Random start: I just love this photo–it was taken back in September, 2005–the year I was stressed out about work and felt that I had to limit the garden to the plot immediately behind the house. Despite that “limitation,” look at all that came up. Ah…

For good measure, I thought I’d include a photo taken this exact time last year:

What do you think? Remember, now, there was that horrid late frost in 2007, so maybe this year will be “slow but sure?” (ha ha ha–where is my crystal ball for Missouri Weather Patterns?)

On Boston:

I often find that when I travel outside of my little town into a larger community, people want to save me from my rural existence. Never before have I run into someone who choses to live in this town (let’s call it Kansas City for proximity’s sake), criticize it, have the means of moving, but continues to live here regardless. I think that might be called willful dissatisfaction?

Upon my return from out East, I had so many great things I wanted to share. My husband was just so happy to have me home and yes, maybe he will visit Block Island someday, but no more travel talk. Friends are happy to see you home, safe and sound, but not much interest beyond that. One friend in particular seemed interested in the trip, but upon my comment on how the food in Boston didn’t seem so far off from KC (my point was a compliment to KC’s rising culinary fame), she commented back, “Well, Boston isn’t really known for its food. What you say is interesting, but it certainly isn’t on my list of places to travel in the near future.” Slam!

So friends, I share with the virtual world, all my discoveries:

• Manchester Airport–if you have a ride into Boston or wherever, this or the Providence Airport is nice.
• Paddy’s–there are a number of Irish-named restaurants serving great Italian food. First meal off the plane, and it was a good one!
• Henrietta’s Table: The high-end local foods experience. It was Restaurant Week in Boston when I visited. This was a lovely restaurant (and in the same building as the Rialto of Jody Adams fame). I knew we would be dining here, so I saved up some moolah because it takes moolah to eat here. I liked it, yes, but I have to say that I’ve had similarly pleasant meals in my own home. This isn’t a knock to the restaurant, but I fancy myself a darn good cook. Well, minus the fact that I don’t make delicious blood orange margaritas. The pork chop and duck were amazing–skip the lamb shank, unless you’re into musky meat. All the veg and desserts looked amazing, if you can find the space!
• Harvard Coop: bookstore, get lost in a corner somewhere. But don’t arrive 10 minutes before closing (yipes).
• Newport Vineyards (RI): didn’t make the tour, but it’s on my list for next time
• Fatulli’s Gourmet Bakery and Deli, RI: just next to the vineyards, delicious and amazing array of baked goods. I had the kale soup and homemade gingersnap. I had that snap on Coast Guard beach–lovely.
• Coast Guard Beach, the Cape: so much beauty! The beaches out here are well-cared for in general. I love the conservation happening out this way. I know the West coast is considered cutting edge when it comes to sustainability, but conservation on the East coast is really old hat.
• Thai House Thai Food: in Hyannis, for fighting off the evil of hypoglycemic fits. The fried fish with sweet chili and fried basil–delish.
• Lemon Tree Pottery: on the way home from the Cape, we stopped at Lemon Tree Pottery. And eclectic shop located in Lemon Tree Village. It reminded me of those shops in the Ozarks–a little food, a little nature, pottery and jewelry. I loved it, and they sold Holly and Yashi, which gave me a thrill.
• Pie Bakery and Cafe: it is a terrible thing to hunt for food when you’re starving. You justify purchases like 7.00 egg pie pieces. The ones at Pie Bakery and Cafe were pretty good, but make sure to eat your purchase there, if you have the 15 minutes it takes to warm a slice.
• Woodman’s of Essex: the last time I ate at Woodman’s was after a Boston Marathon. I really, really loved the scallops. 4 years later, I have to say, it is all still really, really delicious. Makes-me-cry delicious. Yum–this is a must if you’re into seafood. It helps that you can see the lobster boats just across the street.
• Luna Tuna Galleries in Ipswich: I adore Ipswich–I can see myself happily settled, there. Luna Tuna galleries is just a bonus. I wish their website had the amazing, thin-cut wood lantern I would very much like to see hanging in our living room…
• Crane Beach: oh, the cold breeze when we visited Crane Beach. But beautiful and worth it–another clean, well-kept beach in Massachusetts.
• Zumi’s Ice Cream and Coffee: after a cold hour at the beach (seriously cold, in a “I want to stay longer but I am now uncomfortable” sort of way), hot coffee at Zumi’s is a must. Lara had one of their Frappes, while I stuck to my usual breve. Both really, really good. Another plus to living in Ipswich.
• West Newton Cinema: when Lara and I visit with each other, much time is spent doing what we’ve always done around each other–hang out and watch movies. We saw The Other Boleyn Girl and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. You know the story of the first, and the second was just plain fun in a predictable sort of way. Which we really need, sometimes!
• Newport, RI: we spent two days in Newport, more or less. I really wanted to tour those mansions (how do people do more than 3 mansions in one day? good grief–so much detail…). And Newport is just lovely–the Ten Mile Drive, the Cliff Walk. On the first day, we ate at the aforementioned Fatulli’s which is much yum. After the mansion tour, we had lunch at the Gas Lamp Grille. Nothing remarkable, and everything that I wanted to order on the menu was no longer “officially” on the menu. Dead zone.
• Ikea, Stoughton: well, I had to stop by, didn’t I?

Boston Proper: my last day there, we actually walked all of downtown Boston. I like that it can be done–a nice, brisk walk.

• We found a noodle shop (eh…I wish I could remember the name, as I am sure there are better ones to be had!)
• Trident Booksellers and Cafe–Boston and the surrounding area have the best bookstores
• Timeless Teas–one of the best and most informed tea shops I’ve ever been to, with a sincere interest in educating customers versus being overly concerned about appearing hip and happening–excellent teas
• V. Cirace and Sons–our quest for more Rosa Regale brought us to this shop, with people who recommended something cheaper and rare to drink, as well as the Rosa Regale. Fantastic.
• Piccola Venezia–too many restaurants to eat at in the North End!! I can’t believe Snarkarella doesn’t think Boston is known for its food. I suppose if I came in prejudiced, I wouldn’t make an effort to seek these wonderful morsels. At Piccola Venezia, please order the pasta–it is fresh! And the escarole-meatball soup–so good, it inspired me to grow my own escarole. The polenta and mushrooms was not impressive, but everything else we ordered–tops.
• Gigi’s Gelateria–disappointing. I have had so much gelato and like my gelato smooth and cold. This was soft and grainy. Certainly not as good as Argento’s in the City Market, KC.
• Grezzo Restaurant–this is on my “next time” list. I am a part-time raw foodist, so it held a great deal of interest for me.
• Polcari’s Coffee–apparently, an Italian institution in Boston. Beans in bulk, pasta, all sorts of goodies. Coffee, of course!
• Salumeria Italiana: oh wow…another amazing shop. Meats, breads and this amazing selection of honey, including orange flowers and acacia. I want!