Happy 4th of July!!!!

HAPPY 4th of July!!!!

I spent the majority of the holiday digging out a portion of the backyard to build the new rose bed. But there is also time to stop and celebrate! I joined friends for dinner at Brewer's Art in Mount Vernon (Baltimore City) for a fabulous dining experience. Upon entering Brewer's Art, you immediately take notice of the Art on the walls which changes periodically. Tonight, the paintings were fantastic! There is a certain ambiance created by the converted house and hardwood floors that gives you an "Old World" feel. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, the food was absolutely fantastic.

We split the artichoke ravioli, which was in a melt in your mouth, rich and creamy lemon butter sauce with a hint of mint and basil, sprinkled with fresh shaved Parmesan. Yum! We had to get some Resurrection (best beer ever) which is named because During the fermentation of the first batch of this Abbey-style ale, the yeast died and was resurrected by the brewer. I also *highly* recommend the Ozzy beer. For the main course, I got the Ozzy-Brined Giannone Chicken which turned out to be not a breast of chicken but half a chicken. It was delicious! As well as the hash of caramelized fennel and fingerling potatoes. I sampled my friends Grilled Lamb Loin and it was so good I can't wait go back and order it myself! After all that I couldn't believe it, but I ordered dessert! And of course delicious coffee....mmmmm.... but seriously the tort filled with caramel and topped with walnuts and chocolate was out of this world!

Did I mention I can't wait to go back? Well in the interim I have to say that I am extremely excited that many of their beers are now available in a can. You can get carryout from the bar in the basement.

Asking for Roses

Asking for Roses


A house that lacks, seemingly, mistress and master,
With doors that none but the wind ever closes,
Its floor all littered with glass and with plaster;
It stands in a garden of old-fashioned roses.


I pass by that way in the gloaming with Mary;
'I wonder,' I say, 'who the owner of those is.'
'Oh, no one you know,' she answers me airy,
'But one we must ask if we want any roses.'


So we must join hands in the dew coming coldly
There in the hush of the wood that reposes,
And turn and go up to the open door boldly,
And knock to the echoes as beggars for roses.


'Pray, are you within there, Mistress Who-were-you?'
'Tis Mary that speaks and our errand discloses.
'Pray, are you within there? Bestir you, bestir you! '
Tis summer again; there's two come for roses.


'A word with you, that of the singer recalling--
Old Herrick: a saying that every maid knows is
A flower unplucked is but left to the falling,
And nothing is gained by not gathering roses.'


We do not loosen our hands' intertwining
(Not caring so very much what she supposes),
There when she comes on us mistily shining
And grants us by silence the boon of her roses.


~Robert Frost

Preakness

Do you ever think about the things you thought you would do by a certain point in your life? Things like having a successful career, being married, go to Preakness, buy a house, travel overseas, etc.

I didn’t before this year. I have never had trouble with a birthday before, I have always embraced them. But not this time! But I am faced with turning 30 soon and I am not looking forward to it! But in an effort to attempt to embrace it, I will try my best to clear the list.
John asks why and I ask WHY NOT?!?!?!

So this year I went to Preakness! And it was A LOT of fun! It’s the first horse race I have ever seen in person. It was really cool to watch the horses and even fun to place my small bets. Plus, the excitement and hope that your horse will come in first. They way your heart thumps as the sound of the hooves come stampeding by. The only issue I really had was with “the running of the port-o-potty’s” in which some climbs on top and runs across and dances and people throw beer and various projectiles at the person on top of said potty’s. There were a few times I was dangerously close to being hit with a stray projectile beer spray. Next Time…. Grandstands!

Derby Day and Open House!

John and I were having trouble nailing down a date to all the blizzards! Finally some good weather came around so we decided to have an Open House which happened to also be the same day as the Kentucky Derby! First thing, buy a new TV! Not having any television put a damper on the ability to have a Derby Party so I got a gorgeous Sony 32” Bravia and bought an antenna to get the local channels. It may have poured down rain in Kentucky but it was gorgeous in Maryland. We were so happy and excited to have so many wonderful friends and family visits us. Frosty was ready at the door to greet people and help out.

Tim Burton, Creative Genius!

I visited New York City with the purpose of seeing the Tim Burton exhibit at the Modern Museum of Art. I struggle to find the appropriate words to describe the wonders at MOMA! Incredible. Exhilarating. Frightening. Superb. Profound. I could go on but I won’t. Upon seeing Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at age 13, my life was changed and my Tim Burton fascination began! Sure I loved Edward Scissorhands, Batman, and Beetle Juice but I don’t think I truly appreciated the art of it at that young age. The creative genius that emerged along with the art of stop-motion animation had not been done. And yes, I love the songs and I have the soundtrack with I sing along to each October on my way to work (or really whenever the mood strikes me).

I was also lucky enough to dine at P.J. Moran’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. I had drinks there the year before after seeing a sign twirler. I was fascinated by this profession after being enlightened by Bret McKenzie in The Flight of the Conchords. And I really love “Boom King”! So upon this trip to New York I made it a point to go back and eat there since the food smelled so incredibly delicious. I say I was NOT disappointed in the least and look forward to future trips.