Blogging for the Sake of Blogging

So despite the criticism that my rapid rabid skunk post garnered, I am back for more and I will try to copyedit a bit better in the future (no guarantees.)

Posts have been few and far between recently and not only because I am now (post-skunk-debacle) a bit gunshy.

A series of mundane, non-New Hampshire-specific events have transpired, among them:

1. The Tuck Fall Formal (James Bond-themed - a good time was had by all)

2. I was facebooked by a friend from the seventh grade who moved back to Brazil when we were 13 but apparently still remembers me fondly. (I feel so.... memorable.) (Also, she was pretty awesome too.)

3. I have a cold.

Ok so maybe that last one is somewhat New Hampshire-y, though in a year when people are panicked about H1N1, a mere cold seems slightly blase. Even if I did miss two days of work (I've been living on cocacola and triscuits, alternating between sleeping and napping.)

Tonight, however, marked my return to the land of the living: dinner at Stella's. Stella's is, in itself, worth a mention (even if I am blogging somewhat for the sake of blogging...) Here in the Upper Valley restaurants are few and far between, but that doesn't mean we haven't found some truly excellent ones. On the contrary, I've been pleasantly surprised. So, while our friend Ryan-the-self-proclaimed-Thai-connoisseur considers the Thai place sub par, I thought it was quite good. Ditto on the Chinese place, the Japanese Hibachi place, and even the Mexican Gusanos (the one in Lebanon, not the one in Hanover.) Of course the Boloco (our local burrito spot) is no Chipotle, but we can't have everything.

Stella's Kitchen (stellaslyme.com) is located just up Rt 10 in Lyme, New Hampshire. The restaurant itself is in a house-like structure. In front is a small shop, one that would remind Arlingtonites of the Italian Store, only with an extensive beer selection in addition to everything else. (Needless to say tonight we walked out with two large bottles of some-new-brand that Dan had to have.) Behind the bright storefront is the softly lit, warm-hued restaurant, bar area (completely with comfy couches) and dining room.

We were brought to Stella's by two friends, (2nd year) Tuck students who are also UVA alums (a magical combination.) The last time we four had dinner they took us to the "Tip Top Cafe" (also excellent.) We now consider them our restaurant gurus/collect personal Zagat Guide to the Upper Valley.

Over dinner (I had potato & leek soup followed by vegetable ravioli in a beurre blanc sauce) and drinks (I had a soda as I'm still recovering from the non-flu,) we discussed some of the places/things we have to look forward to as we continue to explore the Upper Valley. So, tonight's blog may not be interesting, but keep the following in mind:

1. Tuck goes to Montreal (en masse, apparently, for a hockey tournament)

2. Kerry & Dan attend a wild game dinner (featuring several mystery meats)

3. Skiing (Dan will have to write this one as I'm pretty sure skiing would prove fatal for me.)

4. Driving in snow (I'm thinking this will happen any day now.)

5. Our first hockey game (watching... I'm pretty sure hockey would prove fatal for me, too, and I already know one girl who broke her wrist five minutes into her first game.)

So.... good things to come. I promise.

We also discussed the possibility of opening a Little John's in Hanover and I have to say, I think there's definite market potential. You may notice that in all the restaurants I listed above, there was not a single sandwich shop. I'm just saying... trust some future MBAs (and one MA in Lit.) Invest early.