Finn and I had a great lunch on Sunday with some good friends. The food and the scenery were delicious, but the table next to us were a bunch of animals 😉
Author: Nichole S.
Obstructed View
Watching Thatch play baseball through the spider web….
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Nichole’s Picks 5/6 + 5/7
Pick #1: Boston Children’s Chorus at the Shalin Liu
Saturday, May 6 at 3:00. Tickets $15, general admission
Learn more or purchase tickets HERE .
The Boston Children’s Chorus unites children ages 7-18 from diverse backgrounds to discover the power of singing and transcend social barriers in a celebration of shared humanity and love of music. The Chorus bridges Greater Boston’s many diverse groups and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among its members. Through intensive choral training and once-in-a-lifetime performing experiences locally, nationally and around the world, BCC enhances the education and social development of youth as future leaders and global citizens in the 21st century. Since the BCC’s inception, its programs have grown rapidly. Twenty children were accepted into an initial pilot program, and in the current season, the BCC have almost 500 singers representing over 50 of Boston’s urban and suburban neighborhoods participating in twelve different choirs in five Boston locations: the South End, Allston-Brighton, South Boston and Dorchester.
Pick #2: Vintage Baseball Home Opener at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm
I did this a few years ago with the boys and it was so much fun. I keep meaning to go back!
Saturday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
5 Little’s Lane, Newbury, Mass.
READ ALL ABOUT IT AND PURCHASE YOUR $5 TICKETS HERE
Take a step back in time and enjoy a springtime day on the farm. Enjoy traditional New England music, sheep-shearing, and wagon rides and cheer on your favorite teams of the Essex Base Ball Association as they play baseball using 1860s rules. At these fun, historically accurate games, players pitch underhand, a ball bounced once and caught is an out, and no gloves are allowed. Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase.
Grass field seating: bring blankets and lawn chairs. No reserved seating. In partnership with the Essex Base Ball Association and Ipswich Ale Brewery.
Free to Historic New England members
$5 nonmembers
As always, for a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
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Winner, Winner, Minnow Dinner
When asked which bait will attract the most minnows, would you guess bread, hotdogs, chocolate covered granola bar, or cheese?
Well, Finn wanted to know. My little budding angler and future fishing show host (if you ask him) decided to find the answer to that question for science fair this week. He chose four types of bait, filled four traps each night, set them in Henry’s Pond at Pebble Beach at 7:00 pm, jumped out of bed at 6:00 a.m., hauled his traps, and counted his catch.
You’ll have to watch the video to see which type of bait did the job the best. I’m pretty proud of my littlest fisherman!
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Early Evening at Pebble Beach
We found ourselves down at Pebble Beach last night. It was chillier than expected, but still a pretty night down there….before taking off for a 7:30 baseball game.
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Surprises in Progress
Bearskin Neck is coming to life. Some old favorites are thankfully back for another season, some new places are popping up, and…in this case….some surprises are coming. All are reasons to make your way to Rockport to spend the day soon!
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Life’s Simple Pleasures
This past weekend was one of those weekends that make me appreciate the little things. We didn’t do anything over-the-top exciting, but we did a lot….and had a blast.
The weekend began with the boys’ baseball parade and season’s opening ceremonies. While I barely made it because I couldn’t quite get out of work on time, they had a great time. Saturday began with a long walk through town with one boy and two dogs. It was so great to see Rockport opening up around us, to feel the sunshine, and to hear the sounds of, dare I say, summer. Later we watched some good buddies play ball, hit Top Dog for an early dinner, went to Rockport High School’s baseball game under the lights, and ended the night at Long Beach Dairy Maid before bringing a little friend home to Gloucester.
Sunday Funday brought Bocce Ball on the boulevard with Grampy (who should be reading this….so, we apologize again that the boys couldn’t get along super well when teamed against each other on the court), lunch outside at Mile Marker One, some science fair homework, a walk on the beach, baseball practice, and then a shift feeding the baby goats up at Appleton Farms (pinch me) thanks to some great friends.
While I don’t necessarily need the reminder…it is always great to get out and about and get in touch with just why we love living on Cape Ann. Good times.
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EVERY Backyard Needs These!
Spring is here…summer is right around the corner….and, in my humble opinion, every yard needs Cornhole. And, if you’re going to have a set, why not have a set cooler than your neighbors’?
Really, if you’re being honest, the only question to ask yourself is, “Exactly what do I want painted on mine?”
Should you go with the Team Spirit vibe, school colors, favorite vacation spot, favorite band, monogrammed as a wedding or anniversary gift, totally custom and off the chart? There’s absolutely a blank slate (or two) calling your name!
I recently ordered a set of Dan’s Custom Cornhole Creations with our school logo painted on them. First of all, they were done so quickly….secondly, they’re awesome. They are going to be such a perfect addition to campus for both the students and the faculty/staff alike. Friday afternoon Faculty Fun will surely be centered around some friendly games of cornhole in the very near future!
If you own a company and have a logo, you need these. If you, say…for example…run a pretty successful blog and have oh, I don’t know maybe a seagull for a logo, you need these. Just saying.
If you are looking for a Father’s Day gift, a house warming gift, or a birthday gift…here you go. If you have a friend with a sweet yard and want to ensure you score a few invites over the course of the summer, you might want to consider ordering him/her a set. The possibilities are endless, the beers are cold, the bean bags are waiting to be tossed. Make the call.
Check out Dan’s Custom Cornhole Creations at his Facebook page HERE
If you’re not on Facebook, absolutely email Dan at dlmerriam1115@gmail.com
Or call/text Dan @ 508-981-1530
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Nichole’s Picks
Pick #1: Town Green Sustainability Fair
READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE
ENERGY CONSERVATION. GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS. RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION. THE CAPE ANN FARMERS’ MARKET.
AND…MUSIC, FOOD, FUN, EDUCATION, AND MORE!TownGreen2025 presents the 2017 Cape Ann Sustainability Fair, Gloucester’s third sustainability fair with added focus on other elements of sustainable living on Cape Ann. This day of teaching, learning, and collaborating will include:
INFORMATIVE TALKS
Speakers addressing clean energy technology, carbon neutrality, locally relevant impacts of climate change, and personal carbon footprint reduction.
OVER 20 EXHIBITS
Exhibits from local and regional leaders from both the nonprofit and the for profit sectors.
DEMONSTRATIONS
Demonstrations on clean energy, home energy efficiency, and personal carbon footprint reduction.
FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS
Stations for personal carbon footprint calculation
A FREE EVENT
Free admission and parking.
DOOR PRIZES
Raffles and items from local businesses.
RECYCLING
Opportunities to recycle scrap metal, batteries, used clothing, and books.
FUN FOR EVERYONE
Food, drink, activities, music, and more!
Pick #2: Crane Beach Color Blast
Crane Beach Color Blast will become part of “Local Color” a Weekend full of Festivities in Celebration of Local Flavor, Color & Culture!
Saturday April 29th Downtown Ipswich & Riverwalk
Sunday, April 30th on Crane Beach, 1-3pm Om Drum & Beach BonFire, ColorBlast 2pm precisely!Part of our Celestial Happenings Series the Ipswich Spring Equinox Extravaganza is inspired by “Holi Festivals” celebrations of Spring, from India. (Inspiration images here)
If you love our Winter & Summer Solstice Labyrinths and Ipswich Illumination then you will want to be a part of making this event an Ipswich tradition, our Celebration of Spring
Om Drum & Beach Bonfire 1-3pm
ColorBlast 2pm (sharp!)
Event is free ~ Parking fees apply
Photo-Op
Pigments will be tossed. (dress accordingly)
Color will be celebrated!
Kites, flags, ribbons, pompoms all welcome!
Event of Free. Parking rates apply.
TTOR Crane Beach Fees: http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/north-shore/crane-beach-admission-prices.html
Pick #3: Swan Boats
READ ALL ABOUT THE SWAN BOATS HERE
2017 Season
Saturday, April 15 to Sunday, September 17, 2017Spring (April to June 20)
10am to 4 pmSummer (June 21 to Labor Day)
10am to 5 pmAfter Labor Day
Weekdays 12 noon to 4pm Weekends 10am to 4pm
The Swan Boats are open every day, weather permitting. We cannot operate in rain, high winds or extreme heat.
Tickets
The Swan Boat ride lasts about 12-15 minutes while the driver pedals you around the Public Garden lagoon. Tickets are purchased at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding the boat. The wait for a ride is typically no more than 5-10 minutes.
Adults $3.50
Children $2.00 (age 2 to 15 years)
Under 2 yrs. Free
Seniors $3.00
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
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Dry Dock
Things colorful kayaks are all lined up waiting for someone to take them for a spin.
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Thanks, Cape Ann Brewing Company
For the record, I highly recommend the Sunrise Saison…. an “Ale brewed with Strawberries and Rhubarb.”
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My Kind of Place
We were psyched to discover that our hotel in Hilton Head had, in addition to the pools, beach, volleyball, etc., some pretty sweet outdoor entertainment in the form of porch and yard games. The boys rolled the giant wooden dice, played Connect Four, Chess, Checkers, and Ping Pong. Likewise, one of the restaurants that we stumbled upon in Key Largo had a great set up off to the side with fire pits, Corn Hole, giant Jenga, Ring Toss, and more. It was lots of fun to sit outside at night and listen to the live music at the Tiki Bar and outdoor restaurant while the boys happily played those games.
Those are totally my kind of places and, while we have some of that type of thing around here, I’d like to see more of it.
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Turtle Crossing
Only turtles permitted beyond this point.
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Northeast Ohio Rocks! in the Bahamas?
The boys found this rock the other day in front of our terrace in the Bahamas. Turns out that it was painted and hidden in Ohio by a member of the Northeast Ohio Rocks! group. I snapped a couple of photos and shared our find on their Facebook page. In no time the “owner” of the rock wrote back saying,
We just painted that rock a few weeks ago (last week of March over our Spring Break) and hid in our tiny little hometown at a gas station. We knew it had been found as it was gone not long after we placed it there, but never dreamed it would make it out of the country! I painted that rock because my 7 year old son is obsessed with the Goodyear Blimp and was able to take a ride in it two years ago! I can’t wait to see where it will end up!
Kind of cool. So, now it is our turn to hide the rock. Hmmm. After the Bahamas we were off to the Islamorada and Key Largo in the Florida Keys for a couple of nights, now we’re in Hilton Head for two more days, and then we’ll drive through a whole bunch of states before landing home in Rockport.
I wonder where the rock will end up next. Great fun! Thanks, Northeast Ohio Rocks!
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Manatee Love
Our vacation adventures continued yesterday and the boys moved on from dolphins, to tarpon feeding, to some quality time with a couple of super affectionate manatees while fishing.
Two different manatees in two different locations stayed super close to the boat and pier we were on and sought out the boys’ attention. One was busy drinking from the boat and watching the their every move….the second was actually “asking” for belly rubs, sucking on Thatcher and Finn’s fingers, and shaking hands. While obviously free to leave at any moment, both manatees stayed and played with the us for a long time. If it weren’t for the giant tarpon and two sharks we saw, you can bet the boys would have jumped in the water with both!
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Tarpon Feeding in Islamorada
Seventeen years ago, on the way to ring in the New Year (the Millennium at that) my husband and I took a little detour in Islamorada to feed the tarpon. Yesterday it was even more fun to take the same pitstop with the boys. They couldn’t get enough….even when three of the four of us got pooped on by pelicans. Good times.
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Checking off the Boys’ Bucket List….Dolphins.
The boys have been dying to get in the water with dolphins for quite a while now. We were so happy to make that happen for them down in the Bahamas this week…thanks to a pretty epic Easter gift from their grandmother, “Nammy.”
If you’re ever in the Bahamas, I highly recommend the UNEXESO Dolphin Experience. It was a day my boys will remember forever.
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Happy Easter from the Bahamas
Happy Easter, GMG friends! With Love from the Schraffts down in the Bahamas.
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“The Venice of America”
The boys were dying to see of the gorgeous homes and yachts along the intercoastal waterway during our two day pitstop in Fort Lauderdale. They have a thing for boats of all sizes and are blooming wharf rats. Seeing some of these large “mega yachts” up close was super fun for them. And the homes…..my goodness. No joke.
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Evviva Cucina is a Must Try
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about our fabulous evening at the North Shore Magazine’s Grand Tasting event up in Salisbury. Of all of the vendors on site, and I assure you that I sampled many, my favorite was Evviva Cucina.
I couldn’t have been happier to learn that they are located in Beverly….mere minutes from my work. And, since my co-workers and I are always looking for a good place to unwind after a long (or short) work week, I have a feeling we’ll be visiting somewhat often.
Evviva Cucina is located at 45 Enon Street in Beverly….as well as their Westford, MA location. Their “Italian Inspired, American Made” Food to Cheer combines fresh ingredients, robust flavor, and a fair amount of flare…and is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Speaking of beautiful! Look at their space! Not only is the inside funky and fun…but the outdoor eating and corn hole makes it a destination…not just a restaurant. Grab some friends and your appetite….and share some laughs, eats, and drinks!
See you there!
Evviva Cucina’s Philosophy, you may ask?
An appreciation for the finer things in life, the hard work it takes to create
them and the commitment to share them with others was the foundation for Evviva Cucina.Our focus was the kitchen, the gathering area for friends and family to experience
the Chef’s scratch-made, regional Italian dishes. Designed to make
our bustling kitchen the show, allowing our guests to interact and appreciate the skill
and dedication shown by our kitchen team. This unique atmosphere proves a worthy setting for your culinary tour through Italy.Our dedication to scratch-made cooking is only matched by our passion for making it available to a wide range of guests. It was our belief that quality Food and Drink should be priced so that all can experience it’s greatness. We believe that we have created a formula that will have all our guest’s saying Evviva per la Cucina.
Good Morning Gloucester 