This Is Framingham

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!

Last week we went to Five Guys, located at the “food mall”,  at 301 Cochituate Rd.
Inside was bright and busy with plenty of staff in the open kitchen grilling, assembling, frying and calling out orders.

They have a pretty smooth system,  you can even order online and have your food waiting for you when you get there.
The menu focuses on burgers and fries but they do also offer hot dogs, which they butterfly to cook (I’m guessing to cook faster).  All toppings are free and there are a lot to pick from.
I got a “little burger” which is plenty, with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions.

Ethan got a little cheese burger with bacon.

I don’t know how much bigger a “regular” size burger is but these littles are plenty.
Fries come in two sizes: regular and large.  We got a regular to share and it was more than enough.  They generously overfill the serving cup, which leaves another two servings (or more?) in the bag.

The burgers were good but as I mentioned in a previous post, the really shine with their fries.
The only thing I’m not cray about is the store set up.  Although it’s bright and clean, it’s loud and the seating can make you feel trapped if it’s busy.

We lucked out and went on a slow night but the tables are so close together, if you sit by the window and people are in all the chairs around you, good luck getting out.
I think they’ll do well in this location and I know some people think it’s too close to the rt. 9/27 location in Natick but this area so packed with shoppers on it’s own and maybe they figured it’s that much more convenient for people coming from towns like Ashland or Holliston.   You can check out their site for more info www.fiveguys.com

La Caretta is finally open. It seems like it’s been years of slowly watching the transformation from Bickford’s to what it is now.
Inside got a lot of remodeling but still somehow still feels Bickfordy.
The host was nice and our server was friendly and promptly brought over fresh chips and salsa.

I really wanted some sangria so I ordered one and a pretty glass with fruit and berries arrived and the drink it self was really good.

I had a hard time deciding what to get off the menu but I chose a grilled vegetable quesadilla- not exciting I know but it was everything I was in the mood for- flour tortilla, vegetables, guacamole and cheese.

What I really liked about this was that the tortilla was perfectly grilled, it was crispy from the grill but still very soft.  Inside the cheese was perfectly gooey inside and filled with big chunks of vegetables.
My friend Jim got something form the combination section of the menu- #4.
Tacos with an enchilada and something else (I think).  Their website doesn’t have anything on it so I can’t refer to an online menu but Jim says the #4 combo is great.
Prices are decent.  Honestly, I forgot how much the meal was but I remember it being reasonable.
La Caretta is at 270 Cochituate Road.  Like I said, no website, but if you have any questions about anything like hours or prices or anything like that, their phone number is listed as (508) 424-2535.
Also, I’d like to add that they had something like 5 kinds of hot chocolate listed on the menu so I would go back to try a Mexican hot chocolate or one of the other varieties they have.

I was driving by the old Ski Market on Route 9 as lots of people do everyday and haven’t looked up permits but I’ll go out on a limb and guess there will be a Dunkin’ Donuts moving in.  I think it would be an odd place considering Panache Coffee is also in that same plaza, but I guess DD knows no competition with their loyal following.  I’d be more excited if their coffee was consistent from store to store but it’s not what it used to be. ???? ????
Or who knows, maybe the driver of that truck just happened to stop for a cup of coffee at Panche? ???? ??????

The Danforth Museum is holding their annual Holiday Sale and something I always check out.
There are a variety of items in a variety of mediums all made by students and teachers of the Danforth, as well as local artists.

The hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9am – 9pm
Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 6pm
Friday and Saturday, 9am – 5pm
Sunday, 12pm – 5pm

Check out their site for any/all other information: http://www.danforthmuseum.org/roundRoomGen.html#holidaysale

Would you like to see Doc or Lorraine McFly from Back to the Future?

Or Julia Robert’s brother?

Or the guy who wore the Chewbacka suit in the Star Wars series?

Or… the guy who plays Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch?

Well you can by checking out Super Mega Fest!  A friend passed this along to me and this thing is insane- just so much going on and the Sheraton Tara (although technically they’ve dropped the name Tara) is going to be a-rockin’ this weekend.
Super Megafest is a hodgepodge of  many celebrities, comic book dealers, music, cars, nostalgia and just so much more.   Check out their site for a full listing of people, events, performances and everything else you’d want to know .  http://www.supermegafest.com