Salem Adventure & The Landing Restaurant

Sorry I've been on a little hiatus. Saturday we went to Salem, MA because even though I've lived in New England my whole life I have never been there, nevermind been there in October for all the spooky Halloween festivities. However, it was a huge and extreme bust! We got there and it was mobbed, we drove around for an hour and a half and NEVER found a parking spot! I saw so many cool shops and activites that I wanted to visit but was unable to. So the plan is to definitely go back someday but NOT IN OCTOBER!

Picture taken through the car window while driving by in Salem.

The trip's saving grace was that we were starving and needed to find food somewhere nearby before making the hour and a half trek home. We ended up in Marblehead and the Baby's Daddy pulled into a parking lot at a random place to turn around. I saw a sign for dining at a pub next to the ocean. He exclaimed, "We are not bringing a baby into a bar!" But I insisted that it said 'Dining' and would be fine. Upon entering we were quite surprised to find a nice restaurant!

We asked the hostess to seat us at a booth since we had the baby in his carseat with us and she graciously obliged. We ended up in a cozy nook next to the window right next to the fantastic ocean view of mansions and sailboats. The low ceilings and dark exterior makes one feel as if they have stepped into the galley of an ancient sailboat. A waiter came by to light the small oil lit candle on our table, and baby V rested peacefully beside me in my booth seat. We both ordered clam chowder to start and after the first bite glanced up at each other and smiled in delicious approval. This was good!

I didn't have to look at the menu long before deciding on Lobster Mac 'N Cheese. I have only had it once made by mother on Christmas day and it was wonderful but I don't trust that the lobster will be fresh enough at many restaurants. Here, with a small dock bobbing on the water right next to me, I figured it was safe to bet the lobster would be fresh. Baby's Daddy ordered Cajun Blackened Swordfish with rice pilaf and a pineapple salsa.

Needless to say, both our meals were delicious. My Mac 'N Cheese came out piping hot and bubbly. The gooey, cheesiness was hidden beneath a herb-infused breadcrumb crust. Large chunks of lobster were studded throughout, including 3 whole luscious claws. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and tasted amazing when paired with the pineapple salsa that was mixed with strawberries.

Have I forgotten to mention the name of this fabulous restaurant; The Landing, found in Marblehead, MA, certainly a gem, though maybe not so hidden. My only regret is that we could not try more of the menu.

The Sandwich Fair, Part Two

I am in love with the carousel photos!

See more photos at my Flickr.

The Sandwich Fair, Part One

New England's Fall is filled with fairs and festivals. This year it was the 100th anniversary of the Sandwich Fair in New Hampshire. My grandmother even has a picture of her eating a candy apple at this fair when she was a little girl. Now, it has become more like a mainsteam fair filled with junk food and carnival rides but it still preserves its origins through agriculture, animals, and crafts.

Best of the Garlic & Arts Festival, Part Two

The baby's daddy and I are HUGE hot sauce fans. The first time we went to the Garlic & Arts Festival we tried the hot sauce from TC's Sauce and instantly fell in love. He has several varieties but this one, Bin Laden's Fire is our favorite. It isn't a matter of fiery hotness, but intense, delicious flavor. Some hot sauces just leave you with fire in your mouth but taste mediocre, or they are so hot that they have no flavor. Other hot sauces may have great flavor but not much heat. This is the perfect marriage of both components; not too spicy and great taste!

I literally crave homemade mac n cheese with this hot sauce on it. It might as well be a new dish in and of itself because the flavor goes beyond plain mac n cheese. I cannot rave about it enough. I believe any good homemade mac n cheese with this sauce on it should suffice but if anyone wants the general recipe I use I can post it some time.

A couple years ago, before Chris (the maker) had a website, I searched for him on the Internet because we had run out of our stash from the festival and I wanted to surprise the baby's daddy for Valentine's Day. I found an e-mail address that seemed to go with his name and gave it a shot. It was the correct man and he was so great and I was able to order several bottles from him just through e-mail. Now, thankfully he has a website where we can purchase our favorite hot sauce any time of year and don't have to wait for October to roll around! His other marinades and sauces are supposed to be fantastic as well.

The Best of the Garlic & Arts Festival Part 1

Last year I purchased a small doll from one of the vendors at the Garlic & Arts Festival for my cousin's baby. The Radyshes make adorable Waldorf style dolls and animals. I am in love with the little gnomes and elephants! They are unique and one of a kind and you can special order from their website.

Garlic & Arts Festival

This was our third annual visit to the Garlic & Arts Festival in Orange, MA. It is the culmination of all of the things I love in life, good food (garlic-y food!), beautiful arts & crafts, fiber & yarn, animals, sustainable living, gardening, and baby clothes & toys! I tried to snap pictures here and there. Over the next couple days I'm going to feature a couple of our favorite vendors from the festival that we make sure to visit each year.