We ended up taking the train the MGH and walking home along the river. It was a beautiful day in the city but I'm starting to get nervous about the dark days of winter that are ahead of us :-)
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Sunny Day in the City
When it became apparent that leaf peeing today was not going to work because of the cloudy weather in New Hampshire we shifted gears and decided to go out in Boston instead for an urban hike. We walked all around the Seaport before grabbing lunch on the back deck of Atlantic Beer Garden. After lunch we walked around some more looking for a place to grab a drink outside. The only problem with such gorgeous weather this late in October is that the outdoor places tend to be closed up. We had wanted to go to the patio at the Intercontinental but they weren't serving outside so JO suggested Smith and Wollensky, next door. It ended up being perfect, as their outdoor bar also had tvs showing the Patriots game!
We ended up taking the train the MGH and walking home along the river. It was a beautiful day in the city but I'm starting to get nervous about the dark days of winter that are ahead of us :-)
We ended up taking the train the MGH and walking home along the river. It was a beautiful day in the city but I'm starting to get nervous about the dark days of winter that are ahead of us :-)
Days Off are Made for the City
After my leaf fail, and yes I know I'm being totally irrational about that, I needed a serious city day to get my mojo back. Luckily, I had Monday off and it was a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining, it was cool enough to need a jacket and that cool new fall scarf I picked up a few weeks ago. I took the train to the Prudential Center where I did a little shopping, before strolling down Newbury Street, grabbing lunch at Piattini, and continuing down towards the park. I did a little urban leaf peeping before continuing my trek.
I decided to walk up Charles Street in order to grab the train at MGH. Is there really anything more perfect than Charles Street in the fall? I don't think so! I was also excited to learn that Bin 26, our new favorite, serves lunch on weekdays. I'll be taking advantage of that for sure!
I decided to walk up Charles Street in order to grab the train at MGH. Is there really anything more perfect than Charles Street in the fall? I don't think so! I was also excited to learn that Bin 26, our new favorite, serves lunch on weekdays. I'll be taking advantage of that for sure!
The Never Ending Quest for Leaves
Every fall I get determined to see the perfect New England fall foliage and every year I feel like I fail in this quest. It's become a bit of a running joke with JO and me. Last weekend the weather was supposed to be beautiful and sunny on Saturday so we planned a big hike near Sandwich, NH to see the leaves. Of course, the day of the hike the weather changed and it got cloudy. The hike was still fun but just imagine how much more beautiful these leaves would have been if the sun was shining and glistening on them!
I tried again this weekend but once again the weather changed at the last minute! Erghh....denied again! I'll have to try again next year.
Noir and a Film Noir
I love when the Brattle Theater shows a classic film noir. There's something about watching these movies on the big screen, the way they were meant to be watched. The Brattle was showing Maltese Falcon a few weeks ago and I was determined to fit a viewing into my busy schedule. As luck would have it, we were free one Tuesday night. I headed into the Square early and grabbed a cocktail on the patio at Noir (like what I did there- Noir before a noir) before meeting JO for the world's best burritos at Felipe's.
After dinner we made our way to the theater to enjoy a classic black and white movie! It was a great way to get me through a long week.
After dinner we made our way to the theater to enjoy a classic black and white movie! It was a great way to get me through a long week.
Oktoberfest 5K
5K season is in full swing! It started with Oktoberfest in Kendall Square. I loved the new route and even earned my best time yet! The best part of the race is the after party with the crazy dj!
A Weekend of Celebrating
For the first time since we got married, our anniversary fell on a Saturday. We decided to take advantage by extending the celebrations throughout the entire weekend.
We had dinner on Friday night at Puritan and Company. Everything is always so delicious here and the people are so, so nice! Check out this super apple crumble dessert we had.
Dinner was followed by a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. We both agreed that we don't go to enough shows in the city. The performance was great and there's really not a bad seat in the performance hall.
On Saturday we relived our wedding day by getting drinks at the Kendall Hotel and dinner at The Commander. Our wedding coordinator even surprised us with a bottle of prosecco and cake! Judy, at the Commander, is simply the best! Our wedding was perfect and she was a big reason why.
We had dinner on Friday night at Puritan and Company. Everything is always so delicious here and the people are so, so nice! Check out this super apple crumble dessert we had.
Dinner was followed by a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. We both agreed that we don't go to enough shows in the city. The performance was great and there's really not a bad seat in the performance hall.
On Saturday we relived our wedding day by getting drinks at the Kendall Hotel and dinner at The Commander. Our wedding coordinator even surprised us with a bottle of prosecco and cake! Judy, at the Commander, is simply the best! Our wedding was perfect and she was a big reason why.
The last five years have been fabulous! It's fun to have this blog to look back on so many of our adventures!
Marliave
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first date, JO decided we should go out to dinner in Boston. We planned this kind of late but were pleasantly surprised when there was a table available at Marliave.
I love everything about Marliave. The location, on a side street, off of Tremont Street oozes old school Boston. The restaurant is sophisticated, with whites, blacks, and browns adorning the tables and walls. The downstairs has a cool 1920s vibe to it, while the upstairs dining room offers a quieter setting. Marliave is my go to restaurant when people ask for restaurant suggestions in Boston. It's just so dependable and delicious.
It was such a fun way to celebrate such a special day!
I love everything about Marliave. The location, on a side street, off of Tremont Street oozes old school Boston. The restaurant is sophisticated, with whites, blacks, and browns adorning the tables and walls. The downstairs has a cool 1920s vibe to it, while the upstairs dining room offers a quieter setting. Marliave is my go to restaurant when people ask for restaurant suggestions in Boston. It's just so dependable and delicious.
It was such a fun way to celebrate such a special day!
Boston Breakers Games
Did you know Boston is home to a women's professional soccer team? The games are a lot of fun and super reasonably priced. We try to go to the games whenever we can. The Boston Breakers play at Harvard Stadium which is super convenient for us. This year I got to see Carli Lloyd play and a former student of mine!
This team works so hard during the game and afterwards. I watched as they stayed for over an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with every fan waiting in line. These kids are so lucky to have women professional athletes to look up to.
This team works so hard during the game and afterwards. I watched as they stayed for over an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with every fan waiting in line. These kids are so lucky to have women professional athletes to look up to.
Monday, October 10, 2016
A Fall Hike at Sunapee and a City Night in the Square
Even though it was a bit chilly we decided to take advantage of the sunny weather to hike Mt. Sunapee. This was a fun hike, much easier than our last one, with spectacular lake views at the summit (my favorite views while hiking.) We were a little early for leaf peeping, but I bet the views are majestic right now.
The traffic home cooperated and we were able to end the day in the Square with our friends. We went to the Brattle to watch Rear Window, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, and followed it up with dinner at John Harvard's. I didn't do any school work that weekend and it was delightful!
The traffic home cooperated and we were able to end the day in the Square with our friends. We went to the Brattle to watch Rear Window, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, and followed it up with dinner at John Harvard's. I didn't do any school work that weekend and it was delightful!
The Red House
Patio nights in September are some of my favorite. Since the season is nearing an end, they seem extra special, and the weather is usually just lovely- a little chill in the air and a good reason to wear a fleece.
After acquiring the dreaded fall cold, I decided I just wasn't going to give in. On Friday night, I told JO we had to go out to Harvard Square and he suggested the patio at the Red House. We were lucky to score one of the last patio tables. We enjoyed the beautiful weather, the sights and sounds of Harvard Square, and planning our next hike. The Red House is definitely an underrated restaurant, and one we need to visit more frequently, especially their adorable cottage bar that's perfect for winter nights.
After acquiring the dreaded fall cold, I decided I just wasn't going to give in. On Friday night, I told JO we had to go out to Harvard Square and he suggested the patio at the Red House. We were lucky to score one of the last patio tables. We enjoyed the beautiful weather, the sights and sounds of Harvard Square, and planning our next hike. The Red House is definitely an underrated restaurant, and one we need to visit more frequently, especially their adorable cottage bar that's perfect for winter nights.
Lucius at the House of Blues
When tickets when on sale last spring for the Lucius show a the House of Blues, I snapped them right up. This show was pretty much what was getting me through the first few weeks of school. I could feel a fall cold coming on but I demanded my body postpone the sore throat, fever, and aches one more day so I could enjoy this show! Mind over matter!
You definitely know your in your late thirties when you pre-game for a concert at the House of Blues with cocktails on the patio of The Hawthorne! My late thirties self really knows how to live it up! It was a beautiful night for the patio and The Hawthorne makes great custom gin cocktails (well, really great cocktails in general but I really love the gin ones.) We had fun relaxing and reminiscing about our road trip before heading over to the venue.
Lucius put on a great show and I felt my city meter cranking up! I love city nights out on a school night :-)
You definitely know your in your late thirties when you pre-game for a concert at the House of Blues with cocktails on the patio of The Hawthorne! My late thirties self really knows how to live it up! It was a beautiful night for the patio and The Hawthorne makes great custom gin cocktails (well, really great cocktails in general but I really love the gin ones.) We had fun relaxing and reminiscing about our road trip before heading over to the venue.
Lucius put on a great show and I felt my city meter cranking up! I love city nights out on a school night :-)
Lincoln Lafayette Loop
After hiking over thirty miles in twelve days, on our road trip, we were in great hiking shape and wanted to take advantage. JO suggested the Lincoln Lafayette Loop trail since it would be a real challenge. At nine miles and 3,000 vertical feet it was certainly a challenge, but I thought I would be able to handle it. What I didn't expect was the crazy trail conditions that involved a lot of scrambling over rocks...for pretty much the entire nine miles! At times, I didn't think I would actually be able to finish, although that's not really an option. I wasn't even that excited when we finished because I was so spent from flinging my body up and over rocks. It wasn't until a few days later that I truly grasped the feat I had conquered. At some point, I'll have to do this again so I can truly enjoy the views- because they were amazing.
P.S.~ If you check out my fitness stats for the day, that 9 mile hike ended up being about 14 miles with all of the maneuvering over rocks.
P.S.~ If you check out my fitness stats for the day, that 9 mile hike ended up being about 14 miles with all of the maneuvering over rocks.
Bin 26- An Instant Classic
After working another four day weekend, I was definitely ready for a weekend of fun in the city. We decided to go see a movie with friends at the theater near Park Street. Usually, we would go to dinner at Teatro but there wasn't a reservation available all weekend. In fact, there weren't many reservations available anywhere near the theater. That's when I stumbled upon a table for four at Bin 26 on Charles Street.
I'd heard of Bin 26 before, and I love Charles Street, so I was excited. The restaurant has a lounge/bar area and a dining area separated by a funky wall with a square cutout in it. The lighting in the lounge is bright and upbeat, the dining room is softer. The decor reminded me of Estragon- wine labels and bottles, soft yellows and muted reds.
The menu features a lot of options. Small plates, vegetable sides, and half/full portions of pasta. We ended up getting way more food than we needed- serano ham, burrata, four of the vegetables, and pastas. Everything was so delicious, especially my clam and sausage pizza. We also ordered a bottle of wine, recommended by our waiter, and it was so good! I'm not usually one to chase after a bottle of red at the wine store but we've been pursuing this wine ever since our visit.
I loved everything about this restaurant. The food was perfect, the atmosphere great, and the location ideal. Charles Street is so fun and after dinner you could easily get to the Omni Parker or Liberty Hotel. I love that it's fancy without being fancy. We've been talking about going back since the day after our first visit.
I'd heard of Bin 26 before, and I love Charles Street, so I was excited. The restaurant has a lounge/bar area and a dining area separated by a funky wall with a square cutout in it. The lighting in the lounge is bright and upbeat, the dining room is softer. The decor reminded me of Estragon- wine labels and bottles, soft yellows and muted reds.
The menu features a lot of options. Small plates, vegetable sides, and half/full portions of pasta. We ended up getting way more food than we needed- serano ham, burrata, four of the vegetables, and pastas. Everything was so delicious, especially my clam and sausage pizza. We also ordered a bottle of wine, recommended by our waiter, and it was so good! I'm not usually one to chase after a bottle of red at the wine store but we've been pursuing this wine ever since our visit.
I loved everything about this restaurant. The food was perfect, the atmosphere great, and the location ideal. Charles Street is so fun and after dinner you could easily get to the Omni Parker or Liberty Hotel. I love that it's fancy without being fancy. We've been talking about going back since the day after our first visit.
New England Sunsets
We spent Labor Day weekend in New Hampshire with JO's parents eating lobsters and enjoying lakes! Pretty epic sunset if I do say so myself!
Smoke Shop- Revisted
Guess what? The Smoke Shop, in Kendall, is still amazing! We loved it the first time we went, and loved it even more after the second visit with friends. So, so delicious!
Is it wrong to have barbecue more than once a week?
Is it wrong to have barbecue more than once a week?
Emma's Pizza and State Park
I had to work four long days, before getting a four day weekend :-) I got all my school work done on Friday so when JO got home from work I couldn't wait to go out and enjoy a city night. We wanted to try somewhere new and started wandering towards Kendall. We weren't sure what our plan was but when we passed Emma's Pizza we decided to give it a shot.
Emma's was a great find. A sit down pizza place, that also serves salads, pastas, and sandwiches. I loved the homey atmosphere. I kind of felt like I was eating at my grandparents, in a good way! The pizza was yummy and everything was very reasonably priced. Emma's is definitely a place I will go back to. It would be perfect for a night when we plan on hitting up Cafe ArtScience for cocktails.
After dinner, I didn't want to head home so early, so we decided to see if we could get seats at State Park! We were very lucky and ended up with two seats at the bar and the best bartender serving our section. I've been really into State Park's "Old Cuban" rum, mint, lime, and Cava cocktail and this bartender makes it the best. I even felt a bit cool, since I guess they have taken it off their menu so it was kind of like I was ordering a secret drink!
It was definitely nice to be back in the city, even if it was only for a few days. We were headed up to New Hampshire for the rest of the long weekend.
Emma's was a great find. A sit down pizza place, that also serves salads, pastas, and sandwiches. I loved the homey atmosphere. I kind of felt like I was eating at my grandparents, in a good way! The pizza was yummy and everything was very reasonably priced. Emma's is definitely a place I will go back to. It would be perfect for a night when we plan on hitting up Cafe ArtScience for cocktails.
After dinner, I didn't want to head home so early, so we decided to see if we could get seats at State Park! We were very lucky and ended up with two seats at the bar and the best bartender serving our section. I've been really into State Park's "Old Cuban" rum, mint, lime, and Cava cocktail and this bartender makes it the best. I even felt a bit cool, since I guess they have taken it off their menu so it was kind of like I was ordering a secret drink!
It was definitely nice to be back in the city, even if it was only for a few days. We were headed up to New Hampshire for the rest of the long weekend.
Summer's Over...Fall is Here
The end of summer was epic! We cruised our way to Bermuda with family and some great friends. The island was beautiful and there was lots of fun had on the ship!
A few days later, JO and I headed out on our most epic road trip ever, Napa Valley to Mt. Shasta to Lassen Volcanic National Park to Lake Tahoe to Bodie Ghost Town to Mono Lake to Yosemite National Park to King's Canyon National Park to Sequoia National Park and home. Only twelve hours separated our return and the start of work for me.
A few days later, JO and I headed out on our most epic road trip ever, Napa Valley to Mt. Shasta to Lassen Volcanic National Park to Lake Tahoe to Bodie Ghost Town to Mono Lake to Yosemite National Park to King's Canyon National Park to Sequoia National Park and home. Only twelve hours separated our return and the start of work for me.
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