The homesickness bug bit, so we packed our bags and headed to Philadelphia for the long Columbus Day weekend. Having been unable to travel in my final weeks of pregnancy, this was my first overnight trip since our move in the beginning of July. Our good friend Kim Dengler was kind enough to host us for our three night stay.
We had an uneventful drive down late Friday night. There was some traffic, but overall it was a pleasant journey. We stopped at a McDonald's in Delaware along the way so both Adam and his parents could eat. Karl ordered a cherry pie, which they were out of. So he ordered an apple pie. None of those. As he switched his order to a sundae, the ice cream machine broke. The manager generously offered Karl anything on the menu he wanted, free of charge. So he ordered an orange juice (the only other sweet thing available) and got a very large one for free!
On Saturday, we spent some time in our favorite Philly haunts. We went to the Italian Market in both the morning and afternoon. First, we had $3 bacon, egg, hash brown, and toast breakfasts at a little hole-n-the-wall eatery. Then we went to the famous kitchen store, Fante's and picked up some odds and ends. Next, we went to the Spice Corner, which carries every dry item you would ever need for your pantry. Planning a pasta making session for the near future, I purchased some semolina flour along with beet and spinach powder for tri-color pasta.
We had lunch at the famous Lorenzo's Pizza at the corner of 9th & Christian. We've found that they just don't make anything close to that in DC! (We also bought some of their dough to bring home and freeze.)
In the evening, we met up with Gus, Retna, and Kristen. We had dinner at an Indonesian restaurant in South Philly, then retired to Gus & Retna's home to watch the Philly's game.
On Sunday, we attended the services at Tenth Presbyterian. This was like coming home for us. This is the place we met, the place we were married, and the place where many of our dearest friends worship. Adam got to meet many new people, including his Aunt Karen. Adam did very well despite all of the overstimulation of strangers touching his toes and rubbing his head all day. His eyes were wide open as we left in the evening, but he slept well at night! After evening service, we joined some friends for dinner at Applebee's.
On Columbus Day, we headed to the Independence Mall area. We visited my old workplace, where all of my former teacher colleagues ooh'd and ahh'd over Adam's blonde hair and blue eyes. While in the area, we picked up some delicious buttercreams and caramels from our favorite chocolatier, Lore's. Then we joined our friends Luke and Debra, and their children Thomas and Nathaniel, for lunch at their home. Debra prepared a delicious and authentic Norwegian meal, which included Sweedish meatballs, Ligonberry jelly, Fiskeboller, potatoes, and an apple salad. For dessert we had stoopwaffels, which I would describe as a pizelle with a thickened maple syrup-like filling. Delicious!
We left for DC in the mid-afternoon. We were sorry to leave our beloved city again, but glad to be back to our home routine. We remarked along the way about how much we would love to live in Philadelphia again, yet how much we know that God has us where he wants us right now.
First time in Rittenhouse Square: He seems to sleep through all of his firsts!
1 comment:
It was really nice to finally meet baby Adam in person. Quite handsome, I might add. Oh, and yes, it was nice to see you and Karl (lol). I am sure you perform your own version of praise makers for him every day. Daniel misses you and the parachute. And of course, it appears that you are thoroughly enjoying having a boy - a mama's boy. I look forward to seeing all of you again. Virginia
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