Caroline Dines

This weekend I drove with my parents south to Little Compton, Rhode Island. My Grandmother lives here and it is one of my favorite places on earth to visit; a tiny town set right on the ocean. Little C. is filled with beautiful houses, stonewalls, farm land, and of course beautiful beaches; it’s really hard to beat. It was just a bonus that the weather was perfect all weekend. I took this upon our arrival, and I will warn you now I was a little camera happy this weekend since everything was so photogenic.

Soon after we unloaded the car and said hello to my Nana and Uncle Rob (aka Napoleon, ), it was time to eat! Lucky for me my Mom had thought ahead and packed a delicious homemade soup; Coconut Carrot Ginger to be precise. She also brought some of her own Kalamata Bread. It was super satisfying lunch.

We did a few projects around the house (my Mom and I washed a few windows and my Dad and uncle did the majority of the work) and then relaxed in the sun with some reading material. I was very interested to read how Massachusetts W.I.C. program is being revamped for the better! Awesome news.

I hate to say it but I may have fallen asleep in the sun. Pretty much my favorite past time . I managed to wake myself up before 5:00 though, since I knew I wanted to be around for
“happy hour”. We picked up these seasonal Mike’s at the best small grocery store in the world, Lees Market in Westport, MA. I really love my seasonal beverages.

We wanted to keep it low key for dinner, so ordered out from our favorite (and the only pizza place in town), A-1. They make a great pie I have to say. Nana, Mom and I ordered the veggie (sans broccoli, just can’t handle it on pizza!).  Each slice was loaded with onions, garlic, peppers, black olives etc. This was truly a great veggie pizza in my opinion.

On the side, a totally local salad was thrown together with ingredients from our good friend, Liz’s farm. And since it was a Saturday night with family gathered, I kicked back and ate some reduced fat Cape Cod Potato Chips with my slices.

Dessert was not to be missed either. About a 1/4 cup Cappucino Crunch Fro Yo with a homemade biscotti on the side. The biscotti was chocolate chip flavored with a hint of coffee so the two worked very nicely together.

Sunday morning we awoke to another glorious day. I had to showcase one of the many orchid plants that my Nana has growing by her front window. She has the greenest thumb out of anyone I know.

Another score from Lee’s Market was this rare tea. OMG go find it if you’re a coconut lover!

I love White tea, I think even more than Green tea to be honest. I’ve heard it’s just as good if not better anti-oxidant wise and the flavor is just a bit more subtle which I like. I tried to persuade people to sit outside and eat breakfast but I had no takers. At least I was able to take my pics in some gorgeous sunlight with a beautiful back drop!

Breakfast was local Rhode Island Red eggs (again from Liz’s chickens), Kalamata toast, and Applegate Farms bacon (cooked in the oven, great method by the way!). I think the picture speaks for itself.

About 4 cups of tea and a dozen conversations later, my Mom and I took a walk. Along the way I couldn’t help myself.

The boardwalk looking ever so empty on this November day.

Some Bittersweet. Invasive? Yes, but still pretty to look at.

The “mouse house” (as we like to call it) across the path looking a little worse for wear.  

Bright red winter berry splashed across a bright blue sky.

A rough sea and Great Rock.

And some berries that I cannot name but were too vivid to pass by.

We worked up a little appetite on our walk/stroll and decided to break into a pomegranate before hitting the road. I have never “done” one of these before and I am so glad that I watched my Mom because it’s so easy!

It’s kind of a fun project and the end result is just delicious! I think ours was a little under-ripe but it still tasted phenomenal.

I was so sad to have to get back in the car only 26 hours after our arrival but I know I’ll be back sooner than later. I did a little yoga just before leaving to take it all in. This was my first time doing yoga outside and it was an incredible experience. I loved feeling the grass beneath my palms in downward dog and setting my gaze on the ocean was just a little bit better than looking dead into someone else’s sweaty back! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, I have some serious blog reading ahead of me.