Happy Turkey Day!

A champion turkey courtesy of my brother-in-law, Erick. I went straight for a leg.

This was only the half of it...homemade cranberry sauce, Japanese potatoes, pickled radishes, stuffing, brussel sprouts, sweet potato pie, apple pie, muffins, and much much more...

Do Not Pick the Daffodils

$98.00 per flower! That's pretty steep. Is this what we have to do to keep people from behaving badly? What do you think?

Hubbard Park and Castle Craig

Hiked up to Castle Craig the other day, since Amy had not been there since she was a child.

Despite being a crisp, cold day, the views were a little hazy (see Sleeping Giant below).

I had never taken the white trail to the castle, usually approaching it on the Metacomet (or one time going straight up the cliffs by accident). It was a fine little hike. A couple of ladies were heading up just as we reached the bridge across I-691 below. They were already tired, and I'm afraid I lied and told them it was an easy walk. Sorry ladies!

The Little Rendezvous

Finally made it to the Little Rendezvous on Pratt Street in Meriden the other day. The oven (pictured below) has been in operation since 1880, and in 1938 it began baking pizza pies. That makes it possibly the oldest (operating) brick oven in the state.

It is one of the best places in the state to get coal-fired, New Haven style thin crust chewy center pizza like the one pictured below.

It was delicious. The Little Rendezvous is clearly one of the state's best pizza joints. And it is a 'joint' make no mistake. It is no fancy restaurant, but who cares when the pizza is this darn good. Next time we'll try their anchovy pie.

Lobster Landing After Sandy

Courtesy of the Clinton Patch, here is one of my favorite places in Connecticut during Hurricane Sandy. Will it come back and serve us the best hot lobster rolls in the world? Time will tell.

Let's do what we can and all pitch in to help our Connecticut brethren during this time of need!

Homemade Tom Yum Soup

Homemade Tom Yum Soup with a wonderful duck stock and fish balls.

Welcome Home

My boy, Django, waiting for us to return in the downstairs window. It's a great thing to have cats to welcome us - they make the house a home.

Menunkatuck Trail

Took a walk on the Menunkatuck Trail the other day - Connecticut's newest Blue Trail, and part of the epic New England Trail.

Plans are afoot to take the Menunkatuck down to Long Island Sound, but for now it goes south from the Mattabettsett through the Cockaponset State Forest and Timberlands Reserve. Since there was hunting in the state forest, we went south from Route 80.

Had a wonderful lunch on Rock Creek near the Guilford Lakes. Can't wait to hike more of the trail.

Antique and Artisan Center

Stopped by the beautiful Antique and Artisan Center in Stamford last week.

Most of the items were a little out of our price range, but everything was absolutely gorgeous.

 

And you have to love a place that has buttons to press for assistance, along with free notepads and pens to take notes as you walk around the vendors' individual areas. Find out more in the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut!

Dressing Room Theatre

Saw Wait Until Dark at the Dressing Room Theatre in Stamford last weekend. Great show and a great little venue. I highly recommend seeing a show here.