My run-in with RR

The only thing better than knowing Ryan Reynolds is in your town filming an upcoming movie is actually running into Ryan Reynolds on your way home from work!

Let me set the scene:

It is Monday and I decide to stick around the office slightly longer than usual so my next morning will run smoothly, but at about 6:45, I decide it is time to begin the journey home.

I head down my usual route, call my dad and we begin to discuss our latest recipe tries and successes. I note to him that "oh, they're filming again" as I plow toward Park Street and and make my way. However, this time something is different. Silent. I can't help but notice a determined looking fellow wearing a Red Sox hat guiding two confident men across the street - the two men and I exchange glances and smiles - and as soon as I have the good sense to understand what was going on he had passed. I JUST RAN INTO RYAN REYNOLDS! Oh, and Jeff Bridges, too.

Clearly, I didn't have the good sense to snap photos ASAP, however, my Dad can attest to my instant loss for words and teenager-like drooling over this superstar who just locked eyes with me.

The next day, I and a pal from the office returned to the scene with the hope of catching just one more glimpse, but alas, producers heeded us away. 

We: giddy girls with iPhone cameras

They: serious security men clearly enjoying their sudden authority

I got what I could, so here are some day-after shots from the fortuitous location - my for-sure new favorite intersection in Boston:

Case in point, I'm not good at recognizing celebrities, so I'm glad you can share in this small milestone with me. Also, the movie they are filming is called RIPD, scheduled to premiere in 2013. Thought it seems an eternity away, I have no doubt it will be here basically tomorrow. Until then, I'll keep scouting and bringing you updates as necessary. Over and out.

Spring Has Not Yet Sprung

My hopes and dreams for an early spring have been shattered. Just when it seemed like we were well on the way to sunshine and snowbank-free sidewalks, a (should-not-have-been) surprising snowfall last night and this morning racked up about 4ish pretty inches... and is now melting into sloppy slush :(

Despite the freezing temps outside.... in my mind it's already Spring!

Hope you're enjoying this Oscar Sunday :)

Wonderland

I realize I'll eventually have more pictures than I care to imagine of Boston and Cambridge in the snow, but here's a smattering of our strolls around town after these first couple of storms.

Oh yeah... Happy New Year!

Brrrr!

So I was naively skeptical when folks told me the Charles River would freeze over. How could it possibly get that cold?! Well, my friends, it got that cold. The good news is, I'm still alive to tell you about it.

The bad news is, we haven't even had our first snow yet (though it has already dropped to 11 degrees, as I noted on Facebook after walking little Dixie that morning), and I'm told the stuff could stick around until April. Gross.

Now, I'm no expert, but I hope you'll enjoy these cold weather tips from a Texas girl:

• Do not expose your skin in any form or fashion
• Tory Burch flats are not appropriate cold-weather footwear
• Earmuffs are much more forgiving than wool or knit hats for keeping hairdos intact
• Down > wool (but makes a mighty duo paired together)
• You can wear anything under a down coat (imagine trolling around town in a sleeping bag)
• Get gloves with the popover mitten thingy (JCrew "glittens")
• Give yourself 7-8 extra minutes to bundle up and get out of the house
• It's hard to be cute and warm
• Learn to love pale skin
• Keep wearing sunscreen - I still dab SPF 55 on my face daily
• And finally... stay in the house!

I know you won't believe me, but I'm truly trying hard to embrace this weather as "part of the experience."As I turn into an ice cube on my walk to the office, I just imagine those long, hot summer days in Dallas, with no end in sight to 105+ temps. Why must I always live in a city that produces temperature extremes? Let's see if we can get California on the agenda :)

So far, I've handled this first true cold bout well... but I'll give you permission to go ahead and ask me again in April when the river is still frozen. Then let's see how I've fared.

Here's to staying warm!

Cambridge in the Fall

Just can't get enough!

Up next... our very New Englandy experience at Smolak Farms...

And the pie that resulted!

Maine

How overdue is this post?! Hubby and I took a trip up to Maine for Labor Day weekend, and I wanted to share some of our favorite pics. We went to some crazy-named places and each was more beautiful than the last. From York Harbor to Ogunquit to Kennebunkport to Portland and even Portsmouth, N.H. - we traveled all around in a few quick days to get a taste of this true Northeastern gem.

We saw lobster rolls on every menu, sweeping sapphire ocean views, charming homes, darling shops, friendly people and even a glimpse onto the grounds of our favorite First Family's vacation home on Walker's Point :)

Meanwhile, back in Cambridge, we're packed tight in between school and work, doing our best to keep more than pasta and microwave Pad Thai on the menu! Perhaps I'll have to write about "real" dining solutions for super busy schedules... in the meantime... I hope you'll enjoy pictures of our new surroundings since I can't promise much on the cooking front ;)