Cape Cod Culinary Adventures of The Shushing Librarian

S.L. here again. Now that I've had a chance to internalize all of the meditation techniques I learned on my Zen Meditation Retreat on Cape Cod, I'm feeling much calmer and more centered. During meditation, I've come to terms with being back at work. I'd much rather still be with the girls, having fun, eating good food, and relaxing in the traditional girls' weekend activities (aka sleeping, laughing, and drinking), but we can't have everything, can we?

Auntie Nettie was gracious enough to see that her invitation to join the Caramoor crew/Newport 2009 gang on a "think tank" retreat to Cape Cod was extended to me. It coincided nicely with a visit to an arm specialist. You might remember that I had an accident with "my biggest fan" a few years ago and have been in colorful sling since then. I had been coping, but the sling was never supposed to be a permanent solution to my problem. Then this summer on the road trip with C & B I got banged around some more, and then B tried to fix me (thanks B, but um ... *#% & OUCH!). I finally made an appointment to get strapped down a bit more. I was even fortunate enough to get my new semi-permanent cast to match my ensemble. What do you think?

But that's not what this blog post is really all about. It's about my Culinary Adventures on Cape Cod. Cape Cod = fishing villages, beaches, and seafood shacks! Seafood. YUM!

I have oyster spoons and will travel!

I had been hearing about The Lobster Pot in P-Town since Auntie Nettie and Grandmary went over Thanksgiving 2008 (was that really two years ago? WOW!).This is the point in this blog post that I will once again reassure Grandmary and GrumpaMax and any other readers that only I, The Shushing Librarian, was imbibing of harder beverages than Diet Coke. Auntie Nettie stuck to the brown cola beverages and water. She is a good girl. I, on the other hand, like to get down and have a drink occasionally.

I am the perfect height to check out the Signature Drinks card. Look at all the choices. It was a girls' weekend, so really the drink du jour should have been a martini or a margarita or something.Instead, it was Virgin Bloody Marys, water, and Diet Coke. I don't judge.

Unlike the server, HELLO! He thought, that because there were six of us of a certain age and appearance, that it must be a hens' weekend. He even thought I was the GROOM topper for a wedding cake. I think it might be time to change the color of my suit to something a little less androgynous! I find it ironic that he thought I was the groom, especially when we were in P-Town during Women's Week.

Lunch was so good. I got to try a bit of everything. Here's Lindsey's clam chowder in a roll bowl.Auntie Nettie's panko-baked scallops on a half shell and her bowl of Portuguese Soup.This lobster roll is bigger than me! Alithia ended up splitting this with Christine. For some reason there isn't a picture of the lobster/avocado chilled cocktail appetizer that the girls were raving over. The only thing I can think of is that Auntie Nettie's severe aversion to avocado extends to not photographing it.After a wonderful day in P-town, exploring mid-Cape's Vineyards and beaches, and dealing with the Route 6 traffic jam that came at the tail end of Wellfleet's OysterFest 2010, we headed back to the house for even more fun. I started out with good intentions to follow Auntie Nettie's example and stick with Diet Coke.
BUT ... the Brut called my name. I mean, I couldn't let the girls drink all of this themselves. I have years of experience on them, so I had to lead by example.I saw this cute Stoli glass and had to point it out to you. Luckily, I don't like the Stoli, so I didn't mix my drinks too much.I did go a bit nuts -- EATING THEM. Please people. I vaguely remember the flaming incidents over Christmas and don't want to repeat that. Ever!

Apparently, my language did get a little peppery though. Sorry about that ladies.

I didn't mean to be a chowder head.

As they say, In Vino Veritas --I am the undisputed life of the party no matter where I travel. But, I always remember:
Do Not Drink and Drive!

What happens on Cape Cod, stays in Cape Cod!

For the most part anyway ...

The next morning, after a wonderful night of work (it was a think tank weekend after all) and games (my lips are sealed on the answers revealed during Loaded Questions and Balderdash), it was off for a bit of a shop.

How many bad puns can I insert at this junction about my trip to The Cook Shop?

Out of the frying pan, into the fire?

My goose is cooked?

I was sauced?

I "pot"tered about?

I think I shall skip the punning and skip over to the delicious lunch that we had at Cafe Alfresco at The Lemon Tree Shops. The Zen Retreat doesn't have a spa or cafe with it, but no need with this delicious spot in close proximity.

Paninis, wraps, sandwiches, soda, and heaps of sweet potato fries and/or onion rings. There was even something for the hard-core vegetarian/vegans with us. Auntie Nettie was so distracted by the delightful sunshine and al fresco dining that she forgot to take pictures of everyone else's food. We shared the heaps of sweet potato fries and a fried scallop/bacon/lettuce/tomato/cheesey goodness panini. It was so good.

Good food + good friends + perfect fall day + sunhine +full tummy = food coma! I had to take a siesta after my culinary adventures. While I was sleeping, the girls cleaned the house, did laundry, packed up, and then headed to the beach. I didn't mean to contrive to get out of the work, but I was fine with it. I'm an older model of The Shushing Librarian, and I needed my rest after such a busy weekend.

Stay tuned for more about my Amazing Adventures to Cape Cod and other destinations!