The Real Reason.....

I was gone a month. Out of the country, Stateside visiting friends. "Why?" people asked. Cause I needed a mental/sanity break. The weather here has turned my brain to soup. I needed my Girls!! And perhaps even more than that, I needed to be COLD!! Really cold. The kind of cold that involves Snow. Lots of snow. New England did not disappoint!. We had two really good days of full on snowing - one bringing 4" to RI and 17" to MA. Ah...I was in my element. Here, let me show you...

Winter at Iberostar Portsmouth

lovely new snow - clean and crisp!

Don't cha wanna curl up with a book?

Here's Lisa's house after the big Dump. Yes, that is a now drift on her roof. But also note that the sky is blue, and it's a gorgeous sunny, sunglasses day.

And all the cold weather brings on an appetite to keep that metabolism up!! Woo Hoo. First stop....Blount Soup, MA

And of course, there's time for Tea.  Karen took me to Hotel Viking (Newport, RI) for their Downton Abbey Tea. so yummy. Kir Royale, scones, sandwiches, mini desserts. So worth breaking my gluten free eating for (yes, I did pay for it later though).

But we like to shop too. There are all the outlets (Wrentham), TJMaxx, Marshall, Target. They all got a circle check, but big fun day was hotting the primitive stores. So much cute stuff to buy, or in my case, get ideas for fun stuff to craft later when home.

Ok, but back to the food!! THere are a few things which just say "you're home". They come from limited places, and are worth the trip. All but Taco Bell which was a must.

People often ask me "how can you stay a month/3 weeks?  What do you do?" Tricky to answer this one, cause I don't do much. I bring the books I've been trying to read a home along. I cook and clean for my host (so much easier to clean other people's stuff than your own). I borrow a car and drive to favorite places. The time just flies!!
Of course we do go out and discover new places. Or we try to. Sometime we're more successful than others, like this time. UP in Fall River (the Riv) MA, there is a cute summer only bar called the Tipsy Seagull. Recently they opened a new venue called the Tipsy Toboggan just off the pier and up the road. Wow. Is it great. See for yourself.

Hot chocolate Martinis. I have the recipe....

Just waiting for the snow to fall outside....

But old favorites are Fab too. No trip to The Chateau is ever forgotten. This one was a newer venue (rather than the original in Waltham MA). Over looking a snow lined pond, we dines on the best GF pizza I've ever had (sorry Honey). I think it's the thing where when someone else makes it, it tastes so much better (as do salads)

After going on the cruise, running hither and yon around New England (we never made it to the lake in New Hampshire) the month was almost over. None of us could believe it. It was time to fly home. My Hubby was absolutely wonderful !! He bought me an upgraded seat for the long journey (though shorter than the one coming). Oh no. I didn't go First, or Business but World traveler Plus. And it was good enough. The leg from Boston to Heathrow was very unpopulated, while the later let to Singapore was completely full. But I have to post a photo showing the emptiness, cause no one will believe it.....

Full English breakfast - GF of course

real Spanish wine is a real glass! Upgrades rock!!

I've learned enough to know how to whiz through the immigration line at Changi Airport. Hubby was there to great the weary traveler. A cab ride home, and life is back to normal: heat, humidity, work and the sameness of it all.
Thinking of the next journey then.....

Cruisin'...on a Monday afternoon

Back to the Blog. Yes, I was away for am month. Now at home, I can catch up and post what I've been up to. That is if I can remember it all.
My trip back tot he States was for the annual meeting of the Girls. We usually head to the Caribbean so they can thaw out from the New England cold. this year was no exception. But we decided to do a mini cruise - Florida, Cozumel Mexico, and a day at sea. At was all good.
To start off, it's the task of packing the suitcases and never quite knowing what to bring. But one this is sure, we need alcohol.

That may, or may not be shampoos in those large bottles..... Then there's the reshuffle at the airport, cause someone usually forgets and packs items not allowed on the aircraft.

But we eventually arrive in toasty Florida and board the Carnival Imagination in Miami. Wising up in our old age, we opted for two stateroom with an adjoining door. Brilliant!!

My messy stateroom, but we got a window

Pre sail  Prosecco ( note bar behind)

waiting  to pull out

First port of call....Key West. WE loved it!! Next year's trip may just be here. So much to do and so much to see. There is a lot of street art, as this is an artist community.

statue of man painting statue - too cute

Talbot's takes over - they know their audience

a nod to the mariners

not really sure on this one....

But the local architect and vintage feel of the key making it beautiful in it's own right.

Be really.... we are here for only 4 hrs ( come on Carnival, 4 hrs?) and we  were given a list of bars to hit while here. So, off we go - Sloppy Joe's. 308 Agave,  and any other haunts we might stumble into.

Sloppy Joe's floor - love it

couldn't resist  (Capt. Tony's Saloon)

who's that ordering more drinks at Sloppy Joe's?

Our lovely barman at 308 Agave. Dude, I only ordered a shot (but got a round of 5- one for each of us)

But there are other things to do while here: museums (no time this trip), shops (definitely time this trip), places to grab a bite....

Hubby told me of this place. He visited it many moons ago. Dangerous!!

Nothing like a key Lime Pie, dipped in chocolate, frozen on a stick!

photo from the Sponge Store

Honestly, I was too busy eating all the time on board to take photos of the marvelous food. But I did have to shoot this one. Someone ordered the Strawberry soup. This arrived...... he had gone back to get the cold puree to add to the bowl, but we didn't know this. WE thought this was all there was too it. Way funny.

On to Cozumel!! Here, we got to spend 6 hrs in port, which is way too  long unless you go on an excursion (which we didn't). There is a vast shopping area to prowl (which we did) or have a meal at the local dinerees.

Remember her from Southampton UK?? Here of all places

heading to the waterside margarita watering hole

nicely done

what?? another Fat Tuesday?

The day at sea wasn't the best weather. We had hoped the gorgeous sunny days would continue. But this day brought overcast skies and a little drizzle. It may have been better than baking at sea though.... The on board entertainment for the most part continued. There were the towel animal display and demonstrations, but the on deck dance had to be cancelled due to weather. W e still continued to eat and drink....

bulldog or pig?

We were offered "tea" this day, and while below British standards, it was lovely. I had to snap a photos of these gents having their tea. It struck me as odd/cute/unusual. I did ask permission, and they seemed to enjoy the attention.

Back in Miami, he headed to the airport and home to NEw England. But I still have three more weeks in the States to enjoy.