Author: Nichole S.

I Love Me Some Matt Lauer, But….

Posted on by Nichole S.

One of my boys’ favorite things to tell people (even strangers) is that I love snow days because I get to have coffee in bed with Matt Lauer.

Truly, I can’t deny it.  On the off weekday that I don’t need to be at work at 7:45 in the morning, you can bet I’m hoping for a lazy morning in bed watching Matt and his cohorts do their thing….and, yes, with coffee.

So, while I love me some Matt, the fact that you “can’t unsee this” is unsettling even for me.  50 Shades of Yikes.  What a trooper and a good sport though, right!?

Matt Lauer Wears a Harness and Whips Jamie Dornan (Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres’ Clever Editing)—Watch the Clip!

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Mary Baker Eddy Library

Posted on by Nichole S.

Yesterday I included The Mary Baker Eddy Library in my “Picks of the Week.”

They were kind enough to reach out to us and provide information about their programs, but also about the youth organization that they are collaborating with.  With a mission of, “Inspiring kids to give of themselves for the good of the world” Aaron’s Presents is making wonderful things happen.  Please take a minute to read about the children involved and the projects that they have created.  Please find the links below.  The first link will take you to the same February Vacation Programs page that I included yesterday.  The 2nd link will take you to Aaron’s Presents.

Hello Good Morning Gloucester Team,

I am writing on behalf of the Programs Team at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, Boston. We are all excited that the Library is listed in Nichole’s Picks of the Weeks for February School Vacation! I wanted to reach out and offer direct links to our program information so that your readers could explore our FSVW programming in greater detail. This year the Library’s Program is a collaboration with the Youth Organization Aaron’s Presents. It might be good to note as well that we strongly suggest online registration for some segments of our program (the How You Can Make a Difference session, and the Make Your Own New Story session.) Arts and Crafts and Mapparium segments do not require registration. Mon-Thurs sessions are already at full capacity, but Friday’s sessions still do have space.

Absolute Best,

Marie

http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/events/february-school-vacation-week-programming

http://www.aaronspresents.org/

 

Nichole’s Picks of the Week: February Vacation

Posted on by Nichole S.

Many kiddos are on vacation this coming week so I’m throwing out some extra suggestions to the universe in case you have some extra downtime.

The possibilities are endless and this list is not meant to be comprehensive…just some of my favorite choices!

Pick #1:  

The New England Boat Show!

The boat show runs from February 14th-22nd at the the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center!  Children 15 and under are FREE and adults are only $16.  Actually, for a limited time, adults are only $13.  It’s a good idea to purchase tix online as the line to buy tickets can get long at times.

My boys LOVED the car show….I can only imagine the mayhem that will ensue when we unleash them at the boat show.

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Pick #2:

Slope Fest!  Lawn on the D February 20th-22nd

This event sounds like a blast!  Tubing, music, food trucks, frost ice bar, winter sports exhibition, family friendly activities, and much more!  This could easily become quite the staycation.  Book an inexpensive room and make a little getaway out of it!

Winter on D’s Slope Fest, a three-day wintertime festival offering city-dwellers an urban escape featuring a two-story-high snow slope for tubing, downhill winter sport exhibitions on the slope, a custom-designed illuminated bar carved out of ice by Boston’s Frost Ice Bar, activities for families and the young at heart, a hot Latin dance party and more!

With over five feet of snow blanketing The Lawn, Winter on D’s Slope Fest offers Bostonians the chance to tube down a 70-foot-long slope made of fresh snowy powder – without heading to the mountains. You can leave your snow tubes at home as they will be provided by the MCCA, but make sure to buy a ticket* to ensure that you get a chance to slide down the snowiest hill in Boston! The slope will also be the location for an hour-long sport exhibition featuring the SnowRiders, a team of experienced skiers and snowboarders, who will be twisting and turning in the air to show off their hottest moves on and off the slope**.

Once you’ve had your fill of tubing, grab a hot beverage or choose from local wine and beer selections from the ice bar provided by Boston’s Frost Ice Bar, the world’s largest permanent indoor ice bar in the U.S. Order a special drink to pair it with your favorite menu item from one of the many food trucks that will be on-site for Slope Fest.

Watch Latin dance performances by MetaMovements and even learn the latest dance steps before trying them out yourself during a Latin dance party that will take place before Friday’s Slope Fest downhill winter sport exhibition.

If that isn’t enough, Slope Fest will also feature fun family friendly activities, music from DJ Frankie White, fire pits on The Lawn and more (think snowy selfie photo opps)!

Pick #3
Salem’s So Sweet  This event is still going on so if you didn’t make it last weekend…you still have time.  Chocolate and ice sculptures…sounds like you can’t go wrong!

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Pick #4 
Pinkalicious! The Musical

PINKALICIOUS: The Musical
February 14 at 2 pm
February 15 at 2 pm and 4 pm
February 18, 19, and 20 at 2 pm
February 21 at 2 pm and 4 pm
February 22 at 2 pm

Back by popular demand! One of the biggest hits with BCT audiences, PINKALICIOUS returns for a limited run in our 2015 season. This pinktastic musical features everyone’s favorite pink princess, Pinkalicious, along with her brother Peter and her adoring parents! Learn why it’s so important to eat your green vegetables! A pinkerrific time will be had by all!  Single Tickets Now On Sale!  All Performances of PINKALICIOUS at the Cambridge YMCA, 820 Mass. Ave, Cambridge

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Pick #5

Dave and Buster’s

I’m not typically an arcade fan, but my boys love it here and I actually usually have a pretty good time too!  We’ve been to the Providence and the Braintree locations.  We eat a decent lunch, play a ton of games, the boys run around like crazy scoring tickets, and then cash them in for some silly little prize.

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Pick #6
The Mary Baker Eddy Library has February Vacation activities.

The Mapparium is really cool to see while you’re there!

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Pick #7
The Museum of Fine Arts

As with other museums, the MFA will be hosting February Vacation activities for children and their families!  Check out their program of events.

 

Pick #8
Maritime Gloucester!

One of our favorite summer places of all, Maritime Gloucester will be having some great February Vacation activities!

Be sure to click on the link to discover just what they’ll be offering!

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Pick #9
Eurostoves

Eurostoves in Beverly is offering kids’ cooking classes most days during vacation week, but they are filling up QUICK!

Check out their class schedule and call ASAP if you’re interested!

 

Pick #10
The Wenham Museum

The 6th Annual Lego Train 

by The New England Lego Users Group 

February 14 – 15

Learn more…

February Vacation Fun 

Legopalooza 

February 16 – 18

Train Time D IY Maker Studio 

February 16 – 20

Learn more…

               

Train Time 18: Farm to Table By Train

                                                                     

 

Open through February 22 

Learn more…

 

Pick #11

So, I know that you all know to go to the New England Aquarium, but right now I’m particularly excited about the Humpback Whales 3D IMAX Movie!

 

For the Love of Chocolate

Posted on by Nichole S.

Maybe because Valentine’s Day is coming up….or maybe because we’ve had a gazillion feet of snow and it has been downright miserable out….either way, I’ve had chocolate on the brain.

Without getting all mushy or TMI on you, there’s something undeniably romantic (in my humble opinion) about chocolate.  Not like the average box of chocolates, but like a super yummy chocolate fondue spread, a chocolate martini, or some hot chocolate coffee liquor kind of dessert in a glass…or a crazy rich and decadent gourmet chocolate mousse.  That’s what I’m talking about.

And maybe a little bit of John Legend. Just saying. A girl can dream.

So, with that in mind, and while thinking about “Things to Do Over February Vacation” my mind traveled to hot cocoa.  Because honestly, insert my humble rude awakening,  hot cocoa with the kiddos is much more likely these days than any of the afore mentioned romantic types of chocolate indulgence.

So, on that note, I started to do some research as to where to find the best hot chocolate in Boston.  Why Boston, you ask?  Well, I also have a small love affair with getting over the bridge.  I LOVE living here on Cape Ann, but I also adore taking the boys into the city, flying by the seat of our pants, and making a day (or even better yet…a night) of it.

So, while looking around, I stumbled on a great little piece by Boston.com and figured “Why reinvent the wheel?”

Check this link out for some of the top spots to hunker down with a giant mug of chocolate!   

Some of the places look great for a day with the little ones….and some look like a perfect place to snuggle down for a while with a significant other for some quality time and warm fuzzies.  You choose.

One of the top spots listed is the Langham Hotel and its Cafe Fleuri.  Every Saturday from September to June they boast a Chocolate Buffet to shame all others.  It isn’t cheap…and reservations are a good idea…but what a fabulous alternative to tea with a little sweetheart….or a romantic date with a grown-up one.

Take your taste buds on a decadent trip across the globe with The Langham, Boston’s famous Chocolate Bar.
This season presents a new theme, the “World of Langham,” which pays homage to the upcoming 150th anniversary of The Langham, London. Featuring more than 100 chocolate dessert combinations, Executive Chef Mark Sapienza and Executive Pastry Chef Ryan Pike feature chocolate dishes from Langham Hotels across the globe, every Saturday in the hotel’s Café Fleuri restaurant.

Stations with varying levels of chocolate intensity and flavors – from white to dark and everything in between – feature a never ending supply of desserts from every continent along with local classics from the past 25 seasons including Boston crème pie, whoopie pies, brulées, bread puddings and more. Action stations feature crepes, chocolate fountains, chocolate lava cake and ice cream sundaes as a contemporary jazz band sets the tone for the afternoon.

If anyone else has great, and more local, suggestions as to where to mug up for a Winter Treat, please share and comment!  There’s still several weeks to go and we need to make the most of it!  We’re in this together, friends.

Mount Schrafft

Posted on by Nichole S.

 

Well, other than my fear that one of the boys would fall back and hence over the top of the fence into the neighbors’ yard, snow boarding on Mount Schrafft was a success today.

CRAZY amounts of snow in our little yard!

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Multitasking

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’m kind of in love with the new Shell Station on Eastern Avenue in Gloucester.

My mornings are just like the movie Ground Hog’s Day…..each and every day.

Hit the alarm, stumble through the house, open the laptop, turn on the coffee pot, let the dogs out into the back yard, fill their bowls, read overnight emails, grab the lunch boxes… and the lunches, icepacks, water bottles, and cloth napkins, fill the lunch boxes, let the dogs in, pack the backpacks, wake up the boys (if they’re not awake already), grab them some breakfast, and head off to get myself ready. Once I’m ready, there are only about 90 things left to do to successfully get out of the house by about 7:20.  Any kind of news or grown-up information is not one of them.

So, the new Shell Station allows me to multitask.  The new pumps with built in TVs actually allow me to fill my gas tank AND catch up on some current events. Shot. Score!   Even if it does cost a little extra.  The other day I found myself standing, pump in hand, for an extra few minutes, happily watching a news clip, before I snapped out of my daze and remembered that I was actually on my way to work….and chronically late at that.

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I Said, “Group Text”

Posted on by Nichole S.

The other day I was complaining about group text.  The thing is that one of the people in the conversation heard me wrong.

If you know what I mean.

It was the peculiar look I got when I said, “Sometimes I just don’t care about the needs and wants of every single person in the group.  And, they’re relentless. All night the texts keeps up.  Over and over and over again” that made me think possibly we were having different conversations.

Bygones.

The dreaded group text.  Absolutely the worst thing going.

So this is totally, totally me.  Without a doubt this is how I feel when a group text comes across my phone.

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 2/7 and 2/8

Posted on by Nichole S.

There is NO denying it….the snow is here…and it is here for quite a while or so it would seem.

So, don’t forget that the New England Sports Park is now open for excellent tubing.  Also, while the lure of hitting the bigger mountains up north is totally tempting and definitely worth it, we have some pretty sweet slopes that make for easy day trips or even simple half day trips near by.

 

In addition to it still being all about the snow…it is also all about the chocolate this weekend!

Pick #1: Chocolate or Bust!  In both Gloucester and Salem.  

Donna already mentioned that the Gloucester Chocolate Tour is taking place on Sunday from 12pm-5pm!   Read her post here!

 

Another pretty sweet event is  Salem’s So Sweet

Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice 2015 Festival – Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2015!

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Check out a map and see more information here!

Pick #2

I mentioned Patriot Place two weeks ago as a great place to go to get in the Super Bowl mood.  Well, now that the Patriots have won the big dance, there’s even more reason to go! For the next several days you can have the opportunity to have your photo taken with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The New England Patriots are Super Bowl champions for the fourth time in 14 years and for this weekend only, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is offering fans an opportunity to take their photo beside the Vince Lombardi trophy with admission to The Hall. Guests who bring their own cameras will be able to pose beside the trophy for a photo in The Grand Hall. The trophy will be available at The Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 8. In anticipation of lines, The Hall will provide hot chocolate to guests awaiting entry.

Pick #3

This may be cheating because it isn’t actually a weekend pick.  Sadly, just like the Patriots Duck Boat Parade, Truck Day at Fenway happens on a school day.  If you’re able to sneak out, however, it is a nice way to cheer on the Sox as Spring Training gets underway.

This year Truck Day falls on February 12th!  The Truck  even has its own Twitter account. You can follow it here.

So if you want to send the Sox off at Fenway Park, mark your calendars for Thursday, February 12. That’s the day the equipment truck will make its 1,500 mile trek down to Florida — better known as “Truck Day.”

Here’s a video from last year’s big send off

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Would You or Wouldn’t You?

Posted on by Nichole S.

Oh, God, No.

Look, I LOVE oysters.  I really do.

The more horseradish sauce the better.

I happily ate probably no fewer than 20 last weekend in New Orleans and it is a given that I look forward to eating them up each and every time I step foot in Halibut Point.  Key West to me screams “Raw Bar” and Nantucket means oysters at “CRU”.

So, last night was no different.

I happily met one of my best friends in the whole entire world….ordered from one of the best bartenders in the whole entire world (that’s right, Jack), and chatted with the one and only Heather…who has made it into 2 blog posts in a row….not that that is any claim to fame 😉

We ordered a dozen Duxbury Oysters and THANK GOODNESS this one didn’t make it to our plate.

So, my friends, after seeing this photo, the question I ask is, “Would you or wouldn’t you be able to choke this down?”  For the record, as you can see, it is the size of the a woman’s hand.

See Poll Below

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When FRIENDS Have Babies

Posted on by Nichole S.

What do so many of us have in common?  Surely not all of us….but, many of us?

I’m guessing that, like me, many of you spent 30 minutes each week for 10 solid years hanging out with friends.   And, by “friends”, I really mean FRIENDS….as in the television show.

From September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004 I tuned in for 30 minutes of serious bonding with Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey.  Good times.

Say what you will, but I’m not going to lie, I think we should all consider ourselves lucky if we are able to say that we have friendships in our lives as strong as theirs.   And, yes, I do realize that they were merely television actors…

But, fresh out of college when we first “met” I loved getting to know them.  I loved watching their ups and downs…while laughing, crying, wishing, hoping, wanting, wondering…you name it.  We should all have a “Chandler” or a “Rachel” or a “Ross” or a “Phoebe” that we treasure in our lives.

So, if…like me…you were tuning in during that decade, you may remember when Ross and Rachel had a baby.  An adorable little baby girl named Emma.  But…did you know that Emma was played by not one but two adorable little girls named Cali and Noelle.   AND….that Callie and Noelle have all sorts of Cape Ann roots.

They are the stunning, funny, generous, smart, talented, kind, and polite 13 year old daughters of Geoff Sheldon and Gretchen Carpenter.  While they now live out in California, Geoff hails from Rockport.  And nothing beats 4th of July week when they all usually make their pilgrimage home!

My own warm fuzzies about Geoff began the night I was introduced to him and my future husband on Christmas Eve back in 1998.  Ironically, smack in the middle of the FRIENDS years.  Little did I know when I met Geoff that night that I’d marry the guy he was out celebrating Christmas with….and that he and his beautiful wife would later boast to sharing custody of their daughters with Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer. Well, you know, kind of.  And then there’s “Aunt Heather”.  When Heather isn’t out being amazing on horseback….she can be found in all of her gorgeous glory making Halibut Point Restaurant and even better place to be!

So, how fun to read this article yesterday!

This is What Baby Emma Looks Like Now

Photo Courtesy of Reddit
Photo Courtesy of Reddit

Also pretty cool is…

The twins made #11 of this Hollywood List:

Top 20 TV Baby Births of All Time

 

 

The Road to the Show

Posted on by Nichole S.

You all know where this year’s Vince Lombardi Trophy is going to reside.  But, do you know where it came from…or how it was made?

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If you’re not so sure and have ever wondered….here you go.

Some simple facts first:

  • The trophy stands at 22 inches tall and weighs about 7 pounds.
  • It takes about 4 months to craft the beautiful trophy at Tiffany and Co.
  • Tiffany and Co. has been making the Vince Lombardi Trophy since the first Super Bowl.
  • The football on the trophy is regulation size (a fully inflated one at that).

The Making of the Vince Lombardi Trophy

Tiffany and Co. Sports Trophies

Gobble, Gobble

Posted on by Nichole S.

Love these guys….or girls.

We see them almost every day here in Rockport, but I’ve never seen them up in the trees.  Maybe I just haven’t looked up before. Or maybe the snow was just too much for them.  I know how they feel.  Maybe they’re on to something.

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Might Have to Try This…

Posted on by Nichole S.

I, for one, had never heard of this before.

Has anyone tried it? They are currently selling it at Seabreeze Liquors….right near my grapefruit beer.

Thatchers Imported English Cider

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Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 1/31 and 2/1

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, somehow, I have a new time slot.  I think something may have gone down. I may have missed something….I’m not sure.

Regardless….here I am at 7:00 a.m.  Wow….it’s an early time slot to fill!

I’m feeling kind of tired, crazy blizzard and all (did you know that we had a blizzard?), two young boys, full-time job….lots going on. Plus I’m kind of crampy. And out of Midol.  Just saying.

I know that I accepted the responsibility to report some family friendly Picks of the Week…and accepted eagerly at that…but, maybe I’ll just sit back and hope that someone else will cover this mumbo jumbo this week.  Maybe Craig will randomly step up and offer some kid friendly activities.  I wonder types of activities those would be 😉    Maybe, Donna or Kim will.  Maybe Paul or the other Paul.  Surely someone will pick up my slack.  After all, my hands are still cold from sledding and shoveling…..and taking photos and videos during the blizzard at the end of my street.

Oh, wait, that would be wrong, I mean I agreed to do this….I WANTED to do this.   I mean, if I suddenly wasn’t in the mood to do this……or was too busy doing it for someone else….obviously the right thing to do would be to let Joey know.  You know….so he could count on someone else right??

So, on that note….   Here are my Picks of the Weekend.

It’s all about the snow, bout the snow, bout the snow….

It’s all about the snow this weekend because we haven’t had much to enjoy thus far this year!

So, that being the case, my favorite picks would just be to get out and enjoy it!

Pick #1

Sledding, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, you name it.

If you’re looking form simpler things to do in your own backyard, check out these links full of snowy day activities!

Snow Day Activities from Woman’s Day Magazine

Parents Magazine: Snow Day Activities

And, here’s a link to a cute blog with a perfect Homemade Snow Ice Cream recipe!  Ummm….Yummm.  Just stay away from the yellow snow 😉

Gimme Some Oven: Snow Ice Cream

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Pick #2

If you’re tired of the snow already (it’s ok to admit it) and are looking for an indoor activity that you haven’t already done 100 times, maybe check out the North Reading High School Masquers Club and their performance of Peter Pan!

READ MORE HERE    Please note that this also runs next weekend!

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Pick #3

It’s Groundhogs Day!

I am well aware that I use the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary as my go-to weekend “to do”, but I can’t help that they offer such interesting and fantastic activities each weekend.  This weekend is no different!

Groundhog Day Extravaganza   Saturday 1:00-4:00

Registration is required.

Register online or call 978-887-9264 to register by phone.

Is spring on the way, or are we faced with another six weeks of winter? According to legend, Punxsutawney Phil foretells the impending weather each year. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is near. Ongoing activities throughout the afternoon include nature hikes, a groundhog obstacle course, snow sculptures (if there’s snow), crafts, refreshments, and more. The official groundhog celebration takes place at 2:00 pm in our warm and spacious Barn. Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for this fun seasonal event.

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Snowpocalypse Hits Rockport

Posted on by Nichole S.

Who remembers when Hollywood turned Rockport into Sitka, Alaska?  Well, this morning kind of reminds me of that.

The salt water encrusted homes on the waterfront look down right creepy and others look as if they have covered in white creamy frosting (Thatcher’s words, not mine).

Some one asked that I post new photos of the houses I photographed yesterday afternoon.  Today they look like ice castles!

Someone had asked about the “house on stilts” and how it handled the storm. Fortunately it appears fine….and it is no longer simply on stilts.

It is gorgeous this morning.  But….I’m ok going quite a while until this all happens again!

 

 

 

Blizzard Blast: Old Garden Beach, Rockport

Posted on by Nichole S.

Brrrrrrrr.  Here’s some video footage from Old Garden Beach in Rockport along with some pics of the homes nearby. With a break in the snow and the plows slowing down, I ventured to the end of my street.  It is a short walk, but a coooold one today.  Mind you, it was not high tide, so the worst of it is yet to come.

The frozen salt water is beautiful albeit a menace to the ocean front homes. The price you pay, I guess.