I'll Have Dessert First

Lately, I've been craving sweets like crazy. It's not exactly good for the waistline and (I think) I've finally got a handle on it. But that didn't stop me from enjoying this delicious chocolate mousse cake and cappuccino from Café Vittoria on Saturday. The girls spent the weekend together in Boston and David and I came down to take them to the North End. Can you tell we're a chocolate family? David had a mocha, Kate had hot chocolate, and Amanda indulged in the gelato—chocolate, of course.

If that wasn't enough, we went up the street to Mike's Pastry to get the girls a few snacks for the rest of the weekend. Known for their cannoli and other Italian pastries, the girls opted for the whoopie pies—a New England classic that consists of two rounded chocolate cakes sandwiched together with thick, sweet cream. If you can't get to the North End, make them yourself from a couple of recipes found here and here.

It's not unusual for the line to stretch down the block, so when we arrived, we we're happy we didn't have to wait too long.

Things go fast! Especially the cannoli. When you walk up to the counter you'd better know what you want, because if you don't speak up, the person behind you will. Balls of string hang from the ceiling so once you're goodies are boxed, the servers can tie them up in a flash. It's pretty amazing to watch.

You must come visit. Here are a few more reasons why you should.

P.S. You may also like Yes, I'll Have a Bowl of Chocolate Please! and Lemon Cake with Raspberry Sauce.

Book Lovers

Now that I spend a good deal of time in Rhode Island, I've been exploring the area bit by bit. I'm getting to know Providence again. It's changed a lot since I used to live nearby in southern Massachusetts. But the outskirts are what I'm really interested in.

During one of our visits, I came upon a rare bookstore that I just had to check out. Allison Goodsell Books (great name!) is part of the Kingston Hill Bookstore in the historic village of Kingston, RI. It's filled with all kinds of treasures including an illustrated copy of Wuthering Heights I grabbed. And for only $2 I decided to purchase If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland. Originally published in 1938 and republished by her estate in 1987, this book, although a bit dated in some regard, is full of practical advice for the would-be writer. Although I wouldn't put it on my must-have list, for $2 it was worth the money and my time.

What I find most intriguing when purchasing old books is what previous readers do to the books themselves. This person didn't dog-ear a page, but he or she underlined a lot of sentences throughout. For years, I wouldn't even consider marking up a book. In fact, I have two copies of some of my best loved books just so I can keep one in pristine condition. And depending on what the book is about—fiction, non-fiction—I will dog-ear pages, highlight sentences, and toss it in my bag without a second thought.

However, what I really love to do with books (besides read them) is fill them with little mementos like tickets to a book event, the receipt, if I find it at a unique shop or out of state, bookmarks from the store it was purchased from, postcards or letters from the giver. And when I open these books again, it's like opening a scrapbook.

This Friday I will be attending a book event in Cambridge that I can't wait to share with you. And the book will definitely be filled with as many photos and scraps of paper I can get my hands on!

Visit New England This Fall

The leaves have already started turning color and soon fall will be here in full force. If I could change things up, summer would last another month and so would fall. Winter, of course, would be shortened by at least a month, and spring... well, spring just means mud season in New Hampshire, so I'd like to replace spring with pre-summer. But until that miracle happens, I thought I'd share a site filled with budget-friendly places to visit in New England. And what better time to do that than in the fall.

All joking aside, we're very fortunate to enjoy all of the seasons in all their glory. We can travel from the country to the city, and from the mountains to the ocean all in one day. The food here is fabulous, there are cultural experiences to be had around every corner, and the scenery is just beautiful, especially in the fall. But don't take my word for it, as Visiting New England shares, ..."here are 50 fun, affordable New England fall travel ideas that can be done on a tank of gas, starting from Boston..." 

And don't forget some of my favorites...

Apple picking in Harvard, MA.
Hike Mount Monadnock (it's close by) and so much more in Peterborough, NH.
Martha's Vineyard is much less crowded during this time of year.

My Home Away From Home - Part I

Growing up on the south shore of Massachusetts, I had always visited Cape Cod throughout my childhood. I have several relatives who live on the Cape, and my parents would take my sister and me to spend long weekends there just to get away and cool off in the summer. We had other beaches to choose from much closer to home, but it was always more fun to make the drive. 

David lived on the Cape for a while and he always knew he wanted to live there again someday. I wasn't so sure. When we met, we were both working in Boston and I had become accustomed to city living. I thought the Cape was too remote, too dreary in the winter, and too far away. Of course, the ironic part is that we ended up moving to the New Hampshire woods, so that goes to show you how much I know.

We made a compromise and decided that we would vacation on the Cape. At first, I stayed several days, then a week, then two weeks, and now my family and I spend at least four weeks every year enjoying everything the area has to offer. We count down the days until we get there and mourn the day we have to leave.

And even though we stay in one particular town, we travel quite a bit while we're down there. We're usually driving between Brewster, Orleans, and Chatham mostly. In fact we drove into Chatham the day after we arrived and were greeted with their annual shark art show in the park. 

Of course one of our first stops has to be to either Cobies for some soft-serve ice cream and/or Hot Chocolate Sparrow for some Frozen Hot Chocolate. Although Kate prefers their chocolate cake!

As the weeks progressed, we lazed on the beach, read books every night, and before we knew it, it was the 4th of July. We all pile into the car to watch the Orleans parade in the morning, and then we head back to get organized to spend the afternoon and evening in Provincetown every year. Well, every year for the past four years at any rate. If you've never been, you must visit this quaint little town I was told was designed to look like an authentic Portuguese village. You'll find the sweetest little homes and lots of secret gardens tucked up and down the winding streets. Although this rich arts community is always alive with excitement, it gets really interesting on the 4th. No matter how busy it gets, we always manage to find a spot on the pier to watch the fireworks.

If you can imagine, most of the streets are not shut down to cars. They share the road with the pedestrians, not the other way around. Those in the know don't bother to drive at all.

Stay tuned for more vacation photos soon.

A New Bakery is Coming to Town!

Quick, hide the croissants! Rumors started that a bakery would come to town when one of the more prominent buildings on Grove Street was refurbished a little over a year ago. Alas, it was not meant to be. As we strolled through town on Saturday, we noticed that the Waterhouse Restaurant is opening its own bakery right next door. Oh me. Bread is my kryptonite and there's going to be trouble. Of course I peeked inside. As you can see there doesn't seem to be a place to sit and eat, which is a bit disappointing. If I'm going to ditch my diet for something warm and doughy, I need to be held accountable. Grab and go is cheating. 

I have several go-to recipes I like to make, but I have never made just bread. And that is what I immediately think of when I hear the word bakery. So to entice your taste buds, here are some links to a few bread recipes along with a few baked goods. Enjoy!

Dutch Oven Crusty Bread (Add a little salt and/or EVOO, maybe some rosemary to the top...)

White Sandwich Bread

Texas Roadhouse Rolls

Nutella Shortbread Brownies

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Bread

Chatham: Best Beach Towns in America

House Beautiful recently released their list of the best beach towns in America, and of course Chatham was on the list. As you probably know by now, I spend a good deal of time on the Cape and Chatham happens to be one of my favorites. As HB put it, Chatham "...is the perfect place to escape the crowds, thanks to its small town qualities (it's completely walkable) and its spectacular coastline."

Not to be missed... the Orpheum Theatre (It re-opened last summer and you HAVE to go see Jaws.), Yellow Umbrella Books, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, yoga on the beach, concerts in the park, an Anglers baseball game, chocolate from the Candy Manor, lunch at the Chatham Village Cafe, dinner at The Chatham Squire.

And check out the seals (and sharks!) at South Beach.

Only 6 more weeks until my feet hit the beach sand! (But who's counting?!) Read the HB post about more beach towns here.

You may also like... What I Did On My Summer Vacation and Visiting Aquinnah.

Photo: housebeautiful.com

Enjoy Your Weekend

Kate's spring break is coming to a close, but not before having a little more fun. We've been spending some quality family time together this week, including skiing at Loon Mountain (Kate's favorite) and just hanging out. Tonight, we're going to see the premier of Cinderella (Kate's favorite Disney movie), tomorrow we're cheering on Amanda's friend at her skating competition, and then we'll wrap it all up on Sunday by celebrating David's birthday in Boston as we drop Kate back to school.

I hope you have some fun things planned this week, too! In the meantime, here are some link from around the web you may enjoy...

If you're following color trends, then you know Marsala is in. Not a fan of decorating with it, then how about marsala-colored make-up instead?

Get a jump on your workout routine by attending as many classes as you'd like with just one pass.

Do you want to learn everything there is to learn about commas? Grammar nerds rejoice.

If you've ever dreamed about running a bed and breakfast in Maine, here's your chance.

Planning Easter dinner? Here's a very cute dessert perfect for the whole family.

Would you dress your man in these duds?

Witch City

We're headed to Salem, Massachusetts next weekend! We haven't been there in a few years, so we decided that it was time for a return visit. Of course you know all about the famed Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but did you know that this waterfront town thrived on farming and fishing in the seventeenth century?

In the eighteenth century, Salem developed into a major fishing, shipbuilding and maritime trade center thanks to its burgeoning codfish trade with the West Indies and Europe. International trade with Europe, the West Indies, China, Africa and Russia produced great wealth and prosperity. Salem architect and wood carver Samuel McIntire (1757-1811) was employed by many of the sea captains and is responsible for stunning Federal-style architecture and ornamental carving throughout the city. Salem has one of the grandest collections of Federal style architecture in the world. This alone is worth the trip.

Salem is also home to American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne who worked in the Custom House where he wrote his novel The Scarlet Letter. And of course, The House of Seven Gables made his cousin's home known to all. The settlement, including The House of Seven Gables and his birthplace, are open to the public.

Witch City is also the place to be in October. Not only will you be treated to costumed visitors, stores filled with everything Halloween, but also a host of historical landmarks that help to tell the story of some of America's richest history.

My friend Karen, who is now lives in Salem, gave me an insider's perspective.

You must explore...

Visit the Salem Witch Museum. This was one of my favorites. (And check out the Peabody Essex Museum, too.) Tour the House of the Seven Gables it's located right next to the ferry dock. Hawthorne's spirit is alive and well. The Custom House is also a must see. Take a ferry ride into Boston. The coastline is just beautiful and you'll be able to really see those gorgeous Captain's homes. And don't forget to take a trolley tour to really see it all.

You must eat and drink...

Have a Lobstertini at The Lobster Shanty then go eat at at the Jean-Louis Pasta Shop. My friend tells me this is the best pasta she's ever eaten. Red's Sandwich Shop is a great breakfast and lunch spot. Or indulge in my weakness, a juicy burger from A&B Burgers located in the old jail on St. Peter Street. Pick up some Christmas gifts (like their ribbon candy) or just satisfy your sweet tooth at the Ye Olde Pepper Candy Company.

You must get in the spirit...

Catch the History of Halloween at Cinema Salem. And don't forget to visit the Haunted Happenings website for a complete calendar of events.

Photo: Flickr.com

Our Town

Peterborough, NH is a quintessential New England town situated in the heart of the Monadnock Region in southern New Hampshire. Thornton Wilder wrote Our Town during his frequent stays at the MacDowell Colony. The fictitious town of Grover's Corners, NH that he brought to life onstage wasn't all that fictitious.

Settled in 1749, Peterborough became a prosperous mill town by the 1800s with cotton factories, wool mills, paper mills and seven saw mills, creating the town’s first industry. Today, Peterborough is home to one of the oldest basket manufacturers in the country, Peterboro Basket Company, which has been in business since 1854. The town is also home to the headquarters of Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor apparel and equipment retailer.

It became my home nearly 21 years ago and its natural beauty still remains in the face of change. Small town living may not be for everyone, but we have many things that a lot of small towns don't—the ability to provide enough industry, entertainment, and culture while still maintaining that sleepy bedroom town appeal. Students have returned again and again after they visit for the first time often repeating the same phrase, "I didn't know this place even existed". Today, I'd like to share some of my favorite places with you. 

This is just one of the many parks we have here in town. Located alongside the Nubanusit River, we'll often come here to rest after a bike ride to Ava Marie's for some ice cream. (Ava's makes their own chocolates daily and the ice cream is delicious, too. My studio was located in the same building for three years. It's tough to go to work with the smells of homemade candies wafting through the air.)

Peterborough is located 36 miles from Manchester, NH (Boston Regional Airport) and 73 miles from Boston, MA (Logan International), so you could easily fly to either airport and then travel by car. RelayRides offers budget-friendly car rentals right from the airport that will help you get to your destination. Keep reading to find out more.

Hey, we're #2 on the BuzzFeed list of towns to run away to this fall!

Read more...

Apples!

Saturday, we were at the orchard once again. I think David and I figured out that this whole apple picking tradition started 24 years ago! Amazing. And even though we now live in southern NH, we still take the drive into Harvard, MA and pick at the same orchard. I now have a half bushel and a peck of apples sitting in my kitchen, one pie already made, and several more to make.

Each year we hold a contest to see who can find the smallest apple. (David won.) But this year, Amanda decided to up the stakes and started a new tradition... guess who found the biggest apple? I can see this huge Courtland apple right now as it sits on my kitchen windowsill. I don't have the heart to cut it up for pie. I think I'll let Amanda eat her prize when she's ready.

Here are some delicious apple recipes you're sure to enjoy.

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie (Kate's favorite dessert!)
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Inside Out Caramel Apples
Easy Bake Apples
Apple Butter
Overnight Apple Oatmeal
Apple Pie Pull-Apart Bread
Cider Glazed Apple Dumplings
Applesauce Pop Tarts
Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

Apple Cider
Sparkling Apple Juice
21 Delicious Apple Cider Cocktails

Sweet Potato and Apple Soup
Roasted Pork Loin With Apples and Sweet Potato
Roasted Apples and Fall Vegetable With Pecans
Apple Cider Baked Chicken

Chatham Orpheum Theater

My family loves the movies, whether we watch them at home or take a drive to the large stadium theater 40 minutes away. However, we're fortunate enough to have two (I'll call them boutique) theaters in both our home towns, one here in Peterborough and one on the Cape. The Chatham Orpheum Theater was under construction last summer, so when we took the drive into town this past July, we were thrilled to see that it had opened. We bought our tickets for Jaws right on the spot, knowing they'd be sold out if we didn't (which they were).

As you walk in, you see this amazing mural of Hollywood stars. "The After Party", by artist Hans de Castellane, is just amazing. You can dine in the theater courtesy of Vers Restaurant, or simply munch on popcorn and candy. The seating is extra wide and very comfortable, and the sound system rivals any larger venue. They show first run movies, art films, and classics. They'll even email you "rainy day showings" for kids when the beach is not an option. Of course, Chatham is a beach town, but I can imagine taking in movies all winter long in this cozy space.

We happened to go on the night of the big storm. A tropical storm had been forecast all day, but didn't arrive until all seven of us were in the theater clapping and cheering and yelling, "We're gonna need a bigger boat." with the rest of the crowd. So the party continued as we cautiously made our way back while the wind howled and the rain pounded the pavement.

David and I went back on date night to see Chef. After dinner at the Squire, we just made the 8:00 show and literally got the last two seats in the theater. We had a really fun night.

Do you think a 3-1/2 hour car ride is too much to go see a movie?

Visiting Aquinnah

The Aquinnah cliffs are known for their natural beauty. Formerly known as Gay Head, the town of Aquinnah was one of the first whaling sites settled by English colonists in 1669 and first inhabited by the Wampanoag, a Native American people related to the larger Algonquin Nation of Southern New England.

The brightly-colored clay cliffs, carved out by glaciers millions of years ago, have been photographed and painted for hundreds of years by people and artists all over the world. The cliffs are ecologically protected, so pay attention to signs. You can take a hike on the upper trails to the top of the cliffs to catch a glimpse of Gay Head Light and nearby Elizabeth Islands. You can also enjoy the gorgeous beach below—in the buff if you'd like. Moshup Beach is one of the few nude beaches left in the US. However, clothing is optional, so you can visit, as I did, and not see a single person enjoying the soft white sand and turquoise waters without a suit. (I was told that the beach is no longer considered an official nude beach, but nudists still visit.)

The spectacular view I had was at the top of another rise near the shops. I think you'd agree that the colors and light are simply breathtaking. Imagine actually seeing it in person.

Have you been? If not, you need to add Aquinnah to your list of places to visit.

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New England Clambake
New England Clambake (How to)

Photo: Aquinnah, MA

Chocolate!

I think I may have mentioned the copious amounts of sugar I consumed while I was on the Cape. Thanks in part to the delicious goodies found at two of my favorite places to treat myself, I was able to keep myself from a sugar coma only by a slim margin. A trip to the Chatham Candy Manor is a must. These hand-made chocolates are the best that I've found on the lower Cape. I prefer milk chocolate bark with pecans, David likes their peanut butter cups and the chocolate-covered cookie dough bites (so does Amanda), and Kate indulges in mini M&M chocolate-covered pretzels. We were barely out the door before we broke into our own signature pink boxes.

Next stop, Hot Chocolate Sparrow. Actually, this was probably one of our first stops. Within 48 hours, we're either at Sparrow or Cobies for some ice cream. I've tasted a few things over the years, but I get a frozen hot chocolate every time I go. And I would choose this over ice cream any day!

The head chefs from Serendipity in NYC shared their secret Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe, so I thought I'd share it with you. I've never tried it. I'm willing to wait for June to roll around again and savor my first sip.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

1 cup of milk
3 cups of ice
1/3 cup of evaporated instant dry milk
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
4 tablespoons of a variety of the finest cocoas of your choice

1. Mix dry ingredients together
2. In a blender (in this order) add milk, dry mix and ice
3. Blend for 20-30 seconds until you achieve a smooth daiquiri-like texture
4. Pour into a large glass, top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate (optional)

Enjoy!

Senior Photos!

Yesterday evening, it was Amanda's turn to have her senior photos taken. It seems like just yesterday her big sister was having hers taken. This time, Kristen, of K. Lenox Photography came to us. Of course I used her again...she took fabulous shots of Kate!

My water girl had her photos taken by a river in Shieling Forest and at the pond. The girls have hiked through that forest since they were little. It abuts our property and is filled with rivers and streams, bridges and boulders that make you feel as though you're in another world. Although the river was low, we did manage to find a few spots where she could splash around.

I can't stress enough how wonderful it is to work with Kristen. She is energetic, warm (she makes anyone feel comfortable), a has a wonderful eye. I would recommend her again and again for any occasion. Check out her facebook page for a sneak peek at a couple of other photos, and please visit her website! 

Photos: Shieling Forest, Peterborough, NH

The Grey Barn

During our day on Martha's Vineyard, my niece drove us around to parts of the island that would take too long to travel by bike. One of those places was a visit to The Grey Barn farm. Although the ocean is the focal point of island life, Martha's Vineyard has a rich agricultural history. And since I'm always on the lookout for certified organic foods, I was especially pleased to know that if we ever land on MV, we'll be okay.

This beautiful farm raises heritage pigs that forage in the oak woods, humanely raised chickens, grass-fed cattle, and dairy cows used to make their delicious artisanal cheeses and raw milk. You can purchase beef, pork, milk, cheese, and eggs right at their Chilmark location (not too far from Edgartown) and also from the West Tisbury Farmers' Market from mid-June on.

Of course, there are trade-offs when you decide to eat organic foods. Cost is definitely an issue. I used to buy the best meats I could at the grocery store so I don't pay too much more a pound. My Thanksgiving turkey is certainly a lot more money, and there are no 'buy a chicken, get a chicken for half off' deals, but because I've cut other foods out of our diet (junk, processed), I'm still spending the same amount per week for groceries. I'm fortunate to have an organic grocery store right here in Peterborough. The Green Grocer offers almost everything I need.

When we're down on the Cape, it's another matter. Some local shops are now carrying some of the products we use, but it's been difficult finding everything we need. Luckily, Whole Foods opened in Hyannis this summer which is only 30 minutes from where we stay. Since it was my first experience shopping there, I talked extensively to the meat department manager about their rating scale. Although Whole Foods is a chain store, they do carry local products and both the Hyannis and the new Nashua store (opening August 19th and coming to Portsmouth and Bedford—New Hampshire's first three locations) are committed to bringing even more local suppliers on board.

Why pay $6.50 a dozen for organic eggs? *You get 5 times more vitamin D, 2/3 more vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene than regular store bought eggs. *The Grey Barn

Photos: Chilmark, MA

A Change in Routine

While I was away, I kept active, but in a different way. It still amazes me that after all this time, I can still fall back into old routines. My daughters and I enjoyed a yoga class at Lighthouse Beach in Chatham during our stay. It was a beautiful morning, and if you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it. As the sun was coming up, you could hear the seagulls hunting for their breakfast and the waves crash onto shore. The class was both energizing and relaxing, but it was the only one we went to. My best intentions weren't enough to get me out of bed by 6:30.

I biked more than 127 miles in 5 weeks and walked everywhere, but I didn't do one single core or strength training exercise. I ate salads, chicken, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, but I also ate a lot of ice cream. My legs look great, my stomach...not so much.

A change in routine can be good, as long as you remember that too much of a good thing (or bad) is just that—too much. I certainly got enough cardio, but my core suffered. I revved up my body with heart-pumping exercises and sugar, but I didn't calm my body with stretching and toning. So although I didn't gain or lose a pound, my body shape shifted just enough to teach me a valuable lesson.

My youngest daughter has already gotten back to her usual workouts and ice cream is now just an occasional treat...at least for me. It's time to get the rest of the family on board and for me to cut back on the cardio and fill the void with squats and planks.

A well-rounded diet deserves a well-rounded exercise routine. It's okay to change things up, cheat (a little) every now and then, but be sure to get back to basics. Try out new exercises if you're bored, in fact, it's a great way to train new muscles and give the others a rest. I've added a few new pins to my Good Health Pinterest board that may inspire all of us.

Other post that might interest you:
Yoga
Rain or Shine

Photo: Chatham Lighthouse Beach

Design on the Cape

Every time I go to the Cape, I can't help but check out the architecture and browse through the home décor stores. Once a decorator, always a decorator. So I thought I'd share a few photos of some decorating ideas that caught my eye. The first is a staircase that leads you to the second floor of Edgartown Books on Martha's Vineyard. We hadn't been there in years so we decided a day trip was in order so we boarded the ferry with our bikes and explored the island some more. I'm sure you've seen many stair riser murals before, but I loved the mix of colors, fonts, and overall design of this particular one.

The stairs are made of pumpkin pine flooring and feature a beautiful dark-stained curved banister that contrasts nicely with the light pine. The dark grey walls (try Benjamin Moore 2124-30 Deep Silver)were covered in graphic food prints that invited you to explore every nook and cranny. Once you've grabbed your book and a cup of coffee, you can enjoy it on the oversized branch-fenced porch. (Be inspired by these vegetable prints from Etsy artisans.)

In this home décor shop, the merchandise was teeming with coastal charm. As you can plainly see, shells, rough-hewn and distressed woods, and wicker and rattan led the way...and the colors of the ocean are always in style. In one shop, I found the exact rope-wrapped candle holders that I scored at Target for a third of the price. (Sorry, I think I found the last two in existence. You can find something similar here.)

While we were in Chatham, we strolled through Jack Wills. I was more interested in the décor than I was the clothes, though they were nice too. Again more books lining the stairs, this time for real. The wall art is very English—more is more. Although I do like my home a bit more tidy, I can't help but favor this look.

Photos: Edgartown and Chatham, MA