Take A Walk With Us: Part Two

A Beautiful Fall

We took our time making our way around Pierce Island on our Sunday excursion. Time to take it all in.

It was truly a brilliant day.

The ocean was sparkling like an endless sea of diamonds.

It was so clear, it was as if you could just reach out........................

...the other side of the harbour.

A picture postcard day, to be sure.

The colors of fall were all around.

This Great Blue Heron was not happy when I tried to get closer.

He took off squawking a moment later.

Then we headed into downtown Portsmouth.

The good thing about parking on one of the higher floors of the parking garage, is you get a great view of the North Church Steeple.

We passed Bow Street on the way to Market Square.  The thing I love about Bow is that all the restaurants on the left side of the street, are on the water. Talk about great views.

It's hard to shoot a bad picture of North Church. Quintessential New England.

 

There are always lots of people in Market Square and Sunday was no different, except they were joined by this motley crew. 

What a great way to spend a Sunday. The colors didn't disappoint on the ride home either.

The last two shots were taken from the car while we were on the highway, but I couldn't resist the colors.

What a great way to spend the day.


Our temps have slowly dropped since Sunday, and it's a bit brisk today. The sun is doing its best to shine and more leaves are falling.  There's no holding onto summer anymore.

Hey, I'm not sure if I've said this lately or not, but I can never say it too much anyways. Thanks for being here.

Ciao for now,

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,



Weekend Roundup

She's Making a List, Checking it Twice....No It's Not Christmas

I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday weekend. We don't do just birth'days' round these parts. We milk it for as long as we can.

Friday was great all around, including the pretty new cosmo glasses sister Di gave me- love 'em. After we got home from my parents and the birthday celebration there, we cut a rug or two to some fun youtube selections including a little Cee Lo green and Tony Bennet.  We do enjoy a dance around the living room and kitchen, at some point during most weekends. 

The rest of the weekend went just as well. Here's some things that made for a good birthday weekend: 

• Gar built a table for my new printer. I will be painting is shortly. It's pretty basic, but that's all I need.

• Weather was nice so he got to work outside and I got to have the campfire I wanted on Saturday night.

• Neighborhoodlums Sandee and Gerry swung by the fire.

• Sandee made Stratford on a Crouton, one of my all time favorite appetizers, and brought me a gift. I'll share the Straford recipe the next time I make it.

• Neighborhoodlums Tom and Joanie had our neighbors-in-law Carol and Emile (Joanie's brother and his wife) over for dinner and they all popped by the campfire.  Not only that, but Joanie and Tom brought me a Carvel Ice Cream Cake for my bday. YUM.

• This was big for Carol and Emile, because they're about ready to head back to Florida for the Winter, and though I thought it was a perfect fall day, others thought it was freezing! So cold, they had to warm their tushes by the fire.

• I thought that it was a glorious night for a campfire with friends.  Lucan enjoyed too.

• When we went in, we caught the rest of the Bruins game. They took care of business and beat Toronto 7-0, and our 'kid' Tyler Sequin scored his first hat-trick. This made me very happy.

• Sunday morning we decided to go out for some breakfast and headed to Portsmouth.  When we got there it was such a beautiful day we decided to enjoy the day and take a walk, knowing our favorite little irish place would be open for lunch by the time we were done.

• We met the lovliest man, Adrienne, while were enjoying the views from the bridge. He'd grown up in Kittery, Maine, just on the other side of the river, but had been living in Texas for years. He'd just moved back to be closer to his family. The three of us must have talked about the Seacoast and traveling for nearly 30 minutes. 

• Our favorite table at RiRa was just waiting for us in the corner when we got there, and so was a our favorite server, Michael- a lovely Irish lad.  Check this link out for nice interior pictures of the fantastic dome at RiRa from a previous visit. Back to this weekend's visit.......Michael brought me a big pot of tea, and once I'd promptly finished that I went for the gusto. Look at those biggo honkin' olives! Briny and delicious and just what I wanted.

• I don't know who the guy is behind me, but he's not getting my bloody mary or my irish paper. Gar and I love sitting down at RiRa and reading the Irish paper. 

• We both ordered fish and chips........SO good. 

• As if the beer battered fish and chips weren't enough, they give you both tartar sauce and rose marie sauce. It's an Irish thing and it's good for dippin' your fries.

• Happy husband = happy wife. Don't come between a man and his pint of Guinness.

• After we finished lunch, we stopped at McKinnon's and talked to the Rick the Butcher.  It was Gar's first time to the store and he was impressed. We left with lots of good stuff, including the pork roast I cooked last night.  We followed up dinner with the aforementioned Carvel Ice Cream Cake- a very tasty ending.

As I said, a pretty darn good weekend all in all. Thanks to all who made it special, including my online pals and well wishers. 

Sunset Meadows

Just as we were starting the campfire Saturday evening, the sun was going down.  The focus is a little off, but the color makes it worth posting this picture anways.

I hope your weekends were just as good. Did you get to do anything special or out of the ordinary? Did you at least get to kick back and relax? Please say yes.

Have a fantastic Monday.  I'm going to do some painting.  Hopefully it dries quick so I can work on setting up the new printer a little later.