Diner, Drive-in or Dive #6: Bayway Diner

According to 50 States Facts and Trivia, New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as "the diner capital of the world." It was only fitting that we would have lunch at one that made Guy Fieri's Triple D list.

The Bayway Diner is located in an industrial area (a refinery is across the street) in Linden, New Jersey and makes good food fast for the working folks.

(In the top photo, the area on the right is a covered patio area for outside dining... look at the snow!)

The inside isn't any fancier than the outside. There is counter seating for NINE with room for one person to walk on the other side of the counter. All food preparation is done on the other side of the counter. Tito, the cook (chef?), recognized that we hadn't been in before and talked to us as he prepared our food. Our server, Kim, was also friendly in that no-nonsense diner fashion. Mike, the owner, recognized us as "new faces" and chatted with us. The other customers, all regulars, were equally friendly. It is the kind of place where you feel right at home when you walk in the door. But what about the food?

We both had the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and fries... a tasty trio of chopped steak, peppers and onions covered with melted American cheese on an Italian roll. The large crinkle-cut fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside... the kind that melt in your mouth. All I can say is...YUMMY!

As we enjoyed our lunch at a diner favored by locals, we wondered why anyone would prefer national chain fast food to the fast, friendly service and food we've experienced at the "Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives" we've tried. They take a little more work to find (google is my new best friend!) but are well worth the effort!

Christmas Gifts

We spent Christmas at the Albaecks in North Carolina along with Janne and Adam. This was a special Christmas for me- Jacob was back from Iraq for his R&R and we ALL could be together for Christmas- a first! It was a fun, memory-making time.

I thought about gifts... ones under the tree, ones from Christmases past, ones that aren't "things" and especially about the one God gave us that first Christmas so many years ago... Jesus and His gift of salvation.

Grandchildren are a marvelous gift! 

Richard and I spent some time playing with the grandkids outside on Christmas Eve. While we enjoyed gifts of good health and being able to play with our four sweethearts who are as individual as can be, they enjoyed gifts of playtime with grandparents and toys from past Christmases. 

There is nothing like Christmas morning with little kids!

Amazingly, the Albaeck children, unlike their mother when she was a child, sleep in on Christmas morning so our day didn't begin until 8-ish. Gifts are opened one at a time amid much story-telling and laughter. Every gift is special... from the homemade ones from the kids or underwear in a stocking to that one thing you "really, really wanted!"

Lexie got two tutus (for ballet class)... and being the good little sister that she is, shared with Ben!

The gift of laughter is perhaps my favorite one. As you can imagine, with four kids under the age of eight, there was a lot of laughter... listening to them sing "Feliz Navidad" ("...Espano ano demicidad...") ... or watching the "ballarinas" in tutus and Christmas pajama tops... 

Another gift... we had a "White Boxing Day!"

We woke up on Boxing Day (December 26th for those who aren't familiar with Boxing Day) to a pristine, white blanket of snow covering absolutely everything! The kids were excited! The grown ups were excited! And after lunch we went outside to play in it. We had snowball fights... ate real root beer snow cones... had fun playing together ... and just marveled at the fluffy stuff coming down out of the sky.

We had a wonderful Christmas and were blessed with many gifts!

Diner, Drive-in or Dive #5: Dots Back Inn

Realizing we have been neglecting our "Triple D" outings, we found one in Richmond, Virginia that we tried on our way to North Carolina for Christmas. Dots Back Inn is owned and operated by chef Jimmy Tsamoures and serves "diner classics" as well as a few specialities.

We thought Dots definitely looks like a dive from the outside... and the inside is "comfortable"... but the food is fabulous!

It is situated smack in the middle of a residential neighborhood and is very much a local eatery. In fact, we stood out like sore thumbs- and it wasn't just because we walked in with a camera! The first thing I noticed when we walked through the door at 11:20 am was that a local lunch crowd was already beginning to congregate. Local folks (so, everyone but us!) were greeted by name as they walked in and the waitresses were friendly and conversational to all.

Typical diner and somewhat gaudy Christmas decor greets patrons as they enter.  All the booths were taken so we sat at a center table. By the time we left, an hour later, there was not an empty table or booth and only a few counter stools were available. The place was hoppin' by noon!

Who is Dot? According to their menu, "Dot started working in the family restaurant in the 1940's and waited tables for nearly 50 years. Dot's is dedicated to her and every other waitress who has been the heart, soul and success of the neighborhood restaurant, but never had the opportunity to own her own."

Richard ordered the "Grilled Andouille Sandwich" with provolone cheese and grilled onions and I ordered the "Black and Blue Burger" with blue cheese and cajon spice- and we each had half. We both chose the spicy red potato salad as our side. The food was flavorful and fresh... and absolutely delicious! 

As Guy Fieri says, it was "good eats!"

I am quite sure we will stop back at Dots Back Inn... maybe we'll even become "locals!"

Be Prepared!

Be prepared... both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scout claim that as their motto. Having been a Girl Scout for eleven years and a Girl Scout leader for another ten years, it has also become my motto. When I read that the I-95 corridor was expecting a massive snowstorm in late December, I decided we had better get prepared.

Just about every alphabet acronym (AARP, AAA, DHHS, MDOT, CDC, ...) has a list of items everyone "must have" to prepare for winter weather- some items are for your house and some for your car.

The "House Stuff" is on the left... the "Car Stuff" on the right and the middle is shared. Some would argue that the most important item is... chocolate!

Fortunately, we have a gas stove/oven and would be able to use them even if we are without electricity. We make sure we have a supply of bottled water (home and car) and food that needs no preparation. The candle in the coffee can is for the car- along with some matches- to provide light or thaw out a water bottle. I carried one in my car throughout the winter we spent in Calgary, Canada and never needed it- I'm hoping for a repeat performance! And the beach towels, in case you were wondering, are to provide traction should we get stuck- easier and less messy than sand! 

With the purchase of windshield de-icer, my "Winter Survival Kit" was complete... and we are now prepared for whatever winter brings this year.

Christmas Lights

Last night we went to see...

We've been to Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo many times... sometimes in our shorts... but here at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (commonly called the National Zoo!), we bundled up with pull-over fleece, heavy coat, gloves and scarf before heading out to see what we were sure would be a spectacular display. It was chilly (about 27 degrees) and we could see our breath as we exhaled. 

Most of the displays were just rope lights on wire outlines like these. The birds did appear to fly across the walkway... although my time-exposure doesn't show it. Two of the exhibits like these were set to music- if you got there at the right time.

There were some pretty trees that had lights on the trunks and branches. Strangely, these were not set to music- but they were pretty to walk by.

The almost full moon added some pretty light of its own...

My favorite moonscape!

We concluded that the light display was not as good as ones we've seen at the Phoenix Zoo... although the nearly-full moon did make for some interesting shots. The highlight of the outing, for Richard, was discovering the place inside the zoo that sells hot mini-donuts... piping hot morsels of sugary cinnamon-crusted dough that melt in your mouth. He figured out, for future reference, which entrance to drive into so that I could jump out, run about 100 yards to pick up mini-donuts and sprint back to the car before they cooled off! Yeah, they were that good!!

As I sat munching my divinely delicious donut, I paused to contemplate the real Light of Christmas... "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) 

A love story in Washington, D.C.

I like listening to and singing along with a good rendition of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" as much as the next person but for me, nothing captures the true meaning of Christmas quite like listening to Handel's "Messiah." This year we saw it performed at The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts- a magnificent hall.

The easily recognizable Kennedy Center For Performing Arts hosts many televised events- the Bolshoi Ballet and the Kennedy Center Honors to name a few.

Although not as old as Washington National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has an equally interesting history. President Eisenhower first saw its vision in 1958 when he signed bipartisan legislation creating a National Cultural Center.  That act included four specific parts: authorized the Center's construction, defined an artistic mandate that included a wide variety of classical and contemporary performances, established an educational mission for the Center and stated that the Center was to be an independent facility, self-sustaining and privately funded. I think it's interesting that although Congress birthed the project, they do not appropriate any funds for it- nor do they exercise any control over it. It is an example of the people's desire for a national stage to promote the arts without government influence as to what that art is. It is, in my opinion, a testament to the strength of our government. There are few places in the world where controversial plays, music and literary readings can be performed in a government-created institution/building without reprisal.

Fund-raising began immediately after the National Cultural Center Act was signed but it wasn't until President Kennedy took office and began promoting the Center through fundraiser luncheons/receptions at the White House that construction seemed likely. After President Kennedy's death, Congress designated the Center a "living memorial" to him and authorized $23 million to build what is now known as The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Fundraising soared and The Kennedy Center  for Performing Arts opened in1971.

The interior is beautifully elegant in an under-stated way. 

(My apologies for slightly blurry indoor photos- no flash or tripods allowed!)

Janne and Adam joined us for the evening of music and celebration. Unlike our experiences at theaters in Arizona where there is no dress code, patrons at the Center dress up for performances. While there was the very occasional jeans-clad couple, it was nice to see so many dressed in holiday attire. Whether this is an east coast vs. west coast phenomenon or something else entirely is a discussion for another blog post. Suffice it to say here, we enjoyed dressing up!

We took advantage of the "Coat Check Room"- a first for us!

The music of Handel's Messiah is completely captivating. As the orchestra began playing the first few notes, the auditorium became not just quiet, but still. There was no rustling of programs, candy wrappers crinkling or hushed whispering. As I looked around, I could see tense faces relaxing into slight smiles. And then I, too, became lost in the music and story.

George Frideric Handel composed the music for Messiah after a friend, Charles Jennens, asked him to set his "Scripture collection" (53 Scripture verses from the Old and New Testaments) whose subject "excels every other subject. That subject is 'Messiah'" to music. The work has three sections that tell the story of Jesus Christ: 1) prophecies of salvation, a coming Messiah, the Virgin Birth, and Christ's redemptive miracles on earth, 2) the scourging and agony on the cross, Christ's sacrificial death, resurrection, ascension and identity in heaven, the world's rejection of the Gospel and God's triumph, and 3) Christ's Second Coming including the Day of Judgment and general Resurrection and victory over death and sin. 

Working unceasingly, Handel completed the musical score in just 24 days! However, it was not performed for almost a year- and its premier was not in Handel's adopted country, England (although German-born, he had lived in England for decades), but in Ireland. Why? Because Handel's passion for oratorio- "a composition for orchestra and voices telling a sacred story without costumes, scenery, or dramatic action"- was very controversial. The Church of England was outraged that a Bible story was being told by "common mummers" and even worse, in a theater, and fought against its performance as well as other oratorios Handel composed (Esther and Israel in Egypt, for example). Handel's Messiah, many say his greatest work, wasn't generally appreciated in England until long after his death. Although Handel considered it "a piece appropriate for Lent" it has become a traditional Christmas concert.

Today, in this age of political correctness where great care must be exercised not to offend anyone, where Nativity displays in public places have been litigated in court, we can attend a performance of Messiah. Even with its still controversial and often rejected message of God's love for mankind. Even in our "National Cultural Center." A Christmas miracle? Perhaps...

After the performance, my sweet husband wrote a "love note" to me in the snow. What a wonderful way to end a performance telling God's love story!

first snow...

Today was our first official snow storm- apparently "flurries" don't really count.

It has been "frigidly cold" for the past week or so with "real feel" high temperatures in the teens to mid-twenties. We brought out the heavy coats, scarves, thermal gloves and wool sox last week. We wear a coat and gloves to get the mail... just 22 steps (yes, I counted!) from our door. So we were not surprised when snow was forecasted for the end of the week.

A light snow started falling at 11:00 am and continued until about 5:00 pm this afternoon. As I sat in the warmth of our apartment watching the snow fall through the window, several thoughts came to mind. I was awed by this beautiful fluffy stuff that looks so light and airy yet creates major havoc on the roadways. I wondered where the thousands of homeless people in the DC metro area were spending the storm. I marveled at the peaceful tranquility of the snowscape.

Columbia, Maryland received a little over an inch of snow today and is expecting another, potentially bigger snow storm on Sunday. I guess it is time to get winter supplies for our cars and apartment... 

"Hear the bells..."

I love Christmas music... carols from long ago and songs from yesterday... traditional music as well as  jazzy, country, silly, instrumental, crooners. One of our traditions, starting when our children were in band and orchestra,  is the annual Christmas concert(s). We've been to many through the years- but this year's concert was, by far, the most notable.

Saturday afternoon we went to Washington National Cathedral for their Joy of Christmas concert. We arrived early to explore the grounds and cathedral before the concert. Okay... and because we drove into Washington DC and wanted to allow plenty of time to get lost- but we didn't!

The idea of a national cathedral dates back to the late 1700's when Pierre L'Enfant (commissioned by George Washington to create a plan for the nation's capital) first envisioned "a great church for national purposes." 

Construction began in 1907 when the cornerstone was laid- a stone from a field near Jerusalem laid into an American granite stone inscribed with "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."  (John 1:14)  The Bethlehem Chapel, the first part of the cathedral completed, opened in 1912 and soon became a place of services of national focus. The state funerals of four American presidents- Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford- and a memorial service for the victims of the 9/11 attacks are but a few of the services held at Washington National Cathedral. The completion of the west towers in 1990 marked the end of construction- an 83 year-old work in progress!

The Gothic architecture style is evident in the pointed arches, flying buttresses, gargoyles (not visible in this photo- but there are 112 of them!), vaulted ceilings and stained glass.

When viewed from above, the cathedral is in the shape of a cross with a long nave (a tenth of a mile long!) and two shorter transepts. As we walked through the building, we noticed works in wrought iron, stone, stained glass, wood and fabric decorating the building. These icons teach Christian beliefs (Creation, redemption through faith) and pay tribute to our country's history and values (a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln with a stained glass window depicting the agony of Civil War). There are many beautiful works of art and we saw only a few of them.

There are 231 stained glass windows in the Cathedral. As the sun streams through them, colors are projected on the opposite walls creating a rainbow of color. Majestic!

Now back to the music. The high tower in the photo above the stained glass photo is the only place in America to house both peal and carillon bells. We had the privilege of hearing the carillon bells playing Christmas music- absolutely heavenly! You can hear them in the video below. The Great Organ is immense- and sounds just as heavenly- with over 10,000 pipes! I could have listened to it all day but the conductor had other plans. An ensemble from Washington Symphonic Brass regaled us with several familiar carols as well as some old European Christmas songs. The two trumpeters walked down the aisles as they played- it was the ultimate stereo performance! Teen-agers from a local school performed an African Christmas song- the words told the story of Christ's birth and the music was very upbeat and joyful. And, finally, one of the Cathedral's choirs sang a selection of Christmas music- the ones in Latin were particularly lyrical and beautiful. The audience was invited to sing along with two familiar Christmas carols ending with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!  

So what made this concert notable? The building is certainly historic and memorable. And the music was varied, performed well and a sweet dessert to my ears. But mostly it was sitting in a cathedral that so beautifully depicts Christ, listening to music that celebrates His birth and praising God for a little over an hour that made this concert so memorable. What an inspiring way to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

First Flurries...

It was with great excitement and anticipation that Maryland received her first flurries. The news on both television and radio has been filled with talk about it for weeks... when it will happen... how to prepare... and if a white Christmas is in the offing. For my desert-dwelling friends, flurries are "a light, brief shower of snow."

We were at the mall when we heard people excitedly talking about "the flurries" and sure enough, when we went outside, there was a light layer of snow on the ground. The streets were wet but no snow stuck to the warm asphalt. Mall maintenance crews had already salted the sidewalks so they also were wet but not snowy.

The top of our parking garage was snow-covered... except for the mysterious circle that had no tire tracks or foot steps around it.

The snow stayed until the next day when it rained... and washed the snow away!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Since I was a child I have loved putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it.  There is just something captivating about an evergreen covered in lights and sparkly ornaments. It has been our tradition to put up a rather large tree early in December. Richard spends several hours making sure the branches are "fluffed" just right (yes, it's an artificial tree!) and the lights are spaced evenly. The ornaments are unwrapped with love and carefully placed on the tree as we remember where or from whom we got each one. It's a time to reminisce about Christmases past.

Yesterday, as I was admiring our much smaller (apartment vs house!) Christmas tree with borrowed ornaments, I wondered how it came about that people put a tree in their home and decorated it. The internet revealed quite a few stories about the origin of the Christmas tree but the one I liked the best is this:

"When Christianity first came to Northern Europe, three virtues- Faith, Hope and Charity- were sent from Heaven to find a tree that was as high as hope; as great as love; as sweet as charity; and one that had the sign of the cross on every bough. Their search ended in the forests of the North where they found the Fir. Lighted from the radiance of the stars, it was the first Christmas tree."

As I look at our Christmas tree, I will see faith, hope, charity and the cross... another way I am keeping CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

Baby, it's cold outside...

Winter does not officially begin until December 21st this year... 15 days from now. We have noticed the days getting shorter- it's dark by 5:30pm now- and colder- the highs are only in the 40-50's now. And yesterday at 3:30 in the afternoon (so the warmest part of the day...) when we returned to our apartment complex, we saw...

ICICLES!!

A series of storms are providing lower than normal temperatures, lots of wind and "frigid dry air" giving real-feel temperatures in the teens and low twenties. For those who are wondering- yes, I pulled my heavy coat out of the closet and have worn it! And gloves. And the ice scraper is in my car. Today I am getting windshield cleaner for freezing weather. Then let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Happy Holly!

Did you know that holly grows on trees? Well, actually, it is a tree- or shrub, depending on how it is pruned. I was astonished to discover that for myself! Holly grows wild throughout the northeast and we have seen a lot of it as we've explored Civil War battlefields.

Holly and Christmas go together like soup and a sandwich!

Holly is a traditional Christmas plant often used in wreaths. Christian tradition says that the pointy leaves represent the thorns of Christ's crown, the perennial green leaves represent eternal life and the red berries represent Christ's blood shed for our salvation. As this Christmas season approaches, I will remember this bit of Christian folklore as a way to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!