Happy end of summer! Of course, the end of summer isn’t technically until September 22, but lots of people declare the summer over with the departure of Labor Day. Once upon a time, this would hold true for me, too. But now that my school days are long gone (sad face. I miss school), nothing much changes from August to September. So, I declare it still summer until it feels like fall. Except the pool at my apartment did close this weekend, making it kind of official. Now the countdown is on to next May.
What did you do to celebrate the end of summer this weekend? I simply enjoyed the city, spent time with my family, and ran a ton of errands. Oh, and I actually worked most of Monday, which was a bummer. But at least I could do it from home, so I try not to complain too much.
On Sunday, Chris and I spent the afternoon wandering around Boston. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we acted kinda like tourists in Boston, snapping photos or places like the Hancock Tower.
Isn’t that an awesome site?
I made sure to take a photo of the Westin, too. Why? Because exactly a year ago yesterday, my entire family was inside that room with the big windows, celebrating my sister and Adam’s wedding.
Wow, i can’t believe this was a whole year ago!! Happy 1st anniversary to Beth and Adam 
Chris and I were both dying for lobster rolls, so we decided to scope out the best we could find. We really wanted to go to Neptune Oyster, but discovered they’re closed on Sundays. So, we decided to go to Barbara Lynch’s B&G Oysters instead.
Good choice because the lobster roll was absolutely incredible. Exactly what I was craving.
It was stuffed with so much lobster meat, I had to eat half of it with a fork before I could even pick up the roll. Best ever!
At $27, it was a little bit pricey and probably one of the more expensive lobster rolls in town. But I’m glad we got to experience it. I’d love to try the B.L.T. with lobster, too! I can’t believe I used to abhor lobster– guess I need to make up for lost time.
We’re going to head to my parents’ house next weekend for some homemade lobster rolls. Yes, we’re planning on ending the summer right!
B&G has the cutest little sunken patio that was perfect with the mid-afternoon sun.
That evening, we went to my sister and Adam’s to celebrate their anniversary. Adam’s parents were in town and my parents came in, too.
We had a photo of the whole table, but 3/4 of the other people had their eyes closed, so I cropped it. I know my mom well enough to know she’d kill me if I didn’t
My mom made clam chowder that was simply amazing! I rarely eat clam chowder and there’s nothing like having it homemade. With bacon, of course!!
My sister and Adam made haddock with summer squash, zucchini, and tomatoes and it, of course, was delicious. But I totally forgot to take photos. You think I had enough seafood for one day? Nah. I did, however, get a photo of dessert.
You know how it’s customary for the bride and groom to eat the top of their wedding cake on their 1-year anniversary? Well, Beth and Adam saved their top, but Icing on the Cake (where they got their wedding cake) also gave them a new little cake for their anniversary. So we ate that with the mint chocolate chip ice cream I made… Using fresh mint! I’m not planning on posting about it, but you can find the recipe here… I followed it almost exactly except i didn’t melt my chocolate; just cut it into pieces and threw it in when the ice cream was almost done mixing.
Also this weekend, Chris and I cooked dinner together. It’s going to be a kind of “involved” post but let’s just say it was awesome and utilized all of this… And a new kind of bread, too!
Other things that have been making me happy?
Ever since we posted about our mango-ginger smoothie last week, I’ve been eating legit a mango a day. I always cut myself a few slices and then keep going back for more. I seriously can’t get enough. How are mangoes so amazing?!
My mom brought me a whole big bottle of her homemade vanilla. There’s nothing better than the real stuff. And since I go through vanilla like water, I’m excited to have a huge container about it. Yup, it will probably last me 2 months tops.
I spent some more time this weekend leafing through this book and am so excited for all the crazy options. And “healthy,” too. There’s even a recipe for doughnuts in there. Which I’m obviously planning on trying ASAP.
Phew! Hope you don’t mind the randomness of this post I’m off to finish some work and then tackle some more bread. I’m thrilled this week is already part over!
How did you spend Labor Day weekend?
[Sues]
gorgeous! it must have been so fun to celebrate a special occasion on a holiday weekend.
that was a TON of seafood, but totally the appropriate way to say good bye to a new england summer!
I do the same thing in this great city of ours (wander around with my bf taking pictures as if we were tourists.) Last weekend we went on the USS Constitution because i had never been!! I spent Labor Day Weekend on the Cape this year.
I need to try that lobster roll. After having experienced Neptune Oysters, I’d say Barbara Lynch’s is a must!
Love this post! What great photos of Boston (that lobster roll looks amazing!) and the wedding shot is just gorgeous:) I spent Labor Day weekend celebrating my sister’s birthday on the beach here in South Florida on a beautiful sunny (not too hot) day! I just signed up to follow your fabulous blog – please stop by and visit sometime at http://www.stephaniesavorsthemoment.com. Looking forward to your next fun post – Cheers!
planned a fabulous barbecue for the park in Alston adjacent to the Charles river only to find barbecue / fire is now banned ;-( perhaps a write-in campaign to the parks and recreation service would be helpful. Had to pack it up and bring it home and swap for cold cuts…. know any Boston / Cambridge parks that have picnic tables and do not ban barbecue?
I spent Labor Day with good food, drinks and friends at my friend’s high rise in the West End! It was nice to be so close to home and unwind from vacation (if that makes sense) and just have a great time.
Also, I LOVE the lobster roll from B&G. And the pickles there are AWESOME!
Look at all that seafood! Yum. Sounds like a stellar weekend. I celebrated my birthday (albeit belatedly), which was a great excuse to get my family together over the long weekend.
Spectacular shot of the Hancock Tower! We sure do live in a gorgeous city
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I absolutely love the lobster rolls at B & G. It’s a tiny restaurant, and rather expensive… but so worth it! We’ve been wanting to try Neptune for a while also – hopefully we’ll get there sometime soon.
I am so sad the summer is coming to a close
….. What a great weekend ya’ll had. Yummy lobster rolls! Totally worth the $$ . Happy Anniversary to your sister and her husband! How sweet of you to make delicious ice cream to go with the cake. My weekend was spent at a Wedding and seeing a bundle of friends
How awesome! I love all the photos! Looks like it was a blast!
Looks like the perfect way to spend the weekend -I love the pictures of the city!
Looks like a great weekend – we had perfect weather here in Beantown! I love B&G but have only been in the winter. I need to check out the patio… and the lobster roll!
What an awesome weekend!! That picture of the John Hancock building is incredible. Definitely picture frame worthy
PS – Adam and I just went to Neptune Oyster last Thursday and it was sick – sooooooo amazing. I can’t stop talking about it to everyone I meet. With that said, I hear B&G’s is possibly even better so you definitely made the right choice. Now I can’t wait to try it too
that lobster roll looks awesome!
All that food looks delish and I don’t even eat seafood! Looks like you guys had a great weekend. Labor day doesn’t exist in England so not much going on around here, I don’t think summer ever really came so it being over doesnt really change much around here. Oh and that bread book – I need it!
ps. I’m doing a cookbook give away on my blog you might be interested in!
Wonderful weekend in Boston! Those lobster rolls look amazing!
How’s Basil doing? I noticed he didn’t even get a shout-out
That. Lobster. Roll. Wow. Must go ASAP!
@ Adam HAHA basil is doing quite well. I ALMOST photographed him for the post. But then I felt like I had to include that creepy photo of you and Beth waving to him too… So I refrained for your sake.
It sounds like a fabulous weekend. The food all looks wonderful. I couldn’t pick a favorite dish if I had to. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
That lobster roll looks so good! The ice cream doesn’t look so bad either
Mint chocolate chip is my favorite!
Sounds like a delicious weekend! That lobster roll looks to-die-for, yummmm.
sounds like a fun weekend, despite having to work on monday.
that lobster roll looks divine!
ok, so i’ve done the homemade vanilla thing, and it didn’t occur to me to add the beans right to the vodka bottle. Definitely an amazing idea!!
Those photos of you two at B&G look awesome, that post-lobster glow
lol. anyways, great weekend!!
your sister is GORGEOUS~!! happy one year to her and her husband!
Choc Chip Mint ice cream and chocolate cake with cream frosting was a FABULOUS CHOICE! its not often you see mint chocolate ice cream on blogs.. its sooooo good
wow that sky-scraper of a building is CRAZY! i love it- i just feel bad for the window washers haha <3
xoxo
We wandered our downtown too. Sacramento. Got some great shots also. This was on Sunday. On Monday, we had a bbq at my brother’s house.
Ohhh another lobster roll to try!! I still think Neptunes was amazing so I definitely recommend it (and its 2 bucks cheaper) but B&G’s looks pretty amazing too!!
Great pics! I agree, the weather was great last weekend. I’m sad summer is almost over, but excited about all the fall baking I’ll be doing soon!
I’ve been wanting to check out both Neptune and B&G too – glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like you had the perfect holiday weekend
Speaking of lobster! What a delicious-looking lobster roll! Beautiful photos of your weekend. I wish I could join you at your parents for those homemade lobster rolls
Huh. Did you make Indian food, by any chance? A lot of spices in there. Most of them Indiany. And oh man, I need to make my own vanilla!