Antipasto and a Lobster Roll

Antipasto for 2!



Antipasto for 50!



Yesterday I spent the day traveling Massachusetts and New Hampshire with one of my favorite gals.  We spent our time with just a few accounts but I love talking with the smaller stores, I always learn so much.  We started the day in downtown Boston at the custest shop on Newbury Street, Kitchenwares by Blackstones.  Incredibly nice store with an amazing selection for the size of the store.  http://www.kitchenwaresboston.com/

From Newbury Street we headed up to Salem, NH and visited another store called The Kitchen Place.  They have two locations and this is probably one of the finest gourmet stores I've ever seen in a mall.  They give the Williams Sonoma a run for its money (it's right below their store in the mall!).  Check 'em out: http://www.thekitchenplace.com/

From our few stops we then headed to dinner at this most fabulous Italian restaurant ... best Italian I've had in some time.  Tuscan Kitchen.  While the Yelp reviews were average at best, we all thought it was a delight and our waiter Edwin was awesome.  He had incredible suggestions on both food and wine and did not pressure us to rush our meal in any way.  I had the Pappardelle al Anatra - incredibly delicious braised duck.  Amazing!  Check out our appetizer entitled Salumi e Formaggi, at the top of the page as well as that version that was made for a party of 50 people!  http://www.tuscan-kitchen.com/

We hoped all over New Hampshire and Maine today.  Adorable shops yet again.  Portsmouth NH has to be one of my favorite towns in New England.  Such an amazing hippy-esque main street and no joke, four kitchen stores within walking distance ... and they all get along! That just doesn't happen!  One of my favorites (who also has another location in Portland, ME which we also visited today!) is LeRoux Kitchen.  If you cannot find it in this store ... you probably don't need or want it!  They carry eight different cherry pitters, which if you think about it is pretty crazy considering cherry season is only about six to eight weeks long.  http://www.lerouxkitchen.com/

We visited two other amazingly cute stores this afternoon, Keys to the Kitchen in Kinnebunk ... see website here: http://www.keystothekitchen.com/.  The most lovely woman works here and I picked up the coolest housewarming gift for my sister here.  I'll have to post a picture later as I do not want her to see it or read about it quite yet!   From here we went to have a Lobster Roll (see picture below).  I was told this is THE thing to do while in Maine.  It was all it was cracked up to be and more.  A full pound of perfect lobster on a lightly toasted hot dog bun with just a hint of mayo on it.  DELICIOUS.  One more stop in Damariscotta to visit Weatherbird and we had a full day.  Weatherbird has the perfect selection of better and best kitchen tools, gadgets and cookware.  The buyer at this store was a delight and had so much knowledge to share.  He was wonderful.  http://www.weatherbird.net/

I am desperate to get back to my baby.  She is changing so much and after last week she was a little testy when I first got home.  Unfortunately I think she is noticing when I'm gone and now has decided I'm the bad guy until a day later and then she forgives and forgets!  I wish it was that easy for all of us adults to forgive and forget that quickly.  Hope all is well with everyone.  One more day in Conneticut and then flying out of  Boston tomorrow evening, late!  I am due into Sea-Tac at 1am and then have to Shuttle Express it back.  Yuck!



Lobster Roll



Bean Town



Even hotter now then back in the day!

Well it's been almost a year but here we go ... again.  Back to Boston, home of my beloved New Kids on the Block!  Haha, what did you think I was going to say?!?  I have yet to really 'explore' Boston, maybe someday.  I'd love just once to be able to see a few historic things, sight seeing things during all my travels.  Maybe next month when I'm in DC for an extra day. 
The weekend was a bit crazy but Lizzy and Ben are okay.  Ben is still extremely sore and Lizzy, well she is just a barrel of fun right now.  Not sarcastic at all.  She literally spends all day playing and laughing.  Yesterday we hung out in the beautiful sunshine while dad cleaned and waxed the boat. 

It was hard to leave this morning.  Partly because of how fun Lizzy is to hang with and mostly because of what happened last week.  Although Ben and Lizzy were okay it definitely makes you put your priorities in order.  She is my world and it is amazing the pain, fear and love that goes through you when you hear that your child was in an accident.  God bless SUV's and carseats!  Luckily I'm in to Boston by 9pm so I will be able to Skype with the kiddo tonight.  Skype always makes everything better!



I see you! 



The Phone Call Every Parent Dreads ...

Yes the family is alright but I am home now, a day and a half earlier than planned.  I received a call Thursday evening, after a great day at the Dallas Market and a wonderful sushi dinner at Kenichi, from Ben saying that although they were fine he and Lizzy had been in a car accident.  Words cannot describe the emotional roller coaster that I went through over the next few hours.  He was calling me from the side of I-5, audibly shaken and not sure what to do. 

He assured me all was okay, the police were on the scene and the EMT's were on their way to do a once over on Lizzy, but all in all they were fine.  At that very moment I knew what I had to do.  Family had to come first.  Between him calling me to let me know and him calling me about an hour later from his sister's house I had already changed my flight and was coming home. 

Needless to say I had to ensure, with my own eyes and hugs, that my two loves were okay.  I did not sleep what-so-ever Thursday evening and even in pure exhaustion on the plane Friday could not sleep.  I picked up Lizzy and could not stand to let her go yesterday.  Although I'm happy to have an extra day at home before I leave again on Monday for Boston, I sure do wish it wasn't under such stressful and scary circumstances.  Here's to giving everyone an extra squeeze ... things can change in the blink of an eye and I cannot help but thank God that everyone involved was okay.

Southern California then on to Dallas!

I'm so sick of the Seattle dreary, crappy, spring weather.  It is time for summer dang it.  I have to say I'm excited to get away for a few days mostly because I need sun!  I spent the morning flying and this afternoon in Laguna Hills for a few meetings and then up to Hermosa Beach to visit with a girlfriend for dinner.  She and her husband just had a little boy about six weeks ago and boy oh boy (no pun intended) was he adorable ... or should I say handsome.  We headed out to dinner at some ridiculously good Mediterranean  place and they gave me a quick tour of Hermosa. 

From there I headed to San Diego to do a store training tomorrow and I have another meeting in the afternoon.  I love visiting Great News down in San Diego, if you ever get a chance, it is one amazing store.  http://www.great-news.com/

Okay I'm zonked, time for bed!

Saugatuck and Kalamazoo

Okay, I never thought I'd say this but I can see why people move to Michigan.  I think this beautiful state gets a bad rap because of Detroit, the auto industry and union labor.  I'm not about to discuss my thoughts on any of these as I do not want to turn any readers off!  That being said I've spent the last two days in southeastern Michigan and have thoroughly enjoyed my time. 

I've visited Spartan and Meijer ... hmmm both interesting store concepts and both should hopefully be featuring an outstanding selection of product by January 2012.  Great meetings!  Next up would be the independent blitz.  Here we go ... I always like to give a little shot out and recognition to those stores that are just too cool for words. 

If you find yourself in Saugatuck you should definitely visit The Butler's Pantry (www.thebutlerpantry.com).  What a marvelous kitchen shop, complete with Stonewall Kitchen goodies and a gift basket area where you can create your own or they'll do it for you!  It is right next to a confections shop and the fudge is oh-so-good!  While in Saugatuck I would definitely check out The Hickory Pit.  Outstanding BBQ and the family just moved from Kentucky.  Show a little love to welcome these folks to the neighborhood. 

From Saugatuck we headed down to Kalamazoo.  Cutest stores ever!  First up was actually my dream kitchen store.  5,000 square feet and room for a demo kitchen.  Absolute perfection.  A great balance of all brands and the ability to brand block was amazing.  Not to mention Kalamazoo is an adorable town.  Probably not even really a town but a city!  So first up was The Mercantile (http://www.mercantile-kitchenware.com/) and about the nicest set of owners with their adorable dog.  He was a bit shy but boy oh boy did I have fun in their baking section!  Second up in Kalamazoo was Sticks & Stones (you can find her on Facebook) which is quite the amazing housewares shop.  Adorable storefront in downtown Kalamazoo, beautiful home accents and essentially only our gadgets!  The owner is a kick in the pants and had me laughing the second I walked in. 

We had one more stop back in Grand Rapids at an Ace store that was unlike any I'd ever been to, and I've seen quite a few Aces'.  This store had a kitchen that I'd dream for in my own home.  An awesome housewares section with just about every tool, gadget, small electric, etc that a person may ever need.  Check this out ... www.ryleesace.com and select Ace's In The Kitchen.  Amazing.

We headed out to Holland this morning visited a beautiful old fashioned general store downtown and had a delightful conversation with a few of the ladies that run the store.  Incredible amounts of tools and gadgets and literally EVERY single color of KitchenAid mixers available.  The row just kept going and going and going!  Visit Teerman's (www.teermans.com) next time you're in Holland.  Once you are finished shopping be sure to walk across the street to Crane's and grab a slice of cherry or apple pie.  AMAZING! 

Back at home, sitting here watching a bit of television.  I realize that my job is pretty darn cool and I get to meet some amazing people.  I come home and my family is thrilled to see me and while I was gone these two days my daughter learned how to blow me kisses.  Life is pretty darn sweet right now. 

Grand Rapids, Michigan - Take Two

So I never made it out a few weeks back when I was trying to make my way to Michigan.  Ended up being horrible weather and completely destructive tornadoes so all in all I'm glad I was "stuck" at home.  But the business must continue on. 

Upgrades the entire way, always nice.  I'm to the point though that I am definitely spoiled.  Ben and I headed to Las Vegas this past weekend for a long weekend away with a few other couples.  We were upgraded on the way down but not on the way back.  Sadness.  Although I must also add, Ben turned to me after the flight down and said, "not sure what the big deal is about".  Ahhh to someone who doesn't travel a lot it just seems like a little more room.  To me it is more room, food, no waiting in line for a bathroom, better customer service, etc.  Or maybe it is simply that the people surrounding you in first travel as much, if not more, and understand how exhausting travel can be and are simply not up for long, entire flight conversations.

Anywho, back to Grand Rapids MI.  There is one thing to say for the Midwest.  It is always beautiful, lush and oh so green during the months of April, May and well into June.  I miss the farms and fields, the humidity (ok just a wee bit) and the warm summers.  I have been thinking more and more when I travel what it'd be like to move.  I know this is never an option but sometimes it just kills me to see what we pay in Seattle for cost-of-living versus other states and regions in the country. 

So I'm here meeting with one key account and about six independents.  I am pretty sure I'm going to put more miles on a car with this rep then ever before.  Lord help me with his driving though.  Any other rep I'd just fly into Chicago and then ride to Michigan.  Not with this rep, wowee it is an adventure every mile of the way. 

This entire region just reminds me that I REALLY need to bring Elizabeth back here to meet all my extended family.  She has yet to meet my grandma or my cousins and second cousins.  I see a Midwest trip in our near future.  Gee whiz, she is almost a year.  I better step on it!

I'm Proud To Be An American.

So it has been an interesting last 24 hours to say the least.  We enjoyed lovely weekend with family and friends and definitely did not want it to end.  Last night after putting Lizzy to bed I walked out to find an NBC Special Report stating that they were expecting the president to announce that they had captured and killed Osama Bin Laden.  What an evil, evil man and although it is probably wrong, it gave me immediate pleasure to hear that he was gone. 

It crossed my mind a few times between last night and my 5pm flight tonight that flying today could be interesting to say the least.  Security was maybe a hair tighter and people definitely seemed a bit more on edge.  That being said, tonight was the first flight I've had the captain of the plane step into first class (before take-off and door closure of course) and thank each person sitting in first class for their commitment to Alaska Airlines.  Impressive customer service ... too bad their baggage handling is severely lacking.  Okay back to the point, for the most part it was business as usual. 

Until I began chatting with the lady next to me.  If you know anything about me, I generally do not make small talk on the plane.  I plug-in and fall asleep, work, watch a movie, anything but small talk.  Boy am I glad I began talking with this lady. 

She was on her way to see her 30 year old son who is currently stationed in Germany but has spent the last year in Afghanistan.  He works for the Navy and is an officer with central intelligence.  He touched down on U.S. soil for the first time last night in over a year.  She has not seen him in well over a year.  He was literally on his way to Washington (D.C. that is) for a debriefing of his last mission in Afghanistan.  Impressive enough the way this story was.  I was in no way prepared for what was coming.

He went into the Navy and became an officer so that and I quote, "no one would cause his family harm every again."  Let's back up two steps.  He and his mom watched Tower One knowing that his aunt, her sister, was still inside.  See they knew this because her brother, mother and father (his uncle, grandma and grandpa) all worked in Tower Two and had gotten out but had been communicating with her sister.  She is describing the day the tower fell, how the two of them were glued to the television.  Her parents and her brother on cell phones trying to keep in touch with her sister.  Telling her to get out.  Then the tower fell.  She said that when she heard her dad scream ... at that moment ... was when her son looked at her and his career path was forever changed.  He WOULD NOT let that pain happen again. 

Please remember our service men and women tonight, tomorrow and always in your prayers.  I fly a lot, I'm gone a lot.  It pales in comparison to what these men and women do day in and day out so that we can talk how we like, work how we like, worship how we like ... the list goes on and on.

Elizabeth, if there is one thing mommy and daddy can teach you it is acceptance.  Acceptance of all things and all people.  Those that are different, those that are hurting, those that can teach you ... please know we all share this beautiful planet therefore we should be polite, heartwarming, forgiving of those around us. 

After all this ... it is time for bed. 
God Bless!