Author: Pat D

We had a great podcast and breakfast in an igloo at Mile Marker One this morning. There’s only one week left for igloo dining at Mile Marker this season. The deck is being prepped for summer and the igloos will be put away. You can reserve your igloo for dining online; call for indoor dining reservations. No igloo fees apply Wednesday, Thursday or Friday so consider getting down there this week!

Check out the new gear while you are there. It’s very sharp.

We had dinner at Passports last weekend and it was wonderful, as I knew it would be. They were very busy on Mother’s Day but our server Teely never let on that she was swamped. We had our drinks and dinner at a lovely leisurely pace looking out the window onto Main Street, where Passports and other restaurants have their outdoor dining set up. I took Joey’s recommendation to try the Steak au Poivre with steamed vegetables and rice. Outstanding treat. Jim has the Sister’s Haddock with mashed potatoes and ate every bite. It was a wonderful evening as we felt safely distanced with masked staff hustling around. Thanks to all for making me feel spoiled.

We noticed for former Supreme Roast Beef on Main Street is under new management as Kings. I believe there’s also a King’s Famous Roast Beef in Salem (same logo).

We took at ride to Parker River Wildlife Refuge on Mother’s Day and came across this bittersweet sight. We are not birders, but we know enough to understand that snowy owls typically leave this area well before now to return north. We don’t know what is keeping this one around but it seemed to me to act sick or in distress. It’s mouth was wide open several times in the few minutes that we stuck around and I have not seen that too often in other snowy owl encounters. It was tough to watch but I am going to share it anyhow to remind us all that Mother Nature knows what She is doing…….

We have been trying to get to as many of the newly opened/reopened places as we can and it was Lobsta Land’s turn the other night. Located on Causeway Street, it was hopping for a Thursday night so I highly recommend calling for reservations. The inside has been redesigned and COVID protocols were taken into consideration. I just need to rave for a minute about the chicken piccata. I have been dreaming about their chicken piccata since last fall and I prayed it would not disappoint. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It was outstanding! Jim had fish tacos which he enjoyed very much but not as much as I was enjoying the piccata!!

We also took note that Lobsta Land is supporting local artists. We saw a piece by Melissa Cox hanging over Jim’s head as well as one of Bex Borden’s lobster trap trees! Kudos on the added local support.

Let’s hear some of your favorite Mom quotes. Maybe you use them today!

Here are some flowers I hope make you smile for Mother’s Day, especially if you are sad, scared, confused or feeling lost today.

The patio at the Azorean Restaurant on Washington Street has been refreshed and looks pretty inviting! We can’t wait to give it a try.

Thanks Mom’s Kitchen for some comfort food last Wednesday. The cabbage roll was delicious and enough to take home for another meal. We love Mom’s.

Russell Orchards in Ipswich has opened for the season. We always like to stop there when we drive up that way. Keep up with their news at their website. I saw some new items and old favorites. Now that we have a baby in our lives, I took extra care to notice the children’s section which was full of interesting items. Staff was friendly and helpful as they always are. We brought home a few treats!

“Our” eagles have been hanging around the marsh recently here in Magnolia and this morning I was able to have my coffee with a pair of eagles on the side! They really are magnificent. What a blessing to have them nearby. For additional photos please visit Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

What I see when I notice the parking kiosks standing guard along the streets:

Captain Carlo’s is reopening today May 6 and will be switching things up. Counter style service on the deck sounds intriguing to me! Hope to see you there soon.

Our first stop on our return to town after a two week trip was to Minglewood Harborside. It just feels like home……a bonus was that the Serenitee group was offering a FREE appetizer that day and I had a $10 reward awaiting me as a Serenitee member. We were greeted in a friendly manner, seated with appropriate distancing and were offered efficient service. We ordered the nachos (a plate of LOVE), sushi and garlic parm tenders. The drinks were, as always, spot on. It was a win, win……thanks again Zach and Minglewood staff!

Yes, I know our wonderful Generous Gardeners have done a marvelous job on the boulevard with the tulip beds. They are truly stunning, free and available to anyone. But if you are a fan of tulips and the wonderful sight of thousands of blooms in a charming setting, you might want to check out Tip Top Tulips in Ispwich. Brought to you by the same folks who offer the School Street Sunflowers, they decided this year to offer tulip beds. And they are magnificent. Tickets available here. They are located at 71 Town Farm Road and there’s a smaller bed near the School Street Sunflower Field.

The beds are designed for strolling and photos. It is a bit muddy in some areas though plenty of straw has been utilized to help so plan accordingly. Very child friendly and a great photo opp! You can purchase single blooms for $1 each which includes the bulb (that’s a bonus….I am certain those bulbs are high quality). If you are a tulip lover, visit the boulevard and consider a trip to Ipswich soon.

The clouds and sunshine combined in an interesting way at the Paint Factory recently, giving a new view of red, white and blue…..

We were out and about Sunday and decided to have dinner at the recently reopened Boat House Grille on John Wise Ave in Essex. It seemed to us that they have not missed a step during their closure over these last several months. Plastic barriers separate tables and bar seating for safety but are not intrusive to your dining experience. They are preparing to offer a new outdoor dining area! We were served our meals efficiently by Abigail. I had cajun seasoned broiled haddock…lightly seasoned so if you’re expecting a spicy kick, ask for more cajun. It was perfect. Jim had the burger which he enjoyed a great deal. It was a lovely Sunday dinner experience. The menu even offers after hours beverages for the kitchen staff, which I think is a great idea and we sent some back there! Thanks to all for a warm and wonderful dinner!

For those of you waiting for this news, Domino’s on East Main Street has reopened!

The hummingbirds waited until Joey was out of town to show themselves in Gloucester yesterday! I have some new tools in the hummingbird arsenal this year….the usual red glass feeder in addition to mini-suction cup style feeders (a gift from my neighbor!) AND a red tube horizontal feeder. This is my set-up. It appears to have worked since I observed at least 2 feisty hummingbirds, one even chasing away one of the bigger birds. We also saw the Baltimore Oriole yesterday, so it’s well and truly official that we are DONE with winter.

It was a simply glorious afternoon recently with the tulips blooming in the fresh sunshine following the rain. Makes me wonder how or why we ever leave…….thank you Generous Gardeners! Happy May Day one day late…..