Whoa nelly was today a fun day! One of those days where I just think as I sit here to type this at 1am- somebody pinch me! Life is oh so good. I wake up after a great visit with a childhood friend, get to drive this fantastic car that Honda has loaned me, I step behind the scenes of a delicious treat of a company and help make whoopie pies, and get to meet another truly amazing person who I’ve laughed and enjoyed every second with. (And there’s still so much more to come!)Â For anyone who thinks life can’t be exactly what you want it to be, I am here to tell you to think again! Go out and get it. It’s all out there for the taking.
On that note, today I was all about taking in desserts! More specifically Whoopsies Gourmet Whoopie Pies. How many did I eat today while helping in the kitchen? (Um, lost track.)
As soon as I walked in the door, I mean as in- like the minute I walked in the door, Owner Marcia plated up and served me a pumpkin whoopie pie with amaretto cream cheese nutmeg filling. I wasn’t shy:
After my snack we had to get to work! I put my chef coat on and started scooping:
The last bit in the bowl before washing it? I couldn’t let that go to waste!
It was a sampling party:
…complete with too much laughing, and jokes about saucy whoopie pie names:
This was round 1 of fun, with more to come tomorrow. I get to make caramel again! This was my masterpiece from today:
Mmmm…
Everyone loves a whoopie pie- Even Million Mile Joe, (so I found out today!) 2 days till I get to meet the man behind the miles. Perhaps I will have to bring him a treat after all my hard work in the kitchen as a taste tester!
In ever changing exciting trip news, I’ve been invited to go behind the scenes of another treat shop tomorrow in between Whoopsie time. I am digging adventures in desserts! More video fun of me noshing. I wish you all were with me so I could share! What else is coming up after that? Oh- you know, more lighthouses, sugar, lots of miles on the car to surprise places, and of course- the Honda Civic Tour. YEAH!
***Total miles driven today, day 6: 80
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 725
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 9
I am posting this as I have arrived in the kitchen of Whoopsies Gourmet Whoopie Pies and oh my god I am in heaven. Just wait until my post later. Until then CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR WHOOPSIES in the whoopie pie vs. cake pops challenge. I voted for whoopie pies of course!
Today was a bit of a catch up day. I went for a long run along the beach and around Portsmouth and did some trip planning for a surprise announcement I have coming. I hung out  at a local coffee shop that was packed with regulars. (My favorite kind of people watching besides airports.) The weather was that fall coastal drizzly kind with a chill, so my original plan to sit outside on the patio got axed, and so did my hopes of having some beach time in York. Fortunately, it made a good excuse for me to drive around the coast. I crossed the bridge into Maine, and of course geeked out about crossing a state line:
I headed to Stonewall Kitchen:
…as you hear on my video I was thinking from all I read and heard, Stonewall Kitchen was going to be a paradise for someone like me to watch cooking demos, try some yummy foods, shop for a few specialty items, etc. The property was impeccably maintained, the company store and cafe’ were attractive, and certainly held that New England kitchen feel- but I am bummed to report that 1.) It turned out to pretty much be a touristy stop. 2.) They scolded me when I tried to take any photos. Otherwise I had a relaxing hour in the cafe’ on my laptop nibbling on my cinnamon sugar doughnut snack:
I had to try something while I was there! (They did have this dark chocolate sea salt carmel spread that I tried too. That was delicious!) The cinnamon doughnut was one of the specialty boxed mixes they sell for at-home baking. The doughnut was good enough to eat- but wasn’t near as tasty as the Blue Benn Diner or Apple Barn homemade cinnamon sugar ones I love. (Who am I, some kind of cinnamon doughnut connoisseur now?)
After Stonewall Kitchen I was off to York Beach to drive in the drizzle. Barely over the state line, and lobster-fest was on. Every mile there were oodles of restaurants, retail shops, and roadside shacks that had all things lobster related. I thought this one was funny:
I hit the first spot on my ocean stops for the day, York Harbor:
…then Lobster Cove:
The beach screamed of It’s the day after Labor Day Weekend. Closed shops, barely anyone on the beach or street, and that one lone paddle boarder. Beyond Lobster Cove was Cape Neddick/The “Nubble” Lighthouse:
(Hmmm…I think there might be a lighthouse theme brewing to this trip. I’ll keep you thinking…)
It was time for dinner and visit with a good friend from high school, who I mentioned before was an original member of the blue lollipop soccer crew from back in the  day, so back over the border of NH I came. Tonight has been a special treat to see this friend again, meet her now husband (who I met as a boyfriend years ago) and her little boy. I have no idea how 13 years have passed with us not keeping in touch or seeing each other, but we agreed to never let that happen again. We have a natural hometown bond, but amplified from going through a time of great loss together that will never go away, so I was reminded of how much I have missed staying in touch. She had a great idea for an event blue lollipop inspired for next summer, that will bring together the rest of the old crew. (I guess you’ll have to keep following to see what it is!) It’s been a perfect night. There’s not much better than sitting on a couch with someone you’ve known for 25 years dishing on people you both know, filling each other in on life and what’s happened over the past 13 years, and going to bed too late.
I’d give up all chocolate, doughnuts, and any treat in the world to get time like tonight with special people. These times are the best treat to me. Thank you Kate Emma, Mike, Rowan and soon-to-be baby!
Tomorrow I am off to MAKE WHOOPIE! To Portland, Maine I go. This is guaranteed to be a wildly entertaining stop, and I can’t wait!
***Total miles driven today, day 5: 68
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 645
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 8
Just a few of the many things since starting this trip that are keeping me smiling:
*Everyone I have met in NH hugs. Yes- the people you don’t even know! They give those good ones like you’ve known them forever and they really care about you. The big ones like my Grandpa gives, that make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
*(Via email) “I read your Garlic Fest Blog. Thanks for the tip on the pickles, I ate 3. Be well and travel safe.”
*(Via Flickr) “AWESOME…..nice click…. your pictures should be put in dictionary next to the defintition of the word AWESOME …..you have a great photostream…..have a nice day… (-;”
Strangers, random notes, and people I don’t know dropping in to spread the love.
Thanks back everyone! Things like the above keep me fueled and knowing I am doing exactly what I should be.
I would usually cringe too, (photos in a bathroom?!) but the toilet seat had candy pieces in it. I had to take a couple. A candy filled toilet seat is just the beginning of how they roll at The Friendly Toast.
As you saw in my shaky and loud video above, the food at this quirky joint is enormous, and so is the personality. They call the bread a “slabs” of toast on the menu, and there are so many tchotchkes, it makes your head spin.
Why not have a naked doll in funny-looking helicopter hanging in the corner?
To leave no detail un-funkified, our coffees even came in these tall plastic vintage cups:
For eats we had a piece of the drunkards french toast (with grand marnier and raspberry sauce) to share:
…and for my breakfast I had grilled toast with a fried egg inside:
A delicious carb-fest it was. Before we left we had to visit the moving stuffed leopard in the back of the restaurant:
…which was totally entertaining for my friend and I as we were taking these photos, not to mention when I uploaded them tonight and we saw them on my computer screen. They look so ridiculous and creepy we just rolled on the floor for 10 minutes laughing. Usually these photos would go in the trash as unusable, but they are so odd and we laughed so hard looking at them- there was no way they weren’t going to be included here:
Seriously people: The Friendly Toast. Like no other. A must see. Thank you so much to reader Abby for the recommendation! I would have never known about this place without your input and that would have been a complete bummer. I love reader input!
After breakfast we walked around the perfectly quaint and picturesque town of Portsmouth.(Talk about two different world in one town!)
Historic and storybook New England towns, you charm me every time with all your character and beauty:
After a while wandering, we stopped for a cold beer in the sun by the water:
(It’s been very warm and humid since my arrival in the Northeast. it feels like North Carolina in August. So not September weather for here but perfect timing for me- I love it!) The spot we chose was where the locals hang out; Harpoon Willy’s. All the patios were packed because of the gorgeous weather and last day of the holiday weekend. We chatted and relaxed for a couple hours next to this oar sticking out over the water with information about tartar sauce:
We wondered the rhyme or reason, but never asked. Some of these completely random things I just snap photos of, let go, and giggle later like I am now enjoying the fact that I will never in my lifetime be bored or not have fun things to look at.
All that chatting and relaxing got us hungry for a treat, (I know you are so surprised) so we were off to the Portsmouth Baking Company for a cupcake:
…where we met Owner and Head Artisan Baker, the friendly and welcoming Harvey:
Harvey told us he went to pastry school in NYC and had worked there for years. He just opened up PBC with his partner about 3 months ago. What a fantastic place! Clean, sleek, just overall beautifully designed. I loved the giant communal table in the middle of the room with the glass display stands:
…and there’s a train track along the ceiling that carries out loaves of bread from the back when they are done baking!
So many good things to eat, but we were on a mission for the cupcakes. Oh the choices so perfectly displayed:
You know me, I’d usually opt for the double chocolate, but I have been on this chocolate peanut butter kick lately, so that was my choice:
Can we talk about the scene of 2 grown women (that would be my friend and I) in dresses, looking like appropriate touring adults walking around town, but each shoving giant cupcakes in our faces as if we were 5 year-olds who couldn’t wait? Yeah- that was us. Lets just say there was lots of laughing. The joy and entertainment for a few bucks. Little moments like those make me so happy. Thanks for the treat Kim!
After the cupcake scene, there was only one thing to do: Go for a late afternoon run. (Now that’s what I call balance!) Sure it as a little slower moving than usual, but as always, felt great to get out and pound the pavement making room for the next round of treats. After my run I took a ride to Rye Beach. Of course I passed by fish markets with lobster rolls and chowder:
…and there were plenty of places to pull over and listen to waves crash:
The sea air at the ocean in the Northeast smells like no other. Salty, salty, salty and heaven.
Getting cleaned up for dinner and dessert back down by the water was the last part of the full, fun day. Yet again I’m going to bed stuffed and smiling, thinking I should have had more fruits and veggies, but really being Ok with the fact that I didn’t. I’ve only got a couple weeks to blow this all out, so I am going to take advantage of all the amazing road food I can!
This is where I have to give a shout out and huge thanks to my host for the past 2 nights, and again all the other near perfect strangers who have hosted me over the years during my travels. I continually meet generous people, who open their homes and lives to me, share their friends and family, and often have have either met me once or never before. I am very appreciative always, and could never say thank you enough. The best part of being let into the home and life of someone you barely know when you travel, is there seems to be an instant bond that happens (you do dive straight into their life after all.) The one when you know even though you just met, you will see each other again, and probably stay in touch for many years to come. Thanks again Kim! What luck meeting that one time because of two guys two years ago eh? Until our next cupcake date…
Tomorrow I will go just over the bridge to Maine for some exploring in York, then back to NH to see an old friend and original blue lollipop crew member. It’s been 14 years so I am looking forward to us seeing each other again and reminiscing. This week I’ll be meeting and hanging with whoopie pie goddess Marcia and fellow Honda lover Million Mile Joe. Yeah! Stay tuned, thanks for following and keep voting and sending ideas on places for me to check out!
***Total miles driven today, day 4: 14
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 577
***Total blue lollipops gifted/left behind since trip start (9/2/11): 5
***(I am averaging 43 mpg with this car currently, and have just now finally had to put gas in it after all the above miles since the kick-off of this trip. Whoop whoop! That means I can spend more money on cupcakes…:)
It’s just not a trip to Vermont if you don’t make it to Sonny’s Blue Benn Diner for breakfast:
If you have followed here for any bit of time, you have definitely heard about this place before. I am a serious repeat offender. The Blue Benn has long been written up and praised in publications like the New York Times, countless magazines and a bunch of road food books, but even with all that mega-popularity, I love that it’s always stayed the same:
(Yikes. I’m also a bad hair day and outfit repeat offender! After watching this video I am thinking my no shopping and same haircut for about 5 years habit might need to be broken…)
I digress…back to the good stuff:
I asked Jeannie, one of the always friendly Blue Benn Waitresses if I could ask her a few questions before our breakfast came out:
…as we nibbled on a fresh made cinnamon sugar doughnut for an appetizer:
Finally, scrambled eggs, perfectly seasoned red potato hash browns, and homemade sourdough toast:
Of course I had to snap a photo of this sign that made me laugh:
Blue Benn breakfast builds strong bones and big muscles!
With a full belly, it was off to NH on a much different route than I would usually take. Detours a plenty because of Hurricane Irene which added a bunch of miles and time to my destination, but I am more than Ok with that. Detours and new roads mean new things to see and new people to meet. Like this super cool truck I spotted:
Unfortunately in this detour case, there was some damage to be seen:
A couple miles from the above sad scene, I spotted this lighthearted display on the side of the road:
…and once again had to whip out the video camera. (Boy, I am really digging having a video camera along with me this go- around!):
I saw a few people across the street, so had to ask them if they knew what the deal was with the above. Turns out, one of the women was the creator of the fun scene. Meet Kim:
We agreed making good out of a not so good situation helped keep spirits up and was needed for worker morale. Kim also talked about how her quirky set up had brought the neighbors together; They had started coming over and asking if they could add more to her project. (Yay! Neighbors banding together!) I wonder what the display will look like in another week! (Kim if you are reading this, thank you for the chat. I’d love for you to send me any photos in the coming days/weeks of the additions. I will post them here of course!)
I kept on my way, and was giddy to pass a lemonade stand with a bunch of adorable kids around it. I was a lemonade stand entrepreneur myself when I was a little girl, so I make sure always to support my peers in business (even the ones that are 25 years younger.) Meet Aeden, Anika, Ella, and Gwen
Would you believe I did not stage this? I mean, not only is this the most perfect looking lemonade stand structure, but these 4 girls were like the poster children for cute, and they were raising money for Hurricane Irene victims. (And did you notice that hat on Ella? Just precious.) The best part of all of this was that they were really working well together like a perfect team, and they were smart and organized.
There were a bunch of adults milling around (that I asked permission to take this photo) as there was a bbq happening and a wine and cheese shop open on the property. I spoke with several friendly women who turned out to be the girls Mother’s, Grandma, and Aunts. They asked if I was a reporter and were curious about my car and website name on the side of it. As I was chatting with this sweet group of kids and adults, it dawned on me; The blue lollipops! I have a couple boxes in tow, have had them for a few months now. I’ve never once given what I protect as the most special lollipops ever made- out to a single “stranger” yet in my travels. (I have racked my brain as to how best to gift these out to the special people I meet and spend time with. These blue lollipop are so much more than piece of candy to me.) So, as I was standing in the sun, sipping my .50 cent lemonade on this sunny and warm Sunday, I felt like the world went silent for a moment. Â This was the time to gift the first special lollies. A butterfly fluttered in my stomach, and I excitedly grabbed them to give the girls each one. (After asking mom of course.) They immediately ripped the wrappers off and in no time were sticking out their blue tongues to each other, not even being coached by me to do so. To you few women out there who will read this, and fully understand the overwhelming feeling of joy and memory I had watching this scene- hello! Remember these times? 🙂
As I look at this photo, all I can do is smile. (Really? Can I not get through this portion of the post without tearing up?)Â Such the perfect moment of pure fun and friendship.
I drove away grinning ear to ear as the girls yelled after me: “Come back soon, come back soon!!!” I am still grinning now, 8 hours later. Thank you girls. Driving past your lemonade stand on my detour today was serendipitous, and you gave me a precious gift I won’t forget.
After near 5 hours in the car, I rolled into Portsmouth to be whisked away immediately by a gracious host to a dinner bbq at an absolutely gorgeous Rye Beach house. I left my cameras in my purse as I was busy meeting new friends and having good food and conversation. A very late 2am night again now getting all the days photos, videos and stories uploaded and here to share and make sure I fit it all in. I have a feeling this will be my normal routine over the next couple weeks; full days and staying up much to late to post here, finally hitting the pillow fully exhausted falling asleep like a baby with a big fat smile on my face. Now that’s what I call a good day.
Up tomorrow: Exploring around the gorgeous NH coast!
***(Side note here to say I have been having a blast finally doing video posts starting a few days ago! I am clearly a rookie and don’t have a team of media peeps along in this particular ride, so thanks for being patient with my shaky hands and sporadic snippets. Next go around I am so bringing a videographer along! Ohh- that gives me a few ideas. If anyone out there is interested in talking about some Blue Lollipop Road video stuff, drop me a line!)
***Total miles driven today, day 3: 223
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 563
I wanted to take a minute and give a big fat shout out and THANK YOU TO AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY!
Click the page HERE (or above left: 9/2-9/19) to see information about the trip I am on, and the amazing car they have loaned me to drive! I’ve been from NJ to VT and all around the state, now en route to NH and still have not had to fill up the gas tank. Yay for Honda Hybrids!
In true sunny Vermont brochure fashion (it really is like on TV and in magazines!) we spent a full day out in the beautiful countryside meeting small town folks, finding fresh-grown local foods, and stopping at any roadside spot that struck our fancy. First stop was the West River Farmer’s Market in Londonderry:
It didn’t take me long to find some cheese that I loved:
Meet Farmer Mariah:
She was happy to tell me about her cheeses when I asked if I could take her picture. We bought some swiss from her and had it for an appetizer with dinner tonight. YUM!
After Mariah, I met Nick:
…who didn’t stop juggling:
…the whole time we chatted. He was fun and easy to talk to, with that infectious good energy that few have and you just want to be around. I think his branding/logo are fantastic, and couldn’t fit him more perfectly:
Of course I had to buy a jar:
(I know I talk about cheese and chocolate a lot as some of my big fav’s, but pickles have always been one for me too. When I was little I used to eat a whole jar by the time we got to the grocery store register.) This Mad Pickler makes some seriously de-lish stuff. I am taking my jar on the road!
It was time to stock up on goods for dinner, so I headed to the Clear Brook Farm tent:
Do you like how I snuck that one in? Yeah, that’s my little bro. I think he’s the cutest Farmer ever, and grows the best eats too:
We picked up some fresh corn:
…tomatoes:
…and a few other items.
Even though Farmer Brad was being a bit camera shy today, I snuck in a photo with him. Meet my brother:
We took our brown bags full of fresh produce and hit the road:
…stopping next at The Pantry:
We wanted to check out this recently opened cafe’ and grocery store that sells local goods. (Love that building!) It was packed with lunchers, and made the list for a revisit when I’m back in VT sometime.
It really was like a movie scene, I couldn’t have planned it better as this Farmer on a tractor rolled by 30 seconds after we stopped with a dog in tow. Little piglets were chasing this tractor. Seriously!
(Unfortunately the piglets ran away before I could snap a photo.)
Inside the farm stand I found homemade blueberry peach coffee cake:
…and 96 year old Arthur carving away:
Talk about a character! Arthur was quiet on the video, but was joking (dare I say flirting?:)- with me telling me about his craft:
…and age.
I spent only about 5 minutes with Arthur and I was wishing for 5 hours. Can you imagine what you could learn from a gent like this? Fascinating and sweet.
Garlic galore! Hanging, in bags, bowls and burlap:
I had originally planned for some big-time noshing at the festival, but after our first 8,734 stops- there was only room for a couple snacks. I opted for a pickle to keep with the theme of the day:
…and we tried some odd-sounding but surprisingly delicious garlic kettle corn:
(Thanks for the special guests pass Lyndie! We had a great time.)
Finally, it was time to call it a day. I managed to sneak in my hoped-for nap on a big cushiony porch swing which was much needed after all that running around. Where was that porch swing? You guessed it; at a gorgeous old Vermont Farmhouse that has this view at the end of it’s driveway:
An hour snooze and up to make a colorful and delectable dinner with all the fresh goodies we had picked up during our day out.
Oh Vermont, how we love you. A day of good memories made, and great company finding new adventures in my home state. It’s nearly 2am now as I type, falling asleep. Tomorrow I’m off to New Hampshire to explore towns I have never been before. Yay! More new adventures.
***Total miles driven today, day 2: 96
***Total miles driven since trip start (9/2/11): 340
