the Miracles was awesome. As with any group celebrating a half century in the business, Father Time has taken his toll on the group. While some members were only on stage in spirit, those that were left behind, including original member Bobby Rogers, surely put on a show.
As if the chords in the first familiar tune were not enough to send me back to my living room sitting at my dad’s feet listening to Smokey sing, “Tears of a Clown”, my heart melted like a teenage girl’s when Smokey’s “heir” wailed in a perfectly mimicked pitch on “Ooh, Baby, Baby”.
After a solid set of upbeat hits (think, “I Second that Emotion” and “Love Machine”... ooOOYEAH!) and love ballads, and a well placed tribute to Michael Jackson, as with any fairy tale evening, the clock signaled a return to the real world. As the curtain closed, I left with a song in my heart and a memory to last a lifetime.
At that point, you’d think I’d have a pretty good answer, right? Well, I did not. Not because Columbus isn’t a great place to visit… heck, I was about to spend my hard earned recession-shaken greenbacks on this trip, so I had to see something in this curious Midwest locale. If nothing else, I was set to explore a city named for an explorer extraordinaire.
Although I had booked this trip only 24 hours earlier via the Continental.com specials, let's just say thank goodness for the "Experience Columbus" website. Between the time I left Newark airport (on time, thank goodness) and I touched down Ohio’s capitol city, I had a planner’s page full of ideas, both grand and small to experience during my 48 hour stay.
First up, a visit to the Lincoln Theatre for a concert headlined by the legendary Motown Miracles. I had no idea when I crossed the theatre's threshold that I was walking into a living history lesson. As the historic marker registers, they were all there at one point… Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker.
Showtime with the Miracles was awesome. As with any group celebrating a half century in the business, Father Time has taken his toll on the group. While some members were only on stage in spirit, those that were left behind, including original member Bobby Rogers, surely put on a show.
As if the chords in the first familiar tune were not enough to send me back to my living room sitting at my dad’s feet listening to Smokey sing, “Tears of a Clown”, my heart melted like a teenage girl’s when Smokey’s “heir” wailed in a perfectly mimicked pitch on “Ooh, Baby, Baby”.
After a solid set of upbeat hits (think, “I Second that Emotion” and “Love Machine”... ooOOYEAH!) and love ballads, and a well placed tribute to Michael Jackson, as with any fairy tale evening, the clock signaled a return to the real world. As the curtain closed, I left with a song in my heart and a memory to last a lifetime.
Wednesday
3, 2, 1... Blast Off...
The Space Shuttle, Endeavor, is scheduled (again) to launch tonight at 6:03pm EST. I'm hoping the "three's a charm" thing works in the favor of geeks like me who synchronize their watches by NASA's official launch clock. I don't think I can stand another delay...
I tried to brainstorm a cool dinner that I could serve in honor of Endeavor's planned launch and tomorrow's celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission, but I was stumped... I mean, I could have gone with the "sun charred chicken wings" or "arroz con A-pollo", with "Moon"-shine on the rocks (bu-dum, ching), but none of those ideas really "got off the ground". (bu-dum, ching)... OK, OK, no more lame attempts at humor.
So I happened to find an "inspiring" recipe for a "Space Cake"on the Family Fun magazine website. (I confess, I just read it to get ideas so I can out-brag other moms at the playground on how many cool crafts I'm gonna do with my kids... I guess like the Temptations say, "It was just my imagination, running away with me...")
Anyway back to the cake... It is actually a semi-homemade recipe (read: buy the stuff and put it together in your kitchen) which calls for a pre-made sheet cake, vanilla frosting and red & blue M&M's. I decided to update it a bit for my "mature" taste. (read: if I eat anymore sweets, in my vocabulary, NASA will stand for Need Another Size ASAP!)
OK, less about my desire to be a size "I don't need to hold my belly in anymore," and more on the cake...
I figured I'd start with the store bakery-bought plain sheet cake and cut it in a rocket shape as the directed. But then, instead of the sinfully sweet frosting that I would surely get on my fingers "by accident", I'd use a light dusting of powdered sugar, sprinkled through a sifter, to blanket the cake in white. Instead of the M&M's, although very "melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hands" yummy, raspberries and blueberries would provide the colorful outline of the cake. Tasty right? Well, sure it is... and your skinny jeans will still love you in the morning!
So, how do we top this off? For me, this is when I pull out the vintage, original Life magazine from 1969 featuring the Apollo 11 Mission that I found at a rummage sale on Perry Street in the Village.... present it to my space travel-loving hubby... and start thinking of ways for him to show his appreciation. Mission complete!
(photo courtesy NASA: www.nasa.gov)
Tuesday
Whole Foods Market is Jazzing Things Up
Of course I am not traveling today... a girl's gotta have a day job... but as you know, I try to find things that my family can do when we are "at home" to add a bit of spice to our days... Today, Whole Foods Market is on my agenda and here's why...
When I stepped into Whole Foods Market for the first time, I did not realize that I would not find Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (they’re GRRREEAT!) on the shelves. I mean, I knew that Whole Foods focused on healthy, more natural foods, but I did not realize that meant the absence of everything else… that is, everything else I was used to putting in my cupboards…like those cans of cheese that you spray in swirls on your tongue… (yeah, I know that cheese should not come in a can… don’t worry, I’ve repented for my sin of buying non-perishable cheese!)
Fast forward to today and it is definitely one of my favorite afternoon stops. I mean, where else can I get peanut butter that is just made of peanuts, a gluten-free apple cobbler and coconut milk based yogurt under the same roof? (well, you know what I mean) And, for some reason, the store smells like nature… or maybe that’s just my imagination.
OK, let me get back to my point... in my local Whole Foods, I have found a bit of a refuge. I discovered that they have LIVE JAZZ on Tuesday nights! That means I can get a hot dinner from the buffet (with what seems like 100+ options) and chill out with the jazzy sounds of a new artist each week for free. (They don't even have a hat out for tips!!) Also, if I close my eyes while I bite into my seaweed salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar (don’t judge me), I feel like I am at one of my favorite jazz spots in the Village. For me, this makes Whole Foods a whole different experience… Just another thing that makes being “home” during the week pretty OK.
Tip of the day… Get to know your Whole Foods store:
Did you know that in addition to peddling the tastiest papaya this side of the equator (I know papaya is grown in the Northern Hemisphere as well, but work with me), Whole Foods also offers countless events that the whole family can enjoy and benefit from?
In the Whole Foods in New York City's Bowery location, they offer “how-to” classes for the budding Julia Child in all of us, and free tastings for those of us who go to Sam's and Costco on Saturday mornings to see how many samples of mini-corn dogs and turtle cheesecake we can scarf down before the lady realizes that we're running the scam. (don't judge me) Several stores also have kid-friendly culinary camps that I will schedule my two jumping beans for.
Not near a Whole Foods store? No worries, thanks to their website, you can find a bazillion things including podcasts , recipes , primers on how to address special needs diets and more. Check it out…
Sunday
The Best Way to Make Friends... Share a Table
When we set out for dinner, I had two thoughts in mind... "on the water" and, well, "good food". Our first stop was based on a recommendation from our concierge... the Crab Shell. He said everyone loved it, and it was near the hotel. So we went... and we left. (think Richard Dawson saying, "Survey says, " and that big "X" flashing and hearing the "eennnt" sound ) Don't get me wrong, it was a cool place... just not what I was looking for.
Luckily, I remembered a webpage for what looked like a great spot in Rowayto n , the neatest town I've encountered to date on the Long Island Sound/Nichols Pond/Five M i le R iv er. (the locals will surely correct my geography)
"The Restaurant" at Rowayton Seafood looked like the perfect place...
Of course, we were dressed down... way down... like, let's just shuck crabs in the b ack yard dressed down... or, we just drove in from Jersey and did not know we were going to "dinner"dressed down... but w hen I called, the hostess said, "Come on over!"
Surely enough, when we pulled into the drive of this early 1900's converted house, it was much less intimidating than the website led me to believe... warm, cozy, no... like a good friend's house on a summer evening... that's what it felt like. I met a cool couple, S and K, who were waiting. I never knew that the statement, "OK, your husband is wearing shorts, too," could be an icebreaker, but there is something about an inviting eating space that makes everyone so approachable!
We didn't have reservations... but the hostess penciled in the number "2" and my name on her book and invited us to the bar for a drink... as if she was going to pour a tall glass of whatever was refreshing. Before we could make our way over to the bar, my soon-to-be "friend girl" invited us to the table she and her hubby were seated at (which was for four)... how kind!
What a great time... recalling dishes from our favorite restaurants in the world, sharing "handed down" family recipes, noting destinations to keep in our mental maps, listing the "how to's" of raising kids to be good global citizens, confirming that I am not the only one on the planet who talks to their parents everyday... and on and on.
When all was said and done, it was a very good evening. It's funny, the food was "way better" than I can articulate (think Tuna Sashimi Flatbread...cheers to Executive Chef Chris North), but even for me, Ms. Foodie herself, the cuisine was on the "back burner". The sweet experience of chatting with new friends over the cool river breeze... that was truly the Pièce de résistance.
Saturday
All is "Fair" in Love and BBQ (Fairfield, CT, that is)
I guess eating "light" for breakfast to save room for Wilson's Barbeque was not a good idea. I did not expect traffic at the GWB, or the Hutch, or I-95. (For my readers in the Metro NY area, I know I am acting like I was born yesterday!). So there I was...hungry...and the hubby passed the exit for Mickey D's...on purpose. (Don't worry...no 187.)
So here we are at Wilson's. Parking right in front. Can't do that in NJ...for free...ever. When I walked into Wilson's I thought, "I'm gonna smell like a smoke pit for the rest of the day." Th
en I thought, "OK..and??" I promptly placed my order... you know that I had already previewed the menu before I even left home...three meat platter, collards, macaroni and cheese... don't forget the (extra) sweet tea!
Have you ever seen that movie, "Ratatouille"? You know the part where the food critic, Ego, sits down, they send out the dish, he tastes it and then childhood visions of him at his mama's table flash in front of him??? THAT WAS ME!!! The cornbread, oh my-melt-in-your-mouth-goodness...sweet, sweet goodness. I have to say, it is neck and neck with daddy's. (I can write that because daddy won't see this... he only looks at his e-mail, the Franklin Mint and old car websites.) Anyway, everything was so gosh dern good... tender, smoky meat and the pulled pork, hot dang!!! You gotta check it out when you are in this neck of the woods.
I got a chance to meet Mr. Wilson... pretty cool dude... I was a bit "star struck", but he was nice enough to not make me feel like an idiot and just finished my sentences for me. He was gracious enough to let me snap a photo, even though the restaurant was hoppin' with customers. And just like any southern-type host would do, he made sure he told me to go get a refill on that sweet tea!
So here we are at Wilson's. Parking right in front. Can't do that in NJ...for free...ever. When I walked into Wilson's I thought, "I'm gonna smell like a smoke pit for the rest of the day." Th
en I thought, "OK..and??" I promptly placed my order... you know that I had already previewed the menu before I even left home...three meat platter, collards, macaroni and cheese... don't forget the (extra) sweet tea!Have you ever seen that movie, "Ratatouille"? You know the part where the food critic, Ego, sits down, they send out the dish, he tastes it and then childhood visions of him at his mama's table flash in front of him??? THAT WAS ME!!! The cornbread, oh my-melt-in-your-mouth-goodness...sweet, sweet goodness. I have to say, it is neck and neck with daddy's. (I can write that because daddy won't see this... he only looks at his e-mail, the Franklin Mint and old car websites.) Anyway, everything was so gosh dern good... tender, smoky meat and the pulled pork, hot dang!!! You gotta check it out when you are in this neck of the woods.
I got a chance to meet Mr. Wilson... pretty cool dude... I was a bit "star struck", but he was nice enough to not make me feel like an idiot and just finished my sentences for me. He was gracious enough to let me snap a photo, even though the restaurant was hoppin' with customers. And just like any southern-type host would do, he made sure he told me to go get a refill on that sweet tea!
Go North or South??? BOTH!
So I am up, not earlier than normal, but early. It is Saturday and it feels REALLY weird to wake up in my own bed, in my house. I love to go... anywhere.. all the time... today is NO different.
OK, so last week when we were in Columbus, OH, I was watching "Guy's Big Bite" and he had this guy on who has a barbecue place up in CT. Then it hit me... go north to go south...at least I thought it was clever. So today, I'm going "away from home" to Fairfield, CT to Wilson's Real Pit Barbeque (he spells it with a "q"). To hear them tell it, Mr. Ed Wilson serves up the best mac n' cheese this side of the Mason-Dixon. I won't protest because my mom's mac n' cheese is on the other side of the M-D.
So don't worry, I'm not driving all that way for barbecue (yes I am)... I actually have a mini-itinerary planned thanks to the Fairfield County website... Sheffield Island and Lighthouse, Red Bee Apiary, Bartlett Arboretum... that is if the hubby agrees to the overnight stay. I'm packing a bag and being really nice to him just in case!!!
OK, so last week when we were in Columbus, OH, I was watching "Guy's Big Bite" and he had this guy on who has a barbecue place up in CT. Then it hit me... go north to go south...at least I thought it was clever. So today, I'm going "away from home" to Fairfield, CT to Wilson's Real Pit Barbeque (he spells it with a "q"). To hear them tell it, Mr. Ed Wilson serves up the best mac n' cheese this side of the Mason-Dixon. I won't protest because my mom's mac n' cheese is on the other side of the M-D.
So don't worry, I'm not driving all that way for barbecue (yes I am)
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