Birthday Fun

Lucky for me, my birthday this year was on a Sunday.  I was quick to inform Hubby that the day was going to be all about MOI!

The plan was to go to Gloucester for the Cape Ann Artisans Open Studio Tour.   They give you a map with about 20 different artist studios listed, and you drive around and visit the different studios, where the artists are in residence to show you their craft and to answer questions.

We started out the day at George's.....a tiny little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that has delicious breakfasts!  We only had to wait about 10 minutes but we didn't care because it was a perfect sunshiny day!

Hubby asked for three pancakes, but the waitress warned him they were HUGE!!  So he got two, and she was right!  They were bigger than the plate!   He barely finished them.

And I ordered "Breakfast Boats".....which were potato skins filled with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese!  They were delicious!

We then started around on the tour and visited some artisans.  We saw wire art, fabric art, paintings of all types, jewelry made from sea glass and......my favorite.......pottery.   The pottery place we stopped at had a wonderfully friendly woman who answered all my questions, gave me a demonstration, and might have even hooked me up with someone who can sell me a kiln!

There were bright pink flags indicating where the studios were.

The best part was that it was a gorgeous day and the scenery was so beautiful!

Hubby's favorite Beach Roses

After we'd been to five or six places, we continued around the peninsula which brought us through Rockport.   We decided to park the car and go into Rockport and go onto Bear Skin Neck.   And that was the end of visiting the art studios!   We love Bear Skin Neck, and spent the rest of the day there!

Iconic Motif #1  - one of the most photographed images.  I might have a few other copies of it from years gone by!

Rockport Harbor

At the end of Bear Skin Neck

We had to visit the Country Store with the player piano

We got some ice cream and sat on a bench to people-watch, and Hubby's dream car went by!

Then we walked down to Rockport Beach

And I got to put my piggies in the water!

We finished off the day with dinner at my son Doug's house.  He made some delicious chicken on the grill.  My daughter-in-law Kara made some interesting and tasty side dishes. and they baked some brownies with ice cream for a birthday dessert!

I got to visit with my grand daughter Emily, who told us all about her trip to Universal Studios.  And we played a rousing game of Clue!   Perfect ending for a perfect day!