Last week some strange astrological confluence bestowed upon me the virtually unimaginable–a babysitter and two uninterrupted afternoon hours to fill. I had a good book with me, and I wanted a place to relax and have a cup of coffee and maybe something to eat, so I headed to Lalajava Coffeehouse. The demise of Lalajava’s Shrewsbury tiki hut location may have had some customers worried, but the coffeehouse has managed to retain much of its original flair at its Northborough location. Visitors to Lalajava are greeted by the strains of world music as they enter a world of tropical flavors and …
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine mentioned that she belonged to a group of women who met regularly without their children to recharge their parental batteries. “You might think it sounds silly,” she told me, “but we always do some kind of a craft, no matter how small. Everything that moms do gets undone–we do laundry and it gets dirty, we cook and the food gets eaten, we clean the house and it gets dirty again. But every time I leave this meeting, I leave with something I’ve made that’s my very own.” I thought about my friend’s words, and they really resonated. As a stay-at-home mom, I…
In this era of Kindles and Nooks, of Web publishing and blogging, the demise of the brick-and-mortar bookstore is always a point of debate at my book club meetings. I take the view that a good bookstore is a true treasure. Borders Books and Music is one of my favorite destinations when I just want to relax. I love to browse the new releases section at the front of the store and leaf through the pages of the books–something you can’t do online. The store also sells games, movies, music, maps, cards and gifts and just about anything else a literary wanderer might desire. These days, a good …
As a busy mom, I don’t always have much time to spend on doing something for myself. As much as I would love to be pampered for a day at a nice spa, I rarely find myself in the position to do so. But that’s okay, because sometimes “getting away from it all” can be as simple as a cup of good coffee—or even better, a cup of coffee and a delicious pastry. That’s why I love the Bean Counter. The Bean Counter Coffee Bar and Bakery is a great stop for a cup of coffee, but the real draw for me is the array of beautiful and decadent cakes, pies, tarts and cookies that lines the store’s glass-fronted …
I must admit, I adore all things culinary. I love to entertain, and I am always eager to try a new recipe. I am a self-taught cook with no formal training, so when a friend from my dinner club proposed taking a cheese making class at one of our future dinner engagements, I was immediately intrigued. I had heard of Culinary Underground from this same friend, who had taken a couple of classes there last year. She had raved about the knife skills class she had taken, where among her other culinary adventures, she had learned to properly de-bone a chicken. Hmm, I thought, that’s something I don’t…
As I grow older, I find myself longing for the days when I took my youthful, elastic, hassle-free skin for granted. But the years and the weather are taking their toll, and even though I am religious about sunscreen application, no one can escape the ravages of time. On a recent, dreary Wednesday, I showed up to pick up my kids at school and noticed that my friend’s face was absolutely glowing. Her skin had a vibrant, healthy look that I hadn’t seen on my own skin in ages. When I asked her what her secret was, she confided that she had treated herself to a facial at Piel Skin Boutique. Piel …
For moms on a quest for a quick getaway, Worcester Art Museum is home to an impressive 35,000-piece collection, but the museum offers much more than first meets the eye. The museum hosts special events and exhibits, offers an extensive array of art classes for adults and kids, and is home to a pleasant café that features a selection of mouth-watering salads, sandwiches, desserts and coffee, and even beer and wine. On wintry days last year, when my daughter was enrolled in painting and drawing classes, I relished the opportunity to sit in the café, savoring my solitude over a Grandma Moses …
Most moms would agree that we all function better and are happier when we take a little time for ourselves without the kids in tow. Fortunately for those of us looking for such a respite, there are many escapes to be had right in our own backyard. All moms are different. We come in assorted shapes and sizes and with interests as varied. Some of us crave quiet moments, while others wouldn’t dream of missing an opportunity to do something active. Some of us prefer a little time alone, and some of us would jump at the chance to get together with other moms for an evening out. And everyone has a …
