High Tide in Lobster Cove made a chilly, giant bathtub for this friendly resident loon.
Thanks to Paul and Betsey Horovitz for sharing this photo.
Author: Nichole S.
The “Calm” Before the Storm
While the snow came later than expected, a full-blown winter storm was definitely in the air. We took a little tour of Rockport from Old Garden Beach, to Bearskin Neck, to Long Beach, and down Eden Road just before the storm blew in. As we were driving home, the snow began to come down fast and furious.
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Nichole’s Picks 2/11 + 2/12
Pick #1: Salem’s So Sweet Festival
Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival – Feb. 10 through Feb. 12, 2017!
Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants, and businesses invite you to attend the 15th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!
Pick #2: Karen K. and the Jitterbugs at The Cabot
HEAD HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR READ MORE
Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children
KAREN K. & THE JITTERBUGS
9:30 Valentine Making
10:30 ShowEnjoy a special Valentine’s Day concert with Karen K and her imaginary friends, the Jitterbugs: Bumble (the bee who doesn’t like to sting), Stinky (loves playing outside, refuses baths), Hop (working on his patience and self control) and Slug Bug (he needs a LOT of naps). Named “Best Kindie Band in Greater Boston 2016” by Mommy Poppins (41,000 votes), Karen and her band were also called “power pop that makes them fun for the whole family” by The Boston Globe!
Before the show, join your child in making a Valentine for a “Community Helper” from your town! We’ll have all the makings for Valentines, plus mailboxes for the staff at PAWS New England, the local Fire and Police Departments, Public Works and more.
Pick #3: CAM Kids: Be Mine, Valentine at the Cape Ann Museum
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.Youth and Family Programs
Families are invited to take a look at Victorian Valentines from the Museum’s collection and create a variety of cut paper cards. This event is free for families.
Get inspired! Take a look at some valentines from the Museum’s collection here.
CAM Kids is generously sponsored by David and Lisa Rich.
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
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The Envoy Hotel’s “IGLOOkout Bar”
So with a predicted blizzard on the way I’m not quite sure, but all and all I think this looks like a pretty fun way to do something new in the city.
The Lookout Rooftop bar at the Seaport’s Envoy Hotel is drawing some attention with its new “igloos” on the Roof…hence the IGLOOkout Bar.
Winter chill? Snow in the forecast? No problem, here at The Envoy.
Enjoy a few cocktails at the Igloos on Lookout Rooftop & Bar, starting Thursday February 9th, 4pm-10pm. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays ONLY. No Reservations, only first come, first serve! Igloos are heated and lit!
READ ALL ABOUT THE ENVOY’S OUTLOOK KITCHEN AND BAR HERE
READ MORE ABOUT THE ENVOY HOTEL HERE
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Hold My Beer
Ok. Maybe one more day of reveling in all that was the Super Bowl and then we’ll all move on. Or maybe not.
This is one of my favorite Tom Brady memes to come out of Sunday’s big game.
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Friends in Low Places
Oh my word. I LOVED this last night.
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Whaley Great
I love this stone in the Mill Pond Park in Rockport. Is it an anchor stone? It totally looks like a very happy whale to me.
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Nichole’s Picks 2/4 + 2/5
Pick #1: Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast at Cherry Hill Creamery in Danvers
READ ALL ABOUT CHERRY HILL AND GET DIRECTIONS HERE
Pick #2: Family Show Shoe and Winter World Hike at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Family Snowshoe and Winter World Hike
Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife SanctuarySat, Feb 04, 2017 1:30 pm – 3:00 pmLocation:
Instructor:
Audience:
Members:
Adult $8.00, Child $7.00Nonmembers:
Adult $10.00, Child $8.00Nonmembers can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.Have you ever wanted to try snowshoeing but didn’t know where to start? Are you looking for a way to spend some time with your family outside this winter? Join us for a leisurely snowshoe hike through our sanctuary. Along the way, we will search for animal tracks and keep our eyes open for wildlife. If you’d like to join us and don’t own snowshoes, we’ll provide them for you. Snow or no, we will enjoy a wonderful winter hike and end with some hot chocolate to warm up!
Instructions and Directions:
Meets in the Barn. Please dress for the weather.Registration is required.Register online or call 978-887-9264 to register by phone.Register by mail: program registration form (PDF 66K)For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.For more information, contact:
87 Perkins RowTopsfield, MA 01983
Pick #3: Patriots Weekend at LegoLand Somerville
Show your New England Patriots pride this weekend and save! Visit LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston wearing your Pats gear this Saturday and Sunday and you can get $5.00 off your walk-up admission ticket!
READ MORE AND GET DIRECTIONS HERE
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.
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Some Friendly Competition
My little hockey players loved this video. Some friendly competition and some impressive shooting….kind of fun to watch.
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Never Too Early to Start Thinking About How to Kick Off Summer!
So….two things. First of all, I was excited to read today that Cape Ann Harbor Tours will be offering a new trip in their repertoire of already fun trips for tourists and locals alike. Their new trip is called the “Annisquam River Trip.”
On this leisurely 2 hour journey, you will cruise along and view the barrier beaches, clam flats and tidal tributaries. Take in the unique waterscapes and experience first-hand a widely recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) featuring Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Sandpipers, and Gulls.
Read about this and their other trips HERE
We’ve spent lots of time on the King Eider and the Lady Jillian as a family, with friends, while playing tour guide and with school groups. My favorite nights with Harbor Tours have been when we charter the boat with a group of friends, bring some finger sandwiches and sushi, pack our coolers, play some music, and cruise around the harbor with Capt. Douglass at the helm filling us in on local lore and fishing industry facts.
And THAT…takes me to my next point…
Have you ever wanted to help out a charitable organization, but either didn’t know how (short of writing a check) or honestly didn’t feel as though you were in the position to part with enough funds to make a difference? Well, first of all, we know that ANY amount is appreciated by all charities, but….that having been said…here’s another idea for you…
Earlier this month I called Cape Ann Harbor Tours and, along with three other friends, booked one of their vessels for a 2.5 hour trip in May. The four of us split the price of the trip equally. We then offered the boat excursion up to friends, families, and co-workers. The money raised via the 25 tickets sold will go directly to the charity of our choice…which, in this case, is the school where we all work and that our children attend. So, for a reasonable amount of money, the four of us offered up the boat (our donation to the school), 25 other people purchased tickets (their donation to the school), and…in the end…we all get a super fun night out with friends, on the water, doing what we love….and the school gets a pretty sweet sized donation. Win, win, win….win. Right?
This same scenario could be translated to any charitable organization or cause. You and few friends decide who you would like to benefit, gather your friends and have them spend a little bit of money to hang out with you on the water, and Ka Bam, instant party and money raised!
I’m excited that this will be one of our first fun nights out when the winter weather turns to spring, I’m excited to raise some money for our school, and I’m excited to support Cape Ann Harbor Tours with a charter at the very beginning of their season.
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Me and My Shadow
Over a year old now and still not sure what to do with his shadow and/or reflection. This guy loves the beach as much as the rest of the family!
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Kestrel Summer Program Fair
If you are looking for great options for your children for this coming summer, you should make a point to visit the Kestrel Summer Program Fair this weekend! Several local organizations will be on site to educate you about their summer program offerings to help you piece together the perfect summer fit for your family’s needs.
Sunday at 2:30 at the Kestrel Get Outside Center at 186 Main Street in Gloucester.
Visit HERE to read all about the Kestrel Summer Program Fair
Kestrel Educational Adventures Summer Adventures will be featuring a presentation on What makes our summer adventures so special?
Local organizations Art Haven, Maritime Gloucester, Waldorf School Camp, Gloucester Museum School Project Adventure Camp, Sail GHS, Harborlight Montessori, Seaside Sustainability, and Clark School, will also be present to show what summer programs they are offering for 2017! The event is free and there will be free snacks and lots of fun activities for kids and adults.
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Nichole’s Picks 1/28 + 1/29
Pick #1: Visit Patriot Place at Gillette Stadium
Get Down and Get Your Patriots Fix While We Have a Week of Rest!
READ ALL ABOUT THE HALL AT PATRIOT PLACE HERE
Pick #2: Young Company Winter Festival
READ ALL INFORMATION AND PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
WINTER FESTIVAL 2017
January 25 – February 5, 2017This year, the young company presents four fantastic Winter Festival shows! Family-friendly The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Junior takes us on an incredible adventure all across the globe, while The Emperor’s New Clothes teaches us to open our eyes to what’s right in front of us! Mary Poppins uses magic, common sense, and a spoonful of sugar to teach the entire Banks family to value one another. Lastly, the dark and edgy Sweeney Todd shows us just how far some will go for those they love.This audition-based program for students in grades 1-12 culminates in performances on Stoneham Theatre’s stage. Anyone can audition, and free workshops prepare seasoned actors and newbies alike!
Student matinees available. Please contact Carol Dempsey, Director of Sales, carol@stonehamtheatre.org or
781-587-7905 for more information.Click here to see the Calendar.
Click here to see the Audition & Workshop Calendar.
Pick #3: Harvard Square Chocolate Festival
Because, well…why not.
Friday, January 27, 2017 – Sunday, January 29, 2017
The Harvard Square Business Association is excited to announce the highly anticipated 9th Annual Chocolate Festival. For three days, Harvard Square establishments pull out all the stops to celebrate all things chocolate! Harvard Square restaurants will feature chocolate appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails, cordials and nightcaps while Harvard Square retailers will dazzle you scrumptious chocolate specials and deals.
The highlight of this beloved weekend extravaganza is the free Chocolate Tasting Event on Saturday, January 28th from 1pm – 2pm. Please join us on Brattle Plaza (in front of Crema Café at 27 Brattle Street) for delicious, delectable and decadent chocolate treats from Harvard Square’s finest purveyors including Cabot’s Candy, Crema Cafe, DAVIDs TEA, El Jefe’s Taqueria, En Boca, Flour Bakery, Henrietta’s Table, Hotel Tria, JP Licks, Shake Shack, Starbucks, Toscano , wagamama and Zinnekens. Make sure to come early! This tantalizing event is very popular and attracts hundreds of sweet tooths!
When you’ve had your fill of chocolate, take a jaunt through Harvard Yard to the Museum of Natural History. Visit the famed Glass Flowers gallery where realistic hand-crafted glass models of Cacao, as well as cashew nuts, mango, pineapple, and other edible plants are on display.
Special thanks to Camp Cody, Seacoast Sweets and Rescom for their support of this tasting event.
Whether you are a serious chocolate aficionado or a fun-loving chocaholic, please join us for the sweetest weekend of the year in Harvard Square.
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore KidNorth Shore Kid
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A Room With A View
Not a bad view.
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Rusty & Ingrid Creative Company
I have meaning to get over to Magnolia to visit the studio of Rusty & Ingrid Creative Company since purchasing some of their artwork at City Hall Plaza’s “Boston Winter” back in December. I have yet to do so, but wanted to give a shout out to their amazing work now anyway. If I’m being honest, I didn’t realize when I first started to look through their shop for some holiday gifts that Rusty & Ingrid actually calls Gloucester/Magnolia home. I was poking around and picking out some prints when I overheard someone mention that their studio was located on Cape Ann. How have I missed that? Their artwork is gorgeous! Of course, and I should have know, upon conducting some research, both Donna and Joey have done numerous posts here on GMG about the phenomenal art that this talented duo creates…and their super cute kids.
While the boys were skating at #BostonWinter that afternoon I quickly purchased a print of Brant Point, Nantucket for my own home (that’s where we got engaged) and a print of Martha’s Vineyard for my mom…who visits there often. I really wanted, however, to also buy the print of Fenway’s Green Monster and at least ten of the prints depicting many of my favorite haunts of both Gloucester and Rockport…including, of course, Thacher’s Island for Thatcher. I also texted photos of a print of Lake Winnipesaukee to a friend who owns a home up there….and several of their ski destination prints to friends who frequent various mountains. I would totally decorate a beach cottage or ski lodge with a large series of these….if I had one to decorate.
If you haven’t seen their work, take a peek at their website in the link below. I’m in love with their work…but also that they are local and make magic happen as a small, family run business.
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Best Air Freshener Ever
Two boys + lots of hockey + two dogs + wet trips home from the beach = need for a good car air freshener.
And, this is it. First of all, I welcome any reason at all to visit Surfari. Secondly, they’re super cute. Third, they’re inexpensive. And, fourth, they work crazy well!
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Sincerely, Barack Obama…
I think I have posted this letter from the White House once before, but it seemed extra fitting today of all days. As with the letter I wrote about earlier this week, this is another piece of mail that I will always treasure. No political rants here…just thankful for this letter…and thankful for the message. “We wish you a long and happy life filled with chances to learn, ideas to explore, people to love, and dreams to fulfill.” Thank you.
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Nichole’s Picks 1/21 + 1/22
Pick #1: VANESSA TRIEN & THE JUMPING MONKEYS
Part of the Family Series at The Cabot in Beverly, this show is at 10:30 on Saturday. Doors open at 9:30. Tickets cost $8.50 for children and $13.50 for grown-ups.
Vanessa Trien has been performing music for kids and families since 2005, many of those years in collaboration with her lively folk/roots/pop band, the Jumping Monkeys. She has three Parents’ Choice award-winning CDs for kids and families and is currently working on her fourth album, due out this winter. Vanessa packs concert halls, preschool fundraisers and outdoor venues with dancing kids and families.
She is known for her highly interactive shows, featuring plenty of group singing and movement. One of her most requested songs, “Tickle Monster” has families sneaking around on tip toe and then on queue, all start tickling each other!
In addition to performing, Vanessa teaches as an early childhood music specialist in preschool and pre-K classrooms in Brookline and has also taught parent and child group Music Together classes for ten years. Originally from New York City.
Vanessa moved to Boston in the nineties to attend Harvard’s Graduate School for Education and has stayed ever since, first diving into the Cambridge folk music scene and festival production and then eventually jumping with her whole heart into the wild and wonderful world of children’s music!
Pick #2: Snow Tubing at New England Sports Park in Amesbury.
Tickets are available for different tubing sessions. You can choose either from 10:00-2:00 or 2:00- 5:00, or 5:00-8:00 (Saturday only).
Pick #3: The Cape Ann Museum
Read all about the fabulous Cape Ann Museum HERE
We are so fortunate that the Cape Ann Museum is free to all Cape Ann residents for the month of January! This is the time to go! What a wonderful escape from the winter blues.
Be sure to enjoy one of the Winter Shorts during your visit.
Join the docents of the Cape Ann Museum on a variety of themed mini tours. Several twenty minute tours will be offered, beginning on the hour and on the half hour. Each tour will touch on a particular area within the Museum’s collections. Docents have created tours around their favorite topics, including Gloucester Fishermen, Women Artists of Cape Ann and 19th Century Selfies, among others. Participants are encouraged to spend the entire day at the Museum, enjoying one, two or all of the mini tours.
Tours are free for CAM members and Cape Ann residents or with Museum admission. Tours are “first come, first served” (space is limited – no reservations).
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activity please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
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Quick Little Getaway
We wanted a quick night in the city with friends after the Christmas crazies but before the actual New Year’s Eve mayhem, so I spent all of about ten minutes looking for a hotel for a Friday night in an area of Boston that has some restaurants and bars that we like to go to.
We landed at the Residence Inn by Marriott in the Seaport on Congress Street. Super inexpensive, comfortable, spacious, industrial, and funky. With a full kitchen, a seating area, and a large bedroom, we were able to sit for drinks with friends in our room before actually heading out for the night. With tons of restaurants/bars within walking distance, we didn’t even bother to hop in a taxi during the course of the evening.
If you’re overdue for a quick little getaway, can’t go far, and want it to be easy…I highly recommend it.
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Goodnight, Greasy Pole
A grainy iPhone photo, but beautiful colors with no filter even needed. What an unbelievable place we live in.
