Picking Strawberries

Posted on | June 16, 2010 | 14 Comments

I went strawberry picking this morning at Connors in Danvers, Massachusetts via a new friend suggestion. The field smelled like a giant decadent strawberry daiquiri, um yum! If it wasn’t frowned upon to drink cocktails before noon on a Wednesday I would have sparked up the blender as soon as I got home. The picking was great! The strawberries were still small and perfectly sweet.

I loaded up my 6 quarts thinking I was going to use them all for jam. But I realized I have a whole list of strawberry concoctions I want to make like sconces, pancakes, muffins and my favorite salad in the world: spinach/blue cheese/toasted walnut/strawberry salad. So maybe I’ll going picking again on Sunday at Russell Orchards in Ipswich for jam?

Did I share with you why I’m trying to break my internet habit besides the obvious? Over the last four years I’ve done more sitting then is acceptable for a person that is healthy and mobile. I’ve been trying to workout and Monday I took my first, Whole Body Ball Workout class—which means I had to jump on balls, twirl balls, and do stuff with hand weights. I always feel stupid in classes. I wonder why my arms look so long and awkward, why my boobs are sagging (is it the bra?), where did all these smoking hot moms come from? Lord. The class kicked my ass which made it difficult for me to squat down to pick strawberries. Sitting down in the straw and picking in a 360 degree rotation was the best method. I should probably go back to the gym tonight? The soreness must mean my butt is getting tighter, right?

Below a very short video. I’m trying to get the hang of the focus on the video mode while I am doing something, but it’s kinda cool? Maybe I should try one of those flips or I should get the new iphone? But I really don’t need more crap to carry….

p.s. my fav song to get my butt running on the treadmill right now, Say Hey by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Which isn’t new but it’s perfect for summer!

connors farm in danvers ma Picking Strawberries

Category: boston and metro, on the streets

Early Morning Commute @ Grand Central

Posted on | February 26, 2010 | 17 Comments

Hands down my favorite building in New York is Grand Central Station. The last few years I worked in New York I lived in Connecticut and had to commute through Grand Central everyday. I know that seems crazy that I lived in another state and commuted back and forth but it’s actually a quick 45 minute express train ride. I honestly miss my train rides. I loved reading, knitting, and just having some quiet time to chill out after work.

Last week, when I was in New York I commuted in with my sister. The morning light was gorgeous trickling down on the station floor. The green ceiling above was probably my first inspiration for my den. It’s gorgeous in so many different types of light. If I close my eyes I can hear the quiet rumble of voices and high heels bouncing off the stone walls.

Grand Central Station
15 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY
grandcentralterminal.com

Category: New York, on the streets

Huguenot Street: New Paltz, NY

Posted on | October 7, 2009 | 8 Comments

Historic Huguenot Street features seven unique stone houses dating to the early 1700s built by French Huguenot settlers. Huguenots from Northern France and modern day Belgium purchased 40,000 acres of land in the Mid-Hudson Valley from the Esopus Indians in the late 17th century. Small communities developed and thrived in the valley including New Paltz.

I went to college in New Paltz and would walk by these houses just about everyday. I was fascinated by the history and architecture of the buildings. The windows and shutters feel Dutch and different from anything I had ever seen in New England. Check out the green painted window frames in the room above. I wonder the real history of painting wood green? I’ll have to investigate…

Historic Huguenot Street
18 Broadhead Avenue
New Paltz, NY
huguenotstreet.org

Category: New York, architecture, on the streets

Dressel Farms: New Paltz, NY

Posted on | October 5, 2009 | 4 Comments

Over the weekend we were down in the NY area for a wedding and a family visit. On Saturday it rained all day. Greg got a little stir crazy being stuck in the house (I have two nieces under six) on such a gloomy day. We decided to go out for drive and somehow ended up an hour and 1/2 north in New Paltz—my college town and where I met Greg. A totally random and short visit turned into a nostalgic fall afternoon.

I have more photos and stories to share from New Paltz but first a few snapshots from Dressel Farms. On our way back to Westchester we made a quick stop for a bag of apples and cider. I jumped out of the car and snapped a few photos while Greg waited in the long line to pay. How cute is their apple cider sign above? The apples were crisp and delicious. I love Fall on the east coast.

Dressel Farms
State Route 208
New Paltz, NY
dresselfarms.com

Category: New York, on the streets

Pumpkins Above The Front Door

Posted on | October 1, 2009 | 10 Comments

I can’t believe that it’s the first of October. Fall outdoor decorations are popping up all over Marblehead. Pumpkins and mums are begin to fill empty flower pots and boxes. My favorite fall decorating idea is placing small pumpkins above the front door. So cute, right? A few of my favorites from my neighborhood above and below.