The Food Trip Continues

On Sunday we woke up early and headed down for breakfast. And for $17, the buffet was well worth it for what they packed in. Plus, all the tazo tea my heart desired. Mid way through the meal I noticed our server looking at me somewhat strangely and after he left and Tony came back from the restroom...I learned that my hair was full of whip cream. What can I say...it was some good stuff. 

We left Easton and headed to a small harbor town of St. Michaels. Another sweet location and so full of vibrant colors and shops. We stopped by the maritime museum for a few quick minutes before heading over to the shops and I hit the jackpot. Our first stop was American Holiday and I was instantly enamored with all the great finds and then I found a book about a murder mystery that takes place in St. Michaels and what do you know, the author was in the shop. Day (and probably week made) After buying the book and chatting for a few minutes we headed to the sister store, Knotty Living. They also had the cutest "dog bar" at lots of shops, where they had treats and water for your pups. I can't wait to write about the book and author!

I have an entire post for this enchanting place, but that is for another day. After a quick cafe stop, we were back en route for Boston. and after taking the bay bridge coming off 301 and running into Sunday traffic, we sat. and sat. and sat some more before deciding that we had to get the h out of dodge and took the next exit and meandered our way through Jersey on all backroads. But before we took the exit, I snapped this picture of an old barn off the turnpike. From the window of our car and on my phone. Funny how it was one of my favorite shots all weekend. and no editing. none, except a small cropping of the lock on his car door;) I just love the rusty colors against the blue sky.

Our backroad experience let us stop off in Princeton, which I haven't been to in years and I took so many photos as it is one of the most picturesque towns/campuses there is. And of course, we grabbed a quick bite at the Italian market next to campus. One of the best chicken parms I have ever had. and they had a jar of nutella the size of a big baby. I wanted to grab it and run. I didn't. And I am still remiss.

Finally, at ten, we arrived in Sharon. Also known as the number 1 small town in America. When money magazine released their rankings last year...I wanted to scream, My husband's pride for his town needed no help;) haha

Eating Our Way Up the East Coast

literally;) well, ok...but almost. We left Raleigh on Friday and headed up for Richmond. We had originally planned to have a weekend with my family for my nephew's baseball tournament, but it was cancelled. Since we had planned to leave for Boston on Sunday, we decided to go ahead with our trip anyways.

The fun part was that we decided to forgo our second night in Richmond and play all of Saturday by ear. What a great decision and you have no idea how much we fit into that one afternoon! I plan on putting a few of the stops into posts of their own, but for today...here is a drive by idea of our weekend!

On the first night, we just grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Savory Grain in Richmond. Their perogies filled with Vermont cheddar were to die for. and their cocktails were insanely delicious. maybe two of the best I have had in a really long time and they used so many Virginia ingredients and ciders, beers, wines and even spirits. Loved it. Go Virginia, Go;)

Saturday we woke up and left our sweet hotel, The Linden Row Inn. Edgar Allan Poe played in the gardens here when he was a boy. History nerd! Then ,before we headed on our way, and after several tries for brunch and the restaurants either being closed or packed, we headed over to Shockoe bottom and the Urban Farmhouse. I love the structure of this place and the ambiance. Usually I am a big fan of their food, but my french toast was nothing to write home about(but apparently enough to write down here, huh) but their mimosas are yum and for whatever reason, the ice makes it better. Normally I would frown upon ice in my mimosa, not here!

Then we got on the road and made the decision that no matter where we ended up, we would find it off the beaten path and not take 95 on the way to Boston. First up was  a Vineyard we spotted in the Northern Neck area of Virgina, Oak Crest. We loved one of their red blends and after grabbing a glass and a bottle for later, back on the road we were. making a quick pit stop in Colonial Beach and this house (the blue and yellow one) which was where Alexander Graham Bell once lived! It is now a bed and breakfast. 

At this point, we made Annapolis our destination and continued on 301/50 and after I screamed that I saw a Carvel, we made a pit stop for a cone and in less than half an hour, we were in Annapolis. Which is one of the most beautiful capital cites you can imagine. And as much as we wanted to stay the night, there was a famous croquet match that takes place between the Naval Academy and nearby St. Johns...and after two hours of dealing with the rudest and drunkest people I have ever dealt with outside of a frat party, we left and headed elsewhere. 

Here is where I can happily say how this turned into an amazing adventure and I may have found my new favorite town! We ended up in Easton, MD and to be as small as it is, the shops and restaurants and the arts in general are incredible. We had fantastic dinner and drinks again. this time at Docs, thanks to the recommendations of Miss Kristin! We stayed at the sweetest hotel, The Tidewater Inn. The porch was enough to lure me in and I was completely done in by the fan in the room. More hotels should do this!

And wow, that was just Saturday and this has become entirely too long to also post about Sunday, so I will finish it off tomorrow. How was your weekend? Any special plans?

Guacamole Isn't Hummus

Hummus in every shape and form lately is all the rage. There's roasted red pepper hummus, black bean hummus and I've even seen beet hummus. I should mention that I am not an overt fan of hummus myself. I do use it in a lot of recipes though, Mediterranean flat bread and Mediterranean stuffed shells. But I rarely partake in these creations and trust the mister's judgement. 

I am not the most anal of people...only a few things will get my panties all bunched. I hate text talk. Kindles make me shudder and my idea of being on time means that if you're 5 minutes early, you're already late. (You should know that my husband does not share this trait. One of his nicknames is TYTT...take your time, Tony. I the opposite of love it about him.)  But for the most part...I am beyond easy going. Unless, apparently when, it comes to hummus. The dish I don't even like. 

A while back, I clicked on a recipe for "avocado hummus" I was immediately intrigued. Thinking my husband would probably love the combo of hummus and avocados and my mind was already working out a bunch of meal ideas. 

As I clicked on it, this was the recipe.

2 avocados

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (chopped)

garlic

cilantro

Ummmm, what? I quickly re scanned to make sure that I had indeed looked up a recipe for avocado hummus and not, you know, guacamole?!!?!? Here is the thing, the Arabic word for hummus actually translates to mean chickpeas. Therefore, no chickpeas...no hummus. 

This would be akin to me looking at Greek Yogurt and calling it milk hummus. Just because it is a thick dip. From now on, french onion dip is french onion hummus!

This is my random confession/rant of the week. If you make me hummus that I will probably not eat anyways, please put chickpeas in it. 

linking up with Kathy & Liz

A Southern Season & An I Do

This past weekend was jam packed. On Friday night, the mister was still sick and had stayed home so we just watched some tv and vegged out. I started a new series(the Iron Witch) and he crashed early. Saturday, one of my good friends got married and it was a last minute decision as to whether or not he would join. He did.  The wedding was at 11 and then we headed into Chapel Hill to mosey around., I tried to maintain my composure being surrounded by all the Carolina Blue, especially when we were playing them Saturday night. I somehow managed to keep my lunch down. Small favors.

Later that afternoon, we headed to a Southern Season, it is an amazing smorgasbord of fantastic food and items for around the house. And if you hadn't guessed, lots of them are from the south. They have one of the biggest beer and wine selections I have ever seen and the chocolates. Oh my word. We send lots of gift baskets from here. They have a catalog and the price ranges are for anyone and any budget! They also have a restaurant, and the pot de creme was butterscotch and also heaven. 

Sunday, he was feeling less than stellar again and we decided to head to fresh market to get some food that wouldn't send his stomach into another tizzy. I discovered they sell Beechers Macaroni there and I almost screamed. I am perhaps slightly tentative to get them for fear they will not be as amazing as the original(I mean, but really, how can they;) and I don't want to be disappointed. But I kinda feel even their frozen is probably better than most restaurants versions anyways. It is that good. 

We got some yogurt. He was healthy and stuck with bananas and peanut butter as a topping and I went for delicious and got heath bar. I am not regretting it. Although, I am not sure I speak for my hips. But who can think on such things for so long.(oh, I can, that's who)

We went for a walk at a nearby nature preserve and it is so beautiful there. I often take for granted the amount of parks and trails we have in this area. I need to stop! 

That night we watch the movie, Enough Said. It was James Galdofini's last film before he passed away. Oh, my gosh! It was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. Was the perfect mix of funny and serious. Rent it if you haven't yet seen it!