"...Here comes the sun and I say, 'It's alright!'"
Today was a beautiful Saturday---55 degrees with blue skies and sun. Ya can't beat that when it's still technically winter and there's plenty of snow on the ground, doing its very best to melt. The husband and I arranged to meet friends for lunch in the historical city of Lowell. It's part section-8 ghetto, part beautiful mecca of academia and American history. Overall, there is a lot to love about Lowell, if not just for how I came to know about the place itself.
My affiliation with Lowell is as such:
1. I first met my now husband in 2003, learning that he was a student at UMass Lowell.
2. Months later, as a sophomore at UCSC with a declared major of American Studies, I took a class about the Industrial Revolution, thereby learning about the Lowell mills.
3. Having a crush on both the boy 3,000 miles away (my now husband!) AND the awesome history of Lowell made me add "Go to Lowell, MA" to my Bucket List.
4. I finally went for my first visit in the summer of 2005, when I had a day off from working as a camp counselor up in Maine, and then came out again to stay with collegiate friends in their campus suite in the winter of 2005. Having seen the city in sun and snow, I was in love with the brick buildings, the mighty Merrimack River, and the old multi-family homes.
5. In 2006, when Adam and I were officially a couple, he was in the midst of his Masters program at UMass Lowell and lived in North Chelmsford (just a few miles outside of Lowell). On each of my visits to Massachusetts (during our 9-months of long-distance-relationship'ing), we would head to Lowell to walk around and take in the sights....and, of course, dine and socialize at our favorite eatery, Eggroll Cafe.
6. Though we live a good 35 minutes away from Lowell, Adam and I head back there about once a month to visit with our friends (the owners) and eat delicious fusion food---Island Chicken Bento with a honeydew boba tea is my FAVORITE! Lowell is also one of the most photogenic places of all time, so my photographer husband and I (the snap-happy point-and-shooter) capture plenty of images when we visit for the day. :o)
Deliciousness = pictured above...plus a honeydew slush boba tea. Mmmm-mmm-good! Hangin' out at Eggroll Cafe is the epitome of perfect. The owners have become near and dear friends of ours---they truly know what is means to run a business and shower patrons with fresh food, an upbeat atmosphere, and genuine hospitality.
Our friends Kevin and Alyssa joined us on a walk through Downtown, where I was definitely snapping a sh!#-ton of pictures. Brick buildings are one of my most favorite things on this earth---they make for one of the most awesome backgrounds in photos, and I appreciate their hue, sturdiness, and pattern.
We meandered into an antique shop called "FOUND" which is, as you can see, overflowing with goodies from the past! Old toys and dish-ware, costume jewelry and knick-knacks of all sizes. The owner is an oversized man with a gray beard and booming voice, but very friendly and clearly a fan of collecting.
What used to be a fire station, and then an Italian restaurant, is now completely empty. :o( My dad and I both agree, however, that it would make for an AWESOME renovation project---can you say Ghostbusters headquarters anyone????
"Kickin' down the cobblestones, lookin' for fun and feelin' grooooooovy!" -Simon & Garfunkel
We popped into the Market Street Market (clever name, eh?) and I was inspired by all the yummy fruits and vegetables they had for sale. The lemons and limes made me especially happy---spring / summer really isn't all that far away, woo-hoo!
One of my purchases from the antique shop, which I think will look quite dandy down in my basement craft lounge, don't you agree? :o)
This "craft" book had me in tearful hysterics the first time I flipped through it at Barnes & Noble a couple of months ago. Amy Sedaris cracks me right up with any of her antics, and this book of "simple crafts" was a must buy when I saw it on the 50% off table today. If you are an arts n' crafts'er like myself, you will undoubtedly get a kick out of this book! I'm pretty psyched to add it to my collection of coffee table reading material, though I feel like I honestly might refer to it for some whacky ideas once in a while... ;o)
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