Category Archives: USA

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For foodies and market lovers

Today is a drizzly, rainy day in Barcelona and the perfect day to visit some of the fabulous markets! We spent several hours wandering the aisles of  La Boqueria – or officially – Mercat de Sant Josep de La Boqueria! This huge public market is on the records back to 1217, and it still stands today as a huge market hub.

Don’t I wish I could shop here regularly!!!!

An extensive array of seafood…

Vibrant and fresh fruit and vegetables ..

Wonderful breads, meats, spices, legumes, gelato – anything your heart desires ..

 

 

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O Manjerico!

Everything about O Manjerico in Prazeres is a little different from the norm – from procuring a reservation, to the actual dining experience. I read about the restaurant on Trip Advisor and it sounded good and not too far from our place for night driving. Reservations were recommended and so I attempted to call without success, but then wrote them a message on Facebook requesting a reservation. The response was positive but also inquiring what we would like to eat! I’d read how good the stuffed chicken was, so went with that!


We arrived for our dinner to this lovely little stone building with no obvious outward appearance that it was a restaurant. In we went to a cozily decorated room with fireplace ablaze and a warm welcome from the proprietor. Seated in front of the fire, there was just one other table set for two and we were soon joined by a young Dutch couple. 

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The meal itself was absolutely delicious. Starting with fresh, home-baked bread and a platter consisting melted Brie, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp, short ribs with a delicious sauce, and little meat-filled puffs.

 

 The entire evening was very leisurely and we enjoyed conversation with the proprietor and also the other couple; experiences  whilst on Madeira, living on the island, the U.S. political situation, the pending Dutch elections, and much more.


The deboned roasted chicken stuffed with pork, chestnuts and raisins was absolutely delicious.


 … and dessert! Oo-la-la! Passion fruit mousse, which resembled key lime cheesecake, topped with fresh passion fruit!


 We definitely saved the best for last! Salad for the next few days!!

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Honey and cheese

I bought this honey directly from the bee-keeper at the market in Ponta Delgada (Azores). It is the most flavorful honey I have ever had – this particular one is clover – or so he told me! We are enjoying it on the delicious Portuguese bread with salted butter or sharp cheese – as we learned at Taberna Acor….


Yesterday we enjoyed limpets in garlic butter at Restaurante Caravela in Sao Vicente (Madeira). Local flavours abound

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Winter 2017 recap

Winter will be over by the time we return,  so had to post a few reminders of Winter 2017.

We enjoyed the serenity and beauty of Stevens Pond in early December.

Some very frigid days in December – unusually early for those temps.

The downtown area is always so festive looking with wreaths and lights strung across the streets.

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The Annual Polar Dip downtown at the boat launch was relatively balmy – especially for one who didn’t touch the water!! Always fun to watch my crazy friends!

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We get out for walks no matter what the conditions! After all, Lucy is a Mainer-girl!

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January was pretty uneventful with very little snow. And then … the day before Valentine’s Day Blizzard!

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12-hours in the Big Apple

A quick hop into the Big Apple for a well executed tour (by our friend, Sue) of some highlights – the American Indian museum, housed in the former Customs House, a walk along Wall Street, lunch at an Indian restaurant in lower east side, exhibits at the New York Public Library, Bryant Park and a virtual reality experience at a Facebook demo lounge, and the cream on top – the Broadway show “Jersey Boys”! What a day!

Lady Justice and the Manhattan skyline from Guttenberg, NJ.

Fancy subway cars!

Grand Central & Lower Manhattan

The magnificent public library (research)

On the streets…

Shop windows, Christmas lights and experiencing VR!

 

Jersey Boys and total number of steps walked!! = 9.5 miles!!!

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Family Thanksgiving at camp

Our first family gathering – at Thanksgiving – at camp! Plenty of space for the kids to run around, roaring fire, board games, building forts and splitting wood outside, and delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

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Having fun with Snapchat!!!

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Step by step reaching our goal

We accomplished much with both of us putting in a solid 12-hours of work. The place is now much less like a construction site, but had its first proper cleaning and a major tidying up. Fireplace was installed last week – thanks to friends – and it was oh so pleasant spending the evening with a roaring fire.

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Maho Beach and more

Once I knew we were coming to St. Maarten and I started looking up things to do …. the #1 thing on my list was to visit Maho Beach which is at the front end of the airport runway and where jets come in right over the beach! Oh yes! they do! and they come in fast and are hard to capture especially with waves lapping and people walking in front of you! We saw many smaller planes come in but two big jets which was exciting enough for me! ok! I admit it, I would have liked to see a 747!

We also visited Phillipsburg which was disappointing in that it is geared to cruise ships with duty-free shops, etc. and was hotter than h— for walking around. A few interesting buildings but a short visit.

I am obsessed with this woman at the resort who has nails that are about 12″ long!! I have to get in a conversation with her and try and find out the reason/history for this strange feature. Is she a Shaman-ess? is she going for the World Record? a big mystery!!

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Our first overnighter at Camp

We had our first overnight at the camp with all mod cons – to include hot water! The space exudes good energy and it feels very comfortable even though there is still much to complete! Lucy and Ceilidh settled right in!

Huge thanks to Agnita and Henk for all that they passed on to us when they returned to NL. The freshly washed slipcover on the couch and the cushions on the IKEA chair make them look like new!

 

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Schoolhouse Supper at The Hub

We enjoyed one of the best meals EVER at one of Maine Farmland Trust’s Schoolhouse Suppers at their beautiful venue – The Hub – in Unity (a restored former schoolhouse).

Chef Anders Tallberg of Roustabout in Portland served up a veritable Italian feast using the freshest of fresh produce.