Travelogue

We have been searching for a map on which to catalogue our travels FOR EV ER. Nothing really felt right in color, design, or interaction. Until I found this great map by Luckies. Not only does it feature our love of travel and where we've been, but it's like a giant scratch ticket! And if you know me, you know I like a little scratch on a bar night. Tyler drinks, I play scratch tickets. We probably spend the same amount of money, and we both get a little vice fix. Don't worry, it's like twice a month! Geez! Anyway, now I just have to spend a TON of money to go to a new place to come back and scratch off our destination and reveal the country we've just been to! I would have loved it if they outlined each state in the U.S. but alas no. They stopped at countries. But they do reveal state capitals! It was kind of a pain to frame and we definitely got out the Modge Podge to accomplish this one! All said and done, it looks pretty great. Now to figure out where it's home will be in the house. For now, it is here:

Chess - Check Even and a birthday shot!

Got to bar, settled into booth, broke out chess board (literally, I broke it, but we fixed it). Bartender asked "Where's the campfire." haha. wish he had one! 

K-Park walked into the bar. What do you do when two of your friends have a love child that walks into the bar? You take a picture!* Seriously, our two male friends did not have a love child, but we think this is what that might look like! (*picture to come)

This was so not planned or let happen by either side. This is the best game I think we've ever played. Even Kings! Who does that? 

So we got carded at the BoomBoom Log Cabin - And the bouncer realized my birthday was coming up, but the bartender didn't! So I told him so! And here's my reward:

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! 

Her name was NOLA, she was a showgirl

We are going to New Orleans! Big family trip. It's my parents' 35th Anniversary!

We've gotten some great suggestions! Here's from Kate Brady -

Take the street car out to the Garden District and wander around enjoying the architecture and the gardens- both are amazing. Strange as it sounds- tour one of the cemeteries! Many people warned us that they were unsafe but I did not find that to be the case.

If you are a foodie, I can offer a few suggestions of places we ate that my friend who lives in NOLA recommended to us.

Most of my consumption in New Orleans was mostly limited to 2 categories- drinks & lunch!

The places I did eat though were all fabulous- some with more local "character" than others. In the French Quarter, my friend recommend lunch at the Napoleon House. Fabulous Po'boy & I recommend the Pimms Cup to drink. Also in the Quarter is the Central Grocery which apparently is THE place to go if you are interested in the muffaletta sandwich but it did not appeal to me.

In the Garden District, my friend said the best place to get a New Orleans specialty- the Oyster Po'Boy was at Parasol's Bar. This was not a place I would have gone without her recommendation- you could have heard a pin drop when we walked in (clearly it is frequented by locals) but in the back room of the bar they make po'boys and it was crowded with locals getting their lunch.

These would me my food recommendations- mind you, the last time I was in NOLA was early 2005 so I cannot promise they are still in business or the food quality is the same! But if you are looking for some local eateries instead of just the touristy places, they were pretty good! And of course, speaking of touristy places- you have to go to Cafe du Monde!

In terms of places we went to drink- my friends' favorites were Lafitte's , Pat O'Briens & Tropical Isle in the French Quarter. We also went to Columns in the Garden District a couple of times.

Sorry- this got really long!! If you go to New Orleans , I hope you have a great time! I have fond memories of my trips there so I hope you like it too.


--Kate Brady
(edited version!)
Do you have suggestions?! 

NHPTV Passport

Our whole weekend was planned around the NHPTV Passport beer and food tasting at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH. We went last year and had to go again this year. We bought VIP tickets and were really happy to have a taste of some aged beers. Did you know beer ages like wine? Yep, neither did we! Smuttynose Brewing Company provided the beers. I really liked the Maibock, and I am a huge Old Brown Dog fan  (favorite ever?), but found out that I'm not such an Really Old Brown Dog fan. The food pairings were great, especially the mincemeat empanadas and chèvre and chocolate balls dusted with bacon! We would have liked to know what the chicken-apple sausage in pretzel bread tasted like, but they ran out! In the first 20 minutes! Major bummer. So we left the VIP tent for the main event...

from the gardens of Strawberry Banke

Absolutely amazing beers everywhere we turned!
We had our fill and more! Great great beer, and tons of people to share beer love with! We met people from all over New England and it was best when we got to talk to the head brew masters for many of the vendors. We also met "friends of the brewmaster," and they seem to get great perks! Long lost beers, anyone? 

Strawberry Banke Rowland Gallery

The main tent

The grounds at Strawberry Banke are beautifully kept. They find seed packets in the walls of the historical homes and research their origins and uses and try to replant the grounds as they traditionally were.

I love picking up all the stuff! Great labels, design, and funny lines.

Portsmouth, Our Love

Love the logo! the key chains are anchors too. They
brand everything so well that everything is cohesive
and beautifully thought out.  

We've been planning this trip since we left last year. We hiatus to Portsmouth at least once a year, in celebration of our meeting, dating, and of good beer and food! So for the next couple of posts please find our little adventure. First, we stayed at a beautiful 
inn that we've been trying to stay at for about a year now! Then the Fishitaval, then the Memorial Bridge, and the NHPTV Passport event at Strawberry
Banke, and finally with the Portsmouth Open
Market. So much going on in one tiny weekend! And to think we had only planned on going to one event! 

And it's right near our favorite Daniel Street and
the Fishtival and Strawberry Banke. Portsmouth is
walkable from anywhere you stay, but this was
definitely the best part of town to be in!

We stayed at the Ale House Inn. We basically want
to move the whole room to our house. Beautifully appointed, super clean, and oh-so-comfortable bed and pillows. Book early! We'd go back any time. 


We checked in late, it was easy, found our beautiful room, and kicked off our shoes, which I never do
in a hotel room. The place was so damn clean! And the carpet so comfy. Then we went out on the town. The night was beautiful so we walked and walked
just observing Portsmouth at night. And then it rained, so we got some pizza and walked home bare foot. It was raining! What a great night sleep we had. 

Art Procurement and Awesome Food!

So in the spring a compulsive deal purchase took us to Littleton NH. The hotel/motel/roadside inn was terrible. Pots and Pans heat, could hear the reception desk through the wall. Gross... spare you.

One of the beautiful and etherial
murals in the Gypsy Cafe. 

We did find an amazing restaurant called Gypsy Cafe. Amazing bartender. She led us the right directions for our smattering of food choices. And the key lime pie is to die for.

The painting that Tyler
really wanted to take home.
Maybe we will go again and pick it up! 

We were completely enamored by the art and ended up buying our very own piece. Unmarked and unsigned. Then! Our friend Melissa sees it in our house and says she knows the guy who painted it! We think it is by Douglas Desjardins. Can anyone confirm?

               
                           


                             Soul Twins in the Gypsy Cafe                                    Soul Twins in our home.

Thank you crappy hotel for at least getting us to the Gypsy Cafe somehow!