gypsy cafe

We drove and drove and drove. Well, I drank and drank and drank first...

As you know from a previous post, we have a penchant for some art we found at the Gypsy Cafe right around the same time last year. We bought Soul Twins, but Tyler has not forgotten the sister painting and has been wanting it all year. So I called, I negotiated the price down, and then planned a weekend away. We were supposed to get up super early on Saturday morning so we could get up to Franconia, NH and have a whole sunny day there. Well, this girl decided to finish out her work week drinking milkshake sized white russians. And didnt get much done around the house on Friday night aside from getting to bed in one piece. As a result, the early morning get-up was less than such. So we started out around 430pm and made it to the Gypsy around 8? (We checked in first). 

The place was packed. We sat down at the bar and ordered, told the owner we were there for the painting. The bartender was about to tell us what was on our mezze plate when I interrupted and said "i hate to be rude, but can you pack this up and give us the check?" Tyler got the painting in the car and we bailed. We were tired driving monkeys. 

She's back there! And now she's home!

A pint with our walk. Of course!

In search of sustenance, we finally found a bar. Food was great and beer was even better. Also, they had great home-grown artwork around of celebrities. Definitely seemed like the local hang out and everyone was REALLY nice. 

best way to avoid permanent graffitti? Provide chalk!

light bathroom reading

yeah, I could see us coming here again

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER (EVER EVER)

I've never been whisked away for the weekend before! Tyler planned a whole birthday weekend in Portland, ME. A place we both love. Friday started out with business class Amtrak tickets on the Downeaster from Boston to Portland. So easy, comfortable, and frankly more luxurious than a plane! 

And he surprised me by choosing the Pomegranate Inn. The room he got us reminded him of our sweetheart nest on Star in Cottage C. That was a lovely close-up! This room, however, had running water and a beautiful bath, not to mention art, and a big comfy bed and working fireplace! 

AND! Chocolate and cheese! Thank you!

I discovered my favorite new combination - water cracker, brie, and white chocolate. Holy yum, you should try it. 

         

Hand painted 'wall paper' mural

Well, it all started when Tyler surprised me by wallpapering the freezerbox with some of my wrapping paper. I never thought he would do it because I suggested wallpapering it another time, and he was not into the idea. I love love love it! So glad he did it. A beautiful spark of inspiration.

 Then our inspiration went further, and I should credit Tyler again - Why dont we put all the stuff we collected from our trips (Europe 2 1/2 months!) on the fridge? But what if we move? I asked. We'll take it with us! We can mount the door on the wall! Nice. Here we go.

 Lots of edited stuff - 

Cali, Passport beer fest, Halloween, Star, Europe, beers, Matt and Lisa's wedding, Disney, Monopoly

My honey helper monkey

More collected stuff! This side is from Chicago

More Chicago

Ta Da! 
We're getting there! More to do on the front, and then we move on to the left side! 

Evangeline's

You know, we find places.

Walking by building, noticed menu, they have beer flights! Well, they dont look open. Tyler and I are muttering to ourselves. There's a guy having a drink in the all weather rattan club chair out front. Just sitting for a spell. Well, no, actually, he's the owner. The restaurant is having a soft opening that night, and won't we come in? Well, yes, of course! My mom when I text her: Only you two!

The back courtyard used to be a parking lot. Can you believe that?

120 (?) year old smoker. 

Fountains, hanging lights, stucco, exposed brick. Lovely.

I dont know if you can appreciate this bar, but it's a murky moody gray and burgondy.

This is where we met Alcide doppleganger, local guy who worked with his hands and very similar work ethic to Tyler. Met the bartender, his wife and family. She had on a beautiful dress and seemed to be the whispy romantic sommelier, we had beer flights of 3 10oz pours, we had butternut squash soup, we talked to everyone. Dark and comforting and the back garden was a place to feel like you were at home and always among friends. They had a fire going in the smoker as we were leaving. Mmmmmm. COuld have stayed a while longer. 

Ritas

Hmm, what an interesting bike. Sarcrifice? Where'd all those bones COME FROM? Funky? Intimidating? Gross? All of the above? 

Market

We stumbled upon this guy who made a video about train hopping and bumming around the US. He actually cast people and played a role in the movie. So, on one side the travellers are all cast characters that have a plot to stay within, but everyone they meet and interview are not sticking to a plot, and then he integrated the whole thing. Great soundtrack and stunning views of the country. Check out Cure for the Crash. Excellent website too, I just found out. 

                    

some expensive art at the market

Creative fleur de lis. I swear this town
is full of wit and creativity.

Need cash! so we went to every restaurant on the strip, and all had bogey ATMs. So we ended up at El Gato Negro. The ATM didnt work, but the drink sure did! 

Raspberry Rita. I got talked out of the Carrot one.
I really wanted to try it. Our waiter said not so much.
I still think I should have tried it, but this was
so delicious, it's not like I was disappointed.

Miss!

Watermelon Rita

MMMMM, perfect yummy tiny bites. And you think Tyler's sandwich fixation didn't rub off on me yet?

Have never seen this beautiful color of hibiscus!
So melancholy and moody.

Bathroom art at ... Ryan's? Ty? I don't remember. I just remember Shock Tops to go. 

Frenchmen - Day

So we never really thought we found Frenchman. We had to ask to make sure we were in the right place. Not too much to look at during the day. Not busy, quiet, short street. Good murals and you could tell it had a meaning for later. 

Stopped in at 13. Open air bar, was like a garage with the doors wide open. It was a beautifully sunny day some shade and a breeze and a drink. I was sold on the special sign though - frozen Irish coffee - how can you pass that up? 

MmmmMMM MMM!

There is a pelican in this picture!

One for the bar, one for the road, grabbed my second Irish coffee, and we were off again.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Chick chick chickkkken!