the rest of the trip

…and getting my head above water!

I took two tests this morning, and miraculously did quite well for having been out of town over the weekend, at least I think so. Rocked the Bio one with a 95% (highest grade of the class!) although I’m irritated because the professor’s questions are unnecessarily tricky. AND I swear he NEVER said that Lysosomes are “suicide bags….”

I have a busy week ahead–article writing, grocery shopping, lots of cooking and baking, Andrew’s birthday, finishing up the house, prepping for Emily and Dan’s arrival, and another test and quiz–WHEW! After my interview for said article this afternoon, I’ve been experiencing a brain-dump of sorts and just surfing online. Once I post all this, I think I’ll be mentally ready to take on the week!

First things first: our b&b. It was called the Oliver Phelps and I realized I’d never taken a picture of the outside. It was amazing.

After breakfast Saturday morning, we headed out to walk around the little “downtown” area and do some shopping. Sara recommended this store to me when she saw we were headed to Canandaigua. It was very neat, although I have to add a little disclaimer here: we’re UBER-lucky to have not one, but TWO specialty olive oil and vinegar stores here on Main Street in East Aurora. One is a chain, Primo Olivo, and the other is a local place called Tuscany on Main. We’re fans and have been into Tuscany multiple times. I did, however, leave F. Oliver’s with a bottle of Honeyed Ginger balsamic vinegar and a bottle of Tuscan Garden olive oil. Can’t wait to use them!

After candle stores, gift stores, a chocolate shop and, believe it or not, a bazillion antique/thrift-type stores (Andrew wanted to go in!), we decided it was time for lunch.

It’s a chain but it got high reviews on TripAdvisor, so we popped in. What in the world made Andrew think he needed 16 inches of Philly Steak, I’m not sure, but whatever. The smallest I could order was 8 inches, and since cheese is a MAIN ingredient of Philly CHEESE Steaks, there was no way were splitting one.

I ended up leaving 75% of my bread behind. I didn’t need it, anyway. Andrew polished BOTH of his right off. The verdict on the steaks from a somewhat-native Philadelphian? Very good.

We drove around a bit, willing our lunches to digest, before walking around the tip of the lake. It was a bit breezy, but we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

We stopped into the Christkindl Market. A big disappointment, there. There were some neat vendors with quality, unique items, but for the most part, it was those “dipping oils” and “scented soaps” kind of stuff. No thank you.

By that time it was late afternoon, and since our dinner reservation wasn’t until 8 p.m. we were looking for something to do. That’s what happens to us “high-speed” vacationers; we get bored. Give us an itinerary, no matter how loudly we complain!

Because it’s the off-season now, lots of places were closing around that time, so we had to sell out and take a study break at Starbucks. Oh well. The free WiFi kept Andrew occupied while I studied, which apparently paid off!

We knew we wanted to go to this authentic German place for dinner, but when I called for reservations, all they had left was 8 p.m. I grumbled but took it. The place is owned by two native Germans, so I figured it was worth it.

We started with a beer for him and a Jager for me, which was half beer and half hard cider. AWESOME. Don’t I look weird when I have dark lipstick on??

We also started with snails in a red wine sauce baked in a puff pastry that looked like a football. Andrew may not like cheese, but who else do you know who picks snails off the menu for an appetizer?

He got the sausage platter and I chose something a bit more unique–a piece of beef round rolled around bacon and pickled and cooked. We both got spaetzle, too.

And of course, I forgot to photograph the apple streudel we split. Oops. Photographic proof we ate it all.

The next morning, after breakfast and checking out, we went on a drive over to the other lake to see what was there. On the way we stopped at Red Jacket Orchard store, which was a fantastic find! I hauled out jars of specialty mustards, honey, dressings and cider like no one’s business! I’m thinking a “Holly’s goodies from Canandaigua” post is in order…

After being thoroughly disappointed with Geneva (not that it was bad, but Sunday morning isn’t exactly the best time to go, either), we headed back and ended up at Simple Crepes, somewhere I’d been salivating about since researching the trip.

I’m a “variety” kind of girl when it comes to food, so I went with the brunch buffet, which includes a ‘made-to-order’ crepe station as well as oatmeal creme brulee. OMG. Must make oatmeal creme brulee at home ASAP. It was amazing.

Andrew got the caramel apple crepe, along with a regular one, too. I was surprised he didn’t go with his favorite, Nutella.

My tasting plate, filled with brunch yumminess!

After filling our bellies, which was kind of my plan, we headed to the New York Wine and Culinary Center for our wine pairing class!

Neither of us had ever done anything like that before, and it was so fun! It really deserves a post on its own, but I’m pressed for time now (in general and currently–Andrew is on his way home NOW), so this will have to suffice. Basically, we got to taste 6 different wines with 6 different flavors, for a total of 36 tastes! And that was after we learned how to properly sniff/swirl/taste wine, which was probably my favorite part.

Basically, Andrew and I favored either a Chardonnay or a Riesling with almost every flavor, and opposite of each other every time! So, as long as we have either or both on the table, we should be fine… It was neat to see how the flavor of the food changes the wine. In fact, for awhile now I’d thought I didn’t like buttery Chardonnays, but in fact, it was what I chose most often with food! And both of us love Reislings anyway; we just have to make sure to get a semi-dry so that it won’t be too sweet.

So, we learned a lot! It was a lot of fun and I would highly recommend it!

On the way home, we stopped to get me some ice cream. What a nice end to the trip!

Now, back to REAL life and REAL eating!

more than live-able, but not quite ‘home’

At last, a ‘real’ post! I love that I’ve been able to post quick things from my iPhone, but nothing beats a good ‘ole picture-filled narrative!

I don’t quite feel like I’ve gotten my head above water yet (Andrew is gone this weekend and I had high hopes for being a crazy-productive person in all sorts of ways, yet I never get as much done as I want to…); I’m in the middle of a bunch of random things:

-finishing up an article for the Advertiser

-studying

-need to start Chemistry homework

-baking bread

-“feeding” my sourdough starter I got from King Arthur Flour on Friday

-making meatballs to freeze

-Bible Study

-dishes BY HAND (our dishwasher is less-than-satisfactory)

-unpacking

-giving myself a mani/pedi (I am in DESPERATE need)

-and the MYRIAD unreturned phone calls, emails and letters I need to address….

So, until tonight after I’ve made a bit more progress on the above, I’ll probably feel a bit discombobulated. That word is so fitting. (Before anyone can say it, yes, I know I bring a lot of these ‘tasks’ on myself. I can’t help it…)

Did I mention I totally forgot today was the time change? Good thing my uber-smart alarm clock changed automatically…

Anyway, here is the much-anticipated (or not, depending upon how you feel about it…) photo montage of the new place. Disclaimer: It isn’t clean. It isn’t organized. I basically snapped a bunch of photos this morning once the sun started coming up.

We’re pretty much unpacked, at least the things we’ll need for the near term. This move was certainly a challenge; we knew going into it that our stuff would be in storage, which means bringing A LOT with us, and then now going into a rental, we’re faced with moving twice. So, we’ve basically unpacked and re-packed A LOT.

Dining Room:

-took the three shelves from the office and combined them to form a larger one with the corner units on each side to hold linens, salt and pepper shakers and knick-knacky things

Kitchen:

-As I said, I’m in the middle of a bunch of baking projects, so it’s a bit messy

-I don’t have a lot of counter space; that’s been the biggest challenge

-But, I got my white cabinets! Ha!

The “paneled” room:

-This room is off the kitchen and we’re putting the computer and the printer (once we find it) there

-Our bigger red couch didn’t fit through either door into the living room, so it’s living here for now

-On the left is a sliding door out to a screened-in patio and I also have a small bookcase with my food items, since the kitchen is only big enough for my “stuff”

“Pepto-Bismol Pink Pet” room:

-This room hold’s Hadrian’s crate, the kitty stuff and Andrew’s closet. Hi Odie!

Guest room:

-Coincidentally, it’s painted almost the same color as in our house in Ohio, so everything looks very nice

-I stayed up until 12:30 unpacking and making the bed in there; it’s almost finished and ready for Emily and Dan, who are visiting in TWO WEEKS!

-I’m also going to set up a desk in there for quiet studying (I do my homework in the dining room) and keep my craft and mailing supplies in the closet

Our bedroom:

-It’s only slightly less pink, and I had plans (and all the supplies!) to paint, but I’ll be honest–my enthusiasm is waning. IF it gets done, it won’t be until Christmas break, at the earliest.

-There is only room for one nightstand (so I get it) and it makes sense, since I’m the last one in bed and definitely the first one out every morning (hello 5 a.m. school mornings!)

Moving on to the basement–you’ll see why Andrew and I were thrilled with it. It’s giant and warm and dry, which is important since it holds all our stuff!

My kitchen “goodies:”

-I set up some chrome shelving in the basement near the stairs to hold my appliances. I placed the most-used ones near the top since I can grab them without going all the way to the bottom…I’m so smart 🙂

-Don’t you just love my colorful Le Creuset shelf?? I do…

Laundry area:

-I have a line (sweet!) to hang my running stuff and plenty of shelves

-I’ll be honest; between my washer and dryer at home and the HE ones at the hotel (however grody they were), I’ve gotten spoiled by the front load/HE washers and dryers. These, while relatively new, just are not as good. Seriously people, HE really is a HUGE difference

These are all the re-packed boxes–basically we opened them, took stuff out and re-packed and labelled what we didn’t need or want out right now. All my fun dishes are in there, and lots of decoration items.

A giant pile of paper…

Empty boxes….

And our rubbermaid tub collection! Most are “memories,” like boxes of yearbooks, trophies–you know, the things you can’t really part with, but what the heck do you do with them things, and other stuff, like camping and canning equipment, as well as Christmas decorations and miscellaneous furniture.

It’s a work in progress; I feel like the basement could be better organized and the upstairs still doesn’t feel very ‘homey,’ whether it’s decorated or not. Maybe once Andrew actually unpacked his clothes it will…

Moving Day

It’s moving day!

We met Ralph, our landlord, last night to get the keys and write our first rent payment check–woo hoo!

Before I get too far, can I just say that moving sucks? It really does. It’s the packing, the chaos, the schlepping (I love that word) of stuff in and out, up and down… And I did two WHOLE loads in the Pilot BY MY SELF. After my carefully planned-out night DID NOT go according to plan (why was I surprised?), I was a cranky girl! Let’s just say we may have more than one load still sitting in the living room of our hotel as I write this at 6:15 a.m…. How did we get so much stuff?

Anyway, I’m in a better mood this morning–I’m sitting here with my (gasp-last!) cup of hotel coffee and a sample of one each of all the breakfast pastries I’ve SUCCESSFULLY avoided for the last four months–and am ready to get moving! (the puns, they just come to me…)

While we were at the rental last night I snapped some photos:

Here’s the living room view from the kitchen. The front door is just through that opening on the left. Ralph had the carpets cleaned, which explains the giant fan. It was so loud!

This is what will be our dining room. It’s open to the living room and the entrance to the kitchen is what you see on the left. On the right is the alcove with the front door and a coat closet.

Here’s the view if you’re standing in the living room at the big window in the front, looking at the kitchen. It was raining last night and the weather calls for more rain today, so we put sheets down to protect the clean carpet. Ralph did a lot of work on the place before we moved in–it was gorgeous last night! Fresh paint, clean carpets…

Speaking of paint… Here is what will be our ‘master’ bedroom. Pepto Bismol-pink and purple are currently on the walls… I asked/told Ralph that I’d need to paint and he was amenable to that (thankfully!). In fact, he’s even been kind enough to supply the primer and paint–I just have to find the time to do it!

This is the second bedroom, which will be storage and where we put Hadrian’s crate. It’s also bright pink (do you see what I mean by bad lighting now??), but Ralph said he’d like to keep one of the rooms pink, so it’s staying. I’m just hoping it doesn’t give Hadrian the headache it would give me…

Disclaimer: I was pretty “gung-ho” in the beginning to paint both rooms (I can’t stand the color THAT much), but am actually thankful we’re just painting the one room–I just don’t have the time or energy with school, and this move has totally stressed me out. Did I mention I have a psych midterm TONIGHT (as in right after they drop our stuff off), and a test tomorrow and a weekend online chemistry quiz? Yes, yes I do.

This room makes up a bit for the pink ones… It’s almost the exact shade as our guest room back in Ohio, so that’s what it will be here. The bed you see will be removed tomorrow; although our guest bed is white iron, too, It’s also where I’m going to put our light maple desk, so I can have a calm (hello light teal walls) place to study.

Our first guests will be Dan and Emily Wilhelm in just a few short weeks! We’re so excited!

This room is just off the kitchen (you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it) and it’s a little dark (despite how light it looked last night), so we’re going to put our green office furniture in here. Because there aren’t any doors it wouldn’t really be a good place for me to study, but it will be a nice, central spot for the computer and printer and my books. And the green MIGHT look nice with the paneling…or not.

And, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the kitchen!

Not too shabby! The cabinets and counters are probably from the fifties, and have been repainted white, but it could be worse… The fridge is huge (or maybe I’m just used to our small one) and there is a decent amount of space. Although nothing like our house, and I probably have more kitchen-y items than the average girl, so storage will be an issue for me. Do you see the flowers? They’re still alive and kickin’ so I brought them on over on my first trip in the cup holder of the car. Note the dishwasher: it’s ancient, so I’m a bit skeptical.

I’m toying with the idea of NOT unpacking all our dishes, etc… and trying to survive on the bare minimum for both ease of packing when we leave and space. I mean, I’ll have to unpack it all, decide what to use, and re-pack the rest, but there is just not enough room for it all! I’m interested to see how I like the wall oven; I’d never seen one until I went to Andrew’s house for the first time. I’ll admit; I like the idea of not bending over… At this point, I’ve been in a mental-baking frenzy for so long I’d take ANY oven! Seriously–once we’re unpacked, this girl is gonna churn out baked-goods like never before!

I didn’t take any photos of the basement, but I should have. It’s huge, open, dry and was incredibly clean–yay! I’m sure a bunch of our stuff will live down there until we move again, so that was a huge blessing for us.

This weekend is going to be an adventure–studying, unpacking, test-taking, shopping (I already know we need shower curtain rings and new cat supplies)–but we’re excited!

Wish me luck on my test and that all goes well today! Cross your fingers for no (major) broken things…