Focus

Just two photographs I'm really loving right now. I'm hoping I can carry some of the concentration and focus that these convey to me - what little ones are so natural at - into the writing work I have ahead of me today.

And then...knocking on wood, and crossing all fingers and toes, Steve and I will have a solo getaway this weekend to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We're there to catch a movie tour, but I'm thinking all that extreme sports watching is going to need some balance added with thrifting, gallery visiting, shopping, and eating good food, don't you think? Oh yes. I know nothing in Portsmouth - any ideas out there?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Comments

[Qalballah]

Have a great weekend Amanda!

[heather]

good luck today, and may you have a lovely trip this weekend.

kids sooo get it right, don't they?

[Anna]

I love the little feet!
Have a wonderful weekend.

[Zoe]

I've been to Strawberry Banke a few times with my grandmother - I particularly loved watching the actors (re-enactors?) demonstrating old crafts like making barrels, baskets, shaker boxes and chairs and quilting. There's a restaurant at Strawberry Banke called the Dunaway which does nice dinners. The other nice restaurant we went to once was called the Wellington Room, and we went to the Portsmouth Brewery once for dinner a few years ago (I got carded and so couldn't have any beer, but my dad said it was good).

It's sunny here in London, but I sometimes wish we had the ocean like you do in Maine - your pictures of your little ones at the seaside are calming and relaxing just to look at. Have a great weekend.

[Amanda]

Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth.
They also have a super cute little downtown and the Portsmouth Brewery has a seasonal pumpkin creme brulee...yum.

[Gina Carey]

Oh, you've got so many things to see in P-mouth! For a little bad art and nostalgia with tasty new-diner food (but slow service) go to Friendly Toast (on Congress St., near the Music Hall). Across the street, the beautiful Nachotta gallery. Odd Showroom on Market St. for handmade knit/crochet and more nostalgia. Closer to the water, the newly opened ello gallery on state st. Lots of other good shopping in town you'll stumble into... And don't forget to see all the gardens by the water at Prescott Park. Enjoy!

[amy]

You go girl! I think you deserve time to yrself to explore the world- You are amazing and living such an authentic life- but girl..with three lil ones- I know you need a break sometimes! Have a big glass of wine and unwind! :)

[Katherine]

What sweet photos! She's so absorbed in her creation and who could resist those little blue feet?
Sounds like a fun weekend getaway with your hubby. Enjoy your weekend! Looking forward to seeing some good thrifting finds from you...

[Grace]

I love those two photos. I LOVE them.

[Julie]

There is a wonderful fabric store in Portsmouth and a great brewery. What a perfect combination. Lot's of yummy food at the brewery (as a vegetarian I appreciate their many options). As for the fabric store it is http://www.portsmouthfabric.com/ and the people are very friendly and helpful. There is also a yarn store that I haven't stepped into but that always calls to me when I am in Portsmouth (http://www.yarnbasket.com/). And as recommended by others, Strawberry Banke is wonderful. I am taking my family from TX there this Thanksgiving.

[Wanett]

Have enough fun for all us parents who can't get away this weekend! My oldest son has the same focus when he writes. I wish I could steal some of his intensity too.

[Shelley]

Oh I'm jealous! I lived in Portsmouth while going to UNH. Have no suggestions though, as it has been years since I've been there. Have fun!

[Karyn]

I grew up in Portsmouth, but it is so different now that I'm afraid my favorite places might all be gone. I'm glad the Friendly Toast is still there - definitely go there! A good local place for tea and dessert is the Ceres Bakery. It is just off the main touristy part of downtown and it's much cozier than the giant cafes in the middle of town. Plus it is across the street from the Mustard Seed, which is the place to go if you need any herbs or crystals ;) Same street farther down, past the Post Office on the left is Portsmouth Fabrics (or used to be) which has a fantastic selection of quilting fabrics. I won't even attempt the thrifty stores because I'm sure the ones I liked a few years ago have closed or moved.

If the weather is good and you have time for a picnic then Prescott Park is perfect and there's a great spooky cemetery across the street I used to play in. Good Halloween inspiration...

Have a great time - it's a wonderful town!

[esmerelda]

Oh my goodness, that little blue foot...ack ack ack!!

[Karyn]

OH - and I don't know if you've had a Moe's sub before (do you guys have one of those in Portland?) but those are a MUST! It's a tiny place but they are the best subs in the whole world (I'm starting to drool just thinking about them) - perfect for a picnic.
The Yarn Basket IS great, though very cramped. The ownership has changed if I remember correctly, but the people there have always been incredibly friendly.
Okay, really, I'm done now. Just very jealous and missing home! Wanna send me a sub...?

[m]

Best of luck with the writing. I find writing under pressure to be such a crapshoot--I hope for you it is very productive and inspired.

Have a great weekend. A getaway with the husband sounds perfect!

[Cindy]

Yes, Friendly Toast, absolutely. I spent a whirlwind evening there a few years back and popped in and out of a lot of shops, but it is Friendly Toast that stuck with me. It is so kitschy and fun. Let me know if it still has the 50's dining room tables with the little lamps on them. It was so cute with the mismatched table sets. The desserts were ginormous! YUMMMMMMMMMMM....

[meg]

such cute pictures. have a great weekend. and of course i, too, would heavily recommend the friendly toast.
xoxo

[Diana]

I'm feeling like going to Portsmouth too!

[shari]

these photos are really special amanda. i wish i would have brought some of my reggio books to share with you when i was in maine. i know you would love them. xo ps: have fun in portsmouth.

[Wendy]

Definetly hit the Friendly Toast!! There is so much to do right in downtown!! Have fun! Our family loves Portsmouth

[Susie]

Oh, yes -- Friendly Toast. You will love it!

[stephanie]

I second the friendly toast! it's a fun spot. downtown is great for an evening stroll.

[Jaana]

Have a nice and romantic weekend with your hubby :) The movie tour looks interesting; my brother used to compete in freestyle moguls on wc level so that kind of movies really appeal to me.

[erinn]

I love Muddy River Smokehouse (if you like BBQ) www.muddyriver.com And after you mentioned it, I bought Gluten-Free Girl, the book and love it. I struggle with some different physical things and have become acutely aware of all the crappy stuff I put in my body. Thanks! erinn

[mamasgotmoxie]

the pix are so precious!!!

[Becky]

Mmmmmm, the Friendly Toast. (The Matt sandwich and the homefries are so very good.) Enjoy Portsmouth!

[Helena B]

Yay, welcome to our beautiful state this weekend, Portsmouth is GREAT, Flatbreads is good and Pesce Blue for fish if that's your fancy. Also, even though you'll be away from the little ones, they won't be far from your thoughts, so check out Gwilikers. Most of all, recharge, recoup and HAVE FUN.

[Jessica]

We are in nearby Newburyport and we end up going up to Portsmouth more than we stay in town!
Our Favorites: Friendly Toast for breakfast, Jumpin' Jays Fish Cafe and the Blue Mermaid for dinner, and if it is nice weather... outside at Poco's for a glass of Sangria!
Have Fun!

[Courtney]

I think City and Country moved up there from Newburyport. One of my favorites when I lived in Boston. And thanks for the advice you gave me a while back. Much appreciated, I'm just a bit behind on emails as usual!

[Viv]

How fun - we used to live in Newburyport and the Friendly Toast was our hangout. So glad to hear it's still there! The Yarn Basket is a nice stop too and right downtown.

[Reese Dixon]

I LOVE Portsmouth! That was my favorite spot in NH when we were back there for law school. I'm thrilled to see all the recommendations for Friendly Toast, I adore that place. They have sweet potato fries cooked in brown sugar and hot sauce and served with sour cream. I still crave them years later! The yarn basket is another great place. There's just so much to explore, I miss it greatly.

[julia]

sounds like a much deserved weekend for the souleparents. and what better way to keep yourself focused than these beautiful photos of a beautiful girl. enjoy!

[Veronica TM]

never been to new hampshire but wishing you a wonderful time there!

[Lore]

Mmm. Strawberry Banke is a delight. Oldness nestled in the bustle of a small port town. There are lovely shoe stores and homemade goods stores, and a paper store I make sure to visit every time I'm in Portsmouth. It's beautiful this time of the year--of course the whole world is beautiful at this time of the year! But Portsmouth is especially perfect.

[morgan]

the friendly toast is the most amazing place for breakfast...please if you do anything go get something yummy there and enjoy their amazing fantastic atmosphere. have a wonderful time!

[Amy]

I second the suggestion for Ceres Bakery. We always make a stop there when passing through. I also love Strawbery Banke, and just walking around looking at the beautiful colonial homes. Do you need a suggestion for a place to stay? The Inn at Christian Shore is wonderful and has AMAZING breakfasts.

[elizabooth]

The one with the foot... oh, I love the one with the foot. How do they manage to get the marker everywhere?

[Anne]

That is a perfect photo; it says so much even though it is simple. It should be a book cover.

[Lisa]

Great pictures. These would make a cute scrapbook page!

[Krista]

Love her concentration. And the tin that keeps the markers. And the foot.
Oh, the foot!

[abbyjane]

Wow! It seems Portsmouth is a much loved town. Add me to the crowd. I went up there over the summer for the opening of my show at Three Graces Gallery and fell in love. I would seriously consider moving there. If you do happen to go into Three Graces while you're there you can see a few of my pieces that are still there.

[geek+nerd]

Oh yes - I work in Portsmouth - definitely check out the Odd Gallery (Market St.) - Cafe Kilim for coffee, it's new location (Islington Street in the South End) isn't in the hub of downtown, but it's nice and cozy nonetheless, I haven't been to Nahcotta (Congress St) gallery, but I've heard nice things. Across the bridge (Rte 1) in Kittery you should check out Beach Pea - an all organic bakery, and it's also surrounded by a nice meat market, gourmet grocer and Terra Cotta Pasta company, hmm back to downtown...the Friendly Toast (Congress St) is great for atmosphere, but the service is usually slooooooooow, so go there if only you want to sit around for a few hours to converse before getting your food. The Coat of Arms (Can't remember the street name, but it's by the parking garage) is a great place to get a drink and English style pub food, The Red Door (State St. - no sign, look for a red door by Dos Amigos) has expensive, but good martinis, the Press Room (Daniel St.) has live music 7 days a week and yummy food. Ceres Street Bakery is everything that everyone else said. Watermonkey is a cute hippie store staple by the "Whale Wall"/Vaughan Mall (ask anyone in Portsmouth, they'll know what you're talking about when you say Whale Wall.) Haha - if you need to narrow down any suggestions e-mail me. My friends used to joke that I was in a relationship with Portsmouth I love it so much!

[tifanie]

f•a•n•t•a•s•t•i•c photos! truly. makes for a brilliant, lovely banner.
:)

[robin]

Oh, have fun! <3

[olivelse]

I love this pictures ! Your work and your blog are so beautiful !
Thank you very much to put olivelse in your links during few weeks… I'm very touched ! Have a great week-end too, see you soon.

[Heather]

I have three words for you. Portsmouth Fabric Company. On Penthallow Street(spelling??) It is a wonderful fabric store, full of beautiful fabrics and great people! I travel all the way from Vermont just to go there! Go! Go!

There are lots of other great stores, restaurants and sights to see. I unfortunately can't remember all the names right now! When we go, we just walk around and discover things.

Parking is NOT easy. The parking structure is the best place to park.

BRING YOUR CAMERA!!! Of course you knew that!!

Have fun!

[Knit]

I'm in college and far from Portsmouth now, but, oh, how I miss it. I go to Colby's on Daniel St. weekly for breakfast during the summer. It is cozy and lovely with a fireplace to warm up to. (I have their bumpersticker on my wall at school. Gosh, I miss it.) The Friendly Toast is great for breakfast at night... be sure to get a Pinky Frappe--liquid heaven! Check out the Yarn Basket too...there are quite a few of their purple shopping bags hiding throughout my house. You could say we go a lot. My mom is sending me some yarn from there this week so I can work on a scarf. Oh, if your still hungry, get a popover at Popover's. They are simply wonderful.
There is a great thrift store in Kittery that my mother and I frequent nearby Peach Tree and this amazing Mexican place Loco Coco's. If you head a bit further north to York (HOME!) you can find the Cape Neddick Thrift Store on Route 1-- it is where I spend my Saturday mornings thrifting with my mom.
Have fun!
Please post some Portsmouth pictures. I miss home a bit and would love to see it! Could you let us know of the thrifting spots you find? I hope I haven't missed out on any good ones...

[earthchick]

Oh, what lovely pictures!! Cute blue foot.

And now I finally know what to do with all those steel-cut oatmeal containers I keep saving. Perfect.

[Amanda]

I love the marker on the bottom of Adelaides feet. Her work doesn't stop at the paper. Oh no. A true artist. The world is her canvas.