City Market on a Sunday afternoon.

All those berries for $5!

A few things we’ve learned about Sundays. First, Hailey and I like to exercise before church so 11:30 church is really perfect….except when it is the first really hot and humid day. We could not stop sweating until about 10 minutes into the service even even though we had showered. Just another one of those things that women have to deal with.

We headed to City Market after church,  but this time we decided to drive around a little and explore. We decided to park near an antique shop we found and then walk to the new pizza place we had heard about.

The antique shop called "Thistle"  was small and inviting. You know you are old when you recognize items in the antique shop and say things like “Oh hey, I had one of those!”.

We walked around the corner to Delaware and found Quay coffee which we will try soon and the new pizza place, Il Lazzarone Check out some detailed information on this new place. I had to look up the translation of this obviously Italian word that I had never heard before. What a weird name! It means part of group of beggars; the poorer class of Naples. Not sure what they were going for here but I think I'll ask next time we go.

Thistle Antique Store

Il Lazarrone Pizza on Delaware

We were warned that Il Lazzarone was a bit pricey but I was intrigued by the description I was given about a true Italian pizza so I had to try it. Our server was great and explained the purpose was to create neopoliatan style pizzas using fresh marzano tomatoes (they are so good!) and house made mozzarella. He said the oven was from Italy and he was boasting with pride.  We decided to share a margharita pizza with the bufala mozzeralla. It was $18  because the cheese was imported directily fom Italy. Note to self...the Bufala cheese was not worth it.  But I had to see just how good this would be! Oh my goodness;  it wasn’t the cheese,  it was the CRUST and the sauce! I hate pizza sauce. I despise it and steer clear but this was just like Italy. No this was better than Italy! The whole dang pizza reminded me of the many pies we had while in Italy last summer but this seemed a bit fresher, might I say more “show offey” Like, this is what I can do and I’m going to charge you for it. Well, okay. I’ll bite.

Then we were off to the actual market and did our typical walking around and just enjoying the sights and the people. As we were leaving a fruit vendor asked us if we liked strawberries so I said I did and the next thing you know he’s selling us an entire flat for $5. It was hard to believe but it happened. We walked back to the car happy campers and full of joy from the little things in our day. And we loaded our strawberries with lots of whipped cream!

What a great time it has been finding something new to do each day. And I have the very best company a mom could ask for.

Next week we explore New York City!

Exploer KC: Port Fonda, First Fridays? , Grinders and Christopher Elbow Chocolates

It’s pretty exciting when you realize that your own city can provides weeks and weeks of things to do. We realized after just a couple of weeks that we will never get through all of the places on our list. And then to top it off we've found all of these great things we can do in our own small town of Liberty.

On Tuesday Hailey had a dermatologist appointment and was graced with her first biopsy of a suspicious mole. Seeing as I am very well versed in such things, I was able to calm the entire situation and tempt her with a great meal afterwards. 

The plan was to go to Blue Koi for soup and some dumplings since once again it was a rainy morning. But then our wonderful dermatologist, whose name I will only share if you promise to get a skin check regularly, told us about Port Fonda, a Mexican place with fresh ingredients and a hip vibe. Well, sure! If you work in the area and you are making a suggestion, I’m certainly going to take it! 

Port Fonda is an unsuspecting place just across from Californos and Blanc Burgers in Westport. The menu is in Spanish, but with English descriptions. I ordered one of the soups and an amazing non alcoholic drink of lemon lime soda with cilantro. Incredible! The soup I had was so fresh and the chicken was tender and tasty. Hailey has tacos that had corn tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese and beans. 

What we both appreciated about this place was the fact that we left feeling healthy, not gross. The cheese was light and there was no grease, just fresh!

The next day was our attempt at First Fridays. I had done a lot of online research and found myself terribly confused on exactly what First Fridays was. I was combining what some of my friends would tell me about antique shops (Good Ju Ju in particular) in the West Bottoms and others in Crossroads art district. 

My online research told me specifically that The West Bottoms was where the antique stores open early on Friday and are open all day with a smattering of food trucks. The information I received about Crossroads First Fridays was a little different. What I once thought was one big First Friday turned out to be two completely different events. Needless to say I was frustrated. Because Jay knows his way around so well, I asked him to give us a quick tour of the Crossroads area about 2:00 in the afternoon. Well, sure enough, there was nothing going on because it really is just an after 5:00 event. 

Apparenlty posed pictures aren't all that cool so they thought a pic by a dumpster would be fun?

Hailey and the BF at Grinders

Wedecided to make our way towards Grinders since Hailey and the boyfriend had never been.  Grinders is so much fun. It's completely like something you'd see in a college town. We sat outside and the stars of lunch were the meatball grinder, the philly cheesteak and the fries! I can find a better BLT at Rock and Run or The Bell in Liberty. Just a great casual place to eat.

Then off to Christopher Elbow Chocolates for a bite of dessert. First Fridays will have to wait until July! See you there!

One piece of delectable, Liberty native, Chrisotpher Elbow chocolate. Set me back $2! Go on First Fridays and they are $1

It's not always fun and games!

Just the best food at Opera House/City Market

"Where are you two going on your adventure today?" is what many have been asking lately. Well, the reality is, we have responsibilities. Heading out to explore the city every day is darn near impossible. For the past few days we have gone to dentist appointments, Target, gotten an  oil change, paid bills, gotten my eyebrows waxed, made phone calls amongst other really random and boring tasks. But each day we  have tried to do something fun!

This morning we went back to Morning Day Cafe which seems to be a favorite now. Tomorrow we go to the dermatolgist near Westport so we will lunch there.  And Zona Rosa has their outdoor jazz concert series on Thursday nights so that is a must. Friday is "First Friday's" at Crossroads where we will explore and eat.

Taking things at a slower pace is what summer is all about! It also gives us some down time to rest and relax and also time to exercise. I think Hailey is realizing just how much time those mundane tasks take! And I'm sure lucky that she wants to spend time with me while we do them!

 I love enjoying  one fun thing amidst a day of the mundane.

Our favorite: Morning Day Cafe on the Liberty Square