Dining Delights | Peaches Prattlings

{May 24, 2015} Lobstahfest…the beginning of summer on Spring Road

This weekend, being Memorial Day Weekend, for many, represents the start of summer.

At my sister’s house, it’s not only Memorial Day weekend, but its Lobstahfest [for those of you not familiar with the New England accent, it’s lobster fest, is that better?]

The way it works is that the neighbors pick a driveway, this year it was my sister and brother-in-law’s driveway, they set up several tables and chairs, each family is responsible for different foods, drinks, etc. Someone is responsible for getting the requisite number of lobstahs, which are already cooked, bonus and then the grill is fired up and there are burgers, dogs, chicken for those of us who don’t eat lobsters. There is more talking, laughing, drinking, having a good time.

After a few hours of eating, tonight, the corn-hole boards came out, then the dice, sometimes cards and we played until it was dark, turned on the lanterns, then there was a fire pit across the street, so we sat and talked and had a great time there until it was time to come in, talk to you and crash.

A great time was had by all!

{May 17, 2015} It started with a run, ended with a brisk walk

This morning, there was a one mile fun run.

If you are panting, huffing and puffing, is it still a fun run? Doesn’t matter, we still had fun! ACS, EJS and I participated in a one mile fun run, proceeds to benefit prostate cancer research. EJS was a champ and let me tell you, she can run, her sprint at the finish line was really impressive!

There were a lot of familiar faces at the run, it seemed like the whole town was there! There was a 5k, a one mile run, then a one mile fun run, which we did, a 26.3…meter run/walk for the 0-3 year olds then there was a 100 meter run for the 4-9 year olds, a few kids running at a time and that’s what MGS did, those little tikes are so cute! Pumping their arms and running for all they are worth!

With t-shirts and medals in hand, we headed back to the house for showers and I headed to PSM’s to head out for a fun night. We hopped on the train and headed into Boston for a tribute to Pete Seeger by a fabulous choir and one of PSM’s physical therapists was part of the choir, even a fabulous mouth harp player. It really was a fabulous performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZa3KtkVpQ

After the show, we hopped back on the train and headed back to his neck of the woods for dinner. We went to a nice restaurant called Za for pizza, cheese-less for me of course, it was quite tasty. We sat there for a few hours and talked, laughed and learned a lot more about each other, it was really great.

After dinner, walked back to his house, picked up my car and headed to the house where I got to chat with dad, GES and ACS, it was nice, a very good ending to a very good day!

{May 17, 2015} We have a FIVE year old in the house!

Someone…turned FIVE today!

Little Miss MGS turned 5 on May 16th, how perfect is that to have your birthday on a Saturday so you can have your birthday party on Saturday!

Any guesses to what the theme was? Hmmm…Frozen maybe? That girl LOVES her Frozen…well, everything! We had Frozen streamers, table cloths, table decorations and there were Frozen gifts for miles! Nope, not a Frozen cake, she picked out something very original, a really pretty white sheet cake with blue and yellow flowers and a Jewish star, that’s what she wanted and that’s what she got!

We set up for the party, it rained in the morning and we were worried it might rain all day, but I told someone that Mother Nature knew that Miss MGS would not stand for rain on her birthday and she was right!

People started arriving about 11 and they just kept coming, there might have been about 60 people here throughout the day, adults and kids included. The neighbors came, a few friends from school came, the usual suspects were here and the bouncey house, they love that!

ACS grilled the hot dogs and hamburgers, and a veggie burger or two, we had the 3 side snack that MGS had picked out, pretzel chips, cheese doodles and veggie sticks, pretty good choices, if I do say so myself. We had pickles and three different potato salads and deviled eggs, both made by AS and for dessert, there was cake, waffle cookies, popsicles and watermelon. No one walked away hungry.

I got to love on all the kids, there were some great “Auntie J!” and running and jumping in my arms, which I will tell you is my favorite part! Then there was chasing and tickling and falling down, sometimes not in that order!

Then…it was time for the Frozen piñata!!! MGS went first, she got 5 whacks, because it is her fifth birthday, after all! Then everyone got a turn with the bat and the last thing to happen was MGS pulled the ribbons and the candy came pouring out!

Now, my very clever sister had gotten Frozen treat bags and everyone had stickers and other Frozen goodies in there, but then they got to put candy in their bags, they cleaned up! Literally and figuratively!

By about 3pm, almost everyone was gone, a few stragglers, then Saturday proceeded as normal.

Let’s just say, this was a very successful party, put on by my sister and brother-in-law, but we expect nothing less and when I got back to the house tonight and went to kiss MGS goodnight, she was sleeping sideways, SO cute!

Happy, happy, happy fifth birthday MGS! I love you very much!

{May 15, 2015} It starts with a drive, ends with a fire and throw some cake in the middle

A pretty good day, crossed a few state lines, drag raced with my dad, had cake and lit some stuff on fire, sounds good to me!

Ok, now, you know some of that statement is not true, but what parts? I’m not telling!

The day started pretty well enough, got up on my own, before 8am, on your own is always preferable, even if it’s early, am I right? Got up, showered, dressed, then dad and I stopped at MickyD’s for breakfast. [I totally derailed my post for tonight, I was going to wax on the wonders of a McGriddle! I guess it will have to wait for another day]. Then on the road for Boston.

We kept up with each other pretty well, except for at the tolls, he had an EZ Pass and I didn’t, oh well. We stopped at a few rest stops, gas and potty breaks, then lunch, when he informed me that some guy had been following me all the way from NY, ha ha! We were making good time until we got to I95 and then it was a parking lot, great…

The cool discovery…at the Starbucks I stopped at they had coconut milk! Is that a sign of things to come? Wahoo!

But…despite the traffic and the two of us getting off the highway early and kind of blindly finding our way to GES’ house, we made it in time to pick up EJS for karate and be a few minutes late, I was getting EJS and dad was getting her outfit from the house. “I don’t wanna go, I want to stay and play” What? All that craziness for nothing! Oh well…

We get to the house and do a quick straighten up, the cleaners were supposed to come today, but their allergies kicked their butts and they had to cancel, we both know I don’t know what that’s like at all! Then turn around, pick up EJS, head out and get GES at the train,

Once we had everyone in the car, off to the Cheesecake Factory for a birthday dinner! Who’s dinner? I’ll keep you in suspense, but if you wanted to hazard a guess…she’s short, cute and is about to be the five! More tomorrow! It was the usual suspects, GES, ACS, EJS and MGS, then there was B&S S and myself and PSM, a good time was had by all.

PSM was very sweet, he wanted to cheer me up after the parking lot that should have been a moving highway and went to Tevana and bought me some tea, thank you!

After dinner, we went back to the house, got some things ready for tomorrow’s birthday celebration, then ACS lit a fire in the fire pit in the backyard, it was quite nice and relaxing. It was also funny that we were all outside enjoying mother nature and we were on our phones, go figure.

See…a good day, started with a drive, had some cake, then a fire, what more could you want?

{May 13, 2015} A drive and a great and relaxing visit

Today was a pretty easy day.

Got up leisurely about 6:30am, always nice to wake up on your own, both cats were with me, which is always a treat. Made a great breakfast sandwich, yum, then hung out with EJS while she waited for the school bus, took a shower, packed up the rest of the stuff I would need and headed downstairs.

Before I headed out, I made the most fabulous shake [frozen cherries, frozen pineapple and almond milk, oh my! YUM!] it kept me going on the trip. Got into my previously clean car, had it washed yesterday and the pollen found it last night, oh well, it’s Spring.

I hit the road for NYC to go to dad’s, I’m in a convertible and due to my allergies, top up, boo. The trip was uneventful, I only stopped once to fill up the tank and two more times for relief. Got to dad’s in about 4.5 hours, just like Google Maps said I would.

We went out for a late lunch, then went down to the boardwalk to sit by the water and talk, then off to Verizon because, go figure, something was wrong with my phone, but it was a nice drive around the Island of Staten, then we decided instead of going to the movies, we found some stuff on Netflix, made some popcorn and chilled out.

A perfect end to a good day.

{May 9, 2015} A triple date

Tonight, I went on a triple date, it was fun.

Question…there are dates, that’s with two people, then there are double dates, that’s with two couples, after that, are they called triple dates or are they just dinner with friends. Things that make you go hmmm…

About two weeks ago, PSM forwarded me an email from his sister-in-law, JM, about going to dinner with them and another couple A&J T. Of course, I would love it! GES and ACS had a prior engagement or they would have joined us, but as I like to say, there’s always a next time.,

PMS picked me up on the bike and we went to Season’s 52: Fresh Grill, a nice restaurant with a nice atmosphere and ambiance, we were in a round booth in the back of the restaurant. PMS, his brother SM are first cousins with JT and it’s nice that they all get together and it was nice to be included. The cool part was that S&JM’s son J babysat for A&JT, so convenient!

The food was good, they had those dessert samplers in the cups, perfectly portioned for tasting.The conversation was great, there were lots of stories and laughter, catching up and good times all around.

It’s nice to go out with other couples, when you’re part of a couple. It’s something different, a chance to catch up with friends, or in this case, family, a chance to laugh and relax and just have a good time and that’s what we did, we had a good time.

Does it get too crowded if its more than three or four couples? I think its just the right amount to still be intimate, more people and its a gathering and not as cozy. So, when’s the next one?

https://www.seasons52.com/

{May 3, 2015} Another fabulous day! Am I lucky? You bet your bippie!

Another fabulous day, awesome!

I have to tell you what I forgot yesterday, one of the best things and the perfect way to end the day. I got to the house just before GES and ACS, after they got home, I went in and right after GES, I went to EJS’ room and kissed her cheek while she was sleeping and then I went to MGS’ room and kissed her little cheek, SO cute and sweet while they sleep! Then chatting with GES a bit, talking to you then sleep…now that’s the perfect end to a day!

Today I woke up too early, it was after 7am, but still too early! About 8am, I had a visitor in the form of a very ticklish MGS, we giggled and laughed and tickled and jumped for about 30 minutes and then like a flash she was gone! Relaxed a few more minutes, then got up and took a shower, my hair felt waayyyy better!

Got dressed, checked on the laundry, saw AS & JS, who were there to hang out and pressure wash the deck, bonus! PSM showed up on his Yamaha, inspiring me a little further to get another bike…I miss Thing2! It’s coming soon! Then we all went to town to watch the Softball Opening Day parade starring EJS and ACS! Very cool! Then at the park we listened to the opening day ceremony, saw the first pitch, then PSM and I took off for brunch at Petit Robert Bistro, http://prbneedham.com/, c’est manifique!

The restaurant was charming, the food was good, the company was terrific and all I want now is to go to Paris, sigh.

After the restaurant, we headed back to the house, after a stop at CVS for some supplies for the week and as we all know, I am easily amused and excited on occasion, today, I found a travel size of the lotion I use, I haven’t found it in a smaller size, I usually have to take the giant tub, so wahoo me!

Back at the house, everyone was there, including JS and AS, who didn’t even know they were coming back! We went upstairs to see what was going on with the movies on my hard drive, finally fixed some of the issues, wahoo! Then we went outside and climbed into the hammock to hang out for a while, that was great!

About 5pm, GES, ACS and the girls went to dinner with the family/friends across the street and since my taxi was coming at 7, PSM and I hopped in Annie, dropped the top and headed out and on ACS’ recommendation, went to The Walnut Grill, http://www.walnutgrille.com/. It was terrific! We shared a cup of butternut squash soup, a salad, a VEGAN pizza and dessert. YUM! We will definitely be going back!

After dinner, headed back to the house and the taxi was waiting, perfect! Collected my stuff, headed to the airport and went right through security, I LOVE traveling without luggage! They changed the gate without changing the signs, luckily I got up to ask a question!

The worst part about today was my allergies killing me, but…I found my wonderful herbal allergy medication online, on the way to the airport, I am going to pick some up tomorrow. Props to PSM for the suggestion.

Got to Buffalo, picked up the car, got to the hotel and the guy at the desk recognized me, that was a nice feeling.

So…another great, wouldn’t you agree?

{May 2, 2015} What a day! A great day!

Today started early in Buffalo and ended late in Boston.

I got up, got showered and ready, headed downstairs for some breakfast, back to the room to brush my teeth and finish packing, thinking my flight was at 9:25, it was at 9:11am! Thank goodness PSM happened to ask what time my flight was, at 8:25am! Not to worry, I filled up the car last night and I wasn’t checking any bags and…the airport was across the street from the hotel!

I headed down, gave them my bag and some groceries to hold for me and off to the airport I went, dropped off the rental car and walked through security and to the gate. It was really nice not having to check luggage! Such a treat. I got to the gate, boarded about 8:50, we took off soon after and as I had no seat mate, stretched out my legs, read a little, played some games, watched the end of a movie and we were on the ground.

No need to stop at baggage claim, right to the taxi and away we went. I pulled up just as GES and the girls were getting home from karate. We hugged and spun, caught up and made a decision to get sandwiches and have a picnic on the lawn. While GES and EJS were off somewhere, MGS said “let’s surprise mommy and clean the basement!” Where did that come from? Sounds great, she will be so pleased! So off to the basement we went.

A little while after we finished they came home and we set up a picnic on the front lawn, it was great. The sun was shining and warm on our faces, which hasn’t been happening for a while. Some of the neighbors came over, EJS went to another neighbors house, some of the kids rode bicycles while the parents watched. Yes, it is that kind of neighborhood. And at some point, I went in and made popcorn to snack on, good thing, I was hungry!

It felt so good to be out there with the sun shining, good food and good friends, what more could you ask for!

We all headed inside eventually, then headed upstairs to get ready GES and ACS were going to a fundraiser at their temple and I headed out to meet PSM and his friend JP for dinner and a movie. But the best part…I got to pull Annie out of the garage, drop the top and drive! MGS watched me put the top down and shouted “That is so cool!”

We were going to eat at the pub, but the wait was about 30 minutes, while the Japanese restaurant next door, no wait, guess who won! After a yummy dinner, we headed to the movies to see The Avengers: Age of Ultron, review coming later. After the movie, we went to JP Licks, an ice cream place. Since I don’t eat ice cream, I got a sugar cone filled with sprinkles and some teeny peanut butter cups. It may not have been ice cream, but at least Ii felt like I was participating!

Then it was time to drive home, I hung out across the street for a bit with MF and OF and their friend T in front of their fire pit, it was the perfect end to the perfect day.

I hope your day was just as fabulous!

{April 15, 2015} Good customer service…makes all the difference

It really does. If you have a bad customer service experience, it can ruin the entire experience.

I know I’ve talked to you about good and bad customer service and I know you’ve heard me say “If you don’t like your job, get another one, it’s not my fault you don’t like your job, please don’t take it out on me”.

I have been places where the food has been fabulous, but the service was terrible, so I don’t go back. On the other hand, so-so food and good services, I would go back to the restaurant to give it another try to see if it might change my mind.

This is not limited to restaurants, I know we all experience good and bad customer service everywhere and have dealt with it in so many different areas. I have even asked if I offended the customer service representative, that sometimes changes the attitude. If I am about to get irate with someone, I tell them before I start that it’s not them, it’s the company, that helps.

Tonight was a great example. I went back to a restaurant for a third time because of the server. Papaya is a nice Asian fusion restaurant in Buffalo, http://papayarestaurant.biz/. The food is good, but the service last night and tonight, the best. Chris was our waiter when I was there last week with two co-workers. When I went back tonight, I asked for Chris and she was working and she remembered me, my eating concerns and was fabulous with suggestions and remembered how I like my water and tea.

It’s the little touches like that that go a really long way. I would recommend the restaurant, for the food, but more for the service. When you have someone who goes the extra step, it’s makes a difference, it’s something I strived for when I waited tables and it made a difference there too, people would come back to sit in my section time after time and my tips reflected it and the bottom line is, it helps the bottom line.

Be nice to people, as they say ‘you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar’.

There, I’m done, stepping down from the soap box.

{April 12, 2015} What a weekend!

Oh friends, I had the best weekend ever!

You don’t know how much I would love to share pictures with you, but as you know, I value my privacy as well as of my friends and family, but if we’re friends on FaceBook, you can see them, if not, I know my joy comes through my posts!

So, sit back, grab a cup o’ something to keep you awake and away we go!

This weekend I came to Atlanta for a visit, but especially to see my fabulous niece, Miss A for her FIFTH birthday and I also got to see another fabulous niece, KK for her FIFTEENTH birthday!

Now, I did not get to see everyone on my list, but I stayed busier than a one armed paper hanger [I’m in the South, please say that with a twang!]. I also realized that I am coming back about every three months, so if I didn’t get to see someone, I will see them next time! Here we go!

I arrive Thursday night and headed to SDL’s house, I didn’t think I’d get to see Miss A on her big day, but I was lucky, they had just gotten home from the birthday dinner with CKM, I was bummed to miss it, but I know they had a great time. I was just in time to see her having a good time splashing in the bathtub, caught up with SDL while she was splashing, then after she got dressed, I got to do her hair, help her brush her teeth and then give a million kisses good night, sigh.

In the morning, got up before the alarm, was there to see Miss A before she left for school and then I left to have my taxes done. I thought my appointment was at 10, all of a sudden 8:50, my reminder went off, what?! Luckily, I was only about 15-20 minutes away! It still took about 2.5 hours! For every state I work in, I have a W2, then the house was a rental for part of the year, not an easy task, thank goodness for Ted Hagerstrom at the Townsend Tax Service! TS introduced me to them a few years ago, she uses them and her parents have been using them for years! They’ve been in business over 62 years, I think they might know what they’re doing! http://www.townsendtax.com/

After that, I headed to Marietta to meet DL, CC and JC for lunch at a great Thai Restaurant, http://www.thairedelephant.com/, the service was ok, food was good, that’s what counts, right? Great to catch up! Then I headed back to SDL’s house, we ran a few errands, then loaded up, to pick up Miss A from school and out for the next birthday dinner! The girl knows how to celebrate! Then it was home for bath, brushing teeth and bed! Friday was done!

Saturday came way too early! 5:45am to be exact, why? Oh, why not…I tried to go back to sleep, no dice, so I lounged, until I heard everyone stirring, had a little matzoh with peanut butter and strawberry jam, because…why not, yum! Then it was get dressed and help Miss A get dressed, teeth brushed and ready for her hippothereapy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippotherapy. She loves it and is fantastic at it! She has improved by leaps and bounds and as you know, ever the fashonista, has a helmet that says DIVA and diamonds!

After therapy, it was a few stops for me on the way home, lunch for Miss A while SDL went to buy a new lawn mower, shiny new red one! I hung with Miss A while SDL did her thing, then we snuggled while she napped, then SDL and I shared a piece of red velvet cake, one of the many cakes that Miss A had to enjoy during her birthday month! Then it was off to dinner with TS at CPK, California Pizza Kitchen, http://www.cpk.com/. Dinner was great, I had a fabulous grilled veggie salad [the veggies were grilled and served warm over cool crisp lettuce, Y U M!] the company better, it was great to catch up all together.

SDL and Miss A headed home while I went to TS to help her with a project, we had a great time and got caught up, which I love. Back to SDL’s by 11:30, talk to you and pass out!

That was just Saturday! Moving on to Sunday, you tired yet?

Sunday morning woke before the alarm, some quality catch up for a bit, discussing some of the finer points of Dr Seuss’ work. Then it was time to get dressed and head to Kennesaw to see KAB and Baby A! I don’t know what I’m going to call him when he’s 15, might be a bit awkward! We had such a good time, and KAB was awesome enough to meet me at Waffle House!!! When she asked where I wanted to go, IHop or Waffle House, I actually said “Can we go to Waffle House? Can we? Please? can we?” I love Waffle House and there are none in the Northeast so I try to go at least once a trip!

I got there and Baby A was almost as excited to see me as I was to see him and his mommy! Almost immediately he raised his arms and said “down”, loved it! We spent breakfast catching up, playing with Baby A, down, up, down, up, throw this, throw that, catch me, chase me! I really enjoy spending time with KAB, we talk about so much stuff and I’m glad she’s back in Georgia, because I now get to see her almost every time I come for a visit! I can’t believe he is going to be two on June 1st, I remember meeting him when he was a few hours old and now look at him! Happy JJ am I!

After breakfast, I headed back towards downtown to meet CKM for some serious pampering…pedis were on the menu and ahhhh…so wonderful! I recommend them for everyone! And since we were the first ones there when they opened the doors, we didn’t have to wait and now my toes are neat and trim and all sparkly turquois, perfect for the beach!

Since we didn’t finish catch up during the pedis, we always have so much to talk about! We moved on to The Cook’s Warehouse, https://www.cookswarehouse.com/, the location in Brookhaven is closing so everything is up to 45 percent off! More Christmas and Chanukah shopping [and some birthdays too] done! I got a ton of stuff and saved a bunch! I can’t wait for Baby A to get his presents!

After a serious shopping spree we needed refreshments, so off to Olive Bistro we went for some light middle eastern tapas, yum! Then walking a little, found some snack to take back to Buffalo and then it was time to part company, this of course, took us about 20 minutes, as it always has. I so love catching up with friends, especially when it’s like no time has passed!

Next stop…LK’s house! The family is actually in town! I didn’t think I’d get to see them, the best part, total coincidence…we texted each other and then I went out there because my oldest, fabulous niece, KK’s FIFTEENTH birthday is tomorrow and tonight was the birthday dinner and cake made by her two younger sisters! It was chocolate with vanilla icing and lots of sprinkles! The frosting was delicious!

I so love spending time with the family! We caught up, laughed, goofed around, played with the two guinea pigs and three dogs, had a great dinner, the youngest, K made guacamole, yum! and she and mom made home made salsa, what a treat for me! I walk in that house and it’s like we just saw each other last week and I always feel like part of the family, never skipping a beat!

That is the best part about my friends, they really aren’t just friends, they are family and when I send emails letting people know I’m coming to town, I never say “Dear friends” it’s always “Hello family” and it is. I value and treasure each and every one of them. I hope they know and feel it, because it’s so important to me! Thank you for loving and liking me for who I am and wanting to spend time with me! I can’t wait to see you and everyone else next time!

Then it was back to SDL’s to do some laundry, talk to you and get some sleep, the alarm is going off early! I hope you’re not too tired after reading this! And if your weekend was at least half as good as mine, I think that is stupendous!

I am going to crash now, off to Buffalo I shuffle in a few hours!

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