Tags / Categories / Comments
Prescott Farm in Middletown, RIMay 26th, 2012Unable to forget the fabulous Shangri-La in Hawaii, Dori Duke’s Newport Restoration Foundation caught my eye while I contemplated touring her other home, Rough Point. With limited time on Sunday morning, we decided to forgo any mansion tour and drive back up to Middletown to see Prescott Farm, another property managed by the foundation. Nestled next [...] |
|
Tags: doris duke, Middletown, Newport Restoration Foundation, Prescott Farm, Rhode Island
| One Comment | See Full Post
Posted in: Travel |
Unable to forget the fabulous Shangri-La in Hawaii, Dori Duke’s Newport Restoration Foundation caught my eye while I contemplated touring her other home, Rough Point. With limited time on Sunday morning, we decided to forgo any mansion tour and drive back up to Middletown to see Prescott Farm, another property managed by the foundation. Nestled next to a busy road, this peaceful farm is dedicated to preserving a patch of 18th and 19th century Rhode Island architecture and landscape. I particularly enjoyed exploring the kitchen & herb garden tended by volunteers through a partnership with URI’s Master Gardener program. They day we visited, volunteers were kindly offering soil testing and garden help.
Tags / Categories / Comments
Postcard from Newport, RIMay 16th, 2012We’re always on the road the first weekend in May, but April showers often manage to trail along behind us. Even without the sunshine, I’ll admit the misty Rhode Island coastline was quite beautiful! You’ll notice it feels like a lot of these photos were taken from the car, which is absolutely true. We only [...] |
We’re always on the road the first weekend in May, but April showers often manage to trail along behind us. Even without the sunshine, I’ll admit the misty Rhode Island coastline was quite beautiful! You’ll notice it feels like a lot of these photos were taken from the car, which is absolutely true. We only had 24 hours to explore, so many thanks to Maureen, Tony and Liz W for keeping our short Newport itinerary on track.
First stop: lunch at the Safari Room at Ocean Cliff. The patio wasn’t open, but the view was still spectacular.
Flying a kite at Brenton Point State Park
On the wine trail in Rhode Island. While others headed in for a tasting at Newport Vineyards, I went out back for photos.
Time for one more: Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth.
Lastly, a friend (of a friend) recommended the Cook House and I loved the bar room view between the wharfs ( below, right). We only stopped in for a drink before dinner, but I’ll be sure to return next time we’re in Newport.
Departing from the group favorite (Scales and Shells), our final dinner was at Fluke Wine Bar. Prepare yourself for some stairs, but the view from our 3rd floor window-side table was worth the climb. You’ll just have to trust me on this one because it was way too dark for the camera. In the distance, the fog rolled in and out around the Newport Bridge and the lights twinkled in the tree above Diego’s. If you haven’t managed a reservation, you can try your luck at the bar, also on the 3rd floor.
Tags / Categories / Comments
Pez Visitor Center – Orange, CTMay 1st, 2012You may have seen the billboard on I-95, but did you really believe there was a candy manufacturing facility in Orange, Connecticut? It’s true, the Pez Visitor Center is a mix of history, memorabilia, production floor and factory store. There is an admission charge, but you will receive a $2 credit per paid admission towards [...] |
You may have seen the billboard on I-95, but did you really believe there was a candy manufacturing facility in Orange, Connecticut? It’s true, the Pez Visitor Center is a mix of history, memorabilia, production floor and factory store. There is an admission charge, but you will receive a $2 credit per paid admission towards any same-day store purchase. If you come with kids, good luck getting out of there without buying some candy and a dispenser or 2!
Tags / Categories / Comments
local color at low tideApril 30th, 2012Opening day for golf cart season came early this year. The usual far point of our ride affords a nice view of Bayview Beach. It was a warm day, but not nearly warm enough that I’d consider going in the Long Island Sound! On the way, we stopped in at my in-laws and met a [...] |
Opening day for golf cart season came early this year. The usual far point of our ride affords a nice view of Bayview Beach. It was a warm day, but not nearly warm enough that I’d consider going in the Long Island Sound!
On the way, we stopped in at my in-laws and met a local fellow hunting for crabs under overturned rocks.
We teased him that his metal pail looked more like an Easter basket, but he was more than happy to show us his catch.
That day I didn’t want to bother with my dSLR, so I brought my little point and shoot along for the golf cart ride. I try to never leave home without a camera. You just never know who you’ll meet.
Tags / Categories / Comments
a little trimApril 27th, 2012Congratulations to the Whelk, recipient of a recent and well-deserved “don’t miss” review from the New York Times. While everyone else is busy storming over to Saugatuck, I checked back in at leFarm and was mostly surprised, but also thrilled to see Chef Bill Taibe in the kitchen last night. He stopped by to say [...] |
Congratulations to the Whelk, recipient of a recent and well-deserved “don’t miss” review from the New York Times. While everyone else is busy storming over to Saugatuck, I checked back in at leFarm and was mostly surprised, but also thrilled to see Chef Bill Taibe in the kitchen last night.
He stopped by to say hello and eventually conversation wandered to the important issue (at least in my book) of the fried chicken sandwich at the Whelk. Pickles in my sandwich? Yes, please. I’m such a huge fan of Pimento cheese, I served it at our Super Bowl party this year.
The original fried chicken sandwich at the Whelk was a bit of a messy affair, but I loved it that way. So did our California-dwelling friend Brendan, who saw my photo and demanded to try it on his next visit back to the East Coast. We ordered it up few weeks ago and found it no longer the same fried chicken sandwich of our dreams. The chicken had been trimmed down to fit more neatly in the bun. Bill assured us it’s still a work-in-progress and asked to see the original version. Here it is, my photo notably dark and out of focus – but if it’ll help me get another sandwich like this, I have no problem with sharing.
Tags / Categories / Comments
pea shootsApril 18th, 2012I want to enjoy the fresh spring air, but gardening is simply not a relaxing activity in my book. There will be no planting of these pea shoots from Robert Treat Farm. After 5 days on vacation, I need to eat more salad. I will be clipping all these tender shoots long before any pea [...] |
I want to enjoy the fresh spring air, but gardening is simply not a relaxing activity in my book. There will be no planting of these pea shoots from Robert Treat Farm. After 5 days on vacation, I need to eat more salad. I will be clipping all these tender shoots long before any pea pods are yielded. If you happen to like gardening, you can easily and affordably grow your own salad fixins!
My inspiration to buy an entire flat came after a recent visit to the Whelk. You’ll see them hiding there in the back.
My pea shoot enthusiasm developed during a memorable Charleston lunch at The Glass Onion, where we ordered Fried Green Tomatoes and Feta. The pea shoots and pickled okra were a well-placed nod to springtime in the South. This was one of my favorite dishes from our entire vacation.
Tags / Categories / Comments
marathon mondayApril 16th, 2012After stumbling upon a student tour of The College of Charleston, I momentarily wished I could linger forever in the dreamy / sunny / 80 degree weather of South Carolina in April. But I found my way back to Connecticut, thoroughly refreshed by a much needed holiday. What’s it like to travel with me? Well, [...] |
After stumbling upon a student tour of The College of Charleston, I momentarily wished I could linger forever in the dreamy / sunny / 80 degree weather of South Carolina in April. But I found my way back to Connecticut, thoroughly refreshed by a much needed holiday.
What’s it like to travel with me? Well, for starters there’s constant eating and drinking and the ever persistent camera. For this trip, we were joined by 2 additional travel companions, my cousin Brent… gearing up for his first half marathon on May. And Miranda, running her 4th Boston Marathon, today.
While I’m usually lagging in the back, well aware that walking + shooting photos = sprained ankle (been there x 2), Miranda’s always out in front, leading the way. She never misses an opportunity to urge me to do more with my blog, so Miranda – today this post is for you and your 26.2 miles on the road to finding a cure for cancer.
Tags / Categories / Comments
hood canal seafoodApril 3rd, 2012I consistently feel like a traitor when I announce this, but I prefer West Coast oysters. It might be that here on the New England shoreline there are plenty of perfectly delicious local oysters that dominate restaurant menus. I can even watch oysterboats motor to their beds not far from the Morningside seawall. But when [...] |
I consistently feel like a traitor when I announce this, but I prefer West Coast oysters. It might be that here on the New England shoreline there are plenty of perfectly delicious local oysters that dominate restaurant menus. I can even watch oysterboats motor to their beds not far from the Morningside seawall. But when I see a Kumamoto or an Olympia on the menu, I can’t wait to experience the contrast in size, texture and flavor. Our friends Katherine and Nathan were recipients of a Groupon gift of 4 dozen oysters from Hood Canal Seafood in Washington. You know they are generous friends, because they kindly offered to share the delivery with us!
I brought the camera and D brought the know-how. He’s quite good at opening clams and oysters from his high school days working at a raw bar. He’s taught many people how to open an oyster, but Nathan’s by far his quickest understudy. He took to to the shucking in just a few minutes.
Tags / Categories / Comments
trespassApril 2nd, 2012I’m a huge fan of WFUV out of Fordham University. When I’m not listening to audiobooks, FUV is the #1 pre-set on my car radio. Thanks to my commute, I usually log about 2 hours a day in the car. The station’s offshoot, the Alternate Side provided the soundtrack for TRESPASS: An Evening of Art Crime [...] |
I’m a huge fan of WFUV out of Fordham University. When I’m not listening to audiobooks, FUV is the #1 pre-set on my car radio. Thanks to my commute, I usually log about 2 hours a day in the car. The station’s offshoot, the Alternate Side provided the soundtrack for TRESPASS: An Evening of Art Crime benefiting the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Lately I’ve been photographing mostly food, so when I first heard about the event, I knew this was just the thing to mix it up. It’s not every day you get to watch artists like artists Michael De Feo, Kysa Johnson and Erik Parker temporarily transform a BMW.
You have to wonder… exactly how do you ‘tag’ a car in a dealership showroom? The answer is in the artist’s hands. Dry erase marker.
We heard the three cars were to be detailed *immediately* following the event. It’s exciting to watch an unusual transformation, but I bet BMW of Ridgefield was anxious to get these expensive canvases back to a blank slate.
