Turkey Day Round-Up

Thanksgiving in Boston was fantastic. We kicked off the holiday weekend by celebrating Kristin's birthday on Wednesday night at Legal Seafoods in Cambridge. The next day, we enjoyed a leisurely morning before dressing up in our finery and heading over to the Harvard Club for an early afternoon Thanksgiving feast. Kristin's father-in-law is an alum and, rather than sweat it out in the kitchen each year, they enjoy a big Thanksgiving meal at the club and were kind enough to invite us along. And let me tell you, the Ivy Leaguers know how to do it up right! Turkey not your thing? No worries, they've got ham and prime rib and sea bass. Don't like pumpkin pie? That's OK... have some pecan pie, pistachio creme brulee, strawberry rhubarb crisp, or molten chocolate cake instead! Don't forget the sweet potatoes, yams, and mashed potatoes. Or the brussel sprouts with tiny pearl onions and bacon (yum!) and stuffing. And if you like everything, all the better! And, of course, the club was decorated beautifully. It was a feast for all of the senses. Thank goodness for control top tights.

Later that night, the kids (that would be me, J, Kristin, and Dan) headed back into Cambridge and wound up at the legendary Hong Kong, where we gorged ourselves on Crab Rangoon and Chicken Lo Mein, and ended up racing the table next to us to see how fast we could down first a Scorpion Bowl and then a Mai Tai Bowl. (For those of you who are not familiar, the Hong Kong is an unremarkable Chinese restaurant-cum-disco that seems to be the destination for under-aged drinking if you are a student at any one of Boston's many centers for higher education. I've heard stories about this place from at least 4 different friends who attended college all across the Boston metro region. The food is mediocre at best, but you can't pass up the pumpkin-sized bowls of alcoholic fruit punch affectionately known as "Scorpion Bowls.")

On Friday, J toured us around his alma matter, Boston College, and then we headed into downtown Boston for some (window) shopping on Newbury Street and a tasty Italian dinner in the North End. On Saturday, we spent some downtime in Lexington, MA and filled up on Chinese food (yet again) at the local Asian buffet before heading home. (You'll be reading lots of future posts about me hitting the gym!)

All in all, a fabulous weekend, and a great start to the holiday season! Now I'm counting down my trip home to see my family in just 3 weeks!