What’s better than photos of a delicious brunch? Scrambled eggs with goat cheese and kalamata olives, whole wheat toast, grapefruit, and a side of grits.
Happy Friday everyone!
This weekend, and this post, kicks off what I hope will become a series on the blog: The Great 2014 Northeast Tour.
As you all know, I’m super passionate about travel, but haven’t been able to afford it lately. Spring is usually a mood lifting time for me, so to make it even better, I decided to plan out as many weekend trips as funds allow: to see how spring looks in different cities and towns across the Northeastern U.S., to visit friends and family scattered throughout the region, and to sate my wanderlust by traveling close to home.
You guys wanted to see a close up of my toast, didn’t you?
I’m so excited! My first stop is this weekend: Portland, Maine! My last time there was a year and a half ago, for my friend Erin’s wedding.
Portland is full of stately brick buildings (look for a future post featuring Portland architecture!), a historic waterfront, and an array of appetizing dining options. These photos are all from a brunch Erin, her husband John, and I had at Hot Suppa!, during a winter visit in 2011.
And pink grapefruit! Such thought-provoking photos for you today!
Have you ever been to Portland? What are you favorite places to eat there? Do you have another Northeast city you think I should check out? Boston and Philadelphia are on my wish list for sure, since surprisingly, I’ve spent minimal time in both cities.
John’s plate: a BLTE (bacon, lettuce, fried green tomato, and fried egg) with French fried and a pickle.
Now, of course, it’s time for the star of today’s show, my Friday Gratitude list. I am hurriedly putting this together before heading up north, so please excuse the brevity!
Today I’m grateful for:
- Talking to one best friend on the phone Thursday evening. I am so inspired by her and the work she’s doing right now.
- My haircut! I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted this to happen. My last haircut was in 2011, and since then it had just grown to an impossible length for me. So much shorter, so freeing! What a wonderful change.
- A good work week with the four-year-old. We had a series of ‘adventures’ and had minimal drama. I made sure to thank him today for such a nice time together and recount all the fun things we did together, because I’m cheesy like that.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox. It’s five years old, but I love it every single time I watch it. George Clooney and Meryl Streep! Wes Anderson meets Roald Dahl! What’s not to like?
- This coming weekend, of course! Traveling for what’s essentially a girls’ weekend. Visiting another city. Photo inspiration. The train ride home on Sunday afternoon (have I told you how much I love trains?). Wheeeee!
Erin’s brunch plate: Eggs Benedict, hash browns, and fresh fruit.
Please share what you’re grateful for this week, and if there’s anywhere in the Northeastern U.S. you think I should make a trip to see!
My friend Erin and I, saying goodbye at the Portland train station in January 2011. Don’t let those smiles deceive you!
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Anticipation. In love and travel, getting there is half the fun. The lustful impatience, the passionate daydreams, the nerve-wracking waiting… lovers and travelers are all alike when they find themselves on the brink of a new adventure. –Vivian Swift
Oh man, I am so excited about spring being just around the corner. This winter was a rough on me, I think, and spring is just so hopeful and bright and the promise of better days! I’m itching to travel, too, and I look forward to hearing about your trips! 🙂
Erika recently posted…The Place I Call Home… For Now
I feel exactly the same way, Erika. Hopeful and bright, couldn’t have said it better!
Portland is so pretty you should have a great time up there! I am from Boston originally 🙂 This post is making me very hungry lol
I got hungry when I was choosing the pics to include 🙂
I hope you have an amazing time with Erin. I can’t wait to hear about your weekend and see pictures of beautiful Portland! (Their Trader Joe’s is MASSIVE) Have fun and stay warm. xo
I didn’t get to TJ’s, but the Whole Foods and Hannaford also seem to be the biggest ever. And I loved spending time with Erin!
I’ve only been to Portland once and I wish I remembered more. It was just stop while traveling to or from Bar Harbor.
Northampton, MA should definitely be on your travel list! Great food, great culture, tons of fun.
Bar Harbor’s another fun stop in Maine! We’ll probably get up near there in June or July. And Northampton is on the list, as we have some friends around that region in MA to visit 🙂
Girls night/weekends are necessary and so much fun 🙂 All those food images look so delicious! Hope you have a great weekend and show off that new haircut!! 🙂 Have a great one Christy! -Iva
Thanks, Iva, hope you had a great weekend, too- and I miiiight share the haircut pictures. Still deciding!
I think we need a picture of the new haircut, Christy 🙂 I’m getting one next Thursday and I can’t wait. I need about an inch of split ends cut off. Your trip sounds like such fun. I’ve never been to Portland. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it!
Shana Norris recently posted…Twitterature: March 2014.
Oh Shana, my split ends has their own split ends. This haircut was so necessary that I’m not even that upset that four days later, I’m noticing its awkwardness. Working on a new post atm, Portland was so-so (I was sick), but seeing my friend was awesome!
That Eggs Benedict looks amazing,
I haven’t been to Portland, Maine, I know this is completely the wrong thing to say, but I have been to Portland, Oregon (I’ve been a few times, it’s an addicting town), Which if you haven’t been, it is amazing, my favorite food town, Never had a bad meal there.
Haha, don’t worry it’s not wrong. I visited Portland, OR at the end of a cross-country train trip awhile back and loved it! It’s be so much fun to go back and have more of a foodie experience (as opposed to a broke backpacker one).