Thanksgiving 2013

Thankful for so many things, but most of all the health and happiness of my family.

Turkey trot tradition with Dad.

Our first thanksgiving together :)

Snapshot with Mom in the kitchen.

And finally, pie. 

winter cape weekend

This past weekend we headed to the Cape to dog sit and stay with my brother Jack while my parents escaped to Jersey. It was a chilly weekend but that didn't stop us from a walk on the beach and marsh. I almost love the beach even more in the winter, there is a quiet and serene effect. 

I am overly excited for the holidays this year, almost more than usual. It is November 12th and I've already listened to Christmas music at work and watched several holiday movies. Can't wait for December when this is slightly more appropriate. 

Red Sox: World Series Champions

The Boston Red Sox are World Series champions! I have been a big Sox fan since I was young, even frequenting spring training with my dad way back when. I was thrilled throughout the entire playoff season. It was truly extra special for this city given the events that took place here in April. I am proud to live in Boston.

My younger brother Will came up from the Cape for the day to enjoy the parade with Eddie and I. 

This parade brought back memories from  the 2004 World Series (the 2007 one I was away at Gettysburg). I can't believe 2004 was ten years ago! 

Here's to next year!

Columbus Day and a wedding

Columbus Day weekend was a busy one. I headed with the family to Rhode Island to see my cousin Jess tie the knot with her new husband Kris. It was great for the whole family to be together and I am so happy for them.

The day after the wedding, Sunday, I headed back to Boston crazily early to meet Eddie and his parents (who were in town) for a day of Boston sightseeing. I always love doing touristy activities such as walking through the old cemeteries and the Boston Common-- truly what makes this city amazing. 

10k

This weekend I ran my first official 10k along with Britt and her mom. The race began at the site of the Boston marathon finish line, right where the first bomb went off. Although I generally avoid this spot, it was a happy occasion and I was excited to get running. It was a perfect cool fall morning, and we did really well. I have been training using a sub-60min 10k plan... And it worked! I came in right under. 

Sunday has been rainy and full of football. To compensate for my lack of football interest (aside from watching Tom Brady), I made some (semi-healthy) chocolate chip zucchini bread. It turned out amazing!

Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
 (Adapted from skinnytaste.com)

Ingredients:

2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup light brown sugar 

1 and 1/8 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 large egg, beaten

2 tbsp melted butter

1 cup cinnamon apple sauce

1 and 1/2 cups shredded zucchini 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°.
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. 
Add chocolate chips and gently mix to combine.
In a medium bowl, mix egg, vanilla, melted butter, apple sauce and zucchini. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just blended.  
Pour batter into a large 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Bake at 325° for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for about 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and let it cool before slicing.

tupelo

On the recommendation of good friends, we headed to Sunday brunch in Cambridge at Tupelo. Little did I know Guy Fieri had been there (I am always seeking out Triple D's). Tupelo serves southern dishes (chicken and waffles, grits, biscuits and gravy, and more) with unique twists. The atmosphere and food were amazing. I am still full 4 hours later. We will definitely be back to this one, Tupelo did not disappoint. 

happy saturday

Today feels like such a fall day, low 60s and crisp. Summer does seem truly over. After a run this morning, Eddie and I strolled through the city over to South Boston. I couldn't help noticing all the gorgeous flowers still in bloom and the lush greenery still around. In that sense it is definitely not fall yet. I was sipping a pumpkin spiced latte though-- the best part of fall aside from the neutral colors and scarf weather.

7 miles

This week, I ran 7 miles, which is the most I have ever run without stopping. I am feeling quite proud of myself! I am hoping to do a 10k in the new few weeks. The views aren't bad during these runs, mainly... It is what gets me through :). 

Labor Day weekend 2013

This weekend we ventured up to a part of the North Shore (Plum Island, Newburyport) for some antiquing and hiking. It was a bit rainy (got caught in a few sudden showers) but it made the day more exciting and did not dampen (hah) the weekend at all! Even though we did not escape for an overnight getaway, it was nice to explore a new area. We will most likely make a trip back up in October to see all the Halloween festivities in Salem. 

On Friday, we were in Brookline for a dinner date and movie at one of my favorite places in Boston, an old independent movie theater, Coolidge Corner Theater. They show limited and more independent films as well as classics. We saw Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen's latest based on the play A Streetcar Named Desire. It was a great movie. Cate Blanchett was amazing as the lead. 

The inside is a beautiful old theater with comfy seats. They also serve beer and wine!

Dinner was at a Portland, ME based restaurant, Otto. We both had to try the Mashed Potato pizza (above). 

Saturday morning we woke up at 6:30 to drive to Rowley, MA to go to Todd Farm, my favorite antique market. Afterward, we hiked on the Plum Island WildLife Refuge which is only about 5 minutes away. It was gorgeous and felt like a rainy fall day. 

You could hike both the marsh and the dunes. We did both. The beach there was amazing. The above photo was right before a sudden rain shower, but still so beautiful. 

After hiking, we went to downtown Newburyport for lunch and more antiquing. I loved the downtown there, it was so old world and quaint but also had modern establishments. We enjoyed some of the local beer as well. 

Monday was more of a rainy day, so we hung out and watched TV marathons and football. It was nice to have a long weekend. Homemade french toast bagel breakfast sandwiches were a highlight :). I will post the recipe (so bad, but so good). 

To be honest, I am not looking forward to the crazy shortened work week ahead. One plus is that all the fall treats are out, from pumpkin beer to pumpkin munchkins (...may of already had some this weekend). I love fall, and can't believe it is here already.

birthday weekend

Today ends a great birthday weekend. Yesterday, I turned 24. I think you know you are getting older when your birthday almost seems like just another ordinary day. Nevertheless, I wanted to ensure a fun-filled weekend. We headed to the Cape, and Saturday I treated myself to brand new running shoes and spent the day browsing shops and relaxing. It also consisted of consuming cupcakes for lunch along with chocolate cake and cheesecake for dinner. It was a sugar overload. 

Sunday, we had some homemade strawberry pancakes at brunch with my mom, then spent the rest of the day out on the boat with my dad. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky and the sandbar was perfect. 

      

Couldn't of asked for a better 24th or weekend spent with people I love.

fall

I can't believe Fall is almost here. Summer has gone by way too fast, it feels like just yesterday. As always, I look forward to my birthday but it still represents the beginning of the end. Until next Summer...  

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”

-The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

NYC for a minute

Today I had the opportunity to travel to NYC for the day for a business meeting. Loved exploring TriBeCa for a few hours and seeing all the amazing street style that is non-existent in Boston. The view from my meeting didn't hurt also.

quaker state

This weekend we made a quick trip to Pennsylvania- and given the 6-8 hour car ride each way, it was a bit of a whirlwind weekend. Eddie's grandparents were in town visiting from Los Angeles, and we hadn't seen them since last March when we flew out there. Can't believe that was over a year ago. I know that older people say that the older you get, the quicker years go by. I definitely feel that way. It seems like just yesterday was March 2012! I am especially feeling this way due to my impending birthday this Saturday. 

Highlights of this weekend included going to my favorite antique flea market (we make sure to stop there every time when in town) as well as watching the Little League World Series (which takes place in Williamsport each year). I grabbed tons of little decorative items for Eddie's apartment and we were also able to spend time getting lunch with one of his closest friends. 

Overall it was a good trip. His family will most likely be up here again in October. Can't believe fall is right around the corner!

Girls Weekend in Boston

This weekend we had another girls weekend-- this time we me as the host in Boston! Jenni and Julie haven't been up for a touristy visit in 3.5 years, so we were long overdue. Thursday, Julie arrived and we went for a morning run followed by a tour of the Seaport and drinks at Harpoon Brewery. Jenni joined us later once her bus arrived, and after a dinner together on the water, we headed to free admission night at the Institute of Contemporary Art. The ICA is right on the water and had live music and drinks (along with the free ticket). I will definitely need to head back before the Summer ends.

Friday was a bit of a wash (literally). We stayed inside all day due to heavy rain, mainly drinking wine and watching Sex and the City. It cleared up by dinner time, and we had headed to Back Bay and South End for dinner and drinks.

Saturday, we headed over to Charlestown to climb the Bunker Hill Monument. 294 steps later and out of breath, we reached the top to view sweeping views of Boston. I try to do this at least once per year, and each time I am always heaving no matter what shape I am in.

Saturday night consisted of a taste of suburbs and College days at Mara's sister Jacey's 21st birthday party. The Dold family threw a great party and we got to meet Mara's new boy. The best part of the night (and of the weekend) was the incredible meteor shower Saturday night. It was amazing to see the sky so clearly and I caught about 10 shooting stars as we lay out. Sunday we headed back to the city to enjoy time on the beach and Castle Island in Southie.

I can't wait for another reunion either this fall or next Summer. It's hard when best friends are spread out all over the East Coast.