Day Trippers – Part 3

Is everyone here?
Ok then, let’s continue! ๐Ÿ˜€

(Remember to double-click photos to enlarge.)

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This next item in the Dale Chihuly exhibit, “Through the Looking Glass”, is a spectacular blue “chandelier” that would be fabulous in your entryway . . .

IF you happen to live in a palace, that is!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

It’s absolutely huge. The color is a cool icy blue, which is somehow appropriate because the glass tendrils look frozen.

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As we turn the corner, we come upon a whole field of tall violet reeds, displayed amongst large birch logs. It’s quite a powerful sight and yet immediately soothing, wonderfully serene – sort of a mystical marshland!

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Gosh Kids, you must be starving by now! Time for lunch. ๐Ÿ™‚
The museum has a few dining venues: a formal restaurant, a cafeteria, and a lovely cafe, which is where we’re going. Located near the courtyard, it’s a large, bright, open space with lots of windows – a cheerful little oasis in the midst of the bustle of art fans of all ages.

Whew! We were more ready to sit down than we thought! First, a cold drink. On a warm summer day, I’m a seltzer-with-lemon gal; Sir Beads had the Sam Adams.

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Within seconds, our server offered fresh rolls, and generous slices of warm cornbread with butter on the side. So yummy I forgot to snap a photo of them. (C’mon, we were HUNGRY!)

On this particular day, Sir Beads was channeling his caveman roots – all he wanted was a big juicy burger (Men!).

I, on the other hand, ๐Ÿ˜‰ wanted to try one of the more creative choices on the menu: “Summer Vegetable Lasagna”.

The presentation is a little work of art, in itself. Don’t you agree?

I quickly jotted down the ingredients so that I could rattle them off for you . . . zucchini, roasted tomatoes, summer squash, herbed ricotta, eggplant, micro arugula, and tomato basil sauce. It was delicious!!!! The waiter had warned me that there were no noodles in this lasagna. As a pasta fan I could have chosen something else, but I also love veggies, and besides, I wanted to try a festive entree! I will definitely attempt to re-create the dish at home – it was that good.

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As we dined, we were able to enjoy another one of Chihuly’s pieces . . . His “Lime Green Icicle Tower” was installed right in the restaurant area. It’s enormous. For an idea of size, notice the ants people standing nearby!

Rumor has it that donations to the museum have made it possible for this piece to stay after the show moves on. ๐Ÿ™‚

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I hope you had fun. Thanks so much for coming along. Shall we do it again some day?

For now, we’d better hop back on the bus and take our seats. Sir Beads will be driving us home . . .

Isn’t that right, Sir Beads?

Sir Beads????????

Ah, there he is! Trying to squeeze in just one more photo . . . ๐Ÿ™‚

Til next time,

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and Sir Beads, too!

July Jaunt

Last Thursday we took a day trip.

Although initially cloudy, the weather brightened!

It was sunny – but not too warm – perfect for sightseeing.

We got a fairly early start (considering it was a vacation day), picked up my parents along the way, and then set off on a drive to the southern coast of Rhode Island.

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Thereโ€™s something wonderful about a day with milky blue skies and a carefree schedule. Because we live on the east coast, we feel an innate connection to the ocean. Itโ€™s mesmerizing, thought provoking, peaceful, and of course majestic.

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We arrived at Point Judith around lunchtime. The lighthouse is a breathtaking sight against the horizon.

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Along the shore, we collected colorful beach stones that had been polished smooth from the continual rise and fall of the tide. Afterwards, we all agreed that we’d worked up an appetite. ๐Ÿ™‚

Lunch was a regional favorite – clam chowder with clam cakes!

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Delicious!

We had a leisurely meal and then, feeling newly fortified, we were back on the road again.

Next stop was the birthplace of artist, Gilbert Stuart, who painted the portraits of six American presidents including George Washington.

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On a drive through Rhode Island, there’s such a variety of things to see along the way.

There are boats . . .

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And hydrangeas – lots of hydrangeas!

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And animals grazing. . . We saw llamas, horses, a Shetland pony, a burrow, and cows – all in the same pasture!

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One final scene . . . a picturesque cove.

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After a full day, it was time to head home, but with fond memories of our “jaunt in July”! ๐Ÿ™‚

(Special thanks to Dad for the photos he contributed!)

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Short But Sweet

vacationsummerThe sound you hear is me weeping.

Vacation is over! ๐Ÿ™

Well, for now anyway. But it was fun.

Some of you may remember that this was a one-week โ€œstaycationโ€. We stayed home and enjoyed the fact that our calendar was pretty clear.calendar

We had a couple of nice meals out.

We were able to cross a few things off of the endless โ€œto doโ€ list.

We spent some quality time with family.

And we had a lovely day-trip. I have some good photos from that day and will blog about it soon!

So, now we feel refreshed and recharged! ๐Ÿ™‚

It was a great week โ€“ just way too short!

Iโ€™m sure you know exactly what I mean . . .

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