This Is Framingham

Actually I got this a few weeks ago but just posting about it now.  I was really excited to see that when I checked their site last month that there was an announcement of the long-awaited cookbook being available.
I got a few copies for my sister, my friend and myself.
I was really happy to see that the only place they are sold in Framingham is right around the corner from my work at a shop called Selections.

It’s at 935 Worcester Rd and they sell clothing, jewelry, gifts and more.
You can check out their site here: http://www.selectionsboutique.com/
To check out Joan and Ed’s cookbook page to order online, visit: http://www.jedelicookbook.com/
I haven’t made anything yet but I’m looking forward to trying their knish and kugel reicpes.

Today Ethan and I headed down to the newly opened  Carrie Anne’s at the former KFC on 135 (186 Waverly St.).
They are serving a limited menu now as they get ready for their grand opening but you can get some breakfast items including eggs, homefries, corned beef hash, French toast made with challah bread and “Lou’s donuts”.  I’m not familiar with Lou’s donuts but apparently they are missed and from what I understand, the owner is Lou’s granddaughter and has the recipes.
Today we just wanted to check out the donuts so we got two and shared them.
Ethan got a honey dipped:

and I got chocolate glazed (served with the hole on top):

They were both really good but kind of leaned toward the chocolate because of the crunchy outer layer.  This was an excellent donut. The coffee was really good too.
My photos of the inside didn’t turn out too good but there is a counter with about 10 or 12 stools and a seating area.
I saw the French toast and it looks delicious so I’ll go back sometime to try that.
For more info, their phone number is 508-875-2500 and they have lots of photos on their facebook page if you are curious to check out more images.
I hope this place does well!

Today I was at Trader Joe’s picking out a snack and decided to try their Greek style pomegranate yogurt. I know it’s a little silly but I like to reach in back to grab one of those closer in to the walk-in/stocking fridge thinking it’s colder (even though it’s probably just as cold as the ones in front but whatever..).  When I did, I felt something that wasn’t anything like a yogurt container and looked to see it was a plastic lobster.
I figured some kid left his/her toy there but then I saw it was wearing a shirt that stated it’s name was Rocky and to bring him up to the customer service desk for a prize(!)  I got to pick out a few lower-priced items (form anywhere in the store, not just from a predetermined selection) as my reward.   I had no idea TJ’s runs this kind of activity and thought it was funny that I randomly decided to try something I never had before and found Rocky.  It was such a treat and thought I’d pass it along that you may want to keep a look-out for Rocky at the Framingham Trader Joe’s.

Wow, it’s been over a month since I’ve posted.  There hasn’t been much going on, I’ve had kind of winter blahs and have been very down on Framingham in general so I decided to lay low.
The other day my boss came over to my desk and said that the Board of Selectmen each get a marathon number to give to someone to run on behalf of a non-profit and one of them called her (knowing I run) and asked if I’d be interested in receiving his number!   I shook my head in disbelief and made sure I understood correctly that I would be getting number to run the Boston Marathon.  After I understood that YES, that was the deal, I was just ecstatic!
This mean so much to me.  My sisters and I would look forward to handing out water every year in front of my dad’s store downtown when we were kids and I never thought that one day I’d be on the other side of the water cup!

Then I thought how it was kind of amazing that if we never moved to Framingham, I’d never have started this blog.  And this blog is why I did a post about the History Center.  Because of that connection, I interviewed and got a job there.  Because of my boss’s brother I got into running last year (which has changed my life) and now, again because of work, I have this amazing opportunity  which wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t move to Framingham in the first place.

So while I’ve been down on the ‘ham, it took this event to remind me that this place isn’t always so bad and I’ve met so many great people since moving here that have effected me in ways I don’t realize until I take a step back and see where I am and what I’ve done since coming here.

I told Selectmen Sisitsky (after thanking him profusely) that he just changed the next 4 months of my life!  I’ll start a training program next week and while there’s a little more pressure than just running on my own, since I’m fundraising  for work, I’m so grateful and excited to be officially part of the Boston Marathon!

According to the realtor for this property, she has stated:” The FABRIC PLACE site will be reopened by the end of October. The name will be “Sewfisticated Discount Designer Fabrics”. The Framingham store will be the third location of a family operated business. The new website www.framinghamfabric.com  will be online by Monday. (although it’s not as of today)
They will carry a complete selection of fabrics at deeply discounted prices including all types of apparel fabric, brand-name quilting cottons, high-end home decorating fabrics, and tons of trims, notions, ribbons, and crafts.”

I’m actually glad to see another fabric place move in because I stopped quilting when they left and hope to get inspired by a new place I can easily get to and hopefully it will be worth other sewers to travel out to it like they did with the old store.
Joanne’s is okay for the usual fabric needs but sometimes schlep to get to down rt.9. in Natick.  Between this, the new appliance/furniture store, Limey’s and the soon-to-be-opened balloon design shop, it seems like downtown is picking up a little steam.  It’s nice to be able to say that because yesterday I almost wrote a full rant about how much I hate downtownbut I’ll save that for another post when I have a day like I did yesterday.
Anyway, looks like things are picking up so I hope it continues to fill vacant stores with tax-paying businesses.

Last night Ethan and I went to check out the newly opened Limey’s Pub.  I’ve been looking forward to this place opening because it’s in walking distance of my house and it’s something new and different for downtown. 
Inside they’ve done a great job with remodeling.  It’s not the dark (although kind of dim) shady atmosphere that Sampan was and it had a laid back and yes, “pubby” feel to it.

We started off with a couple pints of Guiness

and then Ethan got the shepherd’s pie and I got the fish and chips:

 The pie was really good.  A traditional mixture of beef and lamb with vegetables, mashed potatoes and cheese.

and the fish was perfectly light and flakey:

The fries were really great too.  The service was friendly and attentive, as you’d expect it to be during their first week open but I think it is just the kind of place that will always make you feel welcome and treat their customers well.
I’m so glad this was a good experience with good food because as we know, downtown needs some good places to go to. I really wish them well.
No website yet and if you google them, there’s not a lot of information like a phone number or anything but I’m guessing it’s because they’re just so new, but they’re at 101 Concord Street (where Sampan’s used to be). 

It’s been a while since posting, I’ve just been so busy doing non-blogging stuff and getting the kids ready for school, it’s just been crazy.  Okay, I don’t have any kids but for some reason posting has not made it on the list of things to do but maybe things will simmer down in the fall.
Also, this post is Natick related but still, it’s so gosh-darn close to the Framingham line and pretty exciting news I thought I’d post about it. A very nice reader sent me a note about Zaftigs Deliof Brookline opening another place in the former Joan & Ed’s spot in Sherwood plaza.
It is mentioned at the bottom of the Board of Selectmen article here: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x2001473683/Natick-may-have-3M-left-from-2010-budget
I’m so excited, this place is great and I’m glad they thought of expanding to the metrowest area!