A Night Out in the North End

On Saturday night we decided to take advantage of the "nice" weather by going to see some outdoor light displays in the city.  It was so nice out during the day that you didn't even need a jacket so we figured this would be a great time to get outside at night.  Our plan was to stop at Christopher Columbus Park to see the blue arches and then walk over to the Seaport to see an outdoor illuminated art display. 

Well, somewhere between us getting our plan and us mobilizing it got much colder.  When we got off the T at North Station we quickly realized that traipsing through the city probably wasn't the best idea.  We made a quick decision to try to get dinner at the North End (we figured we had a shot at walking in a place without a reservation on a Saturday night because it was in between the holidays.)  Massimino's is a sentimental favorite place of mine in the North End.  My dad's friend took me here a long time ago and he knew the owner so we got all of these platters of food to try.  (It's a treasured memory of mine.) 

We were really lucky to be able to get a table downstairs without a long wait.  There's nothing fancy about Massimino's but it quintessential North End.  I love that it has two floors.  The small upstairs dining room is really cute and the downstairs is a stone walled subterranean space with the small bar in the back.  The walls in the back double as wine racks.



The menu is expansive and features antipasti dishes, pasta, chicken, meat, fish, and veal.   There is no way you couldn't find something to eat on this menu.  We started with Nonna's meatball and the caprese salad.  The meatball is pretty much a meal in and of itself.

JO got the Massamino's veal in a delicious tomato and white wine sauce with mushrooms, broccoli, and tomato and I got the chicken piccata.  Both dishes are served with a side of pasta (which isn't homemade so that's a minus) but both dishes were basically two meals in one.  The prices are really reasonable for the North End. 

After dinner we headed over to Christopher Columbus Park since it was close by.  I love the blue arches and it's definitely a can't miss during the holiday season.

Then we headed over to see the Blink show at Faneuil Hall before making our way up to the Last Hurrah at Omni Parker to end the evening.

A Night Out in Davis Square

I was a bit under the weather for Christmas Day (this is pretty typical for me, as my body senses that everything is finished for the season and it can stop working for a few days) but by the day after I was feeling a bit better.  I didn't want to let vacation pass by me so we decided to go see Knives Out (highly recommend) at the theater in Davis Square.  Every time we visit, we talk about how we don't visit Davis enough.  After the movie was over we decided to explore a bit and ended up at Foundry on Elm.  I've been wanting to check this place out for a long time so I was really happy that we found two seats at the bar.

I love the old world charm of this place.  The bar is white with lots of dark gray swirly veining.  The mirror on the back of the bar is antiqued and the booths are a deep red color.  I loved the French bistro light fixtures that kept it dim and cozy inside.  I loved that they had an Old Cuban on the cocktail menu since it's one of my favorites.  We both really enjoyed the atmosphere and will definitely come back to check out the food.

It was fun to just relax and unwind.  Isn't that what vacation is all about :-)

Upside Down Trees at the Liberty Hotel

No Christmas Tree Challenge would be complete without visiting The Liberty Hotel to see their upside down Christmas trees.  I wasn't sure we would be able to squeeze this in, but we took advantage of the Monday night before Christmas to have a city night out.

We started with a delicious dinner at Bin 26, one of our favorite spots in the city.  We usually get small plates when we stop in, but we each ordered a small pasta, both of which were delicious.  I especially loved my pasta with checca sauce and am already thinking about when I can go back!  It gave us a chance to walk around Charles Street.  There isn't a street in Boston that screams the holidays quite like Charles Street, with it's cobblestoned sidewalks, brick buildings, old fashioned light posts, and local businesses. 

Our walk led us to the final goal for the evening, The Liberty Hotel.  If you haven't seen the upside down trees, I highly recommend going to see them.  They are really cool and make for great pictures.  We enjoyed a nice glass of prosecco in the lobby bar, while admiring the trees!

Calling All Crows Benefit Concert

I know it's really Christmas vacation when it's time to go see my favorite singer, Chad Stokes, perform at his Annual Calling All Crows Concert.  I've been a fan of Chad Stokes, since 2005, and I still get so excited to see him perform.  This year's show was held at the House of Blues, which gave us a great excuse to visit The Hawthorne before the show.  I love The Hawthorne.  It's perfectly decorated with marble, grays, and animal prints.  I love the cozy spaces for lounging with friends and the fact that the bartenders will whip up special creations for you.  JO and I enjoyed these fun cocktails at the bar.

The show was great and I was definitely feeling the vacation vibe when I left! 

Christmas Carols- Inman Style

After an epic week, and a tiring Friday with the children, I was ready to just crawl into bed and call it a day.  Thankfully, JO didn't let that happen.  We had plans to go see a jazz band at the Lilypad play the soundtrack to Charlie Brown's Christmas show, along with other holiday songs.  I'm glad JO was able to convince me to go out, because it was so much fun.

It's Time to Impeach

On the Tuesday night before the impeachment vote, my city, like many towns and cities around the country, had rallies in support of impeachment.  It was rainy and cold and gross but that didn't stop Cambridge from showing up.  It felt good to be standing up for what I think is right.  No one is above the law!

Parlor Sports Holiday Lights Run

My favorite sports bar has a monthly run club and the theme of December's run was "Holiday Lights Tour."  The route took us through Somerville to see some of the over the top light displays the city is famous for.  I can't believe I've lived in this neighborhood for so long and never seen these lights. 

Under the Covers at Club Passim

There are some shows at Club Passim that are "can't miss,"  and Mark Erelli's Under the Covers is one of those shows.  Under the Covers is an annual show in December featuring Mark Erelli and friends doing covers.  The setlist is always amazing- from well known songs to obscure ones.  This year, Zachariah Hicksman did an outstanding cover of Toxic by Britney Spears!  It really is a great night of music.  I always leave Club Passim happier!

Yulefest 2019

It's been over a year since I've been able to run a 5K race.  Back in the fall, when things were crazy, I wasn't sure I would ever run a race again.  Thanks to one of my students who needed some help staying accountable for his homework, I was able to train again.  (He and I had a training routine posted on the back board so that he could finish his homework and I would get ready to run.  He would check in with me the days after I was supposed to run and I didn't want to let him down.  Bonus- he started doing his homework! Sometimes you have to think outside the box!)  Yulefest is always my favorite race of each year and I'm so thankful I was able to run it again this year.  I even clocked in at under 30 minutes! 

We're getting a lot of use out of this board

Gather Here

Gather Here, our local craft store, always has the best window displays!  Their winter wonderland version of Inman Square, featuring lace houses, is perfection!

Amorino Gelato

Amorino Gelato has been open in Harvard Square for over a year now and we haven't stopped in.  We righted that wrong last weekend!  Any place where you can top your gelato with macaroons and chocolate reindeer is all right in my book!

Lula Wiles at Sinclair

December is always jammed packed with things to do.  We try not to overbook ourselves, but it's bound to happen, especially when Lula Wiles comes to town.  By now you know I just love Lula Wiles.  I discovered them a few years back (thanks to Club Passim) and try to see them every time they play live.

Earlier this month, Lula Wiles opened for Crooked Still, and of course we were there to see it.  It was another great show!

Boston Ballet's "The Nutcracker"

One of my favorite holiday traditions is going to see The Nutcracker.  I love the music, the sparkles, and the bubbles.  We usually go out to eat before the ballet but this year our schedules didn't allow for that so the plan was to meet at the house at 5:45 and take the train in. 

I had to work a little late and didn't get to my neighborhood until around 4:30.  Something was wrong because traffic was a nightmare.  It took me thirty minutes to clear the intersection, and even then I had to ditch my car in a meter spot a ways away from our house.  I started looking at the traffic situation and immediately let JO know that I didn't think he would have time to come home before the ballet.  (I have this thing about needing to get to The Nutcracker right when doors open.)  At this point JO still thought he could get home but as the time ticked by it became apparent that wasn't going to happen.  He ended up having to park his car on River Street and walk into Central to meet me at the T.  This meant he didn't have a chance to get changed before the ballet, so we made an emergency stop at Old Navy in Downtown Crossing 😉

We made a quick Christmas Tree Challenge stop at the Godfrey Hotel!

Even with all of that craziness, we managed to get to the ballet right when doors opened, which meant we had no trouble getting a picture with the bear and the rabbit! 

After getting the all important picture, we headed to the upper level to enjoy some bubbles while watching the crowds stream in, before heading to our seats.

JO surprised me with second row center~ I was basically in ballet heaven!

The production was beautiful and performed exquisitely!  I'm so glad we decided to go again this year.  (For a while we didn't think we could fit it in.  The three week holiday season definitely made scheduling difficult!)

After the show, we stopped at the Ritz for another tree before heading home!