LOBSTAH STRONG

If you have seen the news recently, you know that Boston is in being pummeled by a winter storm nicknamed Hercules, with the only logical activity to curl up with your electric blanket and sleep the days away. Or, if you are having a 2014 filled with surprises like I am, you are sitting at the airport with cancelled flights and lost baggage.

But before the interesting beginning to my new year, I had an amazing weekend in Boston, got LobstahSTRONG in Winthrop, MA, had a fleeting fly by at the witches in Salem, and a beautiful winter wedding in Topsfield with best friends and more snowfall than I cared to play in. 

We arrived in Boston and went into the city, stopping by Fenway Park, the Prudential Building, the finish line of the Boston Marathon to pay our respects, and warmed our bones with clam chowdAH at McGreevy's. McGreevy's is a traditional Irish pub (which was out of Guinness!?) that is billed as the first sports bar in the country.

Boston sports memorabilia line the walls and it is owned by the Dropkick Murphy's - the band stops in often to eat and hang out but unfortunately were not around when we stopped in. I know they would have loved to hear that I named my cat, Murphy, after them because he is just that punk rock.  

After beers and chowdAH and splitting sticky Guinness hot wings we stepped back out in the frigid temperatures to walk around the South End. January might not have been the best time to make a trip to Boston but luckily the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day in the city.

After playing tourist all afternoon, we skipped off to the beach and to stay with friends in Winthrop for the night. Luckily for us they own Belle Isle Seafood which just so happens to serve the BEST lobster rolls in the Boston area - it is good to have such awesome friends! Located on the water with a great view of Boston, I was wishing for warm Spring weather so we could play on the boats and sit in the ocean breeze.

We picked out our lobsters (sorry guys),

and waited patiently for our dinner with wine and clams. This place did not disappoint - FAT, decadent lobster rolls came out and I was drooling over every bite. The lobster meat was fresh and just the right amount of buttery without being made with fillers and extra ingrediants to fill you up. This was the real deal and I will approve - these are the BEST lobster rolls around. 

and they have the cutest buzzer to know when your food is ready! 

We drank and chatted at Belle Isle into the night. The unique place has a great atmosphere and bar that guarantees everyone in your family will have a great time. Thanks again for having us!

We woke up and had a leisurely morning the next day, drinking coffee until the early afternoon while watching the ocean out of the window and hiding from the cold.

But since we did not have many hours in town, we made our way to Salem to cast spells and meet witches. Unfortunately, there is nothing in Salem...

and no one.

I wanted a tourist trap with cauldrons and warts but this town feels like it has been cursed. Everyone was somber and the buildings were closed until May.

They did have beautiful old churches (to cancel out the horrible events that occurred there?) that spotted up throughout the town and a University for Witchcraft that may or may not have been real.

I don't think I will make it back in the summer - or any time after. Take my word for it, try your witchcraft elsewhere.

The rest of the trip was packed with wedding festivities at Willowdale Estates

with snowfall on the ground and a Roaring 20's theme we put on our dancing shoes to foxtrot into 2014. Lanterns and holiday decorations made the mansion feel warm and inviting. We arrived and were handed pipping hot apple cider and French 75's.

The mansion was built by Bradley Palmer and now rests in Bradley Parker State Park. It was his home used for entertainment and an equestrian park that hosted guests such as General Patton, Prince Edward VII, and President Taft. As well as me and this rowdy crew. 

It was amazing to have my best friends together again and to watch M marry his long time love.

And so I don't leave out the best part. People are finally starting to realize they need to send LIMOS to pick me up.

First ride of 2014: Limo...obviously