Merry Christmas from the Ferrara Household!

A couple of shots of my parents' puppy's first Christmas...

Lily patiently waiting for Santa in her new (monogrammed) shirt from Mommy

Santa did well

#26 Acts

In light of the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut last week, I wanted to share something that Ann Curry has initiated which I think can truly serve as an inspiration to us all: 

"After being in Newtown, I woke up the next morning and thought about what could be done. What is the answer to this kind of national suffering?  And I remembered a moment on the edge of Darfur, when I came upon a woman who was elderly and in the hospital, recovering from burns after an attack by Janjaweed militias. She was surrounded in the hospital, by younger women carrying babies, and I asked her to tell the story of how she had suffered these terrible burns all over her body. I learned that she had tried to rescue her invalid husband when her village was attacked and her house was set on fire. She tried to carry her husband out of her house and stayed so long that the thatched roof of her house came down, the hot embers giving her 3rd degree burns.  But she was unable to save her husband. Her husband died.


I remember walking out of that hospital, and the producer saw the look on my face. He said, “Are you okay?” And I said, “No.” And without even thinking, I remember going to our team van and pulling out a Polaroid camera I had brought on that trip. And then I went to all of these women with their children who were in the  courtyard of the hospital, knowing that they had never owned a photograph – ever – of their child. I went around from woman to woman, and I took pictures of them, I took pictures of them with their child, or just of their child alone – without even thinking, just snapping pictures. The first time I did it, I remember giving a photograph to a woman, and she looked at this black square with this quizzed look on her face, and I said, “Just wait one minute! Just wait one minute,” holding up one finger. And then I watched her face melt as she watched her child’s face slowly appear on that Polaroid. It made me feel better. So I went from mother to mother to mother until I ran out of film. After the experience in Newtown. I thought, “What if? Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” So that’s what I tweeted. And guess what? People committed. I said in my tweet, “I’m in. RT if you’re in.” Not only did they commit to 20 acts of kindness, they wanted to up it to 26 acts of kindness for every child and adult who was lost at the school. Some even debated maybe we should include the mother, who died, at 27 acts. Some debated maybe we should include the killer as well as he was struggling and in pain. 


I think it’s up to you. Commit to how many acts of kindness you want to. It’s really your choice."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/18/15999109-if-you-do-good-youll-feel-good-ann-curry-explains-origins-of-26acts-of-kindness?lite&gt1=43001

So, what act(s) of kindness can you commit today to honor those who lost their lives in Newtown? I'm on my way with 2 completed and 24 to go... after all, kindness is contagious. 

Save the Dates!

Believe it or not, tomorrow marks 175 days until Anthony and I get married! We're so excited and planning the wedding has been a ton of fun. I've been documenting everything we've been doing, so I'll definitely have endless planning posts to come post-wedding.

Here's a little something that I can share with you now that I've put them in the mail... our SAVE THE DATES! My friend Michelle introduced me to the website www.minted.com where they have endless save-the-date options for all types of couples. We chose the below design because we thought it was classic and fun, plus we could match the border to our wedding colors:

 
Since you're ordering online and it's a bit hard to sense exactly what the save the date will look like, Minted will send you samples of as many invitations as you'd like. They also always have sales (10-15% off) which can make a big difference for a large order! And obviously they're not just for wedding items... Minted has holiday cards, stationary, and much more.

Pulled Pork Sliders and More...

Welp, Jenelle and I hosted yet another exciting Christmas party this year! Although it was a bit crowded (more than 35 people squeezed into my tiny apartment!), it was very fun and I'm extremely grateful to have such wonderful friends to spend the holidays with.

I'm not going to go into as much detail as last year's holiday post, but I will say there were two big hits on the table this year. The first, of course, were the chicken bacon wraps (I'm telling you, they're a guaranteed party hit). The second, were my pulled pork sliders with homemade coleslaw. I got the recipe here on Paula Deen's website and turned them into bite-sized sliders since I was only serving appetizers (one batch of Paula's recipe will make approximately 24 sliders). Best part about these babies? You leave them in the slow cooker ALL DAY and then prepare them to serve right before everyone arrives. I also, personally, think that coleslaw is much better the day after making it, so I prepared the slaw the night before the party and refrigerated it in Tupperware (then left it out for an hour or so before stacking it on the pork so it could get to room temp).

Here's a little pic:

You'll noticed some baked brie in the corner which was delicious as well! I got it here on Pillsbury's website and it's wrapped in Pillsbury Crescent Rolls... YUM! Then topped it with a bit of raspberry preserve.

I got so wrapped up in cooking everything this year that I forgot to whip out my Canon and take pictures on the way. So, here's (one of) my New Year's resolutions: Take better pictures along the way for Travels, Tastings and Tales! I made my first attempt on my guacamole post, so hopefully they keep getting better :)

Top Ten: CHRISTMAS EDITION

Believe it or not, Christmas is almost here! That being said, I happen to be in line with Nordstrom's belief that one holiday should be celebrated at a time, so I've waited until after Thanksgiving to share this top ten (in no particular order)... I hope everyone is enjoying the season with their family and friends as we get ready to ring in a new year!


10. HOLIDAY BEVERAGES: You can't have a holiday shindig without some fun holiday beverages! I especially love drinks during this season because they tend to include cinnamon and some of my other favorite spices. Here's a delicious drink recipe for a fall/winter Sangria that is sure to be a hit!


9. CHRISTMAS PJ'S: On every Christmas Eve since I can remember, my parents (a.k.a. Santa) would put Christmas PJ's on our pillows to be worn that night... a great way to drum up excitement for Christmas morning. Even though I'm 25, I still love getting my Christmas PJ's! My favorite as of recent have been the Vineyard Vines 'Lazy Pants.' After a few washes they become super soft and comfy!


8. HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Now, as a 25 year old with a small apartment, I try to limit myself to one bin of decorations... however, I must say, it's one wonderful darn bin. My favorite spot to shop for Christmas decorations is the Christmas Tree Shop which has great deals on decorations for every holiday! I'm also a fan of Pier 1, but try to limit myself since it can get a little pricey. Here's a beautiful little table setting available at Pier 1:

7. CHRISTMAS TREE: I know this kinda falls in the #9 category, but here's my little Hoboken Charlie Brown Tree for this year!

6. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: This is a movie favorite of my family's which can always be found on repeat during the holidays. If you haven't seen it... well... you really should. 

5. CHRISTMAS TIME IN NYC: There's absolutely nothing like it. If you can make it into Manhattan around the holidays, here are a few suggested stops: 

• The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Ice Skating Rink
• Holiday fairs
• Grand Central Holiday Fair
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market
• Union Square Holiday Market
• The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
• The holiday windows at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, and Sac's
• A stroll down 5th Avenue in midtown for some amazing shopping

4. HOLIDAY OUTFITS: I already did a post on some fun holiday party outfits, but I couldn't pass on the opportunity to post another party dress. Here's a beautiful dress from Rent the Runway by Badgley Mischka:

3. HOLIDAY COOKIES: This year I'm heading to a holiday cookie exchange... I'm going to bring these babies to switch things up a bit. I know s'mores are a bit summer-ey, but at least I know that know one else will bring the same thing! Plus, these Spicy Smokey S'mores Bars are amazing! 

2. HOLIDAY PARTIES: My friend, Jenelle, and I have started a tradition where we hold a Christmas party for our friends (see last year's post). This year, we're going to switch up the food a bit... Here's a little preview of an item on the menu. We're going to make Paula Deen's slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with buttermilk coleslaw. BUT, because we're only serving h'oeuvres, we're going to make them into little sliders! The best part is that the pork will just sit in the slow cooker all day while we take care of other things. 

1. TIME WITH FAMILY: Of course this is number one... It's what makes the holidays so special! 

Anthony and I at an 'ugly Christmas sweater' party

"Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence." 

- It's A Wonderful Life, 1946

Holiday Parties = An Excuse to Play Dress Up

There are two main reasons I love New Year's Eve. The first is due to the fact that it's my handsome fiance's birthday (he'll be a whopping 26 years old this year) and the second is that it's the one holiday where you can wear an overabundance of sequins and sparkles without worrying about peacocking in the crowd!

I know it's a bit early, but here are some of my favorite finds for New Year's and holiday festivities...

Rent the Runway

I'm a huge fan of Rent the Runway and have used them for several different occasions. It's a website where you can rent designer dresses for a ridiculous discount which is perfect for girls like me who tend to buy a dress, wear it once, and then throw it in the back of the closet. 

This dress below is by Badgley Mischka and retails for $495, but you can rent it for New Year's for just $75! Not a fan of this dress? Rent the Runway has an entire 'New Year's Eve Sparkle and Shine' section of their site to find just the right dress for you. 

Kate Spade New York 

If I had $325 to spend on shoes and had some height to spare (I'm 5'11) these would be my first purchase. These shoes are absolutely adorable (they remind me of confetti) and would be the perfect compliment to a little black dress. You can find them here on Kate Spade's website. 

Anthropologie 

Anthropologie has some beautiful jewelry to mix and match with holiday attire. My favorite of the bunch is this bracelet below. Not only does it sparkle, it's a steal for $38! Find it here at anthropologie.com.

J. Crew 

J. Crew has plenty of clothing and accessories for the holidays. Since it's one of my favorite stores, it was difficult to pick just one thing, but I love this invitation clutch in glitter. If you're not a fan of glitter, they also have the clutch in other solids and patterns as well. 

American Eagle

I haven't shopped in American Eagle in ages, but when I came across this fun cropped sequin blazer in a magazine, I just had to buy it! The blazer also comes in black and would look amazing with black skinny jeans and some nude pumps (plus it's only $49.95!). 

Forever 21

When you're running around last minute looking for a fun (but cheap) holiday look, Forever 21 is your place. Around the holidays, Forever 21 is filled with festive attire and you rarely find items over $50. Here's a cute 'shimmering pailette miniskirt' that I found which could be both dressed up or dressed down.

Happy holiday shopping! 

Nutella Banana Cookies

This is a great recipe that a friend introduced to me while we were cooped up in the apartment during Hurricane Sandy. It's off the blog 'Chef in Training' and would be an excellent cookie for a holiday cookie exchange! Not to mention it only has 9 ingredients making it both inexpensive and easy (one of which is Nutella... quite possibly my favorite chocolate product in existence).

Enjoy!

NUTELLA BANANA COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 2 large mashed ripe bananas
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup Nutella

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Sift flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.
3. Cut in shortening
4. Beat in mashed ripe bananas and egg.
5. Mix in oats.
6. take a knife and "slice" nutella into batter with a knife. Don't mix it in completely, the stripes are what make them pretty!
7. Spoon "drops" onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 8-10 minutes. (Note: this is a lot softer than normal cookie dough and will not form balls, hence spoon “drops”)
8. You can frost these cookies if you would like too! Here is my easy buttercream recipe: 1/2 cup butter-softened, 3 Tbsp. milk, 2 tsp. vanilla, 1 box (16 oz.) powdered sugar. Beat all ingredients together. You can add more milk or powdered sugar to get it to the consistency you want it.

http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/08/nutella-banana-cookies/

Hurricane Sandy

While I'm happy to report that Anthony, my family, friends and I are all safe and sound after Hurricane Sandy, unfortunately Hoboken and other parts of NJ, NY, and CT didn't fair so well and are still recovering. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones and their homes in the storm.

Anthony and I finally evacuated Hoboken on Wednesday and stopped by my parents home before heading to a hotel. Here are some pictures from the past few days or so. Hope everyone stays safe in the upcoming weeks...

Downtown NYC in the dark

The entrance to the Archstone on 1st Street

A boat washed up on the sidewalk on 14th Street

Lots of candles

Tree in my parents' driveway in Westchester

Tree in my parents' backyard in Westchester

View from 14th street in Hoboken

Stitchin & Bitchin

Tuesday night I had my first in a series of four beginner's knitting classes at Patricia's Yarns in Hoboken. I never pegged myself as a knitter (I don't have much patience), but I love to try new things... especially if they involve crafts or cooking. My Mom happens to be a great knitter, so for my birthday she bought me a gift certificate for this class.

Ladies n' gents... drumroll please... presenting my first knitting "project" (if you can even call it that):

Ain't she a beaut? 

Now it's ways away from a cable sweater, but I'd like to think it's a good start! By the fourth week we'll be starting a project, so I need to think a bit about what I'd like to make. My instincts say start easy with a scarf, but I'm dying to make some leg warmers for under my boots :)

Patricia sent us a website to help us while we're doing our 'homework' (a.k.a. practicing) during the week:

www.knittinghelp.com

And here are a couple of great websites for patterns (one from my Mom and one from Patricia):

www.ravelry.com

www.knitty.com

I'll be sure to give updates on my progress in week two!

 

Game Time Guac!

Happy football day! Today I'm sharing my recipe for guacamole (which I learned from some folks down in Mexico... cue James Taylor). It's a perfect, delicious game day snack with few ingredients, no baking involved, and very little clean up required... Even the boys could make it!


Game Time Guacamole

Ingredients: 
4 avocados
2 tomatoes
1 lime
1/2 small red onion
1/4 cup cilantro
salt


Instructions: 

Dice your tomatoes, finely chop your half onion and your cilantro. Set aside in a bowl.

Split the four avocados, remove the skins and the pit, then mash. I recommend using a mortar (my mom bought me this gem from Williams Sonoma... click here to purchase it on Sonoma's site). If you don't have a mortar on hand, the back of a fork and a bowl will do just fine.

Transfer the crushed avocado to a large bowl, add salt and squeeze in lime. I used 1/2 a tablespoon of salt, but I love salt... So try starting out with 1/4 a tablespoon then add to taste. 

Stir in tomato mixture until combined well. 

And serve!

Hope you enjoy!

Generations of Ferrara Yankee Fans

I'll start this off by saying... HOW BOUT THEM YANKEES?! I come from a family of die hard Yankees fans and there's nothing like some great October baseball.

This Monday, October 1st, I went to the Yankees vs. Red Sox game and had the chance to be part of something pretty special. My dad also attended the game and brought along the score card that his great grandfather had filled out at the Yankees vs. Red Sox game on October 1, 1933, the exact same game we were at, just 79 years prior. It was great to be there with my dad and to experience how baseball truly has the ability to connect generations... In this case four!

Here's the scorecard... Babe Ruth was pitching (Anthony had to explain to me that Babe Ruth both pitched and hit... who knew!)

NYC Architecture Cruise

Happy October (which just happens to be my favorite month of the year)!

Now, if it wasn't for our work outing, I probably wouldn't have done this cruise otherwise... But I'm very glad we did!

On Friday my colleagues and I hopped aboard the decks of the 'Manhattan' for a sail around New York City. The 'Around Manhattan Official NYC Architectural Boat Tour,' sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (who happens to be a client of ours), lasted about three hours during which a tour guide pointed out various architectural highlights of the five boroughs. Many obvious contenders were brought to our attention - like One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building - but there were lots of cool things that the guide pointed out that I didn't know... like the former TB hospital on Rikers Island, or the more than 15 brides that surround NYC (I can only name five, max!).

Here are a couple of pics:

Lady Liberty 

This is the little red lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge. As a kid my dad always used to point this little guy out to us as we were driving along the West Side Highway. It was neat to see it from the other side! It's also the inspiration for a great children's book: The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge

If you're into architecture (or even if you just like boats and booze) this is a really neat way to see New York City for the first time... Or, if you're a New Yorker, you'll definitely learn some things you didn't know about the Big Apple. Tickets to the cruise would also make a great gift (especially for parents)! For more info on the cruise's schedule and pricing click here to visit AIANY's calendar page. 

Check Out My New Desk Buddy!

Little pumpkin. Big City.

Baby We Were Born to Run

If somebody told 18-year-old me that one day I'd enjoy running in races I'd laugh. I'd laugh hard... right in their face. My dad has always been a runner (he's even completed the NYC full marathon), but I never really understood the appeal... Until recently.

I've tried lots of ways of working out - Spin classes, pilates, gym memberships, boot camps - you name it and I've probably attempted it. After all that effort (and mucho dinero) I've finally found something that I actually love: running outside. And the best part? IT'S FREE! Well, sort of.

My favorite part about running happens to be the races that I've signed up for. They're the secret to make me actually WANT to work out. In high school, you practiced hard in sports because you wanted to be good enough to start in the games. I needed a kick in the butt... a reason to want to workout. These 'races' have become my 'games.' I enjoy running in races so much that they force me to get off the couch after a long day of work and run 5 miles at 8pm.

Now running isn't for everyone, but if you've ever even kinda sorta contemplated attempting a race you should go for it. Whether it's a 5K or a full marathon, there's always training programs available online to help get you in shape at any level. Plus, what's the worst that can happen? You walk a bit, so what! Let's be serious, not everyone (including myself) runs to compete.

The training program I've been using is by famous American writer and runner, Hal Higdon. I've used two of his half marathon programs (Novice 1 and Novice 2) and they're extremely doable and helpful. Mr. Higdon also has a great 'beginners running guide' for those who are just starting out. The man definitely knows what he's talking about.

Here's the Novice 1 program courtesy of www.halhigdon.com

So, if you've signed up for a race, here are a few things to keep in mind when you're running on race day:

1. When you see a hill, don't think too much about it. Remember, everything that goes up must come down!
2. Figure out how you're going to deal with water stations beforehand... believe it or not, it's pretty difficult to try and run while holding a cup. I've learned that, personally, I waste less time if I stop quickly and drink, instead of running and drinking... then spilling all over myself like a fool daddy. 
3. Keep telling yourself 'I think I can, I think I can.' The feeling of accomplishment that hits you once you cross the finish line totally makes up for that numbness in your legs ;) 

Next up for me is the Philly Half Marathon. Need to keep moving to get in shape for next June (257 days to go!)... 

A Dinner that Pleases Carnivores and Vegetarians Alike

Since I'm not too keen on eating meat and, well, since Anthony most certainly is, I'm always trying to find recipes that can double as both a vegetarian and a carnivore option. For example, I love making eggplant and chicken Parmesan because they involve the same ingredients, just separate pots and pans.

Here's a great recipe that I found for fish piccata that also works wonderfully with chicken. I used tilapia since it's one of the less fishy fishes, but sole could work as well. Happy cooking!

image courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 small white fish fillets (such as tilapia or sole), about 1 pound total
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. While the pan is heating, blot the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Dredge in the flour, shaking off any excess. Saute the fish in the oil until just cooked through, about 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the fish to a platter. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, whisking for about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and capers and stir. Add the butter and stir or whisk to incorporate to bring the sauce together. Pour onto the fish andgarnish with the chopped parsley.

A Tasty Sandwich for the Vegetarians Out There

The sandwich I'm about to show is based off a yummy item from Pret A Manger in NYC... I get it so often that I figured it'd just be cheaper to make it myself! Pret uses their own chipotle sauce for the top, so I decided to sub in Stonewall Kitchen's Smoky Barbecue Aioli (Stonewall Kitchen has some excellent items, all of which can be ordered online and found it most grocery stores). The aioli is amazing... I could eat it with a spoon!

Excuse my little piggy timer in the background

Pepper Jack, Red Pepper, Red Onion & Cilantro Sandwich with Stonewall Kitchen's Smoky BBQ Aioli 

Ingredients: 

• 1 loaf of fresh Italian Bread, divided into 4, then cut in half for the sandwich
• 8 slices of pepper jack cheese
• 2 red bell peppers, sliced into strips 
• 1/2 red onion, sliced into strips 
• 1/2 cup of cilantro leaves 
• 1 jar of Stonewall Kitchen's Smoky Barbecue Aioli

Directions: 

Divide up the ingredients and layer them on your sandwich... Pepper jack on the bottom, followed by the red bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro. Spread a bit of aioli on top (to taste), assemble, and enjoy! 

Tada! 

A Little Warmth for Those Cold Fall Nights

In this post I'd like to share a great recipe I stumbled upon this week from one of my favorite blogs, www.skinnytaste.com. The author has a great way of taking recipes - such as this soup below - and making simple substitutions that help cut out unnecessary calories. I highly recommend following her on Pinterest... Although the posts will definitely make you hungry!

This recipe for stracciatella is especially delicious... plus it only took 20 minutes to make! Served with a side salad or grilled cheese, it's a perfect, quick dinner for a cozy fall night.

Fun fact: stracciatella is loosely translated in Italian to mean 'little rags.' When you make the soup, the egg mixture combines to look like little shredded rags :)

Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo

Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Calories: 126 • Old Points: 3 • Points+: 3
Calories: 113.4 • Fat: 4.4 g • Carb: 9.4 g • Fiber: 0.5 g  • Protein: 7.9 g

• 6 cups fat free chicken broth
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 9 oz baby spinach
• 4 oz uncooked orzo
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring 5 cups chicken broth to a boil. In a medium bowl, combine remaining cup of cold chicken broth with eggs, cheese and parsley and whisk well. Whisk into boiling pot and cook 3-4 minutes on low. Add orzo and cook according to package directions. When pasta is done, add the baby spinach and mix until it welts. Remove from heat,add salt (if needed) and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with additional grated cheese.

(recipe and photo courtesy of www.skinnytaste.com) 

Top Ten: PUMPKIN EDITION

Last fall I did a post on my favorite pumpkin beer... This fall, I figured - rather than limiting myself to just one pumpkin item (which is very hard for me to do) - that I'd post ten of my favorite pumpkin-ey items for the season instead. Drumroll please...


10. 'It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown' (if you haven't seen this, you didn't have a childhood)

9. BJ's Wholesale Club's Pumpkin Muffins (available in the store only)


8. Molly Stone's glass pumpkins available at Compliment's Gallery in Kennebunkport, ME

7. Yankee Candle's Spiced Pumpkin Candle


6. Mumkins... Look how cute they are!

5. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles (amazing. you MUST try these)

4. Shipyard's Pumpkin Ale 

3. Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte (rumor has it Starbucks is creating a pumpkin spice ice cream!) 


2. The recipe for pumpkin pie on the back of Libby's Pumpkin Puree

1. Pumpkin picking... obviously! (click here for some recommended farms in New York)



I could go on and on, but I'll stop at 10. Hopefully you get to enjoy a couple (or ten) of these items this season!

"Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on 

Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents." 

- Linus, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Happy Labor Day!

Anthony and I took a trip to Kennebunkport, Maine this Labor Day weekend. Although I've spent many a summer in KPT growing up, I never really took to the idea of seafood until recently. Now, for someone who has spent 10+ summers in Maine with tons of famous lobster joints, as well as four years in Baltimore (which is obviously well known for its crab), I'm a little angry at myself for not figuring out that I like seafood a little earlier. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

One of our many food stops in Maine this weekend was the Cape Pier Chowder House. Not only did I have my first full lobster (mom was there to help instruct), but we also got to take in the beautiful views and a yummy local Shipyard Export Ale.

On our way home today, we made a pit stop at an EXCELLENT burger place in Manchester, CT, called Corey's Catsup & Mustard. As a vegetarian, I love when burger joints let you substitute a veggie burger into any menu item... It enables so many more options! I went with the Aunt Laurie's burger and Ant opted for the Potato Crunch burger. They were fabulously messy and absolutely delicious!

We found Corey's on my new favorite website... www.tvfoodmaps.com. You can enter in your starting and ending destination and the site will map out every food spot in between that has been featured on Food Network shows. I highly recommend checking it out!

That's all for now. Stay tuned... I think I'm going to post a top ten for Kennebunkport in the coming days!

Enjoy the pictures :)

Anthony and me on the pier at Cape Pier Chowder House 

My mom - the expert lobster cracker - and me on the pier

RIP lobstahs

The beautiful view from the Chowder House

Corey's Catsup and Mustard!