Author: paultmorrison

Red Skiff Eggs Benedict with hash

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My daughter wants to see every sunrise but I slipped up this morning and was out there at 6:15 AM and even though I would call it rising in her book it was way too late. To console her we all went to The Red Skiff for breakfast. A rock throw from the lighthouse in the middle of the street (OK locals tell me the name of it).

To do my cub reporting correctly I had the special listed at the top of the whiteboard. Eggs Benedict with hash. I think it was red hash.

[Expletive deleted], [Expletive deleted] my goodness this was good. From bottom to top, English muffin, soft but still with a crispy top, the hash, rich and no diet reduction working here, on that a perfect poached egg, not runny but it was just a few seconds before it was pulled, then a remarkable Benedict sauce on top.

After the first bite I said: “self, if you eat this and the home fries you are going to regret it. Do not touch them. (I listened to myself and the home fries went doggy bagging home to a late sleeper who enjoyed them)

But back to breakfast. I did not share, I wanted it all. The hash was amazing. I don’t want to argue about who has better hash. Two Sisters is in the running. But when you layer all these good things and keep the crunch in the top of the english muffin while everything else is going all gooey this was a good start to the day.

I was purchasing ping pong balls at Cracker Jacks an hour later. Trying to find change I mentioned that, oh, don’t have the quarter since I put it in the meter in front of the Red Skiff this morning and then we get to talking about hash and how she doesn’t like hash because as a kid it was not so good. I felt the same way my entire life until a few years ago. Hash when you were a kid was terrible. Your parents were making a cheap meal made of leftovers and a potato. I think I may have convinced her to try hash again for the first time.

I used to hate peas for the same reason. Seven kids and mom plates canned peas in front of you they were terrible. Now one of my favorite foods just poking out of the garden this week.

Update: Peeps III coming, Art has Revenge, they are back at Shaws.
I missed my 2PM deadline because of kayaking to Pigeon Cove before the big black cloud arrived. But I have Homie pics from that.

Joey Hard at Work

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Perusing the new Gloucester Daily Times the first photo I come to is none other than our fearless leader hard at work. If you have ever seen Joey collecting info for this blog you will instantly recognize him. Focused on the interview, camera working the closeups and you know he has this guy spewing information because Joey gets all the info. (Also man purse at the ready with accessories and GMG sticker).

Gloucester: Jim Langford of the U.S. Coast Guard explains how the emergeny survival suit works to Joey Ciaramitaro as Joe Orlando, center, listens during the Fishing Fanily’s Health and Safety Fair at the Gloucester Coast Guard Station Saturday. Mary Muckenhoupt/Gloucester Daily Times

Summer Tourists, Some are not.

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But Cape Ann is a tourist draw so if you don’t go with the flow you are missing out on some great fried clams, onion rings, and all sorts of other stuff to clog your arteries but what the hay it’s almost summer and winter is a long way away.

With that long intro, I want to know what seasonal restaurant is open. I love walking into a place that has been closed up all winter and the formica is all shined up and hopefully the fryolators are lubricated. Ice cream too, is there a better feeling than ordering that first mint chocolate chip from the Dairy Train in Rockport? (side note, my daughter was asking to go and I pretended to be deaf, not a real hard task, and I said “Scary Train?” and she repeated and I said “Scary Brain?” and we went on and on until she had to hit me over the head, anyway, Dairy Train is Scary Brain in our house.)

So what am I missing? I know some places are open and nobody told me. Stop that. I hate that.
So I want anyone who knows of a seasonal place that has opened or has posted the date at which they will open, send the info to me or post a reply and I will make a list and check it twice.

From my own personal ramblings I know that:
Top Dog: open
The Rudder : open Thursday-Saturday
Lobster Pool: open
Lobster Land (I mean Lobsta Land!): open
Top Siders: open (Oyster night is Tuesday night)
I’ve heard mention of this Cupboard at the end of the Boulevard and I will admit I have never eaten there. I’ve never played 18 holes of golf so sue me. But does anyone know when they might open?

Mail me or reply here, I will check it twice: paul_morrison@dfci.harvard.edu

The Rudder: First Weekend

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This was the first weekend of the Rudder and I was Jonesing for the Monkfish but never got there. Not until tonight but I missed the monkfish, That is, the mussels, crab cake apps then a Paella entrée got in the way.

Can I mention the mussels? Why have I been visiting Cape Ann for years and no one has explained to me that the Rudder’s mussels are not the usual white whine and onions sort of thing? That they do this cream with sausage that blends in some intense fennel flavor that is just over the top.

The crab cakes I won’t mention because I think everyone knows that they are the tastiest most crabby crab cakes on the island.

My daughter had the bolognese which is always something we have to doggy bag so I can find it later tonight to eat although she has become much craftier at hiding it.

Odds and Ends: Rudder, Taxes, Mac

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April 15, this Thursday, The Rudder opens for the season. I’ve been Jonesin’ for some pan seared monkfish with lemon butter and capers since last fall. Tax Relief Specials. Spring Hours: Open Thursdays to Saturday 5PM.

April 15, this Thursday, is not tax day if you live in Essex county. That rain in March made us a “disaster recovery zone” so taxes are not due until May 11. Woot, off to the Rudder even if the IRS is getting a big check. Mañana.

What if you get a tax refund and you’re thinking maybe you should get something slick to load GMG onto. Don’t you want to see Homie’s tail feathers in glossy high resolution with a high refresh rate? (Really, it wiggles.) Since some people know me as a Mac fanboy I always get the question, “What Mac should I buy?” and my answer is always the same. Go to MacRumors Buyer’s Guide and find out when the new model is coming out. This page will tell you whether to buy now or wait. Say you wanted a MacBook Pro last week. Boy would you have buyer’s remorse if you had not gone to the page. They would have told you “New Models Soon DO NOT BUY!!”

New models for the MacBook Pro came out today. The 13 inch is nice.

GMG Kid’s Art Project

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Since my daughter at thirteen often tells me to grow up I consider my entering some art in the GMG Kid’s Art Project not entirely out of bounds. You might give me grief recycling Peeps in my art project but peeps are the gift that just keeps on giving. OK, trying to fill my 2PM slot each day I am totally tapped. So I took a magic marker and …
gmgpeepartgmgpeepartgmgpee

But wait there’s more. I also purchased Hipstamatic which Sharon mentioned as a cool tool for the iPhone. So I am combining GMG Art Project, GMG Recommendations for software, and some wicked stale peeps which have now been recycled so many times they are almost environmentally sound. Actually, I have them soaking in the sink and I might have to use my new Ingersoll Rand 121 Super Duty Air Hammer to get my plate back so not sure how environmentally sound they are. I might have to hide them in my trash bag at the Rockport Dump or they are going to charge me twenty bucks for commercial concrete disposal. I don’t even want to think about fire hazard or waiting until hazardous waste day to unload my peeps. If that happens they are going back up on the wall.

ps. I mentioned in an earlier post to get down to Shaws on Eastern Ave for a fire sale on post Easter Peeps but I was too late. They have replaced all things Easter with Boogie Boards, diving masks and snorkels in that last aisle across from the milk. They did have some chocolate peeps in the discard shopping carts in the middle of the aisle but someone had already scored the last of the marshmallow peeps. (Fess up.) So I combine a “Signs of Spring” of Boogie boards at Shaws. (Don’t worry I am making a list and will recycle all signs of spring once Rockport puts Mr and Mrs Bathroom sign up at the Info booth which is my sign of the end of spring beginning of summer.)

GenderConfusionGenderConfusion

Come to think of it I am going to do one more burn of brush before the May 1 deadline. My brush pile is a tad damp. Do you think I could use my Plate O’ Peeps as a fire starter? If you hear the fire horns this Saturday you might know why.

Peep Art II

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I bet you thought I was kidding. But no, I have my Peep Art on the wall.

Here is a straight iPhone shot of it this morning:

You can tell where my daughter and I have interacted with the art by twisting off two of the peep’s heads before it all turned to stone.

A more arty shot with some dry brush stroking in photoshop to cover up the missed focus on the iPhone:

I may have a showing at the Rockport Art Association later this summer. Depends on how moldy my art gets but that could be part of the show. A YouTube of how this thing ate my kitchen wall or my wife chucking it in the trash followed by my digging it out. The peeps that keep on peeping.

Easter Peeps and a Hundred Days

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I’ve led a very sheltered life since I have never put Easter Peeps in a microwave before. I corrected this missing part of my life this Easter.

It’s true, they plump when you cook them. After about 30 seconds I thought I was going to have peep faces squished up against the door but they ran out of steam at about four times normal size.

I tried to get my daughter to pop one in her mouth right out of the microwave but she wasn’t falling for it. Here I am twisting one of the peeps head off. They are actually edible after waving. I let this plate sit overnight and it became as hard as a rock. I might be able to use microwaved peeps to plug a hole in my basement.

This plateful of peeps is so colorful I now have it hanging on a wall. Peep Art.

Changing Gears: Today marks one hundred days until the Blackburn Challenge My training regimen only allowed me to eat one peep.

Signs of Spring Part II

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Wearing shorts and sandals at work and keeping an eye out for the Safety Officer. (Open toed is a no no.) On the drive in went down Yawkey Way and snapped a pic:

Fun Fact: Yawkey Way was Jersey Street back when Tiant and Bill Lee were pitching for the Sox.

On Easter Sunday night there will be baseball played in Fenway Park. The Yankees have reloaded after dumping Matsui and Damon in the trash.

I accidentally got an awesome seat in 2004. Doesn’t this get you all tingly?

Another sign of summer to come, The Rudder opens on Thursday April 15. Are you going to shoe horn yourself in there on the 15th? Because of flooding Tax Day for us has moved to May 11. Is that true? I’ll take it.

Signs of Spring

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As a newbie I am still trying to figure out the first signs of spring on the island. Since moving from the midwest to New England in 1970 I am really looking for my spring of childhood. March was windy but ended up warm followed by a month of flowers which continued up to race day on Memorial Day in Indianapolis. Springs are a tad shorter around here but just as good as long as you don’t miss the first signs. Saint Patrick’s Day you are supposed to get your peas planted. Well dang, now the ground is as hard as Cape Ann granite. What are my poor peas doing now?

Anyway, signs of spring I have gathered in the past two years. Home and Garden Show at Gloucester High School today. Check. Top Dog opening today for their tenth season on the neck. Double check. (If you become a fan of the dog on Facebook you can learn the secret word and get money off your dogs this weekend.)

Now I wait for the first sign of summer. Cape Pond butt crack as he fills the ice chest in front of Willow Rest while I finish off my Cuban sandwich. That’s a good one. But right now I wait for Mister and Misses Bathroom sign to announce as you enter Rockport that the pipes will not freeze and you can powder your nose while picking up brochures at the Info booth. That’s the sign I love.

What’s your sign?

New Moon

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I’m in Wayland right now so viewing this new moon through pine trees. Somebody with a camera has to run down to the fort or the lighthouse and take a photo of this new moon as it sets. You have an hour or so unless you get real crazy and catch it as it sets at 9:05PM.

The moon and the sun do this dance so that in the spring the fingernail of the new moon is not tipped all that much. Fill it up and it might start pouring from the left hand side but just barely. Check it out. And take a pic and post.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day all. “We have planted our peas so you can now drink green beer” – Albert Camus.

Judy Robinson Show Rockport Arts Association

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Made it to the Judy Robinson solo show at the Rockport Arts Association this Sunday amidst the rain. White wine, salmon on cucumber and cheese doodles that looked like popcorn, my kind of snacks.

Here are two in the show for a sneak peek. One had a sign underneath that said you could touch the artwork. The other said “Do Not Touch!” Which do you think? (Just Click.) Even if my hands weren’t covered in cheese doodles I would not have dared to try to peel off a paint chip … 8)

A cool show that will be there until the 26th. Lots of Fort Point, Birdseye, the Paint Factory. My birthday present is still hanging in the middle gallery. I might have to get a sump pump as a belated birthday present instead.

Rockport Art Association March 14th thru March 26th

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I thought this would be of interest to Good Morning Gloucester since the Birdseye Building, the Paint Factory, Fort Square, and the Marine Railways are frequent subjects here:

Judy Robinson-Cox Solo Show
Endangered Spaces

The RAA is pleased to announce a Solo Show by award winning photographer Judy Robinson-Cox (judy.robinson-cox.com). Judy will exhibit a collection of photographic images and constructions called “Endangered Spaces” at the Rockport Art Association March 14th through March 26th.

This exhibition is about locations, buildings and moments in time that no longer exist, or are in danger of extinction. The majority of the photographs were taken in Cape Ann including the Birdseye Building, Fort Square, the Marine Railways and the Paint Factory. Judy employs a variety of photographic techniques to try and capture the essence of a place including traditional photography, digital photographic montages, photo books, cut-out three dimensional photographs, and montage collages.

Please join us for the opening reception on Sunday, March 14th 2-4pm. All are welcome!

Who’s got “First Flower”?

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On December 6 Sharon posted a frozen chrysanthemum as last flower. What I want to see is first flower. It might reach 50 degrees tomorrow and right through the weekend. So can we make a contest for who can get a first flower posted? Crocus, Pussy Willow, even just the buds on a Weeping Willow will do it for me. Extra points if there is a boat in the background.

If there is a Crocus flowering in your yard Miss Etiquette says it is OK to drink Gin and Tonics in the backyard. Find that crocus.

First Visit: LaRosa

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This weekend just came up to see if there was a tree on my house but otherwise it was my shortest weekend on the island in a year. All by myself I was going to take the back road to Rockport when my grumbling stomach matched up with my view of LaRosa’s at the light. Once I figured out to turn into as if going to the State Pier I was in for an early lunch.

A search of Joey’s posts confirms it was Chef Terry who took my order of Eggplant Parmigiana in a sub roll. Terry got the TV running so I could check out the tsunami bearing down on Hawaii. How did we ever live without CNN? Seems like they are 24/7 “Run Away! Run Away!” type stories. Only a few minutes later Terry got me the goods so I was left wondering about Hawaii.

Now I would insert an up close and personal photo here but I got distracted. Thatcher Road was blocked so I couldn’t eat it while viewing the twin lighthouses. Circled back and it wasn’t until T-Wharf that I could take a bite. By that time I was too hungry for photos.

Even after the long drive the edges had a nice crispy coating and the whole thing was scrumptious. Made it to the house and fortunately not a shingle missing. Had to take an afternoon nap since I ate the whole sub. Next week I am trying the Seafood Risotto and the Shrimp Mediterranean. With the family in tow I will be able to split one so I won’t have to take that afternoon nap. I hear the mushroom soup is good too.

LaRosas: http://www.larosasofgloucester.com/

Do Not Go To Rockport Art Association

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The oldest art association in America opened it’s doors this weekend for another season. I’ve lived in Rockport for all of 17 months and I never stopped by until today. I knew there were some painters who were pretty good in Rockport but this place blew me away. Room after room of mesmerizing art.

Two killer treats. One, the Winter Group Show is just amazing. Want to feel the warmth of summer on Good Harbor Beach or a backlit green wave crashing at Andrew’s Point just walk through this gallery.

The other treat was in the back. Huge sunlit room and a dozen painters going at it. They were taking paintings which have been in the association for years and copying them. But copying is a cheap word for the works they were producing . One, a painter who was taking a shot at what his grandmother had painted 50 years before. To name names and explain would require 4,000 words so I am pulling the plug here.

Why do I want you to not go? Because my birthday present is still back there hanging on the wall. I need a second pass to decide as I narrow it down. So I do not want you or anyone else to visit the Rockport Art Association this week and steal my birthday present. That is unless you are dropping it off at my house on my birthday. Now it would be really dumb to say a Ray Crane and a Paul Ciaramitaro are the two I am zeroing in on. That is unless you rush down to get them for me.

Valentiners:There’s Still Time

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Drive off the island and take the first exit to Nichol’s Candy House. Grab a number and let them fill a pound box of your favorite chocolates and you may be forgiven for being such a lout the rest of the year.

Nougat with cashews, milk chocolate with carmel and almonds, dark chocolate with caramel and nougat. And this isn’t store bought caramel and nougat. They make it in the next room.

Tucks of Rockport will always be my home for Salt Water Taffy but this Candy House might have to be my annual Valentine’s Day Stop. I can have two favorite candy shops.

Another tip from Joey pays off. I was number 18 today and it is going to get busy this afternoon so get on down there.

Wally Goosed Me!!

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I won’t wait until my normal 2 PM post since this is right off the presses. Today is Red Sox Truck Day and I spotted Wally in the Souvenir Shop. It must have been a long cold winter for Wally since he goosed me big time. 8)

The rest of the story. Here is the truck almost ready to go. It leaves at noon.

What does this all mean? It means there are only six days until Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training (Pap and Wake are already there) and only 43 days until you can eat a real wiener sitting in the bleacher seats in front of Top Dog on Bear Skin Neck.

Miniature Intershell

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smallintershell, originally uploaded by paultmorrison.

Mike Lindberg posted a cool Photoshop effect a couple months ago using a “miniaturizing effect”. In posting my shrimp recipe I thought there might be some people who just got off the boat and did not know where the new Intershell Seafood Market was so I combine two tasks. I may need to work on this a bit but if you click and show “all sizes” you may be able to see me standing in front of Intershell.

Super Lazy Paul Prudhomme’s Native Maine Shrimp

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You can look up a recipe for Paul’s Barbecue Shrimp which has cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, crushed red pepper, thyme leaves, rosemary leaves, oregano leaves and it is fun to get those all fresh.  When you have the time it’s a great recipe. With the Worcestershire Sauce, the beer, and the butter, there nothing better than to soak up the juice with some french bread while eating the shrimp.

But let’s shortcut the lazy way.

1) Go to Intershell and get two pounds of native shrimp with the head on.

2) While there pick up Paul Prudhomme’s Cajun Spice. (Boy that saved a ton of time right there.)

You also need a stick of butter, a tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce, tablespoon of minced garlic and a bottle of beer. But that’s already in the fridge, right?

3) Rinse shrimp and drain well. Do not even take the heads off unless you have squeamish kids. Behead some of them for the tots but leave plenty of heads on so that shrimp fat is in the pan.

4) Large skillet, stick of butter medium high until melted.

5) Add a tablespoon (more if no kids) of the cajun spice, garlic and the Worcestshire sauce.

6) Add the shrimp and switch to high heat.

7) Shake those shrimp (do not stir) for two minutes.

8) While shaking drink bottle of beer.  (Note to self. Find another way to make a list besides close parenthesis as an “8” and a “)” turns into a little dude with sunglasses on. He does not look out of place  though …)

9) Since you drained the bottle open another one and drink until half cup of beer is left and pour over shrimp.

10) Shake the pan one minute longer.

Remove from heat and serve with french bread. Make sure you bring everything from the pan in a bowl to the table so you can soak up the juice with some french bread or get a loaf of Ciabatta Bread from Shaws. An empty bowl in the middle of the table for the shells and not much of a clean up unless you drank too much beer. Just use a hose.