A Spring Mix

This is technically my spring break, so although I have quite a bit to get accomplished before I graduate in 2 months, I really wanted to make my working vacation as interesting as possible.
I started Spring Break off with a quick trip to NC.  My original plan involved a long weekend in Raleigh after New Years but a nor'easter postponed my itinerary.  At least coming in March I managed to overlap my stay with my brother and his family by one day.  It was great to see them. 

Brunch with Mom, Dad, Andrew's family and Jen's sister, Adrienne, and her husband, Andrew (yes, both sisters married an Andrew!)

Carter enjoying his bento box at Cowfish, the restaurant that specializes in sushi-hamburger fusion.  Seriously.

With the exception of the day I arrived and the day I left, which were sunny and warm (as can be expected), the days in between were drizzly, dark, and chilly.  Public schools across the state were even closed for one full day due to ice, which melted by 11am.  I won't comment on this.

Thursday night I returned to Waltham, only to leave with Seth Friday morning for Maine.  We hadn't spent time in ME so it was great at least to see the southern part of the state, if even for a quick overnight trip.  Starting in Salisbury, MA, we took the long, scenic road (Routes 1A and 103) along the coast all the way to Ogunquit. 

Nubble Light House near York, Maine

After checking in to our hotel, we tried to take a walk in the Wells National Estuarine Nature Reserve, but a stiff wind and snowy, slushy trails kept us from getting very far. (We still managed to walk about 2 miles.)  It was quite a change from the 70 degree temperature in Raleigh the day before.

Wells National Estuarine Nature Reserve

A frozen marsh

Wedding Cake House, Kennebunk, ME

After the "hike" we stopped for dinner at a classic Maine diner, The Maine Diner.  It became famous after it was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  You wouldn't have guessed it was so popular with travelers; since it is the off season all we saw were locals.  I must have stood out like a sore thumb carrying travel guides under my arm to read :P

A chowder sampler: seafood chowder, she-crab chowder, and clam chowder. 

Seth with his lovely salmon pie

We intended to spend our morning run on Marginal Way, which is a paved walking path along the seashore.  It was still covered in deep snow and ice, so we didn't get too far...

Snowy Marginal Way

 

 
...so we instead found a quiet road through some woods and neighborhoods.  I think many of these roads are quite congested during the hustle and bustle of the summer months, which only really last from July 4th through mid-August.  Many of the homes seemed like they have been abandoned all winter, which shouldn't be surprising considering many of the shops and restaurants are still closed for the season, too.

Many of the houses are still decorated for Christmas.  I think Winter lasts 10 months in Maine.

Running in Ogunquit, ME

Three things Maine has plenty of: 1) snow 2) trucks 3) lobstermen.  See the lobster cages?

Ogunquit is famous for its 3.5 mile sandy beach.  I saw pictures of it completely packed with sunbathers in the summer.  Only a few rugged strollers and a handful of surfers are out these days!

Downtown Ogunquit

Why such a slender house?

After a quick lentil lunch at the hotel, we headed home.  Along the way on Route 1, we unexpectedly passed the When Pigs Fly company store.  We actually turned around to check it out.  Besides the tour buses, it was a nice bread-filled diversion, for sure!

 

Hoping this is the end...

As much as I hate summer I finally need to admit that I am totally sick of this snow!  In previous years I more or less ignored the snow, but now that I have to commute I totally despise it.  I am so terrified of driving in the snow that when I get caught having to drive home in the middle of a storm I keep a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and can feel myself starting to hyperventilate.  By the time I pull into the driveway (assuming I can even get the car over the pile of snow that collects at the base of the curb) I feel exhausted and like I aged 10 years.  This is what snow and ice does to a person who grew up in the south.  Actually, my fear of driving in the snow isn't totally unwarranted: after getting an estimate to repair the damage caused by sliding into a fire hydrant during last week's snow storm (minimum $570) we discovered the car's tire treads have completely worn down.  Gliding along on slick tires doesn't add to my sense of security. 

I hope today was the last round of winter weather but the season is not over yet :o(  

Winter dangers come from all angles!  I made sure not to park directly under this 7-foot icicle dangling from the cables.

Three down, one to go!

Today I wrapped up the third of four semesters of the Coordinated Program as well as finished up my third of four internships for the year.  I can honestly say I tremendously enjoyed the three diverse internships: Foodservice Management at Olin College, School Nutrition at Milton Public Schools, and Community Nutrition at the MetroWest YMCA.  I even found myself liking teaching K-High School more than I anticipated!  I feel so lucky to have been able to work with such generous, knowledgeable, and friendly preceptors at each site.  They are good role models and have set high standards for me :o)   I am nervous about Clinical in the Spring, as well as having less flexible work hours, but it is only four and a half months long.  I will survive.

Tomorrow Seth and I head to NY to see his family for Christmas.  We haven't seen them since last Spring, so a trip to the frigid, snowy north is long overdue.  Hopefully Santa will find us there!

Happy Holidays!

From Mushrooms to Toad to Magic Mountain

Despite my delay in posting about the mushroom extravaganza, I did survive!  Too bad we will need to wait until next fall to get our hands on any more chicken of the woods...

The weekend between rotations (foodservice management ending and community nutrition beginning)  Seth and I cashed in our very belated birthday present and went to see Toad the Wet Sprocket in Boston.  Seth has loved Toad for many years and would always play their CDs when we lived in Chapel Hill.  I figured it was time to finally see them live--they were very awesome, indeed, and totally worth the wait :o) 

Toad the Wet Sprocket at the Wilbur Theater in Boston

 

This weekend was my annual church retreat to Vermont.  I always look forward to this trip because not only does it give a chance to find some relaxation and respite but it also helps to mentally usher in the holiday season (ie. the lower temps remind me that winter is just around the corner!). 

Our annual hike up Magic Mountain

Not sure what is going on here....

The quasi-top of the mountain!

Good god, this is super steep, but at least this year it wasn't super muddy or icy 

Trick is pointing to the lake I run around in the mornings, assuming I don't get lost in the park's poorly marked trails

This is my 4th year going on this trip and this year I finally got to see downtown Londonderry!

A very beautiful Sunday morning dusting.  Christmas has already arrived in Vermont.

Foraging for Fall Treats: Chicken of the Woods

This past week iridescent yellows, golds, oranges, and reds have been exploding through the falling foliage.  Admittedly, the residential zones of Waltham don't have the prettiest colors, and our street is particularly drab due to the lack of trees, but Prospect Hill provides a nice oasis to experience the seasons.

 

 

 

In addition to being a picturesque place to run, this past week Prospect Hill also provided us with a mushroom called Chicken of the Woods.  Considered one of the Foolproof Four, it is unmistakeable and considered a "choice delicacy" by many mushroom hunters.  True to its name, it looks, feels, and tastes just like chicken!  In fact, it is dense, moist, cool, and rubbery-soft, just like raw chicken flesh (which is admittedly rather gross).  None the less, Seth and I of course had to take a tiny risk and try some :o)

Chicken of the Woods, Laetiporus sulphureus

It is most tender, tasty, and least likely to cause problems when it is still young and fresh, like this one

For a person who doesn't like to deal with raw meat, this mushroom is a bit creepy

It pulls apart along a grain, just like meat

The texture and appearance is a little repulsive, but the flavor is spot on; it smells and tastes like (salt-free) chicken bouillon.  It even has a slight MSG flavor, which must be the savory umami taste mushrooms are famous for.   

Some people do have a negative reaction to the mushroom, so last night we cooked it and tried just a little bit.  We woke up this morning *alive and kicking,* so we will have some more tonight in a "chicken" soup.  Hopefully I will be around to give an update on how it was...

Cranberry Craziness

Yesterday Seth and I spent a fall-filled day in Wareham, MA, at the base of The Cape.  We started off at the annual Cranberry Harvest Festival with Bo and Natalie and finished the afternoon and evening hours visiting Jean and Seth's uncle Bud.  I wish every weekend could involve friends, family, snowy owls, colorful psychedelic leaves, and cranberry bogs :o)

The cranberry village

We had to take a yellow school bus to the cranberry bogs.  Haven't been on one of these since middle school!

Frogfoot bog

Events at the bog

Snowy owl!  :o)

Waiting to take the wagon tour.  It was cold and windy for sure!

 

Does this remind you of the Ocean Spray commercials?

 

 

 

 

Bo was brave and climbed the giant pile of sand.  Too bad she didn't roll down it like the rest of the little kids :P

Seth displaying the three life stages of the cranberry: the baby vine, a 6.5 pound bag of fresh berries, and finally, Craisins