Sunday Brunch at Aroma Cafe

Today was a gorgoeus Spring day. Actually it seemed more like Summer. It has been abnormally warm for the past two days.

My sister and I decided to go to Sunday brunch. One of our favorite places for brunch is the Aroma Cafe in Reading, Massachusetts. It's located right in the downtown area at 607 Main St.

I love the decor in the place. The color purple is predominant. The wood color plays off the shades of purple. Isn't the floor cool?

Here's my breakfast. My sister got the same thing. It's our favorite, even Linda, our server knows it. She said next time she won't even bring us menus. So it's called Eggs in the Hearts. It's two eggs over easy inside herb buttered toast. The cutout hearts make the dish visually pleasing. The lacy potatoes, delicious. Some of them are browned to perfection. And nice colorful fruit salad gives the plate color. You wouldn't want too much beige would you?

Great food at this place and excellent service. Linda is the best! Weekdays, I sometimes go there for a Vermont Goat Cheese Salad. The salad has mixed greens, roasted red peppers, toasted pecans, red onions, goat cheese, and ranch dressing. Yum!!

On the ride home, my sister commented that just the other day there were no flowers in bloom and now we have blossoms everywhere. Since she was driving, I was able to take a photo of this blue house with pretty white blossoming tree.

Here's a closer look at the delicate flowers on the tree. Spring is here, indeed!

Paul Revere's Ride

Listen my children and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;

Hardly a man is now alive

Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, "If the British marchBy land or sea from the town to-night,

Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry archOf the North Church tower as a signal light,

--One if by land, and two if by sea;And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex village and farm,

For the country folk to be up and to arm." Excerpt from "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere"by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.




Today is Patriot's Day, a Massachusetts holiday. I planned to go to a battle reenactment but I canceled my vacation day and caught up at work. I am posting some photos from a fewyear's ago. My friend Pauline had a Paul Revere tea at her home. She lives on the Paul Revere ride route. How's that for a historic street?

Here's the tea group anxiously awaiting Paul Revere's appearance. I think Karen wants me in the photo!

First William Dawes and his entourage rode by.

The horses were beautiful and don't you love a man in uniform?

There he is on his white horse. Paul Revere!

He actually slowed down for us and gave us a photo opportunity.

Amanda offered the men in the entourage some refreshment.

The smallest member of the group was quite excited.

There's Paul, happy to oblige the camera. To read more about the Midnight Ride

click here

Easter Weekend

Saturday morning I took a little trip to Concord. Aren't the flowers cheerful?There's my favorite store. Oh, I'll just take a quick peek. It's been a month. Maybe there's something new.

Oh yeah I stopped outside Nesting to take a photo of this bike. Cute!

Here's a view from the alley way. It was kind of a dreary and chilly day. Actually the sun was in and out.

The pussywillows make an egg shape. Pretty, huh?

Window box outside Nesting and a view of Main St. All fake flowers. It's been too cold for anything to grow in these parts.

A selection of mirrors at Nesting.

I would love to have this table and chair set.

They have lots of signs with interesting quotes.

I left Nesting and went to La Patisserie in Winchester. I was looking for some Easter desserts.

These were too cute!

Oh yum! I had to get a few of these. 1 purple, 1 yellow.

Chocolate eggs all in a row. One for me please!

Back home, I put the frame and the Easter postcard I bought at Nesting on my table. Such a sweet face on the little girl.

This was how we started Easter mornng. A standoff between Molly and Oscar. the kitty litter was about to fly!

First, church and then over to Dad's for Easter Brunch. I made an overnight french toast. I assembled it the night before Easter and baked it on Easter.

We all visited Mom at the nursing home. They had a dessert buffet with a chocolate fountain. Mom loves chocolate! I get my chocoholic tendencies from her.

Back home again, Oscar was doing all sorts of tricks. He's quite the contortionist. He has the longest legs I've ever seen on a cat.

Oh, he wants some attention. He loves this spot when the afternoon sun hits the kitchen.

He's looking for food. He's always looking for food.

Molly says, "Where's my baked French toast?"

Sorry Molly, no carb overload for you.

That's it. End of the weekend. It was great but short!

Pink Saturday- Oscar and the Bunny

I'm participating in Beverly from How Sweet the Sound's Pink Saturday. To see other Pink Saturday posts, click on the Pink Saturday button on the sidebar.

Oscar discovered his Easter present BEFORE Easter. The ivory bunny with the
pink ears and polka dot bow was just way too interesting. Oscar simply could not wait until Easter morning to make her acquaintance.

Oscar gets cozy with his new friend. Sacking out on the couch, the two became fast friends.

It's just about bedtime. I think Oscar is going to have a sleepover with his friend. Don't worry about Oscar's sister Molly, she got into the Peeps and is quite content herself!

A Birthday Tea for Lady Katherine

Come right in. You're just in time. Although there's been a slight change in plans. We're not staying home. We're taking a little trip but not just yet.

Mr. Rabbit has a special message for Lady Katherine of Lady Katherine Tea Parlor. She is having a birthday on April 5th and she wants everyone to celebrate with her by having a tea party. I'm from Boston so we really know how to throw a tea party (no pun intended).

Earlier in the day, I brought out my best teacups for the party. I thought Lady Katherine could choose her favorite.

Cupcakes and petit fours were supposed to be here, covering this whole plate.

I'm sure my tea rack has the perfect tea for the occasion. There it is can you see it?

It's Harney and Sons Queen Catherine Black Tea. This is absolutely the tea for

the party.

Are paper napkins gauche at a tea party? Not if they're this pretty!

Let's make sure everyone gets a strainer this time. We don't want anyone to have grounds in their cup. Ok, we have the tea but back to the food, where is it? Unfortunately, too many late nights at work and poor planning on my part. Please don't think I'm a horrible person. I have a Plan B, really! I know a fabulous place that will make the day even more special than tea at my house. I called ahead and they're awaiting our arrival.

We'll just hop on that little turquoise boat and we're off to the Island of Martha's Vineyard.

Our destination- the English Butler Tearoom in Edgartown.

They do such a great job with their presentation. Don't you love those butterfly sandwiches?

Yum, strawberry cream cheese.

Scones, warm from the oven. You can practically smell them from outside.

Finally, a cup of tea. My favorite, Earl Grey. You can keep the lemon curd right there because I am going to load up my scone. Oh, I'm sorry Lady Katherine, you first!

Such pretty decor, I could just sit here all day. But there's lots to see on the Island and the shopping! Fabulous! I'll pay the check and we'll be on our way.

Oh, let's give the butler a tip so we can take his photo.

See, Plan B wasn't so bad after all.

I know I had a great time. I hope you all did too! Especially you Lady Katherine, I hope this birthday is your happiest ever!