Laura Visit; Day 2; gorging with revolution and dough

Laura, Ashley, Terri, and I got an early start on the following day.  We headed out to my new favorite spot, Revolution Doughnuts.  We ate so many doughnuts that we were all barely moving when we left.  After hitting up the doughnuts, we went to downtown Decatur where the farmers market and book expo was in full swing.  It was pretty crowded and we were all a bit uncomfortable from the fried dough in our bellies so we just walked and browsed.

We were on an eating mission, so the next stop was a new one for all of us.  Dough Bakery.  Jamie works there so she was able to make us some sandwiches and sit with us for a few minutes.  We split a couple of sandwiches between the 4 of us and I grabbed a soymilk shake for the road.

I went to work later that night but Ashley, Laura, and Terri went out to eat for dinner.  Another trip to Green Sprout.  When I got home from work, it was right off to bed since we had another early day of eating on Sunday!

Laura Vist day 1: A Ginger, a Bezil, and a Rubik Cube...

 Friday we got a late start but Laura and her friend Terri piled in the car for a busy day.  We first went to Cafe Sunflower (where Laura worked for a couple of years) for lunch.  I have personally never been a huge fan of Cafe Sunflower but Laura wanted to go.

I had Pad Thai and was told I needed to share a few bites.  Begrudgingly I did so, despite someone not sharing their dish with me!

After lunch, I dropped them off at the Georgia Aquarium.  They were swimming with the fish.  I got some errands done, headed home and waited for Ashley to get out to work.  We were all going to dinner and then have a board game night.

For dinner, we went to Green Sprout, a favorite of mine.  I had some portobello beef and basil dish.  It is a great dish but I do not get it often enough.  We also got some drumsticks and stuffed zucchini to share.

After dinner, we waddled out nearly all of us in a food coma, and headed back to my house.  We sat around or a bit waiting to digest some food.  Laura has mastered the Rubik cube and was showing Ashley how to do it.

As we broke out the board games, Laura let us all know that she would like to try my s'mores cookies.  I knew I had to make them as soon as Ashley's ears poked up at the mention of the treats.  Who am I to fight a house full of people demanding cookies?

Company Incoming!

As always, when I get back from a vacation work is non-stop for a few days.  My hours get concentrated into some very long days at the jobby job, not to mention needed to catch up with Real Estate business.  Luckily, I only allowed a few days of chaos before I planned for another weekend of fun for myself.

To kick off the weekend, I went to lunch with my good friend Shazia.  She has been in Florida for awhile but is back now and I am happy to see her again.  We went out to Noodle and had some nice lunch and good conversation.

I had actually forgotten that I had eaten there a few times before and even once with Shazia.  Shazia had some discount thing on her phone and we ate dirt cheap!

Later that evening Ashley, Kaleigh, and I went to see a movie and then to Maddio's for dinner.  We did and errand or two and then I was off to pick up my long time friend Laura from the airport!  She was coming to stay for the weekend!

Maine Trip; Day 11: The lake and headed home

My mum, Cait (sister), niece, nephew and I went to Lake St. George early so that we had time to spend the day before I needed to be back at the airport.  We pack up some peanut butter and jelly with some chips and we were on our way!

We were actually the first people at the lake and it was nice to have the run of the place.  Slowly, people started to arrive.  This is another place that has changed quite a bit since I was a child.  There is now a nice playground, a gazebo and new picnic tables, not to mention steps to get into the water.

Shortly after lunch, my mum and I headed out to the airport.  Cait and the kids stayed for awhile longer.  A few hours later, I was arriving back in Atlanta.  The end of my trip.

Maine Trip; DAY 10: return and dad

Before dropping off the rental car, I went to see my other sister, Nikki.  She lives near-by and I was able to see her for a couple hours before meeting my mum to return the car.  We chatted about new occurrences in our lives while tap dancing around issues that we avoid discussing.  My niece and nephew got home in time for me to see them as well.

After returning the car, my mum went back to work for a few hours while I relaxed at her house and played with the dogs.  That evening, I used her car to drive out to see my dad again.  We sat in the yard and talked for awhile.  Then I made a quick dinner, Spanish Rice.  We used some of Sue's home-made salsa that she has been jarring.  It was actually quite a tasty meal.

After a nice evening, I headed back to my mum's.  We made some plans for early the next day and I had a flight back to Atlanta that next evening.  It is always nice to see my family and I was getting sad my trip was coming to a close.

Maine Trip; Day 9; Westie!

After two days in Old Town and then a day in Boston, I was looking forward to a light day on my random Thursday.  I rode around town, looking at how all my old hangouts had changed.  The Gardiner boat landing used to be a fairly skummy place that my friends and I spent many late nights at.  It has been totally rebuilt and is quite a nice place now.  I do miss the skum though....

That evening I took a trip to Portland to see my old friend Westie.  He and his girlfriend Amanda, made dinner, alfredo pasta with some bread, tofu, and a sleak salad.  Westie has been vegan for nearly as long as I have.  We have a long history of making some crazy meals together.

After dinner, we walked around Portland talking for a bit.  Needing to get back to Augusta for an early morning car return, I headed north.  It was great to see Westie, meet his girlfriend and I even got to see his brother, Tubby Tim!

Maine Trip; Day 8: Boston

I set out early in the morning on Wed for my sisters house just north of Boston.  I have not seen my sister, Nomi,  in about 4 years and since then she has adopted 3 children with her wife, Kari. 

When I got there, two of the kidfs were at summer camp while the youngest was at home.  My sister, Nomi was sick on the couch.  We talked a bit when the kid took a nap and then headed out to Kickass cupcakes to pick up her CSA.

Kickass had a vegan cupcake which I snatched up for a bedtime snack that night.  After getting the CSA, we headed to the park for a bit before picking up the other two kids.  Once we got back, Nomi napped and I played with the kids until Kari got home from and made dinner.  I left shortly after dinner.  It was nice to meet my new nephews, I even brought them some CDs.

Before leaving Boston I decided to make one last stop, despite not being hungry.  Grasshopper, an old hang out of mine always brings back memories.  This is where all the punk kids go for vegan food after shows.  I can not count the number of times I have been there.  It has been a few years but nothing has changed, including the menu where I got my old favorite, Tofu Chickin Fingers in Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Maine Trip; Day 7: Monster Squash!

My 2nd day in Old Town Maine with my long time friend of nearly 20 years was just as nice as the first.  I do not get to see him much so it was great to relax, talk about music and hang out for a few hours.

When his wife got home, we set out for the farmers market to get some produce for dinner.  Jonny one of the largest butternut squashes I have ever seen.  We grilled it and made some gazpacho with a kale and veggie dish on the side.  The three of us ate dinner on the roof before playing more games.  I really did not want to leave.

Maine Trip; Day 6: Jonny Games!

I got up early on Monday morning.  I was going to see one of my best friends, Jonny, in Old Town.  Last year I came to Maine around the same time for his wedding.  We made plans to take 2 days of this trip, make some food, play some games and reminisce.  After an hour drive I was there.  It felt good to see him.  There is something special about our relationship that not much else can compare too.

When his wife got home, we set out for some food supplies.  We made some hummus wraps with a side of some Maine chips that I can not get here in Atlanta.  We played some old school games for most of the day.  Later in the evening we made a stir fry with some rice, then went back to playing more games.  It was a great time.

Sometimes the family you choose means so much.

Maine Trip; DAY 5: Family Day!

When I was younger, I moved around often, from State to State.  I did not see my family for long periods of time.  In 2002, I was 22, my brother was in high school and sister in middle school, we surprised our mum with a family photo session in Maine.  I was in Maine for about 9 months from 2002 - 2003.  We thought it might be the last chance where we were all in the same place.  Both of my siblings intended on going off to college.

Now, in 2012, ten years later, we were all in the same place again.  Now, I live in Atlanta, my sister is in Maine with her 2 kids, my brother is in Boston, and our mum lives in Florida.  My siblings and I thought it would be fun to surprise my mum with another family photo session, ten years later.  We had a lot of fun goofing around.  We got some nice pictures and had a lot of laughs.  Maybe we will do it again in another 10 years.

After the photo shot, my brother and I picked up cookout items while my sister picked up her kids.  We all headed to our hometown of Farmingdale Maine for a cookout.  I made some Bar-B-Que portobello mushrooms, grilled potatoes, roasted red peppers, salad, and corn on the cob.  It was a great time with all the extended family and despite some skepticism, the mushrooms were a big hit.