Quick & Full Visit

Here and Gone

Part of our Dublin family was here last week. Garrett's brother Fran, our sister in law Fiona and niece Rachel.  It was a fly by. Just two quick days. We headed up to Portsmouth one day, just 10 minutes North. Beautiful small city on the water.  Wonderful restaurants, artsy, historic. Porsmouth is simply a great place. The one problem that day? It was hotter than hell.

As we tried to park the car in the parking garage, we kept going up and up and up. I made note of the fact that this was not a day to park on the roof. Viola, literally about 3 spots before we hit the open air, seriously hot roof, somebody backed out and we scored the spot of the day.

The good thing about having to go up and up and up, is that we ended up with a great view of North Church.  So of course, I had to get a shot of my sister in law Fiona and my niece Rachel.

We walked a block up to Market Square and then headed toward the harbor. Garrett and his brother Fran were ahead of us gals. I said to the girls, 'it is HOT' to which my sister in law replied, "I'm dying. I think my eyes are sweating."

This flower smelled heavenly. I have no idea really what this flower is, but the leaf reminds me of hydrangea. Perhaps an odd variety? The flower certainly doesn't look like any hydrangea I've ever seen.

We finally made it to the waterfront and Prescott Park.

There was no breeze, so the Dubliners, who have had nothing but rain this summer and weren't used to the heat, were starting to melt.  They found a bench under a tree while I checked out this fountain I've been by a thousand times.

Upon closer inspection, I found this dedication.

I continued to wander because I could see art in the distance.

Then I wandered a little more, past the stage where they put on a summer play each year.  Behind the stage I found the set trailer, which had been painted during last year's street art exhibition. Very cool.

The quote is from a Celia Thaxter book. She was a poet and author born in Porstmouth.

"Under the light-house no sweet-brier grew, Dry was the grass, and no daisies Waved in the wind, and the flowers were few That lifted their delicate faces. But oh, she was happy, and careless, and blest, Full of the song-sparrow's spirit; Grateful for life, for the least and the best Of the blessings that mortals inherit. Fairer than gardens of Paradise seemed The desolate spaces of water; Nature was hers,- clouds that frowned - stars that gleamed,What beautiful lessons they taught her! Would I could find you again, little maid, Striving with utmost endeavor,Could find in my breast that light heart, unafraid, That has vanished for ever and ever!"

Found this cow lurking around the corner. 

Then I made all the shade lovers get up from their bench and stroll with me through my favorite part of the park....the secret pocket garden. It's not really secret, but I like to pretend it is.

We happened on an art exhibit. More art. This always makes me happy.

As I headed back out the door, I spied this on the back of the trailer with the cow. How'd I miss that?

Then I told them they had to see patchwork garden.

We were now sufficiently hot and could do nothing else but make our way past Oracle House (this is where the firts NH daily newspaper was published)....

....back to Market Square and our favorite corner at RiRa. We met our friend Mike, who is a former rugby player who likes Guinness as much as Gar. I neglected to get a picture of Mike, but I did get his son in this shot.

I went with the sampler (4 5oz. minis) instead of a pint. Loved it and enjoyed the beer on the left the best. Lagunita Lucky 13 (or lucky 7,) I think.

Mike kept asking Fran if he wanted a Guinnes and Fran kept saying no (not something he'd normally say), he'd stick with a Stella because he was just too hot.  They continued to joke him about the fact here he was in the place that had the best Guinness around and he was having a Stella. Then this 'little' treat appeared thanks to Dave the manager, who is from Cork. A 'pint' of the black stuff that Fran could easily put away even on a hot day. 

That cracked us right up.

Then we went home and took a nap. See what the heat does to you?

Later we were off again. This time just up the road to Margaritas for dinner.

We all thought Fran could have done a better job parking so we taunted him until he moved the car.

As always we enjoyed our meal, but we didn't let on to the manager. I could see Gar was thinking about calling him over just to cause a little trouble, because that's just the way we are. Anything for a laugh. Then he was having second thoughts and I said, "go on, call him over and tell him the refried beans were done one too many times."  He did and we all kept straight faces. I dont know how, but we did.  The manager fell for it and said, "Well sir, we do have to cook them twice for them to be refried", to which we all exploded into laughter. Including the Kevin the manager.

Our waitress could see we were causing trouble and said, 'you know the other manager would totally fall for that, shall I send her over?' But of course.  Yup, we straight faced it again, and did the same thing. I backed Gar up again adding that 'they seemed like maybe they were just a bit overdone'.  Fiona and Rachel had to face the wall from laughing because this girl's chin dropped to her chest and she just kept saying uh huh and nodding. Then we all lost it again and she said "I was thinking are they serious? Why didn't they call me over before they paid the bill". I swear, we're going to do that in every Mexican restaurant we go to from now on. It was classic.

So, a great day was had by one and all. Wish we got to spend days like thatwith our Dublin peeps more often, but at least we make good memories when we do.  We'll have a chance to in a few short weeks, when brother Niall, sister in law Caragh, our niece Leah and my godson Harry arrive. It will be the first time we get to meet Harry face to face, other than via skype, so we're psyched. Their visit won't be nearly as quick.

We're in the midst of another hot and humid downpour.  How the heck are we supposed to get laundry done around here?

Anyone participating in the photo challenge? If you are, get me your pics by the end of the day today if you want me to include them in tomorrow's post.

Have a great Sunday.

Ciao for now,



When You Get Caught Between the Moon & New York City

We snuck away for an impromptu visit to my Godparents and the Bates of Clontarf, who were doing the Jersey City thing this summer due to brother-in-law Fran's work. Drove down on Friday and swung into the Belenchia's, my Godparents, in Yonkers.  It always makes me happy to walk in that back kitchen door.

Actually got this shot of us with Boskie and Aunt Virginia on Sunday on the way out of the city. We've had a lot of good times around that kitchen table and Friday and Sunday were no different.  Did I say I have the best Godparents a girl could have?

Then we were off to the Holland Tunnel to get to the other side of the river and Gar's brother Fran, our sister in law Fiona, nephew Conor and niece Rachel. They spent the summer in Jersey City, just across the river from lower Manhattan. I predicted that Fran would be cooking a curry. I was close. It wasn't Fran, but Rachie who donned the chef's hat Friday night. Our compliments to the chef. 

Went for a walk on the waterfront after dinner. Gorgeous night. Gorgeous view of the city and a great full moon. Couldn't have been nicer. So, of course, with all things aligned, I had to start singing Arthur's Theme by Christopher Cross, hence the title of this post. Nobody appreciated my rendition though, so I stopped.



The Freedom Tower is the tallest building in the picture and they still have a good ways to go before it's complete.  

Got a shot of the gang with the famed Colgate clock in the background.

No. Gar couldn't be any redder from working out in the summer sun.

Midtown - including Empire State (middle) and Chrysler Building (to right of Empire State).

Next morning, Gar went for a walk while we were all waking up and having our obligatory cuppa tea.  He came back and announced there was a farmer's market in the neighborhood, but had nothing to show for it. So we went back down for some goods. Look at these tomatoes! The second one up on the left went home with us, along with the sweetest little yellow cherry tomatoes, some bread (the fluffiest loaf ever!), peach butter, and a beautiful pepper for Rachie's next curry.

Then we were all off to Manhattan via the waterferry/taxi Gar and I scoped out on our stroll of the neighborhood. Such a long ride. All of about 10 minutes. Here's Rachie on the top deck with Lady Liberty behind her. It was a perfect day. Sun shining and a nice breeze.

The ferry dropped us at the World Financial Center, so we strolled that side of the island for awhile. 

I couldn't find anything that said whether this sculpture had any significance, but it sure looked great against the blue sky.

A beautiful clipper ship, the Friendship of Salem was in dock from Salem, MA. Such pretty details.

Then the Freedom Tower in the sun.

Garrett checking out the progress on the Freedom Tower in daylight. It's much bigger than it looks in this picture. I really like it. And I like that it's being built, though many may disagree. I think it will be a beautiful tribute when done, to those who died at the WTC on September 11th ten years ago, and the perseverance of the American people. I was happy to see lots of progress is being made on the site. It's been a long haul. It took quite awhile just for the debris from the tragedy to be cleared. If it was just left a gaping hole, which is what it was, it would be as if the terrorists had won. I think it will fitting too see it when it is done, filled with people going about their daily lives just as those who lost their lives were doing that day. Again, that's just how I feel, I'm sure others feel differently.

We headed over to the other side, to the South Street Seaport. We enjoyed some 'lazy' time on the upper deck, watching the tugs push the barges up the East River and generally just enjoying the day.  Here's the brothers, solving all that is wrong with the world. That's Brooklyn across the river.

Then, it was mission time and we were off to Little Italy to see if we could find 100 Mulberry Street where my Grandfather was born and grew up. Now I've walked Mulberry Street many, many times, but only recently found out (thanks to fellow esty shop owner, Cris of Belmodo.....a great story for another time) the actual address where my Grampy Cocciardi lived.  We found what we 'think' is 100 Mulberry. The numbers may have been different at the beginning of the last century, so this was as close as we could get.

Then I made the guys pose and told them to talk Italian. They said, 'How do we do that?', and I said 'With your hands!!!!'. 

Then Gar snapped the girls on Mulberry Street. I love any picture we're ever taken there.......always hustling and bustling with people.

More tomorrow. We packed as much as we could into our quick trip!

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are.

Lobster Bake- Take 2

Busy weekend here. The Bates of Clontarf (part of our Dublin family- Gar's brother Fran, our ssister in law Fiona, nephew Conor, and niece Rachel), who are in NJ for the summer due to work, swung up on Friday for a quick visit. We just chilled- ate yummy cheese, swam in the pool, and talked. Perfect laid back family time.  Saturday before they headed off to visit Fiona's sister in Boston, we had lunch at the 401 Tavern.  We got to eat in the 'wine loft'. Wish the picture was better, but I love the way our friend Desi decorated this part of the 401- about 1,000 wine bottles across the ceiling and now creeping onto the wall. Very pretty.

Too bad Gar couldn't eek out a smile for the picture.

Yesterday afternoon, we were off to our friend's lobster bake. Since Ralph helps Gar out with ours on the 4th, Gar does the same for him.

Filling the baskets with seaweed, clams and lobsters.

Loading the baskets onto the bake.

Hot stuff coming off the bake.

Come and get 'em!

So, so good.

Hope you are having a good weekend too. Enjoy your Sunday.