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The RainyDayKitchen crew attended the 12th annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival today. There were over a 100 different vendors showing many varieties of meat-free food options.
Maybe it was the FREE admission, perhaps it was the FREE food samples, but the place was PACKED. Who knew there were so many vegetarians in Boston?
Vendors in all categories of vegetarian eating (meat-like substitutes, vegan, raw) gave out samples and answered questions. Most were good, some were really tasty, and others were surprisingly delicious...even when compared to their meat counterparts!
Groups advocating an animal-free lifestyle were also on hand. Some spread their message via t-shirts and buttons. Others were actual companies making products using all synthetic components.
We met a nice woman asking for signature to ban dog racing in MA. While we are not opposed to the betting or racing of dogs, we are also not too keen on the way greyhounds are raised just to race and then "discarded" when they are no longer "profitable."
To find out more about this issue, check out the info on the Humane Society site. We are not saying that dog racing is wrong, we just don't like what they do with them when they can't race anymore. If only they treated these animal athletes the same way baseball and football players are treated when they are too old to play, like give them cushy front office jobs.... - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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This past weekend we took the Carson Spotting Scope for a FirstUse outing. Mass Audubon has a preserve close to the office. We have been there a few times and knew it would be a good location to test out the scope.
It was just the start of Fall but the colors were already showing. We hiked in for a bit and set up at one of the boardwalks looking out at the wetland.
The setup we took with us on the outing was the Carson BackCountry Spotting Scope mounted on the TrekPod. We have been using the TrekPod every chance we had. A few sharp-eye viewers noticed that we used it to support the Jason telescope we had with us in Maine.
The Carson scopes performed wonderfully in this FirstUse outing. The controls were easy to use, the focus knob and zoom controls were smooth to operate. The image had high contrast and was razor sharp. The integrated sunshield came in very handy on this bright day.
The Carson scope/TrekPod combo is a winner both in the backcountry as well as in the city (we stopped by Jamaica Pond on the way back to check out the ducks). The pair is light to carry and quick to set up. Perfect for bird watching anywhere/anytime.
The only thing we wish was better on the Carson was the lens cap. It is a rubber cap, but the fit was loose. We did not take it with us on the hike because we knew we would lose it. Some kind of hinged cap may have been a better choice for a field scope. However, this is a nitpicking point in an otherwise excellent product. We look forward to taking out in a more extensive outing soon. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Every year we bring a few pieces of gear with us to Maine for some field testing. This year was no exception. We brought with us two GPS units (HK GPS-500, Navigon), a pair of binoculars, the Jason 3" portable telescope, a Stellarium, and two Kata camera bags (WS-604, W-92). We picked the Kata bags because we had a lot of optical gear and we wanted to make sure they made the trip safely. The adjustable internal compartments and padded pockets make it easy to adapt the bags to whatever we wanted to protect (telescope, cameras, binocular).
On this trip, we used the Kata WS-604 for the Jason 3" Newtonian. The internal compartment was large enough to handle the entire scope. The various accessories (finder scope, legs, filters) were stowed in the side pockets.
The first night we were in Maine we tried using the telescope to look at the constellations. Unfortunately, there was just too much light pollution to see anything well. We thought we would have better luck look at the sun during the day.
Some people say "never to look at the sun with a telescope." This, of course, is nonsense. The proper warning is "never look at the sun with a telescope without the use of the proper FILTER." Since we DO have the proper filter, we are going to look at the sun for a while before heading back to Boston. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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A hearty breakfast (two kinds of scramble eggs, three flavors of sausages, fresh baked rolls, etc...) got everyone powered up for some serious relaxing.
Some of us opted to hang around the house, others headed into Wells for the Sunday paper, and Carolyn and I decided to take a drive along Route 1 to Kennebunkport. Because of the unseasonably warm weather, the town was packed. Most of these small picturesque towns usually have just one road through the center. The best strategy is to park at the edge of town and walk in.
Window shopping was the main activity for the day. There was plenty to see all over town. The one store which stood out for us was Compliments in Dock Square. Their focus is on high-end American crafts.
If you find youself in that area of Maine, definitely stop by and check it out. You will find wonderful creations you will not find anywhere else. You may just might find something you can't live without :-)
After the vigorous window shopping, we were ready for some more serious lounging. Apparently, others also had the same plan for the day...shopping, eating, and napping.
We did manage to wake up to watched the Sox sweep the Angels, ate and drank some more, and then crashed around 8PM. There is a rumor Jay and Lisa picked up a cheesecake for tonight's dessert. Carolyn may wake up for THAT :-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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All of us arrived in Wells, Maine last night, but we were too beat to do much of anything. Today is a different story. The day promises to be in the 80s and sunny...a rarity for Columbus Day Weekend in Maine!
While we were gathering for breakfast, we saw a crane and a fox in the marsh out back. How cool is that?
After breakfast, we took a walk along the beach into Ogunquit. The tide was out, revealing a large stretch of sand for strolling. Most of the tourists have gone, but a few of those remaining took advantage of the temperature for some late season sun bathing.
We were not entirely sure where the day went, but after the walk, a nap, and some lounging around the house, it was time for dinner!
Irfan and Bill were the chefs tonight. As usual, they cooked up a feast for the crew. The meal was a huge hit, so much so that some of us needed a nap before the final dessert course.
Tomorrow night, Lisa and Jay will be in control of the kitchen. We'll do a lot of walking tomorrow to ensure we work up a healthy appetitie. However, it is safe to say we'll not be hitting the town tonight :-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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The first time we stopped by the Vessel Store in Boston, it was closed. I went back a few weeks ago and was fortunate enough to catch founders Stefane Barbeau and Duane Smith working the floor. They were kind enough to give me a personal tour of the store.
This Vessel Store is the design studio and a retail experiment for Stefane and Duane. They use it to field test new products, ideas they want to pursue, and designs they like to promote.
I had a chance to take a lot of images while at the store. Instead of posting all of them individually, links to them have been embedded in the images. Clicking on various items in the images may bring you to a closer look at the item.
Items such as the lamps (Candela, Luau, etc...) are available from a lot of different places. Some of the items (Teepee, dolls) are only available from Vessel. Many of the products found in the phyical store are not yet available on the Vessel's online store. Depending on how they perform on the floor, some may make it to the website.
Stefane and Duane are the designers of the innovative rechargeable Candela lamps. The lighting line has since been expanded to include the fun looking Candeloo and the bigger Luau lanterns. The entire lighting line has recently been sold to OXO so they can focus their creative energies on product design rather than packing and shipping :-)
The store also has a much wider selection of furniture than what is available online. All have very clean lines, are highly functional, and fit comfortably with all things "Vessel." Sofas from BluDot are a good example. The pieces are well constructed, use synthetic material which feels and wears like leather, and are reasonably priced.
If you are in Boston's Chinatown area, drop by and check out the Vessel Store. We will check back with Stefane and Duane soon to see what's new for Fall. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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We found the hotel for the next time we are in Madrid. Carolyn will fit right in, but I will have to pack some fancier clothes.
Madrid does not slow down just because the sun sets. Many street vendors were just setting up when we normally would be getting ready to turn in. It must be because the warm, dry weather is perfect for strolling the narrow city streets or sitting at a cafe and people watching.
We look forward to returning to Madrid soon. Next time we will stay up all night! - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Today we are making our way back to Madrid via car and train. We rented a Citroen C2 for our stay in Alicante. This small car was perfect for getting around. It seats four and the rear storage was big enough for all our gear.
We brought three bags (ErgoTech, Aeronaut, Evolution) between the two us for the ten days. The Kata ErgoTech handled all of our technical gear (cameras, batteries, Vaio laptop, etc...). Clothing and all other travel gear were distributed between the soft Aeronaut bag and the rolling Evolution case.
Having minimal luggage allowed us to move quickly through the streets, the Metro, and the Atocha train station. It also meant we didn't have to check anything at the airport. This was a huge timesaver as we did not have to wait for our luggage to be brought off the plane before getting into line to clear Customs.
For our return to Madrid, Carolyn found a great little place on the other side of Puerta del Sol called Hostal San Isidro. It was half the price of the Petite Palace that we stayed in at the start of the trip.
The room was much smaller, but it had floor to ceiling doors which opened out to a balcony overlooking the street. Carolyn has always wanted an apartment with a balcony, some kind of Juliet/Rapunzel fantasy I think.
It is interesting to stay in a room right above the street. The sounds come right in with the windows open and you feel the flow of the city even when inside. Even at 3 o'clock in the morning... - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Great food is just one of the things we have been sampling while here in Spain. Good inexpensive wine is also available if you know where to go.
Pepe and Rosario are the owners of Bodega La Jumillana, on the road between...somewhere and somewhere else. Pepe does not speak English, but apparently our hand gestures were sufficient to get our intentions across. Pepe was more than eager to provide us with samples of all the varieties he had on tap.
We did manage to understand from Pepe that the wines are priced based on how long they have aged in the oak barrels. The amazing part was that the most expensive (and tastiest) vintage was only 3 Euros for a liter!
We were told by our friends Finora and Patrick that the wine we were drinking in Spain is not made for export and hence does not contain any of the usual preservatives...which is often responsible for altering the tasts and the bad hangovers. Every morning we woke up chipper and looking for our cafe solo. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Today our plans are to take a drive to Murcia for some sightseeing. Along the way, we made a stop for some lunch at a charming spot located right on the beach in Torrevieja.
Wan has been ordering Paella whenever he finds it on the menu. This traditional rice dish is really tasty and the ready availability of fresh seafood makes it a good value.
We arrived in Murcia in the early afternoon. Like a lot of towns in Spain, it has a mixture of old and new. The center of town is dominated by the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary. It was built over 400 years (14th to 18th centuries) and reflects ALL of the styles over that span.
After all that walking around, we were ready for a good sit-down dinner. We considered eating in Murcia, but during the walk along the coast the other day, Finora and Patrick mentioned a restaurant called La Bahia in the marina and said they make an amazing "salted fish" dish. We decided to give it a try.
Tonight we wanted to sample a variety of flavors, so we ordered half dozen or so tapas (mushrooms, soups, meatballs, olives, etc...). We also ordered what we came to La Bahia for...the salted fish.
The fish came coated in a thick layer of salt. Larabi, our waiter, skillfully separated the meat from the bones and presented it to us. The flavor was incredible, and at 15 Euro, definitely one of the best values on the menu!
Even though we feasted on a lot of great food throughout the day, we didn't feel stuffed or bloated. One reason is that portion size here is not like the "super-sized" servings we get back home :-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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When traveling with laptops and other electronics, sooner or later you will need to recharge them. Here are a few things we do to make our power needs simplier.
First, we minimize the number of chargers we have to bring by taking cameras which only use AA batteries. We brought along the new eneloop rechargeables. AA are available almost anywhere in the world. Second, we only bring gear with AC adapters which can automatically adjusts to the local voltage. Last, we bring an universal adapter.
The little adapter we carry will work with every outlet current in use around the world. It also folds flat for storage. In Spain, the voltage is 220 and the socket in the outlet is two round holes instead of slits. We have had no problems with our setup so far.
We did not bring along our Verizon wireless card as we knew that WiFi will be available at our friends Patrick and Finora's place. It did take a little time to get the settings in Dreamweaver correct so we could update the site via FTP. One compromise we did make was on the laptop size. We brought the ultra light Vaio instead of the larger Apple laptop. While the small Sony Picturebook is extremely portable, it is difficult to use for image editing. Still, we think we made the right tradeoff. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Our friends Patrick and Finora (whom have been hosting us for the past few days) insisted we see the Mediterranean ocean while we are in Orihuela. So we took a stroll along the coastal walkway near their place.
The view was just amazing! The constant pounding of the waves against the coast has carved out some amazing features.
We are quickly getting used to the relaxed pace here in Spain. So if you don't see any more updates for a while, you'll know why :-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Most places in Madrid are reachable on foot or via the Metro, so a car is not really necessary for getting around. A 10 ride Metropass is about 8 Euros.
There are tons of places to stay in Madrid. Many of them are in the center of the city. We chose a hotel (Petite Palace Arenal) with modern accommodations on a pedestrianized street just a few blocks from the Plaza del Sol and the Metro stop.
The staff spoke both Spanish and English, so language was not an issue. In fact, we were able to get by quite easily with just English (and a polite "Tu hablas Ingles?" or two). Although like any place in Europe, having someone in the party who speaks the native language is the way to go. In a few more years, one can probably get by anywhere in the world with knowing just Chinese, Spanish, and English!
Some of you asked what we are using for luggage on this trip. Well, you know that we would not miss an opportunity to test out some gear. We've taken along some gear we have tested locally on this trip with us to Spain.
We wanted to see how they would perform on this 10 day journey. So far, we have been extremely pleased with our selection. Some readers may recognize the gear. If you can name all three pieces, send us the answers in an email with the subject line "On the road again." We'll pick a winner amongst the ones with the correct answers and send you a BitDr. when we get back home.- Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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The weather in Madrid is very mild this time of the year. We took every opportunity to eat dinner outside knowing that we would be facing much colder temperature back in Boston when we return.
After trekking around Madrid for the past few days, we have come to appreciate the local street art for sale around the city. Many of the paintings and crafts are made by the locals for the tourist, but they are things one would actually want to display once you get them back home! - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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A few of us are in Spain for a brief holiday this week. We landed in Madrid on Thursday and have been checking out the sites. Madrid is a very vibrant town...lots of cafes, winding alleys, and open squares. The weather is a balmy 29C.
Today we left Madrid and headed to Oriheula for a birthday party and to visit with some friends. We did bring some gear (Picturebook, Canon S2, etc...) to post updates of the trip when we have WiFi access. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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The annual Brimfield Antique Show is a destination for seasoned antique hunters. We reported on the Brimfield show back in 2005. This year, we returned to look for specific items for a few of the RainyDayProjects we have planned for this Winter.
The Brimfield show was a great place to look for Steampunk project items. There were quite a few vendors showing old radio gear. Many of these antique pieces were priced for collectors and were completely out of our budget.
However, after some extensive searching, we came upon a vendor with an amazing collection of stuff (headphones, morse code devices, etc...) perfect for a project we have been planning for some time.
We purchased this WORKING headset for $5! Our idea is to restore and convert this pair of vintage headphones into something Steampunk-ish. It should be a fun project! Look for it this Winter. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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A few of the RainyDayGarden folks found out that the Mass Horticulture Society was holding a Marketplace Festival out in Wellesley. So we packed up Saturday morning and drove out to see what it was all about.
The event was held at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center. The grounds at Elm Bank were amazing. There were both formal and informal gardens with all kinds of things in bloom.
The event had over 50 vendors selling all kinds of tasty goodies (organic produce, Acai berry drinks, plants, etc...). Whole Foods sponsored the event and, more importantly, served some incredible roasted tomato gazpacho.
All kinds of great plants were also for sale. It was a good thing we didn't have the truck because it would have been easy to go WAY overboard.
We had to limit ourselves to just one purchase. After walking around and checking all of the different growers, we decided on a beautiful day lily called "Sammy Russell."
There was a lot more to the event than what we covered here. We'll have a full write-up of the event soon. Go here to see what else is on the calendar from the folks at Mass Horticulture Society. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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Readers will remember that we reviewed a product called the Candela back in 2005. The Candela is a very innovative product which uses magnetic inductance to recharge its lamps. When we turned the corner on Kingston Street in Chinatown yesterday, we saw an orange flag for a store called Vessel. Vessel is the company which created the Candela.
Unfortunately for us, the store's hours are from Mon-Sat. We all peeked inside to see what the store was like. If you are a fan of Eva Solo, SimpleHuman, and designers of that sensibility, then Vessel is a store for you.
We'll definitely have to go back during the week and check out all the new stuff they have in the store. If you are not lucky enough to have a Vessel store in your neighborhood, you can always visit their virtual store. You won't get to stroll around and touch things, but you can still buy and enjoy them. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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We wanted to start the month off with another great bag from Tom Bihn! This bag is the Zephyr. It went with us to NYC this past weekend...yes, another trip down to the Big Apple.
The Zephyr came with us on this trip because we needed a bag big enough to carry the laptops to the left of the chair. The Zephyr bagged them up and more. Get this bag, rule the world. More on it this month.
As for the trip down to NYC, we left around 10AM, but ran into horrendous traffic on Rt.128 about 12 miutes later. Even the feeder road onto the highway was severly backed up.
It was only later that we discovered that a storm grate incident had caused the massive gridlock. Good thing we we were only on 128 for one exit before picking up Rt. 95 for for the drive south. Otherwise, the four-hour drive would have turned into an eight-hour drive. Our one saving grace was that we had Book One of the Harry Potter Audio series with us on this trip. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 21,2007  |
Harvard Yard was temporarily transformed into Hogwarts Yard last night. An estimated 15,000 people were on hand to hear some very very bad but still entertaining bands (The Hungarian Horntails, Draco and the Malfoys, Harry and the Potters). The crowd didn't seem to care. They were there to share in the experience of the magic of Harry Potter.
Muggles and wizards mingled freely on the grounds well into the night. Everyone was trying to find ways to pass the time until midnight when "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" went on sale.
When it started to get dark, we left and headed to the Barnes & Noble at Chestnut Hill. The store was at near capacity at 11:30PM. People of all ages were milling about looking at everything but the thing they really came to see...the last Harry Potter book.
At the stroke of midnight, a horn sounded and the buying frenzy began. BothCarolyn and Sarah were able to snag early copies because Carolyn had gotten there earlier in the day and got a low number. I have not heard a peep out of them since. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 17,2007 |
Frequent travel is part of our job. Sometimes we hop on a plane, but more often than not, we jump into the Boxster and head on out. Our problem is not just what to pack, but which bag to pack?
Different folks here have their favorites, but the two bags I take most often are the Tom Bihn Aeronaunt and the Ego. I take them because they are tough, great looking, and AMAZINGLY ROOMY.
One thing I have noticed is I definitely tend to bring more stuff when I travel by car than when I fly. Perhaps this is the reason why I reach for the Tom Bihn gear. The Aeronaunt and the Ego lets me keep my gear well organized without having to worry about running out of room.
For a recent two-day trip, I packed the clothes and gear you see below. The clothes were comfortably accommodated in the main section of the Aeronaunt. The side pockets were used for power bricks and AC cords. The Aeronaunt could have easily taken on twice as much stuff. The Ego had separate pockets for all of the gadgets (Blackberry, GPS, desktop tripod, ipod, laptop, etc...). After we took this picture, I realized that we didn't even show the headphones, backup camera, magazines, and bluetooth headset which were all still in the bag.
We think Aeronaunt-Ego duo from the Tom Bihn collection is a great travel combination. Those who roam about frequently should definitely consider this set. With some careful packing, we think we can live for a week or two out of these bags. Hmmm...that may make for an interesting article. We ARE heading to Spain for a couple of weeks in the Fall:-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 8,2007 |
We discovered Sophia's Grotto a few years ago and have been back many times since. It is our favorite neighborhood restaurant for many reasons. The food is delicious, the prices are very reasonable, and the atmosphere is wonderful.
In the Summertime, the restaurant has outdoor seating both in the foyer and along the side. This year they have added some large umbrellas to deal with the unexpected New England weather.
The courtyard is shared by a few restaurants, but it is never too loud or too crowded. There are plenty of on street parking. A free public lot is just a few minutes walk away. Anytime is good, but the prettiest time is around dusk when it is dark enough for the lights to come on.
The owners, Sonia and Joe, are always out greeting the patrons. For directions and hours, check the info listed here. When you go, tell them the folks at RainyDayMagazine sent you, you'll get a good table...OK, they are all good tables :-) - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 7,2007 |
Eating locally grown food is both good for the local economy and good for you. The food is fresher, tastier, and better for you. In the Summer, the best place to get locally grown food is at your Farmer's Market.
In Roslindale, the Farmer's Market has been growing steadily for the past several years. This year, the market has grown so big that it was moved into the town's main square.
There are now all kinds of vendors at the Roslindale Farmer's Market. The stands are stocked with all sorts of seasonal produce, flowers, and tasty baked goods. This year, there are also local artists offering hand-made crafts.
If you are looking for something fresh this summer, whether it be a few juicy tomatoes or a new barrette, you should head down to Roslindale Square on Saturdays between 9 and noon and check out what's happening in the town center. It's (s)hopping! - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 4,2007 |
RainyDayMagazine and 10,000 of its closest friends were on hand at Castle Island to celebrate the annual turning of the USS Constitution.
Happy 4th of July!!!
This event is well known to the residents of South Boston and surrounding neighborhoods, but is otherwise kept "secret" from everyone else :-) This year, you can watch a clip of the firing of the guns captured using our repaired Canon S2. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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July 2,2007 |
Here is a museum tip for you out-of-town RainyDayMagaziners: The new ICA museum is now open. We grabbed this shot when we were down there a few weeks ago wandering around.
This brand-spanking-new museum building is a must see for anyone interested in contemporary art. It is located on Boston's newly developed waterfront and is easily accessible by public transportation. - Wan Chi Lau (permalink)
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May 12,2007 |
The Blue Hills Trailside Museum and Reservation is only a short drive from the RainyDayMagazine office, so we packed up the crew and headed over for a visit a few weeks back.
This Mass Audubon santuary is more than a fun hike (or a hard hike, depending on what you're up for). There are all kinds of events and activities for kids thoughout the year. It is also a sanctuary for injured and recovering wildlife of all kinds.
When we were there, we got to see a Snowy owl, a Red Tail hawk, and a fawn...all of whom had sustained some kind of injury. Most are permanent residents of the Museum because even though they have recovered from their initial injury, they would not be able to survive in the wild (one of the Red Tail Hawks had been blinded in one eye, for instance).
The Blue Hills Reservation trails offers all kinds of things to find and see. Not all are furry or feathery, but they are all interesting if you take the time to look. - Wan Chi Lau
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May 9,2007 |
Spring does not last long in the North East. When the weather "wows us," we get out there and enjoy it. 80º temperature in May is perfect for convertibles ... warm enough to have the top down, but not too warm if you are moving.
This was a perfect opportunity to fire up the Harman Kardon Guide+Play GPS, punch in some coordinates, and follow it to a sandy destination.
Some of you may recognize it as Crane Beach. If you are sitting inside today reading this, consider dropping whatever you are doing, going outside and enjoying the day. There will be plenty of time to work when the weather is crappy :-) - Wan Chi Lau
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May 5-6,2007 |
Somerville had their annual artists open studios event this weekend. We sent our crew out to take a look at what's been happening in Somerville's vibrant art scene. The weekend was so nice that we decided to skip doing any work, so here are so | | |
