Dining Delights | Peaches Prattlings

{August 17, 2015} A roll off and a reunion

Another fabulous team dinner, yum!

SF, one of the team leads on the project, who has been at this hospital for multiple projects has been here 491 days, what!? Well, it’s time for her to roll off.

As I think I told you, we will have roll off dinners when co-workers leave the project. The sad thing tonight is realizing that a co-worker and friend is leaving, but the fun thing was a reunion of sorts. Since I am working in a different location, I don’t get to see everyone that was there tonight, so it was a great treat.

We laughed, caught up, ate great food, reminisced over the time together on the project and what was coming next, mostly vacations that are coming up, where are we going? What are our plans? Can I go with you?

It was a great night. Nothing but good wishes for the future FS!

{August 9, 2015} The weekend in New Hampshire

A new weekend, new friends, new experiences, new food, what more could you want!

Another eventful, wonderful weekend in New Hampshire, sounds pretty good, huh? I got lucky and had the weekend off, so I got to take advantage of the opportunity and join PSM up at the house in New Hampshire. We headed up Friday evening, I got back to the hotel from the hospital, remember…I am working at a hospital, I’m fine! about 30 minutes before PSM and Mollie picked me up and away we went.

We didn’t hit too much traffic, it was good, and unusual! Could be because it was close to 8pm. We got to the house about 10:30, settled in and relaxed, then conked out about one am, luckily I was able to fall back asleep after the alarm went off at 5:30am! PSM was not so lucky, poor guy! We finally got motivated and decided to walk into town to get some breakfast. It was a really nice walk, about 2.5 miles and it was off the beaten path, so to speak. We walked through the neighborhood, then the next, came out of there, crossed the street and walked on the path that was created behind the trees, off the street, then across the street, same thing, until we got to the street, about a quarter mile from our destination. It was a good walk for Mollie too.

After a great breakfast, we waited while the other families showed up, we decided to wait for them at the restaurant, easy to find. The first family, J&AH and their kids, C and B, every sweet kids and great family. Next was C&CV with their kids, O and E. E and C are the boys and were so excited to see each other, the girls were just as excited to see each other. After a nice reunion, we all piled into the two cars and headed back to the house.

M&K and their son JT were the last to arrive, another nice reunion, then everyone figured out where they were going to sleep, kids in one room, parents in other rooms, the kids were excited, there are bunk beds, what kid isn’t excited! All of these people have known PSM for a very long time and they are all part of the group who call him Boo. Even the kids!

That is frustrating sometimes…I call his name a bunch of times, but then I say “Boo!” and he hears me, geesh!

After everyone settled in, we headed out for a hike to a trail less than a mile from the house. All the kids piled in the back with Mollie and away we went. We hiked/walked for about a mile and a half, maybe two, possibly, came to a spot where we could go in the water. Lots of rocks and deeper pockets for swimming, the kids had a blast! Swimming, jumping a bit, skimming stones. Then it was back to the path to head back to the house, perfect timing so we could shower, have some snacks and then head to dinner, reservations at 7:30, there were 13 of us!

On the way back is when I twisted my ankle, fun…One of the kids gave me their walking stick, very sweet. We all piled back into the truck and headed back to the house, chilled out, wine and cheese, beers, special concoctions made by our two resident bartenders, AH and KS, I did not partake, but everyone seemed to like it.

The sad part was that C&C got a call that one of their dogs had gotten out and mom had to go because the dog would not come to anyone except her, we were all bummed out. 5:30 this morning we got the news that the puppy was home! Wahoo!

Off to dinner, all piled into the two vehicles again, apparently we were the kid mobile, they are so funny! Dinner was good, good food, conversation and company, then off to get some ice cream, well, most of the party had ice cream, yours truly and PSM were good and skipped. After everyone was happy with dessert, back to the house.

Right to jammies, brushing teeth and movies while the kids fall asleep, one even on the floor, he was so tired!

The rest of us huddled around the table and put in $20, thanks to PSM for covering me, and got down to playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Yup, yours truly included! I held my own for a while and as we neared 2:30am, I starting betting pretty hard, I was winding down and getting tired, I still needed to write to you, of course! I did this in between rounds. Finally about 2:45, we all cashed in and split the money, oh, I was the banker! It was kind of cool having that much cash in my pocket!

We all cleaned up and headed to bed, crashing out pretty quickly and slept until about 8:30am, it was lovely! No alarms!

Tired yet?

This morning, we all got motivated, sort of, and everyone decided they wanted breakfast from the same place PSM and I ate at yesterday and Dunkin’ Donuts, so orders were placed and away the guys went. We took showers, packed bags, stripped beds, threw towels and sheets in the washer and all cleaned the house, people were coming in about 5pm for the week.

The cutest thing, at one point this morning, all five kids were sitting on the sofa playing on their devices, but all the same game, they were in the same Minecraft world. AH laughed and said that they came all the way to the mountains to play games together!

After the house was cleaned and everyone was packed, all the families went to take the gondola up the mountain like we did a few weeks ago with GES and family. PSM and I headed to the craft fair happening in town, it was great! I got some Chanukah, Christmas and birthday shopping done! I am thinking I may go online to find some of these vendors, I want more! Not to worry, I did pick up a little something for myself and…one of the vendors found out I was buying gifts, gave me one of her products for free, how cool is that!

Then we got some lunch, headed out for home, PSM dropped me off at my hotel, I picked up the car and headed to GES and ACS’ house for dinner with the F family across the street. Grilling out, burgers, dogs, corn, the works, it was great! MGS even gets excited seeing PSM, running and jumping up for hugs, I love to see that, I know her parents do too! She was excited to see Mollie too!

After good food, friends, conversation, it was time to come back to the hotel to hang with the cats, unpack, get ready for the week and talk to you.

I am sure you are tired, I am, and you just read about my weekend! How was yours?

{July 30, 2015} Happy 6 months…and I’m happy

Six months, but with all good relationships, it feels like a minute and it feels like a lifetime, it’s a good thing.

Who knew, way back when, well, January, that when AT and GES decided to introduce us we would hit it off as well as we did. I know part of it was, ooh, JJ’s single, PSM’s single, maybe they’ll get a long…and they were right, oh boy they were right.

We exchanged emails for about a week and he asked me on a date, I said yes, how could I not? In one of the earlier emails, he came up with a list of six things to do. The first one we chose was to go to a pub, so we went. Then after a while, we were thinking about the list, so we decided that every six months, we do something on the list, I like that idea.

Tonight, we were going to go to China Town, but the traffic was tragic, so we decided on Fanueil Hall, http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/faneuilhall.asp, a very cool place with lots of history and charm. We decided on Ned Devine’s Irish Pub and had a great meal with good company and good food, good until the sky opened, then we went inside, still good. It’s all about the company.

I’ve told you about some of the great things we’ve done, there are still private things I don’t share, they’re private! He’s a great guy and I am a very happy girl in a great relationship with a great and happy boy.

Happy 6 months, looking forward to the next six and the next and the next…

{July 28, 2015} In person!

I was going to title the post “Fantasy vs. Reality”, but that would be weird and wrong.

Tonight, I had a great double date of sorts…PM and his wife, PSM and I. I got to meet PM’s wife, AM! When he asked if I was available for dinner tonight and then told me AM would be joining us, I was stoked! I immediately texted PSM to see if he was available! He wasn’t at first, but the stars seemed to align and he was available.

So…my title is “Office Spouse meets Real Spouse”. It was really cool! As you know, PM and I have worked together on four projects, almost two years and you get to know someone really well when you travel together and go to dinner together. I’ve told you he’s my work spouse. Well, during dinners, we talk about family and life and I learn all about his wife and children, I’ve seen photos, but we’ve never gotten to meet or talk and tonight we were able to!

It was great, she is charming and funny and caring and crazy about her hubby, as she should be. As soon as we saw each other, I asked “Are you a hugger?” And she was! We talked about family, travel, work and a few times, when PM and I talked about work, PSM and AM paired off and talked to each other about other things, then we came back to the conversation.

We left each other hoping to see each other again, maybe even get a chance to set up a play date with their kids and my nieces. The best part is putting a face with a name.

A great evening and a new friend!

I just thought this was funny!

{July 21, 2015} Did I say something? You bet I did!

You bet your sweet bippie!

I’ve talked to you about customer service before. Tonight, I was at a team dinner for work and I encountered some poor customer service from my server. It was poor enough that my coworkers noticed and said something to me.

When we got there, I asked for a vegan menu, they didn’t have one and there were no vegan options on the menu. Ok, par for the course, I am used to it, it happens. When it was time to order, I jimmied a dish to fit what I wanted. I also ordered a salad to start.

The salad arrived at the same time as my main meal, it was sautéed veggies on a bed of rice. When it arrived, there were tomatoes in the dish, I had told her that I was allergic and there was a red sauce on it, I asked what it was…siracha! Oh my! On me was the fact that I did not ask what the sauce/seasoning would be. My coworkers laughed when they heard siracha! They know me so well!

When she took the plate back towards the kitchen was the first time she had a visible reaction. My back was to the kitchen, but everyone else could see into the kitchen with the chef’s having a wee bit of a cow over my new request.

The issue was that every time the server came to the table and I asked a question, she rolled her eyes. It wasn’t even subtle, forget the eye roll, you could see it in her body language! If it was once, ok, maybe I’d let it slide, but every time? Even when I asked a question about the amount of time I needed to steep my tea, really?

Before I left, I went to the front podium and ask to speak with a manager. I explained the situation to her, she said she would say something. Your job is customer service and just because I didn’t agree with something or I wanted something sent back, it’s not a reflection of you or your work, but come on, no matter how mad you are, hide it!

So, there you go.

{July 8, 2015} The weekend in Nova Scotia…Happy Birthday PSM!

Happy Birthday PSM!

“PSM”, “Yes JJ?” “Your birthday is coming up, what would you like?” “I don’t know” “Well, think of something! A trip?” “Hmmm..I’ve always wanted to go to Nova Scotia” “Nova Scotia it is!”

Get online and find Nova Star, the ferry that goes from Portland, ME and docks in Yarmouth, NS, http://www.novascotia.com/. This was really like a mini cruise, let me tell you about it. As you know, we made it just in time, I was getting us there, PSM was getting on that boat!

We had an exterior cabin with a porthole, it had 2 twin beds, bunk beds above and a bathroom with a shower, great cabin. There was a formal dining room, a buffet, a few cafes and bars. They showed movies, had live entertainment and a casino, what more could you ask for!

Turns out, I’m not much for cruises, I found that out when I cruised years ago, thought this might be different, but no…I now am the proud owner of another pair of seasick bands and the Canadian version of Bonine, the aquatic version of Dramamine.

I had my stash of saltines and ginger ale, then sacked out and slept until we pulled into port. PSM, on the other hand, no problem with the boat had a good time in the casino and won a bit of money! Go PSM! Prior to crashing, we experienced a beautiful sunset!

There were families, friends, a tour bus and a bunch of bikers, fun for all!

We docked at 7am, got off the boat, went through customs and welcome to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia!

First a trip to the visitor information location, oh my they were helpful! Then breakfast at The Shanty Café

Dropped the top, on a very well traveled car and headed up The 101 highway towards the Bay of Fundy. First stop, Light of the Bay lighthouse, built in 1868. What a view!

Back in the car, another fabulous lighthouse for a nice stop and a lie down in the sun to smell the sea…ahhh…

We drove to The Bay of Fundy, Hall’s Harbor, and found a fabulous B&B, The Deft House, http://www.delfthaus.com/, we were in The Rose Room, the suite went on and on and on! The fireplace was controlled by wall switch, a lot of fun! The couple who own and run the B&B were charming and kooky, perfect! There were other guests there and we enjoyed meeting and talking with them at breakfast, a three course experience! Cereal, home made fruit crepes and omelets, oh my!

Up to Hall’s Harbour, http://www.hallsharbour.org/, to see the tide go out. This is one area of the Bay of Fundy, recommended to see the tide changes. Some of the tide swells measure up to 50 feet! We weren’t in an area to see the swells, but we did get to see where the tide went out!

See the poor boats! They’re grounded! See PSM, he’s walking the ocean floor!

The wishing well lighthouse gives you a good description of Hall’s Harbour and The Bay of Fundy.

We went up to the Look Off to get a great view of the tide going out and the amazing landscape of the Bay of Fundy, isn’t it amazing!

How about this! My beetle saw her cousin…a motorcycle with a VW back end! A VW Beetle engine!!! Guess who wants it! Me! Me! Me!

We went back to Hall’s Harbour to watch the sunset. It was amazing, apparently it’s a local favorite and people come in from all over to watch the sunset almost every night! Spectacular!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Fundy

[My phone died the next day, no more photos, boo]

That was just Friday! Can you believe it!

Saturday, we drove up the other coast to Halifax, what a beautiful city, right on the water, trendy and picturesque. Such a change from other parts of Nova Scotia, not in any negative way, more modern, a very different feel to the lifestyle. The Bay of Fundy is more fishing village and Halifax is a modern city.

We spent a few hours in Halifax, then drove back to Yarmouth for a great dinner at Rudders, http://www.ruddersbrewpub.com/, a fun restaurant and brew pub, one of the few spots open and happening in Yarmouth. We had steamers, lobster and fish and chips, yes I tried everything!

Sunday morning, we boarded the Nova Star and sailed back to Portland, Maine. Let’s just say, I don’t remember much as I spent most of it asleep and I’m ok with that! Back in the states and on dry land.

What a weekend! A great birthday! Where are we going next? I’ll keep ya posted!

Happy birthday PSM!

{July 3, 2015} The things you overhear

Sometimes, it’s just hard not to listen.

We’ve all been in this situation…you’re out somewhere in public and people are talking loud enough for you to hear and you start listening, you just can’t help it. If they wanted their conversation to be truly private, they should whisper or have it somewhere else!

Sometimes it’s a fun conversation, sometimes…not so much. This morning, PSM and I were having breakfast and there was some turmoil going on in the kitchen, big open window into the kitchen, someone was having a bad day! At lunch, the women at the table next to us started talking about needing mani’s and Pedi’s and the pros and cons of gel polish, I could have given them my two cents!

Tonight, we were having dinner at a pub and there were very few people there with us. Two tables back were a pair of guys having a drink and talking. First, it was about the Marvel Universe, how it’s changing and how it needs to, then Stan Lee, then the merits of X-Men, finishing up with building a bar in the basement and friends would come over. I’m sure they would!

I love people watching, I know people are doing it to me and I’m ok with that!

What did you happen to hear tonight?

Eavesdrop date

{June 13, 2015} What a day! It started with a party, ended with a sleepover!

What a day, what a day, what a day!

I told you that GES turned 40 this past week and it has been a week of celebrations continuing today! Up early, off to Costco to pick up cake, burgers and beer, yesterday was hotdogs and buns.

Back at the house, finish setting up, blocking off the street and getting ready for the throngs of people to arrive and arrive they did. There were over 100 yes responses and if we didn’t have 100 people, I’d be surprised! There were neighbors and friends, young and old, there to celebrate my fabulous sister! Even one of her college roommates was there with her family! So great to see NM, her two daughters and her beau.

AS was in the kitchen cooking up a storm, she made a food truck, without the truck! Everyone was happier than happy! There were crab salad sandwiches, sausages, chicken and so much more! Everything cooked to order! Outside on the grill, ACS was cooking up dogs and burgers, not to mention veggie burgers for the non meat-eaters in the crowd.

Everyone brought something to share as always. We had great salads, both veggie and fruit and some a mix of both, there were desserts and a cake to share, fabulous! After things died down, we read some toasts to GES, I read my blog, it seemed to be a hit, dad was awesome as always, LaLa and ACS and some others, a fabulous tribute to a fabulous woman!

After the shindig, I got in the car, picked up EJS from a softball game she was watching and we headed to Lexington to meet PSM for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then back to the hotel, into the pool, back to the room for showers and now we’re sitting in bed on our very first sleepover! EJS asked me this morning if she could come and spend the night with me at the hotel! My very first auntie-niece sleepover! I have been waiting for this for a very long time!

The cats are so happy to see her, Jymy is curled up next to her! I’m so excited she wanted a sleepover, I can’t wait for the next one!!! I hope breakfast is good, she’s been asking me about it all night!

What a day, I am going to fall asleep with a smile on my face, I hope you do too!

{June 12, 2015} A birthday dinner celebration

The celebration continues.

Tonight, we went to dinner to celebrate GES’ birthday. It was a tapas place with a Spanish theme and so much to share, the nice thing about tapas is small plates for everyone to share and unless you have too many plates, nice proportions.

Dad and LaLa got in just before we left, JS and AS were at the house when I got there and PSM met us at the restaurant. I had LaLa, GES and EJS in my rental car. The first thing out of EJS’ mouth, just like MGS was “It’s so clean!” Yup.

We had a nice chat on the way to the restaurant, great conversation, good food and lots of fun toasts honoring the woman of the hour, GES. Everyone made fun toasts or had great anecdotes about GES and tomorrow there will be more. The celebration never ends!

Happy Birthday GES!

{June 2, 2015} Dinner date

Tonight I got to do something I haven’t done in a few weeks.

I had dinner with PM, just the two of us. I have joked in the past that I’ve had work husbands, well, PM is definitely one of them! And the one I seem to have had the longest! We have now been on 4 projects together! We were beginning to wonder if we were a package deal!

Now, for those of you “not in the know”…a work husband or work wife, is a man or woman you work with who you are close with, maybe you travel together, but you work closely and really well together and look out for each other. PM and I clicked when we were in Kentucky, we went to dinner almost every night, always looking for new and fun places to go.

We talk over dinner and throughout the day, checking in to see what we want to eat for dinner, taking turns driving and paying for dinner. It’s great to get out of the office and not talk about work, well not talk about work much, enjoy good food and good company.

Since we started on this project, before tonight, there was only one night we went to dinner just the two of us and I have to tell you, I had a great time! I didn’t realize how much I missed it until we went to dinner.

We went out for a very nice Indian meal and the great thing is that I can trust him to tell me when things are going to be spicy and he’s always concerned that I will be able to find things to eat, it’s a nice feeling. Oh, and he always looks to me because he wants to eat something healthy!

Here’s to dinner with friends and co-workers and work spouses!

And good food!

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