We decided to not grab some goodies at Fresh Market tonight but save that treat for tomorrow. Instead we dined at another recommendation........La Fonda Latina. ( Fonda is the spanish term for boarding house or small restaurant). The menu is a blend of Latin, Cuban and Mexican fare. It was a beautiful night in Atlanta and we sat on their patio to have dinner.
We sat down and were promptly served a bowl of house made chips and salsa. The salsa had a very fresh flavor and a mild spiciness to it with a chunky texture. I ordered the Bocadillo Latino ( cuban sandwich). A perfectly flattened and grilled sandwich with thin slices of pork, ham and pickles with just the right spread of mayo and mustard combination. I can't recall having had a better cuban sandwich even after living in Miami. Brian had the chicken enchiladas topped with cheddar and queso blanco and a red chile sauce. The sauce was excellent. It had a true chile flavor. Both meals were served with black beans and yellow rice. The black beans were seasoned perfectly but the yellow rice was somewhat bland and nondescript. Overall the meal was excellent. This is another great find. I can't wait to go back and try their paella.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Scouting Atlanta
Today was a "free" day for us. We had nothing to attend to so we took advantage of the time and drove around the city and our new neighborhood scouting out and evaluating grocery stores and visiting the nearest Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Publix and Krogers. I decided that the Kroger on Roswell Rd. was the better of the conventional grocery stores for weekly shopping. The Whole Foods further up in Sandy Springs was really nice and offered several islands for that quick lunch or stopping off from work to pick up dinner. The Fresh Market was nice as well. In fact, this is where we are grabbing dinner tonight to bring back to the hotel and eat.
Last night we ate at Sweet Tomatoes. I have heard of this soup and salad buffet restaurant but have never tried it. There is one near the hotel so I suggested we try this. I loved it. The salad bar begins with 4 of their pre-made salads. This month they were offering ceasar, oriental chicken, greek, and one other which escapes me right now. The highlight for me is the endless row of salad ingredient selections to customize your own salad of choice. First you build a base with a selection of romaine, spinach or iceberg or a combination of any of the three, move on down the line and help yourself to about 30 different add on ingredients from tomato to jicama. I was in heaven. You pass by a selection of pasta salads, potato salad and broccoli salad (which I love). The last stop in the line are the dressings. Selections are standard such as blue cheese, ranch, 1000 island, french. I bypassed all these and opted for the tray of flavored vinegars and oils and made my own.
We sat down at a table and traveled over to the hot items which included a buffet of six different kinds of soups, foccacia breads, sweet and russet baked potatoes and three kinds of pasta. If you still have room after nibbling on all these selections there is a dessert bar with fresh fruit, brownies, tapioca and soft serve ice cream. I tried a small scoop of tapioca since I have never in my life tasted it. It wasn't bad. What a deal for $9.99 per person........all you can eat. This will be a regular eating haunt for me.
Back to our day. We drove down Peachtree Rd through Buckhead, Midtown, and downtown. We spent some time touring the Midtown area and Piedmont park. I found a Flying Biscuit restaurant on the corner of 10th and Piedmont. I've been told this is a must try place for breakfast. We ended back at the Perimeter Mall so Brian could pick up some new pants for his first day of work on Monday and we found a nice bag for him to carry his computer in but he didn't buy it........maybe this weekend.
As we were checking out at Macy's, the sales clerk asked for our zip code. It was so nice to say 30342 instead of 80466 like I've been accustomed to saying for the past 4 years.
Last night we ate at Sweet Tomatoes. I have heard of this soup and salad buffet restaurant but have never tried it. There is one near the hotel so I suggested we try this. I loved it. The salad bar begins with 4 of their pre-made salads. This month they were offering ceasar, oriental chicken, greek, and one other which escapes me right now. The highlight for me is the endless row of salad ingredient selections to customize your own salad of choice. First you build a base with a selection of romaine, spinach or iceberg or a combination of any of the three, move on down the line and help yourself to about 30 different add on ingredients from tomato to jicama. I was in heaven. You pass by a selection of pasta salads, potato salad and broccoli salad (which I love). The last stop in the line are the dressings. Selections are standard such as blue cheese, ranch, 1000 island, french. I bypassed all these and opted for the tray of flavored vinegars and oils and made my own.
We sat down at a table and traveled over to the hot items which included a buffet of six different kinds of soups, foccacia breads, sweet and russet baked potatoes and three kinds of pasta. If you still have room after nibbling on all these selections there is a dessert bar with fresh fruit, brownies, tapioca and soft serve ice cream. I tried a small scoop of tapioca since I have never in my life tasted it. It wasn't bad. What a deal for $9.99 per person........all you can eat. This will be a regular eating haunt for me.
Back to our day. We drove down Peachtree Rd through Buckhead, Midtown, and downtown. We spent some time touring the Midtown area and Piedmont park. I found a Flying Biscuit restaurant on the corner of 10th and Piedmont. I've been told this is a must try place for breakfast. We ended back at the Perimeter Mall so Brian could pick up some new pants for his first day of work on Monday and we found a nice bag for him to carry his computer in but he didn't buy it........maybe this weekend.
As we were checking out at Macy's, the sales clerk asked for our zip code. It was so nice to say 30342 instead of 80466 like I've been accustomed to saying for the past 4 years.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Arrived
We pulled in around 1:00pm. We checked into the hotel, unloaded the cars and headed to Fellini's for lunch. This is one of the many restaurants on the lists that people have sent me that either live here (Mary Jane) or CPBer's gave me before we left Colorado. I need to organize a list and check them off as we try them out.
Fellini's is not far from our new home. It's a pizza joint. Brian and I each had a slice of the Fellini's Special. A single slice is huge, topped with mozz. cheese, black and green olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, italian sausage, onions and meatballs........WOW! All this yumminess is baked onto a nice firm buttery crust. We also each ordered a house salad. Each salad is a mixture of iceberg and romaine piled high with mushrooms, green peppers, green and black olives, tomatoes and mozz. cheese. I had mine with a balsamic vinaigrette. This was a big lunch. We could have easily split a salad and one slice of pizza and been satisfied. I brought home one of their take out menus so we can do a carry out when we don't feel like cooking. Splitting one slice of pizza at $3.95 a slice is a real bargain for a meal.
The driver delivering our furniture called today and said he would be delivering our furniture on Wed. I'm so glad. This means only one more night in a hotel before we get to begin assembling our new house and life can start getting back on track. I've already located the Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fresh Market and Publix grocery stores, so I can begin fresh with stocking the refrigerator. This will be such a fun shopping trip. I'll have to make sure I go alone so I have free reign to fill up the shopping cart with everything I want.
I'll try to visit a new store every week. I already have Harry's (Rachel and Jim shopped here) on my list of recommendations and the DeKalb Farmer's Market. So much to do and see I'm already feeling overwhelmed.
Brian's car situation has all worked out. His dented car is arriving next week and will go into the shop and the moving company's insurance agency will be billed directly. In the mean time they are paying for the use of the rental car until Brian's is repaired..........however long that takes. One little dent has escalated into a huge financial obligation for this company.
Fellini's is not far from our new home. It's a pizza joint. Brian and I each had a slice of the Fellini's Special. A single slice is huge, topped with mozz. cheese, black and green olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, italian sausage, onions and meatballs........WOW! All this yumminess is baked onto a nice firm buttery crust. We also each ordered a house salad. Each salad is a mixture of iceberg and romaine piled high with mushrooms, green peppers, green and black olives, tomatoes and mozz. cheese. I had mine with a balsamic vinaigrette. This was a big lunch. We could have easily split a salad and one slice of pizza and been satisfied. I brought home one of their take out menus so we can do a carry out when we don't feel like cooking. Splitting one slice of pizza at $3.95 a slice is a real bargain for a meal.
The driver delivering our furniture called today and said he would be delivering our furniture on Wed. I'm so glad. This means only one more night in a hotel before we get to begin assembling our new house and life can start getting back on track. I've already located the Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fresh Market and Publix grocery stores, so I can begin fresh with stocking the refrigerator. This will be such a fun shopping trip. I'll have to make sure I go alone so I have free reign to fill up the shopping cart with everything I want.
I'll try to visit a new store every week. I already have Harry's (Rachel and Jim shopped here) on my list of recommendations and the DeKalb Farmer's Market. So much to do and see I'm already feeling overwhelmed.
Brian's car situation has all worked out. His dented car is arriving next week and will go into the shop and the moving company's insurance agency will be billed directly. In the mean time they are paying for the use of the rental car until Brian's is repaired..........however long that takes. One little dent has escalated into a huge financial obligation for this company.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Almost There
We made it through Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky and have stopped 20 miles west of Nashville to spend the night. The final leg of our journey happens tomorrow and should take us about 4 hours. We'll arrive in Atlanta around lunch time.
Chris has been extremely good on this trip. She sits in the passenger seat quietly and sleeps most of the way. She's adapted to the routine of crawling into her carrier when it's time to exit the car to check into the hotel and sleeps on the bed with us as if she was at home.
It's been an interesting journey seeing the terrain and landscape change from mountains to desolate plains to greenery and seeing spring coming to life with trees budding out and flowers blooming here and there. The closer we get to Atlanta the more the Spring season will show it's magic. I'm loving it.
It makes me smile to think that I could actually buy some tomato plants next week and actually start a garden if I choose to. The worst is behind us and now the excitement of moving to a new city can surface.
Chris has been extremely good on this trip. She sits in the passenger seat quietly and sleeps most of the way. She's adapted to the routine of crawling into her carrier when it's time to exit the car to check into the hotel and sleeps on the bed with us as if she was at home.
It's been an interesting journey seeing the terrain and landscape change from mountains to desolate plains to greenery and seeing spring coming to life with trees budding out and flowers blooming here and there. The closer we get to Atlanta the more the Spring season will show it's magic. I'm loving it.
It makes me smile to think that I could actually buy some tomato plants next week and actually start a garden if I choose to. The worst is behind us and now the excitement of moving to a new city can surface.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Goodbye Colorado
Last night was our last in Colorado. We headed out this morning on Interstate 70 through the plains east of Denver into the desolate, moonscape, and eery Kansas plains. That drive is unlike any other. It's a bit scary to me. You can drive for miles and miles and see nothing but land..........no towns, trees or civilization.
As trying as this week has been and jumping hurdles, overcoming obstacles and dealing with the Spring time wrath of Mother Nature spewing Her wet and icy snow on us for the third time in one week, She dumped another 7 inches of snow last night for our farewell departure. Not a big deal considering the rest of the state was pretty dry. I thought I had escaped the extreme weather Colorado has to offer until we came upon Limon, CO about 60 or so miles east of Denver where the wind gusts were approaching 50 mph. CDOT posted high wind warnings on the Interstate. It was tricky driving 70 mph and the wind gusts shoving the car over to the shoulder, but we made it.
We drove about 11 hours and have stopped to spend the night outside of Kansas City, MO. It pretty much rained all through Kansas. It actually was a nice change to see rainfall instead of the usual precipitation this time of year......snow! After we checked in and situated Chris, we headed out for dinner. Since we are in the land of BBQ, we headed over to a recommended place by the hotel staff. We dined on BBQ ribs, sweet corn and BBQ beans. The waitress asked if we wanted "sweet tea". What lovely words to hear as a suggested beverage. There's some kind of connection about areas of the country where sweet tea is a staple on a restaurant's menu and the sincere kindness of strangers. I am embracing the return to the land of sweet tea.
As trying as this week has been and jumping hurdles, overcoming obstacles and dealing with the Spring time wrath of Mother Nature spewing Her wet and icy snow on us for the third time in one week, She dumped another 7 inches of snow last night for our farewell departure. Not a big deal considering the rest of the state was pretty dry. I thought I had escaped the extreme weather Colorado has to offer until we came upon Limon, CO about 60 or so miles east of Denver where the wind gusts were approaching 50 mph. CDOT posted high wind warnings on the Interstate. It was tricky driving 70 mph and the wind gusts shoving the car over to the shoulder, but we made it.
We drove about 11 hours and have stopped to spend the night outside of Kansas City, MO. It pretty much rained all through Kansas. It actually was a nice change to see rainfall instead of the usual precipitation this time of year......snow! After we checked in and situated Chris, we headed out for dinner. Since we are in the land of BBQ, we headed over to a recommended place by the hotel staff. We dined on BBQ ribs, sweet corn and BBQ beans. The waitress asked if we wanted "sweet tea". What lovely words to hear as a suggested beverage. There's some kind of connection about areas of the country where sweet tea is a staple on a restaurant's menu and the sincere kindness of strangers. I am embracing the return to the land of sweet tea.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Loading the Truck
Yesterday was one crazy day. It all began the night before with a snowstorm slamming us with over a foot of snow. When the packers arrived around 9:30 Wed. morning our driveway had been plowed but there was still a nice layer of icy snow pack. To make a long story short their truck slid on the icy surface and slammed into Brian's car, denting the driver's door. Brian didn't witness the accident. It was my job to deliver the news that would turn him from a person of sanity to a person, oh let's say reminiscent of a killer bee whose nest had just been bashed by an adolescent prankster and is seeking revenge by imbedding it's stinger of poison in the first living thing that it encounters.
Not to worry, their insurance company will make things right. They've put their best offer on the table of getting Brian a rental to drive to Atlanta while his car is being repaired and then will ship it to our new home address once it's ready. Can't beat that.
Also yesterday while the packers were finishing up their job, I was busy shoveling snow and chopping ice from the walks so the guys loading the truck would not be slipping and falling. This was a full time strenuous job which I was loathing throughout the day and cursing Colorado every minute. As the sun heated up our snow packed roof, the 12 plus inches kept sliding off in big chunks. As I cleared one walk it would fill up again with that dreaded heavy wet snow that clumps together like cookie dough. I don't think I have done so much manual labor in my entire life!
The day ended with us packing our clothes and Chris cat into the car to spend the night at the downtown Nederland Best Western. It's really a nice hotel. I had no idea looking from the outside that the inside was so nice. Our room was really nice size for a small hotel with a king size fluffy bed and a pot bellied gas stove which really put out the heat. The window overlooked Boulder Creek and the shops on First Street. They advertised a "hot" continental breakfast. I expected the "hot" to be oatmeal but I was mistaken. We dined on scrambled eggs, sausage and whole grain toast.
The movers are nearing completion loading the truck. I'm so glad this chapter is almost done. Tomorrow I meet with Stanley Steemer to clean the carpets and I will give the house a nice once over to make sure it's in showcase condition for that buyer that will be coming to look at it.........soon I hope.
Not to worry, their insurance company will make things right. They've put their best offer on the table of getting Brian a rental to drive to Atlanta while his car is being repaired and then will ship it to our new home address once it's ready. Can't beat that.
Also yesterday while the packers were finishing up their job, I was busy shoveling snow and chopping ice from the walks so the guys loading the truck would not be slipping and falling. This was a full time strenuous job which I was loathing throughout the day and cursing Colorado every minute. As the sun heated up our snow packed roof, the 12 plus inches kept sliding off in big chunks. As I cleared one walk it would fill up again with that dreaded heavy wet snow that clumps together like cookie dough. I don't think I have done so much manual labor in my entire life!
The day ended with us packing our clothes and Chris cat into the car to spend the night at the downtown Nederland Best Western. It's really a nice hotel. I had no idea looking from the outside that the inside was so nice. Our room was really nice size for a small hotel with a king size fluffy bed and a pot bellied gas stove which really put out the heat. The window overlooked Boulder Creek and the shops on First Street. They advertised a "hot" continental breakfast. I expected the "hot" to be oatmeal but I was mistaken. We dined on scrambled eggs, sausage and whole grain toast.
The movers are nearing completion loading the truck. I'm so glad this chapter is almost done. Tomorrow I meet with Stanley Steemer to clean the carpets and I will give the house a nice once over to make sure it's in showcase condition for that buyer that will be coming to look at it.........soon I hope.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Packers Packing
The packers arrived this morning around 8:30. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful morning. As the morning approached the noon hour the sky turned cloudy and a few flurries began falling. Brian and I drove to downtown Nederland to have lunch at the Indian restaurant. They have a small but yummy all you can eat lunch buffet that includes that perfectly seasoned tandoori chicken and creamed spinach...........very yummy. They also deliver a basket of freshly fried naan for the table. It's way too much to eat for a mid-day meal but since this is probably the last time I'll get to visit the Kathmandu restaurant, I had to gorge on as much Nepali cuisine I could squeeze into my stomach.
After lunch we stopped at Bella delicatessen to pick up lunch for the three girls packing up our belongings. As we were leaving the deli, Brian asked me if we were treating the girls to lunch. I said of course, anything we can do to keep the flow moving and entice them to brace the winter storm and come back tomorrow to finish up the job is well worth the cost of a couple of turkey sandwiches in my eyes.
I finished up the scheduling of services for the new home........ Gas, electricity, phone, cable and garbage. I'm so excited to get back on a curbside recycling program. Even though Nederland doesn't have recycling pickup and all residents have to bring their recyclables to a central location and sort it out themselves (big pain) we still did our part and made a trek once a month to help Mother Earth out. Mainly Brian did. It was a sort of choice for him to pack up the recycling and drive it down to the center instead of mopping the floors. It worked out fine because I would rather mop the floors.
After lunch we stopped at Bella delicatessen to pick up lunch for the three girls packing up our belongings. As we were leaving the deli, Brian asked me if we were treating the girls to lunch. I said of course, anything we can do to keep the flow moving and entice them to brace the winter storm and come back tomorrow to finish up the job is well worth the cost of a couple of turkey sandwiches in my eyes.
I finished up the scheduling of services for the new home........ Gas, electricity, phone, cable and garbage. I'm so excited to get back on a curbside recycling program. Even though Nederland doesn't have recycling pickup and all residents have to bring their recyclables to a central location and sort it out themselves (big pain) we still did our part and made a trek once a month to help Mother Earth out. Mainly Brian did. It was a sort of choice for him to pack up the recycling and drive it down to the center instead of mopping the floors. It worked out fine because I would rather mop the floors.
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