adventures in the culinary landscape

I think about food a great deal. I love making it and Papa and the Pup love eating it, so it all works well. The seasons are a good inspiration for food, what's fresh, what's in season, what will make you feel cozy? It's been cold here in Connecticut, some would say ridiculously so. When faced with cold temperatures, my mind immediately wanders to soup...making it, eating it, being warmed by it. I can't be the only one. So I figured, if I am going to make it, I might as well go all out. So I made pho. It made us very happy indeed (mostly because we didn't have to drive for more than an hour for soup, which we would totally do...we've done it before. We'll do it again, I am sure.).
And for dessert, banana cream pies--which Kelly noted would be a good summer time pie, but it's my favorite so perfectly suitable for today, tomorrow or next week. And it's pie. Today is National Pie Day, how could we not celebrate?
Clearly, one of us was really excited about Pie Day.

a trip to paradise city

So there is this place in Northampton, Massachussetts called WEBS. Fiber enthusiasts know it to be something akin to Shangri-La. WEBS is also called America's yarn store. Obviously, I had to go and assess this for myself, so right before the New Year began (I know, this is the last one, everything else from here on out is all about 2008!) we wandered west. I think the boys knew we were in for some fun.

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. It was difficult chasing the pup, grabbing yarn, reading books, touching fiber, and playing with fiber equipment all at the same time. Something had to give, especially since I left my superhero cape home that day.

Kelly has decided that of all the yarn shops he has been to ("which is many") WEBS has to be the best. There is a "gentlemen's" (I guess anyone could sit there, really) seating area with really comfy chairs and all sorts of magazines, like Sports Illustrated. Kelly said the only thing that would have made it better would be a big screen TV.

Anders was pretty entertained with the yarn. It was everywhere, a beautiful thing, really. The main store front was nice, bright, and pretty; but the most fun (for the Pup, anyway) was to be had in the yarn warehouse. Seriously. It is a warehouse of yarn (if you can not find joy in that, frankly, I don't know what to tell you).

There is a loom room for those into weaving. I peered in and looked around, but I tried not to get too interested. I need a new hobby like I need a hole in the head, particularly one as costly as weaving. The looms are a bit steep at around $9,000. Fun things to look at though.

It was a good visit; and, we left without spending too much. The main point (besides just seeing the place) was to register for some classes (more on that later); that done, we counted the trip as a success. And of course, I can not wait to go back to the place that, I am convinced, is truly America's yarn store.

Shopping for yarn is hard work.

to boston and back

We recently wandered to Boston for a day trip, it was the weekend before New Year's day, so I can't really classify it as the first trip of 2008; but, I am going to post about it all the same.

Since we once lived in Boston (pre-pup), there wasn't a long list of places that we felt like we absolutely had to go. I wanted to go to Windsor Button (boasting the largest selection of buttons in the northeast, it's not impressive to everyone; but, I think it's the bee's knees).

I found what I needed (buttons, shocker). But I am pretty sure Anders had the most fun.

What is this thing you call a choking hazard?

He often found himself overwhelmed by the craft selection available for the consumer.

Whoa.

We walked through Boston Common.

We went to Keihl's for the fun of it (thanks Jess).

And then we went to the Public Garden to see the ducklings.

We tried to find Pho Pasteur for lunch (we love Vietnamese food), but we were unsuccessful as all but one of the resturants are now closed (it would have been useful if that information was updated on the website).

After some fortification, we went to the Boston Children's Museum.

You know there is going to be some fun involved if your hand gets stamped.

Go, team!

Programs available for toddlers were not many; but, the pup has no problem hanging with the big dogs (or children 4-8, whatever).

Okay. So now what?

Hey, kid, it's upside down!
We thought his favorite part was the bubble factory area. But after he got soaked and needed to change his shirt you was done with it.

It was the ball area that was a thrill a minute, we had to drag him away.

We managed to get out of the museum before the $1 public entry rush (a courtesy granted on Friday evenings to the public). And we stopped for dinner at Le's Vietnemese Resturant/Cuisine (pick one! Formerly Pho Pastuer of Allston) on our way out of town.


The perfect end to the perfect day.

There are a ton of pictures over in flickr. We were testing out our new camera, the ease of point and shoot with the picture quality of our SLRs. It's a winner!

happy new year

We did some wandering recently; but, while we go through and edit the photos we thought we'd share this message from the Seal Pup. Happy New Year everyone!