There and Back Again

[spedbug]

Thursday, A Day of Rest?
As I mentioned in a previous entry, Savagefuzzball had to be near home on Thursday to attend the birthday dinner of her best friend, Mingo. Because we didn't want to attempt a trip and stray too far afield, we stayed at home, slept in, puttered about and then took SFB to Mingo's at about 4pm. From there, MrBug and I went out to dinner at The Olive Garden. After dinner we went to Borders where I bought The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner, which I am presently reading, and Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which I've heard good things about and look forward to reading, next.




Friday: On the Road Again
Originally, we'd planned on sticking close to home because of Savagefuzzball's birthday dinner scheduled for Friday evening. However, having been infected with wanderlust from the beginning of the week, we decided to drive to King of Prussia mall in not-so-far-away Pennsylvania. We shopped, we ate and then headed back to Delaware to pick up Alluna (we had Mingo with us, already).
Dinner at Casablanca restaurant was lots of fun and very filling (it's an entire seven course meal).

It was a first for the girls who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.



Saturday: Finally! Philadelphia!
I had begun to worry that we wouldn't make it but, we did. On Saturday we woke up bright and early and drove the short distance to The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I can't even begin to describe the experience. I was in the room with the works of Rodin, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso with armor and weaponry from 1000+BC, with honest-to-goodness Ming dynasty furniture. I was awed. It was all too much in so short a period of time. SFB and Mingo enjoyed it but their interest lagged toward the end so we reluctantly left and headed to the Italian Market for a bit of shopping. I took this shot from the middle of the street, struck by the bustling, cramped feel of the 9th Street.

We stopped in a place called Di Bruno Brothers and spent a good twenty-five minutes talking to the people working there. They sliced down 2 year old parmesian cheese and drizzled it with the most delicious Bellei "Cherry Gold" balsamic vinegar (cured in cherrywood casks only) for us to try. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! I didn't buy any of the vinegar and could, now, kick myself. We did leave with a container of big, black olives and over a pound of fresh mozarella cheese wrapped around proscuitto, though. I can feel my cholesterol rising but, oh, what a way to go! I think we're going to go back, fairly soon, and buy that vinegar. It was too good to pass up.
On one corner, there was an open-air restaurant where a man in Venetian garb played the accordian to the diners. If it hadn't been so stinking hot, we would have eaten there but, because it was over 90 with over 81% humidity that day, we ate in the museum's cafeteria instead. Oh well....autumn is just around the corner and I have my step-mother's promise that we'll go when she comes up from Florida.



Sunday, A Day of Rest
We slept in this morning. Yes, Dad, we're heathens. ;)
We picked SFB up at Alluna's house, this afternoon, and then went to my brother's house to pick up my father's mail (to Priority mail it to Florida). While there, I briefly met my brother's fiancee, Arij's, mother and brother who are visiting from Morocco. Hopefully, this week, we'll get to sit and speak with them a bit longer.
I'll end here as my niece is IMing me on AOL and asking me questions about our vacation.

Love to all! xoxoxo

Comments

[alives.livejournal.com]

spedbug it's GREAT having you back!

I'm glad you had a great vacation and enjoyed the pictures you posted.

Vickie **welcome back hugs**

Thanks, Vickie

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

I love your new icon. Cute...just like you!

Re: Thanks, Vickie

[alives.livejournal.com]

You are so sweet spedbug!

Vickie **smile**

[buffra.livejournal.com]

Spedbug,

What fun! It looks like you had a great time! Glad to have you back.

By the way, is Casablanca a Moroccan restaurant? It looks yummy!

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Yes, Casablanca restaurant is a Moroccan restaurant. I forgot to put up the shot of the bellydancer! The girls were a bit disappointed that she wasn't Moroccan looking but enjoyed her nonetheless. SFB now wants to learn to bellydance. "I could pass for Moroccan if I got a tan," she said "and work here in the summer!" Oh boy, Dad would love that, wouldn't he? :oP

[fsr44.livejournal.com]

Careful what you wish for! I've been playing with Bellydance workout tapes thanks to ant hearing me say I thought it would be fun. Fun, yes. But boy will you be sore!

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

I was awed by this woman. She managed to dance like she was built on swivels, keep the beat with her finger-cymbals, talk to the manager of the restaurant and maneuver around incoming guests all at the same time.

[buffra.livejournal.com]

I don't know... I was thinking maybe SFB got the yen to dance from someone a little closer to home....Maybe she just figures this would pay better than shocked insurance men?

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

LOL! I'd imagine bellydancing requires a bit more study .... although bellydancing lacks the raw, symbolic visual impact (and shock value) of interpretive dance, don't you think? ;)

[zugenia.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a superfun weekend! I think SFB should learn to bellydance. I would make a special trip to Casablanca to see her.

Now I crave Moroccan food.

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

It was a superfun week but, now, I'm a little exhausted. Now that reality has settled back around me, I can't ignore the chaos of my house. Cleaning, bill-paying, laundry, organizing...this sucks! Where's my dinner served to me?

I'd love to see SFB get into bellydancing; she's a little more sedentary than I like and if it got her up and away from the computer, it's a good thing. If I thought it would get you all to come visit us in Delaware, I might push a little harder! ;)

The food was excellent, I must admit. The first course was three different "salads" served with pita slices (cucumber and tomato, carrot and zucchini), the second course was an egg and chicken dish baked inside philo dough and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. The third was curried chicken, the fourth beef kebobs. The fifth was a delicious couscous, carrot and potato dish. The sixth was fresh fruit and the seventh was baklava served with mint tea.

I could do with more of #1, #3 and #5, right now (served to me, of course).

Careful what you wish for...

[buffra.livejournal.com]

If I thought it would get you all to come visit us in Delaware, I might push a little harder! ;)

Hey! I go to Delaware sometimes...My college roommate & her husband live there. (she's a large animal vet and I've driven along with her and helped -- kind of a neat/gross job) I don't know where exactly you are, but there's only 3 counties in the whole state -- I could find you!

That's it! I'll be there, wearing my bells (but don't expect me to keep in rhythm.)

Re: Careful what you wish for...

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

I'll be there, wearing my bells

Maybe your large-animal vet friend could lend you a camel - think of the entrance you could make! ;)

[angelchild.livejournal.com]

Ooooo....i'm not jealous 1 little bit! ;o)

*makes mental note to try Moroccan food*

Sounds like you need a break now to get over the break! lol

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you need a break now to get over the break! lol


I really do. I felt a bit guilty, today, letting so much slide (housework) but I just couldn't get motivated. A very deep-seated, childish part of me was pouting about not being taken somewhere exciting and fun. It may take me a few days to get used to the fact I have to cook and shop and vacuum.... sigh