friday field trip: portsmouth, nh

This mug is from my absolute favorite coffee shop in Portsmouth!

Today we'll celebrate friendship and DF Anne's 40th birthday with some girl-time in Portsmouth, NH.  This seaside town has a great vibe with a charming, walkable downtown square, funky shops, plenty of local restaurants and fresh sea air.  Perfection!  I'll update this post with pics when we return!

Happy Friday!

friday field trip: wellesley

my favorite lunch bite ... roasted beets with grana padano

After a 'holiday hiatus', friends helped me ressurect my wellness Rx - the Friday Field Trip.  Many thanks to Jen and Anne for our escape to Wellesley, MA.  Named after the college that lies at its heart, (and Jen's alma mater) this beautiful town boasts a healthy business community with delightful shops and restaurants. Here are some pics of our favorite stops along the way.

TGIF!

Amazing Cheese Shop - closed for winter holiday! Shucks!
No worries though, they reopen next week.

location closing (don't despair - downtown Boston is thriving)
 ... beautiful bargains

toys for all ages -- baby to teens!

Jen's College Job!
Fashion for kids -
that you'll pass down through generations

First Communion Shopping?  Must hit Abigail's!!!

the tapas were pre-made (and a little cold) - but the salad was delish!

The Paper Source, Wellesley
(Valentine Supply Shopping!)

happily using my new embossing supplies 

friday field trip: cambridge, ma

ahhhh ... true love

I have been waiting all week for this trip to Cambridge.  My destination: the new location of Hi-Rise Bakery.  Would their coffee be as wonderful as remembered from their original spot on Brattle Street?

First, I must confess that prior to my first trip to Italy, I was a major contributor to the success of Starbucks. But one valuable lesson I learned from Italians: sit and give your coffee the respect it deserves.  Neighborhoods full of people sit and enjoy their coffee over the paper or with friends.  That may be your Starbucks - but I was always dashing in and out running from one errand or appointment to another.  So I have made a conscious effort to only order coffee drinks when I am able to give them the proper time.  The other lesson I learned: an amazing cup of coffee is worth waiting for. And hence this sojourn to Cambridge.

Fingers crossed,  I made my way down MA Ave with a slew of quarters for feeding meters.  And was rewarded with a wonderful breakfast! Pics below of the yumminess and my stroll through Harvard Square. Locals - visit Hi-Rise. You won't be disappointed!

mushroom & ham on sourdough
... amazing

coffee no. 2
for my stroll in Harvard Square

new location definitely delivers
1633 Mass Ave, Cambridge

unique gifts

gourmet pantry - great European chocolates

love the windows at Anthropologie

Burdicks
best chocolate in Boston

I wish I could make this scratch-n-sniff
I could smell the evergreens
half a block away!

where I get my running shoes
each year on my birthday

welcoming patrons outside Upper Crust

friday field trip: concord, ma

lunch in Concord ...
#9 Avocado BLT

Concord is most commonly known as the birthplace of the American Revolution and home to some of the great American Minds; Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne and Alcott.  Only 15 miles away, this little gem is a frequent haunt of mine. 


A morning purging the basement in prep for the holiday's left me a little desperate for an escape.  'Shout-Out' to my DF (dear friend), Anne. Thanks for the rescue!  With my iphone (non-exploding!) I snapped a few pics of my favorite things from today's adventure. Enjoy!

one of my favorite stores -
an eclectic vintage collection
of gifts for the home

says it all!

Great local bookstore!

Final Pit Stop:  The Concord Cheese Shop
Amazing selection = happy tummy!

Their cornichons are out-of-this-world!

 
Are we posing with cheese?  Yes, we are!

   

friday field trip: tree hunt

Once we finish a round of open-face turkey sandwiches (and perhaps a post turkey nap?) we move enthusiastically into the next stage of our holidays, 'crankin' out' Christmas.  The kick-off event is our annual tree hunt with the Hogan family.  In recent years, we take this tradition to Mountain Star Farm in northern New Hampshire.  I must say, it feels magical to hike through rows of Balsam & Frasier Firs, cousins running to and fro, adults searching for their version of the perfect tree. Our stories often take a farcical turn but the fun makes it all the more memorable.  Even if you can't cut your own tree this year, make your outing fun with a stop for hot cider or cocoa ... we made our pitstop in Bath, at their wonderful General Store.

 Enjoy these pics from today's field trip - made more beautiful by the recent snowfall.  Happy Tree Hunting to you!

friday field trip: goose fair

Since moving to MA, I try to burn off a little steam each Friday by trying something out of my normal routine.  This Friday after some wonderful time outside enjoying the fall weather, I went on my weekly 'field trip' - this time right in Winchester.  Each year, on the Friday before Thanksgiving, The Parish of the Epiphany hosts an annual tradition, the Goose Fair.  It is a wonderful expression of community spirit when people from all generations and beliefs come together to enjoy a meal, shop for hand crafted items or used books and reconnect in a wholesome celebration of the holidays. This year, my eldest joined me for a 'shift' in the kitchen and we saw first hand the loving attention paid to the foods prepared and served at the Fair.  It was a lovely way to embrace the beginning of what can at times be a hectic time of year.

I hope you and your family will have time for a small fair or festival this season.  We'll bring you a family-sized version of their Swiss Chard Soup later this weekend.

TGIF!