T Stands for Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg

But the locals just call it Lake Webstah (pronounced Webster without the distinctive and  sexy Boston accent.)

An unexpected errand found us in the town of Webster. It was dinner time, and we were going to go to a nearby 99 Restaurant for their lobster roll. I then remembered a restaurant in Webster on the lake that my elderly neighbor, Prissy liked and raved about so we set the GPS to find Point Breeze.

The real name of the lake is Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. The name comes from a Nipmuc Native American tribe. When we first moved out here, I had heard the name meant "I fish my side. You fish your side, and no one fishes in the middle."

I was disappointed when I looked over my pictures that the name of the lake in the banner of the stained glass window didn't show up well.

Too bad it was another rainy Spring day in a long line of rainy Spring days. The restaurant has outdoor seating and sitting outside would have made a pleasant backdrop to dinner. Next time.

I was sitting by the window on the left and switched napkins because I wanted the blue one.

A Tuesday night and there was hardly anyone in the restaurant. I didn't mind.

My unsweetened, iced tea with lemon.

A brief history of Point Breeze. 

Though there were lots of selections on the menu. The restaurant is noted for its seafood selection. We started off with clam fritters with maple syrup.

A beautiful house salad with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing . And no cheese! I hate cheese. And there were black olives. Love black olives. I gave the Bermuda onion slices to Himself. I'm not a fan of onions.

Himself order Surf n' Turf. Steak, fried shrimp and a side of mashed potatoes.

I debated getting whole belly fried clams, but the weather was not fried clam weather (sunny, warm, but not hot and humid) I chose swordfish with lemon butter, and summer and zucchini squash.

While enjoying dinner we watched an intrepid boater (the black dot in the center of the photo) go from one side of the lake and back again.

The portions were more than generous so we had enough for an awesome lunch the following day. Do you want to build a snowman?

I had looked over the menu online before we got to the restaurant and decided I wanted the Apple Crisp. Most times, there's just no room for dessert and most desserts are not Keto friendly. We've been off the Keto reservation for awhile. I skipped the ice cream because in my family after the Brother had gotten sick eating seafood and ice cream, the combination became taboo. I didn't skip the whipped cream.

Himself order the Blondie Brownie Sundae.  Before desserts came out, a group of four women sitting at a table behind us had ordered dessert. They were all going to share the sundae. Himself saw the waitress bring them their dessert and said he was going to be sorry because

the dessert was enough to feed a small town. I had a taste and it was delicious. Most of the dessert was packed up to take home.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. My new (on sale) jacket arrived. It has 20 pockets as I hate carrying a purse.

2. We have thoroughly enjoyed David Tennant and Michael Sheen in Good Omens available on Amazon. Tennant and Sheen play off of each other so well. The show is based on the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett.

3. Shopping and Five Guys lunch with The Young One. Not Keto, but Oh, so good!

4. Enjoying Andy T. Fish's online Pitch class. Learning productive techniques for the business side of art.

5. A colleague is moving on. I'm very happy for her, but I'll miss her.

 How was your week?

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Teague and I went to lunch. I had a cheat day. A real bacon cheeseburger on a bun with sweet potato fries.

2. Himself lost his wallet. Cancelling bank cards was done online.  Had all the documents needed so he could go to the AAA (American Automobile Association) office instead of the Registry to get his license replaced. Hardly any wait time.

3. We had Keto lunch at the Outback Steakhouse on the way to the AAA. Steak, summer squash, carrots, salad for Himself and salmon, broccoli, and salad for me.

4. Happy mail arrived.

5. Himself called security at school and they said someone had found his wallet and would leave it at the Framingham campus. The town police came to the door to tell him the wallet had been found and he could pick it up at the Framingham police station. And everything in his wallet. License, debit card, credit card, and $4 in cash.

How was your week?

A Matter of Perspective

When he's going to the store and asks if you need anything. You say you need some chia seeds. You tell him he can find Bob's Red Mill in the baking aisle, and you expect he'll bring home a small, 12 oz. bag.

 What he hears is chia seeds

and he brings home a 5 lb. tub.

I use a teaspoon or so of chia seeds when I make a smoothie. I sprinkle some on the Keto hamburger buns I make. I make strawberry jam (1 cup) Any other recipes for chia seeds? I may have to buy one of the chia pets to use up all these seeds.

Storm Prep

The storm that dumped heavy rains on the West Coast and heavy snow across the middle of the country, is making it's way to the East Coast. We had done some shopping earlier in the week so we were all set for supplies. Himself went to run an errand so I tagged along to pick up some milk.

Saturday, 19. January sunrise.

Along with some heavy snow, this storm brings the threat of sleet, freezing rain, and ice. My worry is losing electricity. Because we have our own well, when we lose electricity, we also lose water. No electricity to run the pump so not being able to flush the toilet. On Friday, I filled my water buckets so we would have water to pour into the toilet tank to flush. I also placed a lantern on the vanity so we can find the bathroom.

I did some baking. Not Keto, but gluten and sugar free. I used Pamela's Pancake and Baking Mix to make a quick bread and some chocolate chip cookies. For the chocolate chips, I chopped up a bar of Lily's Milk Chocolate which is sweetened with Stevia. The bar has a total of 10 Net Carbs, so is an acceptable Keto treat.

Other supplies: another lantern for the kitchen. Peanut butter and tuna fish went on sale so we bought a ton for food that doesn't require cooking. The can opener so we can find it. The grey and green felt pouch holds the LePow Moonstone a portable charger for the phones and iPad. There are enough Lily's chocolate bars in assorted flavors (I only like the milk chocolate. The others are dark chocolate which I find too bitter, but Himself likes the dark. MiniMoos, half and half creamers that don't need refrigeration. Though I don't have a way of heating water for tea.

I moved the garden flag into the front porch.

Filled the bird feeder with the fruit and nut blend. I haven't seen many birds around and/or they don't like the cheap millet seed I had picked up for Timex and decided to put in the feeder. Sometimes the birds flock to the feeder during really bad weather.

Hard to believe a storm was coming. Though it was very cold, the skies were blue and sunny.

My car in the middle of the driveway in storm position with the windshield wipers raised. If we do get the ice storm, the wiper blades won't be frozen to the windshield. In the background by the stair rails you can see the post lantern that got blown over. I tried to lift it, but it was frozen to the ground. Hopefully, it will survive the heavy, wet snow and ice.

I baked some Keto hamburger buns. Himself doesn't mind putting things like chicken or tuna in a salad, or eating peanut butter on celery sticks. Me, I need bread or a bread like substance.

The errand Himself ran was to buy a little red wagon. Radio Flyer doesn't make the nice metal wagons we had as a kid and Grandpa bought for the girlies. Their wagon is long gone. He ended up with this canvas thing, but sufficient to help him roll the battery backups around. We were hoping one unit would power the microwave, but it wasn't strong enough. It does however work to power his CPAP machine. He can't sleep without it.

There's another wagon in the garage with the backup which will hopefully keep the sump pump humming.

We've done about all we could do to prepare for the storm. Now just have to watch the milky white sky and wait for the snow and Monday to find out if this storm was the blockbuster as predicted or just bust.

I hope all those in the path of the storm, ride through it safe and warm.

T Stands for Visit to Santa's Christmas Land and Brunch

Warning: Picture heavy

The Sunday before Christmas, The Eldest took us to Santa's Christmas Land at Kraynak's Lawn and Garden Center. She said co-workers told her about it. Kraynak's does a large Easter display and a Christmas display. The Christmas display went up in September. Merry Thanksgivoween.

People come from all over to see the decorations. The line wound around the parking lot. The line moved quickly past blow ups of

Rudolph

a fire dog

and my favorite, The Grinch

This elf marked the entrance to Christmas Land. I wondered if he was one of the naughty Elf on the Shelf and would let loose with the fire extinguisher. I'm so glad we didn't have Elf on the Shelf when my girlies were little.

Inside, trees decorated with a hundred different themes. I like how they made ribbon candy with ribbon.

Each vignette reminded me of being taken to Jordan Marsh, a Boston department store (later bought out by Macy's) to visit the Enchanted Village and to see Santa.

I thought the pair of swans was very pretty reflected in their mirror ponds.

I couldn't decide if the snowman was cute or creepy.

Loved the polar bear.

 There were so many people in line and so many trees, it was hard to get pictures of the whole tree.

The sign made me laugh

Mrs. Claus and the Elf Band rehearsed while

Santa played with his trains

Look, a snowy owl

And a little deer running away from creepy children

Loved the black bears

All the trees are numbered and were for sale.  You could buy the whole shebang or find the ornaments in the store to decorate your tree with a theme.

I wonder how many horses' patoots (what Himself says when the girlies and I are around) Papa Bear is saying as he untangles strings of lights.

This bear enjoys a hot beverage while reading a favorite book

I finally got the tops of some Christmas trees

After wending my way through the line, I could use a cup of tea. Which I got when we stopped for brunch at the Iron Bridge Inn

Not only tea, but Himself and I were able to stick to the Keto diet though it was hard to pass up the waffles, French toast, and pastries for scrambled eggs, green beans, bacon, and sausage. Himself also had roast beef and both of us missed shrimp cocktail. I thought about going up after I finished my plate, but I was too full.

A Merry Christmoose

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.