Sight and Sound Theatre and Shady Maple Farm Market/ Lancaster PA

Spring has finally led us out of hibernation and thanks to one of my dearest friends, Marley Ungaro, our blog has an adorable new logo.
Marley started out as the mommy of the kids I babysat for in college and has now turned into my sister and mentor. Her family is like my family! Thanks Marley!!! I love you!!!

Dee's first spring trip led her group to Lancaster PA. The Sight and Sound Theatre was performing Joseph, an all-new, original, musical production.

"After three years of creative effort, the Sight and Sound team is ready for you to experience Joseph's breathtaking dreams and be swept away on an adventure back in time to ancient Egypt, a place where the Nile River flows and golden statues tower over palm-laden palaces."

But for us the question comes about, "Why Joseph?" and it is answered in two words: the story. Joseph's enduring story is nearly 4,000 years old and is still changing people's lives today," explains producer Joshua P. Enck.

In Dee's opinion, "The production was spectacular and the story of Joseph brings you through emotions that you never thought you had."
She recommends that everyone take a trip to one of the Sight and Sound Theatre's. It's the perfect trip for the whole family!
Now on to the important stuff, food of course!!!

Warning... Steer Clear of Shady Maple Farm Market if you're on a diet. The plethora of food is mouth watering and very, very tempting! However; if one cannot resist, the fried chicken and macaroni make a delish dish. If you're decisive, unlike anyone in my family, and can choose from the plethora of pastries... the raspberry crumb bread is amazing!

Shady Maple Farm is a gigantic farmers market. They even have a new 14,000 square ft. renovation that they've just finished. A little history for you... The renovations were so neat to see because the idea for the market originated as a roadside stand under a large maple tree (hence the name Shady Maple).

If you haven't been to Lancaster PA, it's a great place to visit for the day. There is always so much to do. Lancaster takes you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and back to simpler times. Every time I go there, I feel like I can relax and enjoy myself and might I add that the people are just so darn friendly!

Make sure to click on this link for a short video clip of Joseph a Sight and Sound Theatre original production.

Hibernation

Dee has been busy planning her 2010 spring and summer trips. I (Suzanne) have been busy embarking on a new blogging adventure (more details to come). So this means that... follow that bus will go into winter hibernation mode. You can view a sneak peak of Dee's upcoming spring and summer trips by scrolling down to the bottom of the blog. If your interested in traveling with Dee, you can always email her.
Suzanne

New Years Eve, Annapolis MD

Christmas in Annapolis is amazing, but New Years Eve in Annapolis is even better!

Annapolis brings back many fond memories of my childhood...
Growing up we had our boat docked on the Severn River and on summer weekends I looked forward to our boat trips. Screaming under the bay bridge, passing the navel academy, docking in the harbor to get crabs with the fam, and stopping for dessert(fudge) on the way back to the boat, were some of the highlights of our trips to Annapolis.
When I visit Annapolis as an adult, all those nostalgic feelings come back and it's mostly because Annapolis has stayed very true to how it was twenty years ago.

Annapolis is totally hoppin on New Years! The downtown scene is perfect for kids of all ages. There are celebrations for the family and the adult night life is fun too. Activities catering to all ages, makes New Years in Annapolis so very special.

Cross the Spa Creek bridge into Eastport and you'll find the best steak in town at Lewnes Prime Steakhouse. Lewnes is a local favorite and even with Morton's Steakhouse around the corner, Lewnes business is still booming.
The restaurant has some great history behind the building. Founded by Greek immigrants in the 1900's, Lewnes has stayed in the family for over a hundred years. I know they've stayed true to their Greek roots because their Greek salad is the best Greek salad that I've ever had! The greens and peperocini were extremely fresh, the olives were perfect and under all the greens were delicious boiled potatoes.
The menu at Lewnes is small and expensive, but I love a classic small menu. The drinks were amazing, best dirty martini that I've ever had and the gin & tonic was perfectly made. Not a steak gal, but it was melt in your mouth good and the sides such as creamed spinach, lyonnaise potatoes, and fried onion rings were fattening, but very very yummy. Diet starts tomorrow! Dessert was key lime pie and it was so creamy and delicious. Everything at Lewnes is homemade and perfectly presented.
There are so many places to eat and dine in Annapolis, but if your looking for a splurge or a place to celebrate a special occasion, Lewnes is the place to go!

The night ended at the famous naptown bar, Pusser's. Pusser's is located on the waterfront in the Marriott hotel of downtown Annapolis. There were fireworks scheduled for 7:30 pm and midnight, but the midnight fireworks were cancelled due to the rain. The bag pipe players were still piping till the clock struck twelve and it reminded us of the music in the movie, Gangs of New York. Love that movie!

Great New Years, great town, great way to start 2010.
Suzanne

Photos courtesy of http://www.lewnessteakhouse.com/

Snow Schmo

Well the blizzard of 2009 put a small damper on Dee's winter trip schedule. She missed DREAMGIRLS and Italian dining at Cinghiale, but I plowed through and made it( just barely) to Cheestique!

Cheesetique is located on Mount Vernon Ave. in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandra, VA. I love Alexandria and Del Ray is so quaint. Mount Vernon Ave. is a strip of mostly small restaurants and Cheesetique is a wine and cheese shop located in the middle of all the small town action.

Cheesetique has a variety of well organized wine, cheeses, and meats and they also serve food(sandwiches and such.) The BEST part about Cheesetique is their wine and cheese classes held 3 or 4 time a month.

The class that I attended was the wine and cheese pairing class. We sampled a variety of 6 or 7 wines and several cheeses. The staff is highly knowledgeable and I loved how they vividly described the different wines and explained how they are made.

I highly recommend visiting Cheesetique if you live in the MD, DC, VA area. My friends and I are already discussing when to venture to the next class. The cool thing about the owner, Jill Erber, is that she has a new class theme for each month so Cheesetique classes will be different every month. Oh and don't forget to take some goodies home with you as the shop is open after the classes. My family enjoyed the wine and stinky cheese I brought home. Thanks Cheesetique for a terrific start to the holiday!

Suzanne

Photo Courtesy of http://www.cheesetique.com/

Baltimore Holiday Spectacular & Friendly Farm Restaurant

Baltimore MD is one of my favorite places to visit especially during the Christmas holiday season! There aint nothin honey like visiting the 34th street Christmas lights and Cafe Hon to get me in the spirit!

This year I am taking my group to the Baltimore Pops Holiday Spectacular. No matter which season it may be, the Pops never dissappoint!

For dinner, we will be going to the Friendly Farm Restaurant in Upperco MD. The restaurant is in a farm house that was established in 1959. All the food is served family style. After dinner we will do some shopping at the farm's gift shop and country store.

Stay posted to see how goes and for my Sunday review of the Broadway show DREAMGIRLS at the Hippodrome and dinner at Cinghiale in Baltimore.
Photos courtesy of http://www.bsomusic.org/ & http://www.friendlyfarm.net/

Country Christmas Day 9

Day 9- Touring Kruger Toy & Train museum in Wheeling and heading to my Alma Mater, Fairmont WV. Lunch at Muriale's 32 yr old family owned and operated Italian restaurant. Click here to read more about the history of the restaurant and to see all the awards they have won! Great service, great atmosphere, and great food!

Back to DC!!! So glad to be home. Besides a few disappointments, the Country Christmas Tour went extremely well. If I had to pick my favorite part of the trip... I'd have to choose the Biltmore estate. The estate is a must for any season! The Biltmore should be on everyones 'bucket list.'

Next up... relax and prepare for holidays with family. Stay posted for two more holiday day trips to Baltimore MD.

Photo courtesy of http://www.toyandtrain.com/

Country Christmas Day 7&8

Wonderful, Wild, Wheeling, West Virgina

Day 7&8- Spa Spa Spa, Yes Yes Yes pleeeeeease! Oglebay's Resort is where were staying and they have a new spa. The resort is beautifully decorated and newly renovated! Escape here to upscale and intentionally rustic/elegant suites. The resort supports the town and is great for all seasons especially outdoor activities such as hiking in the summer. Great vacation spot, we'll definitely visit here again!

Dinner was buffet style and it was really good for a buffet. The entertainment was a baby grand piano player. He was excellent and all of this took place at the Wilson Lodge in the resort.

Festival of Lights guided tour was spectacular. Unbelievably, kids from high schools in the area design and set up this phenomenal light display in the 3,000 acre National Park. The high school kids are so talented that they are used as guides for other light festivals. Every year they design and set up new light displays in the park! The gift shops at the resort are very nice too, a must see/shop if you have time. The Oglebay mansion is a self guided tour and beautifully decorated by all community volunteers. What a great community here in Wheeling!

Young Chef and Owner Dave Wohlfeil owns the hoppin Metro Citi Grille and it deliciouso! There is no website for the place because its under construction and I cannot believe I found this hidden treasure because its definitely off the radar; however its a Wheeling favorite!!! 30 % of people in Wheeling are sadly unemployed, but Metro Citi Grille is busy as busy can be! The risotto and blue cheese pan seared snapper was to die for and the steaks were amazing!

The Legendary Wheeling Jamboree is re-opened so the theatre should generate lots of money and jobs for the community. Jerry Seinfeld is visiting Wheeling soon to perform at the Jamboree theatre! I hope he enjoys Wheeling, WV as much as this girl!!!

Photos courtesy of http://www.oglebay-resort.com/