When I Get Where I'm Going

I was lucky enough that I had to go back to Maryland for work and before that I went to Ohio. It was a good time to go for many reasons.

Main Street in downtown Wilmington, Ohio

Thursday, Mom and I headed down to Wilmington to see Grandpa, Rosey, Kenny, and Maurine. But first, we did a quick stop at the outlet malls. We had an hour, so after sycronizing our watches, we split up to find our bargains. I have to say, I think I did a mighty fight job stimulating the economy in under an hour. Oh, and Ann Taylor loves me.

We did the usual lunch at McD's (not McDonald's) and then Grandpa had to go home, because he wasn't feeling well. The rest of the afternoon we caught up, Mom and I found great recipes in the Rachel Ray magazine Rosey had (and subsequently got subscriptions when we got home), and drank some wine. That evening, since it was Rosey and Kenny's 59th wedding anniversary, Mom, Jennifer, Dana, Rosey, and Kenny went out to the General Denver for drinks and appetizers. (I tried to take the following pictures surreptitiously, but they didn't turn out very well.)

Kenny and RoseyJennifer and Dana

Mom

Friday, I once again tried my very best to stimulate Ohio's economy. Once again, I think I did a darn fine job! I took Dad to some appointments too, then we went home and hung out. Although not on my initial list of restaurants to visit while home, I was glad to have an old favorite--Donatos Pizza. Chad made a quick visit home too, so we told London stories and he showed us the pictures he took of the rest of his trip.

Saturday was another delicious dinner at Dad's before we headed to the Blue Jacket's last game of the season. They lost to Minnesota in a very disappointing game. They scored 2 goals in the first couple of minutes of the first period, then lost by a margin wider than I care to admit. It was fun to go, as I always enjoy the games with Dad. We even got free posters of the team, which made it to the NHL playoffs for the first time in their franchise history (don't ask how they did against Detroit in the playoffs, though). That night we got home just in time to see the end of the Miami University final game of the college hockey playoffs. Miami was playing Boston College, the #1 team in the nation. They lost in a heart-breaking overtime game. They were winning 3-1 with 3 mintues left, when Boston took their goalie out. Somehow, with a minute left, Boston scored two goals. Miami lost in overtime and it was such a devastating loss. Luckily, I don't think Miami is losing too many seniors, so they may be back next year, hopefully in the final game again with a different outcome.

Stinger, the Blue Jackets mascot

I got to Maryland and I ate my way through the week. I had a long list of restaurants I have been hungry for, so I didn't waste any time when I arrived. I had a steak at the Capital Grille, fresh roasted chicken at The Dogwood, my favorite Chianti and shrimp scampi (although Tillie's will always be my favorite) at La Scala, a bison burger at Golden West Cafe, I pigged out at this great Mexican place north of Baltimore (and whose name I don't recall), brunch twice at Miss Shirley's, doughnuts from New System Bakery (a.k.a. Heaven), and I had some delicious pie at The Savory House.

The Avenue in Hampden

I had a grand time in Baltimore, even if I did have to be rolled around in a wheel barrel because of all the food I consumed. Too bad work got in the way of having more fun. I got my butt beat at bowling (best of 5) by Chris. The owner of The Savory House (and Dangerously Delicious Pies), Rodney Henry, had a free outdoor concert of Baltimore bands on Saturday. It was BYOB and it was great.

Rodney "the Pie Man" Henry (in orange)

Junestar

The Young Jaquars

I also went to an O's game, but it was pouring before it started. We waited for a while, then left because we didn't know when/if the rain would stop. So I had my beer at Camden Yards, but didn't see my boyfriend Brian Roberts.

The ominous sky.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see everyone. It so hard when you have so little time. I'm grateful for the people I did see and I can't wait to see you again soon.

Way Down in the Hole

This weekend I came out of my hole a little bit, or out of my shell, as my friend pointed out. I think for the first time in my life, I've been affected by the dreary, grey, weather. It has been non-stop grey and grossness for months and it has really gotten to me. This past week, however, it was sunny. Cloudless and almost warm sunny. It was so refreshing. All I could think about was having a drink or a meal outside at one of the restaurants and people watching.

Saturday, I went with three of my girl friends to the Wiesbaden market, which is held every Saturday. It was gorgeous out!! Everything looked different with the sunshine. And everything tasted great too. I sampled some blueberries, rasberries, and these cool mini, bitesized kiwi fruits. I didn't take any pictures, because I was mostly enamored with and eating the food any chance I got. I bought some cheese, bread, and olives all for dinner that night. I wanted to buy more, but since I'm leaving on Wednesday, I knew I couldn't eat it all before then. Every free Saturday I have, I'm going to make a point of going down there.

After our rendezvous at the market, we found a place to have lunch outside. We chatted, had our requisite adult beverages, and enjoyed seeing the strange outfits the Germans were sporting. I wished I had had my camera poised, because there were some true winning style points for some of these outfits.

Following lunch and one of the reasons all of us met was to each find a hat. My boss is having a ladies tea party the first weekend in May, complete with cocktails at noon, little sandwiches, pasteries, English scones, and tea in the afternoon. We're supposed to bring a tea cup and to wear a hat--there will be a winner for the best hat. Now all along I've been opposed to buying a hat I'd probably wear once, especially one of those gawdy huge things that you always see the Brits wearing in the movies. I had even said I was going to show up in my Orioles floppy hat, which I thought would be a definite winner. But once we got to Karstadt (the department store) and started trying on hats, I started to change my mind. I wasn't going to buy one of the gawdy ones, but something I might wear again, and given that many of the hats made me look like a man, my choices were limited. Thank God I went shopping with friends, because we all told each other when we looked stupid. I went with the cowboyesque style hat.

Next we headed to the women's department just to see what sort of clothes they had. Kim ended up finding this cute skirt, but the only one in her size was on the manequin. So we asked a woman to take it off and getting it off--the arms were coming off and she couldn't get them back on. Of course, I had to take a picture of that.