visitors to not only our homestead, but also the city

My Dad on the 86th Floor.
Photo credit:  My Mom

My parents came to visit me and I could not be happier! I am actually sad right now at this instant because they left this morning and it is always emotional leaving family, but I LOVE and very much appreciate that they made the trek down to New Jersey and were brave enough to venture into the city with me yesterday for some urban sight seeing and exploring. We took an eight o'clock boat in and walked through South Street Seaport and up past City Hall. We boarded a subway (yes, really brave parents) and headed up to Herald Square, where they entered into the Empire State Building Observatory. We said our good byes in the lobby because I had to go to work for the first half of the day, and they proceeded to travel up, up, up to the eighty sixth and one hundred and second floors. Once their feet were back on the ground, they walked to the northern most point of the High Line and followed it south. I met them after they were through the Chelsea Market Passage and traveled the rest of the way, down to Gansevoort Street, with them. They got a quick tour of my office building and then we walked to Mary's Fish Camp (located on West 4th and Charles Street in the West Village) and enjoyed an A+ lunch full of seafood and deliciousness. We took the subway (again) back to the ferry pier and headed home. We stopped at Strollo's Lighthouse for an after lunch ice cream after we landed in New Jersey. It was the most wonderful day and I wish they could visit every week! Click here for the menu at Mary's and try not to drool.  

a mini vacation/obligation and a lot of family

Saturday's sunset.

My husband and I were able to escape the cold for two days and put our toes in the sand. One of his great uncle's turned eighty last week and the family arranged a surprise brunch party in his honor - in Florida. While it was a bit of whirlwind with a very quick turnaround, I am grateful we were able to trade in these single digit temperatures for two seventy degree days. My skin saw the sun and I got to put my flip flops on - what a treat! We stayed in Redington Beach the first night and St. Petersburg the second. Although we aren't super fans of Florida, we really enjoy watching the sunset over the gulf. There were fifty family members in attendance and he was shocked and touched. Job well done, family. I think we really made his day. Although I wish I was a bit tanner, I can't really complain. This little adventure also reiterated the importance of planning a vacation in the February/March months to a warmer climate. It was great seeing family and gives me hope that winter will end one of these days...

I want a round room at the end of the day

Obviously not my photo, but
how cool are these things?

There is so much going on in the world. I have so much to write about, just not enough time in the day to do it. Thankfully, I got to work early today and although these next posts may be short, they will be packed with curiosities, hilarity, and may even shock you. This post is going to be about Free Spirit Spheres in British Columbia (aka the greatest place on earth in my book). I'm not sure I would enjoy spending the night in one, but I could name at least ten people I know that would. They sound a little scary to me because of the suspension, but seeing out into the forest from "a nutshell that's decorated like a palace" sounds totally awesome! It also makes me think of the nutshell quote from Austin Powers, which always makes me giggle. "That's you in a nutshell!"/"No, this is me in a nutshell. Help! I'm in a nutshell! How did I get into this nutshell? Look at the size of this bloody great big nutshell. What sort of shell has a nut like this? This is crazy!" It gets me every time, but...back to the sphere. They are handcrafted and I am sure staying in one for any number of nights would make for quite the memorable adventure! Click here to read more and make your reservation.

our very first day in Europe and we chose Naples

The terrace and the view.

I am missing our trip more than words can say right now, mostly because of two reasons 1. my husband is away at work and I miss him and 2. it was (pretty much) sixty degrees for the entire span and at the present moment it is twenty five and snowing. The first photo I chose to share was from Naples. We decided to land in Rome and make the hour-long commute south by high-speed train to see some of Italy's coast. We were thrilled we did when it came to our accommodations and our view (and food, says the fat kid). The hotel we stayed in was a renovated monastery and our room was one of two with a terrace. It was remarkable...if only our drive to the said hotel could have been as remarkable. 

We took a taxi from the train station and the driver drove about one hundred miles per hour down four foot wide streets that were crowded not only with pedestrians, but also motorbikes carrying one to three people driving the opposite way we were. I was grateful we did not decide to rent a car and show ourselves around Naples. We were apparently charged six euros more than we should have been charged - I just can't believe someone took us for tourists with our blonde manes and gigantic suitcases - but we made it safe and sound and again, entered into one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stepped foot in. We took a walk and ventured a few blocks from the hotel for wine, and found another little place for dinner. We were fed something we still aren't sure about (we think it was a fried oyster) out of the hand of the chef and ate one of my favorite meals from the entire trip - homemade pasta and shredded pork covered in a sauce that tasted like French onion soup. It was delicious. We only had a starter and a pasta course, and were laughed at because we couldn't eat more. I wish I shoved something else in because the following day we ate a true Napoli pizza and I wish so much my stomach had been expanded by that point. (Pizza post to come tomorrow.) Naples was a whirlwind and well worth the efforts of a little extra travel time. Click here to see our hotel, Hotel San Francesco Al Monte.

farewell for not too long, but a little while

I am about to embark on a vacation sandwiched between two weddings and most likely won't be on again until the middle of September. I wish you wellness and cheer on your days ahead. 

name change for our beloved buggie

I Googled hooptie and this image came
up - our buggie does not look like this.
It is much prettier, thank you very much.

It seems like just yesterday I was talking up our little buggie. We still really love that car, but my husband came up with a new name for it:  hooptie. I don't know why, but I love that name SO much. It is SO funny to say. I laugh every time - I am laughing right now. Although it will always be the buggie in our hearts, it has graduated to another level - a hooptie level. We still haven't come up with a name for our new car, which still doesn't quite feel like our actual car, but give it time. We are about to embark on a nine-day adventure in September and will be driving many a'mile in it. We will also see the person who named the buggie for four out of those nine days...it is bound to happen.

if you like pina coladas, in the dunes of the cape...

I had the most wonderful long weekend on the Cape with my sister. We had productive days, but still had fun - I love those types of weekends - they're the best. I took Friday off from work to maximize my time because it is a solid five hour drive. I am all for leaving late on Sundays when it is any season except for summer, which also influenced my decision. Because it is summer, I knew I would be leaving promptly at eight o'clock on Sunday morning, so a day off on Friday was in order. 

We quickly caught up after I arrived Thursday night (which never takes long because we are talking, texting, emailing, etc. all day every day because we love each other so much). We were up and at 'em on Friday before seven thirty and stopped to grab breakfast and lunch. There is a nearby farm market that has the most delicious delights. We got to the beach and went for a run. Then, we changed into our bikinis and spent the next four hours on the beach. The water was clear and warm. The sun was shining. It was perfect! We left and headed home to shower and change. Our plans for the night included stopping at Cape Cod Beer for a tasting and a clambake. I was thoroughly impressed with the beer at the brewery; the porter tasted just like maple syrup - score! The clambake was interesting to say the least; a lot of Vineyard Vines-clad children and adults, a beautiful view of the ocean and boats, delicious food, and a commodore who liked setting off a mini cannon. We left and met up with a few friends once we had our fill of our own personal dance party and dj. I am not sure what the other clambake attendees thought of us and our moves, but we sure had fun dancing to Stevie Nicks and Paul Simon. Our night did not end extravagantly late and we woke up on Saturday around the same time. 

We followed our morning procedure from Friday, but instead of a run I got to see my sister's new place - which is adorbs - very excited for her to be living in such a cool area! After the beach we decided to have an early dinner. We were finished with appetizers and ice cream cones pre-seven o'clock. We set-up a little viewing area and watched the movie Bridesmaids for the hundredth time together. It really was fun and I can't wait to visit again soon. I hadn't been to the cape in ages (like fifteen years or more) and I am happy to say a lot is still the same. It made me happy and comfortable and eager to do more exploring! I just wish time wouldn't pass by so quickly when we are together. Time flies, I guess...

put on your big girl pants and just go for it

I have been getting these overwhelming thoughts and feelings lately pertaining to travel. They surface a few days before I need to use a form of transportation I don't normally use. I am a pretty confident traveler (or at least I used to be) and can navigate myself around most places with ease; I have experimented with New Jersey Transit trains, PATH trains, buses, ferries, cars, taxis, and subways - and that was just to get myself to and from work. For some reason this feeling does not come on for my work commute; it only emerges when commuting to and from personal plans. I really shouldn't be complaining because the personal plans I have are the best ever. I get to see the people I love most in this world, and because we live so far away from everyone this is the way it has to be. I am just noticing these feelings more and more as of lately. It is not like they completely take over my body and I end up refusing to go somewhere. Instead, it is just this nervousness and I think to myself "how the hell am I going to do this by myself"...but then I just do it. If I want to take mini vacations and see my people, I really don't have a choice. Nothing is ever as scary or as intimidating as I imagine it to be either. It all ends up working out just fine; it's just a little nerve-racking doing things you aren't accustomed to. Here's to putting on my big girl pants and just going for it sometimes. Challenges are healthy and you should do something that is out of your comfort zone on a regular basis. It will make you grow.   

ahoy matey, let's get to work...in style

This ferry is going to East 35th
Street. I get on/off at Wall
Street. How cool is it though?

This summer, I am "trying out" the ferry as a way of commuting into Manhattan from our home. It is glorious. No, it is better than glorious. I get to sleep later/exercise in the morning and I get to my destination quicker. I get to board a boat as my means of travel to the office. Who takes a frickin boat to work? I do (for the time being). The train was fun for the five and a half years I rode it, but now it is ferry time. My husband had to talk me into buying a pass for the month and boy, is he going to regret it. How can I get back on the train? I'm actually not sure I can. I have only been riding it for a week and a half, but let me tell you - it is very easy to get used to. I always fear I am going to get motion sickness, and my weak stomach was tested on an extremely foggy day last week, but I was fine! My dad works on a boat and always said to look at the horizon as a way to focus on something constant and stable. Well in super fog, there is no horizon. There is fog on fog on fog. I survived though and am ready to tackle any kind of weather. I don't want my ferry riding to end! I have three and a half months left and I am going to enjoy it while I can.    

a weekend in the outdoors for me

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I am going camping this weekend…and I’m so excited that I just can’t hide it. I haven’t been to Noble View in at least ten years, but in all honesty I think it is more like fourteen (but that makes me sound so old – so let’s stick with ten). I used to go in high school to hike, swim, and…okay, I admit it...party. You get a beautiful view of Westfield, Massachusetts and beyond, on a network of trails that meander along brooks and waterfalls. Count me in. I was laughing the other day because I have to drive up after work to meet the group and I was wondering whether or not there was cell phone service. I don’t even think cell phones were invented the last time I was up there. Aside from announcing my arrival in the darkness, I won't need my phone anyway (except for maybe an Instagram photo or two). Regardless, I cannot wait, and if I have to hike all of my stuff up there on my own, I will - damn it. I am having a peaceful, outdoorsy weekend with some of my favorite people ever. Click here to learn more.

a lot of eating and drinking this past weekend

I spent the majority of the long weekend in Newport, Rhode Island. My sister, husband, and I met up with our Gammie for our annual fall visit. We had a really great time! Normally, Newport in the fall is quiet and calm and even a little desolate, but not this year. If it was twenty degrees warmer it would have looked and felt exactly like our trip in July. 

We visited our favorite farm, did some bargain shopping at TJs and Shalls, met up with a dear friend for a wonderful lunch, went to our favorite winery, saw five sculptures (which I will write more about tomorrow), had a light cheese and cracker dinner, a lot of wine, pecan waffles for our Sunday breakfast, an afternoon cocktail, and an early Sunday dinner complete with rosemary pork and lobster. It was a weekend full of laughter, wine, and food...and surfing for my husband. (We ladies do not surf, although I did in Jersey the other weekend and stood up a few times. I am pretty much pro at this point.) During this trip to Sakonnet Vineyard we decided to buy a bottle and share it at the winery, as we had done tastings before and the line was quite long. We sat on beautifully handcrafted chairs made from branches and sticks and wood (see photo), and sipped on one of their newer wines called Blessed Blend. It was delightful and I wish I was there right now.

europe's favorite cookie with coffee

I sincerely hope that if you've ever flown Delta you opted for the "cookies" and not the pretzels or peanuts. Delta serves a specific cookie on their flights called Biscoff. They are, in my opinion, some of the best cookies on earth. My husband mostly flies on Delta for work and when he returns from a trip he showers me with packages of these tasty delights. Since I'm a fat kid, this makes me really happy. Who needs jewelry and expensive bags when you've got Biscoffs? Not fricking me.

Because I love these cookies so much and followed the suggestion on the wrapper, I decided to enter them onto the Google machine and see if I could purchase a box from a local establishment. The website mentioned that a specific brand of grocery store sold them - a grocery store that happens to be a mere mile from our home. I had errands to run that day and decided to give it a go. After scouring the shelves I found them! I suggest either flying Delta sometime very soon, or seeing if your grocery store carries them too. I hope you have as much luck as I did.

our trip, in a nutshell

As much as I want to create posts for each and every experience we had in Vancouver, I know I am behind and the trip was a month away. Instead, I will share a few of my favorite pictures, from a few of my favorite places.

Garibaldi Lake in all of its glory. It was a 18-kilometer/11-mile hike (round trip), and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was amazing and I was very impressed with how well-marked the trail was. The hike was tough at times, but well worth it.  

Pemberton, British Columbia. It felt very Colorado-like from a landscape standpoint. We ate a restaurant called the Black Squirrel, which was located at the base of the this gigantic mountain. (I grew up in Westfield, Massachusetts, and black squirrels hold a place near and dear to my heart.)

The flowers in the city of Vancouver are spectacular. They are all huge and happy and colorful and growing like crazy.

Stanley Park is an impressive park in the city. We biked to it from our hotel. My favorite part were the totem poles, though the park was filled with other sculptures and gardens. Another Westfield, Massachusetts, reference too. 

I saw a photo of these sculptures on another friend’s Instagram page a few months back and fell in love. I completely forgot it was in Vancouver, until it was right in front of our noses. It is called A-maze-ing Laughter by an artist called Yue Minjun. It consists of fourteen enormous bronze statues and you can’t help but laugh when you are surrounded by their cheerful expressions. I wish they had one of these installations in every city.

This was one of our only non-seafood meals. Enter poutine. I had tried poutine before in Montreal, but it was simply just French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. This poutine also had shredded duck and eggs on top. A heart-attack in a bowl? Yes, but so, so, so delicious. We ate this in a restaurant on Granville Island called Edible Canada. Not only did they serve local fare, they sold some of the products they used in their dishes in a small store in the front of the restaurant.

Of course I am going to end with food and also say that it will be difficult planning trips where the destination is not Vancouver. I know we need to see the world and broaden our horizons, but if it were up to me I would go back again and again.

oh yeah, I have a blog...

Not our photo, but it gives you
a good sense of the sheer awesomeness.

I am here. I am alive. I am not (still) in Vancouver, though I would love to be. I started looking at real estate, but I am not sure it is in the cards for us...but you never know. The trip was glorious. It was the perfect vacation, honestly. We indulged in nature and city life, and were surrounded by ocean. Seattle is wonderful, but Vancouver just sparkles – literally, the tall buildings are primarily made of glass - it truly shines.

We went for four nights and four days. We arrived late Monday evening and left Friday morning. We began our journey driving north towards Whistler and hiked to the most beautiful lake on earth. It was a challenging hike, to say the least (first 6km were all uphill), but it was well worth the effort and the hike back to the car was all downhill - there was a method to my madness. We continued to the village of Whistler, but decided to eat in the neighboring town of Pemberton.  We could have taken a shorter route to our next destination, but decided to do a loop through the Canadian Rockies. It was long, but incredible. Our next stop was a hot springs resort, where we also stayed the night. The next morning we stopped at a hazelnut farm and made our way back to the city. The hotel we treated ourselves to was unbelievable, and our city adventures included a day of biking, delicious seafood, a public market, and some of the most delicious drinks we have tasted, prepared by a very serious mixologist from Quebec that went by the name of Martin. If you are looking for a little escape, GO TO VANCOUVER. You will not be disappointed.

I may be delayed in my blogging

I get to go on vacation and it begins tonight! I am thrilled. I cannot wait to focus solely on going to the beach, running, and eating fresh seafood. I am heading north this evening to stay with my sister in Connecticut. Tomorrow we head further east and a little north to Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is one of my favorite places ever! Needless to say, I probably won’t be blogging much, unless I bring our laptop, which I may do. I will however, be posting photos on Instagram. My sister and I have plans to buy a Keil James Patrick anchor bracelet, like the ones pictured. I have had my eye on them for a while now and the time has come. I searched where they sell them in Newport and to my delight they have them at a store called the Pink Pineapple. I love having an excuse to go there! Yay vacation!

watching the day turn into night

Sunset in Clearwater, FL
next to Pier 60.

My faith in the human race was partially restored (for a brief moment) while we were in Florida.  Clearwater is said to have some of the most beautiful sunsets on the east coast, because you get a pure ocean and no land view (due to the fact that you are on the west coast of Florida and the land on the other side of the Gulf of Mexico is very far away).  It was the second place on earth I had seen the sunset on water (the other place was Costa Rica at this time last year). 

Although, it was definitely a down time for Clearwater while we were there (the hotel was not a bustling metropolis and the beach was nowhere near crowded), all kinds of people came out to watch the Tuesday evening sun disappear into the ocean.  It was like this magnetic force that said, "come, now, watch one of nature's delights".  It warmed my heart to think that something as simple as a sunset could attract that many people.  Nature has a funny way of bringing people together, and more importantly, makes it okay to “stop and smell the roses”, or in this case "to stop and watch the day turn into night".

pretending first class isn't that awesome

not the actual smoked salmon.
I believe there were three pieces
on the plate, not five.

My husband travels a lot for work, which is mostly unfortunate because he isn't home with me, but fortunate because he has reached a high frequent flyer status on a popular airline. What this translates to for us (a married couple) is this: free upgrades to first class for him and his wife (that's me!), if seats are available. I used to not think it was that big of a deal, but this last trip made me change my mind.  First class rules. Who am I kidding? 

We had super early flights and to my pleasant surprise, we were served breakfast.  On our way down, we were served…wait for it…wait for it…smoked salmon, accompanied by a dollop of cream cheese, a bagel, a mini bowl of chopped onions, capers, and a lemon wedge.  I used to not be able to consume food on airplanes (my stomach did not handle it well), but first class is a different world.  It was delicious (minus the onions that I didn’t eat because I only like cooked onions).  I am done pretending.  First class or bust!