Well.....phooey! Small-town southern gal goes to the big city!

15 years ago

Was just sitting down to upload my Philly Phood Phrenzy photos and......arrrrrrgh! my camera must have been too phull! I have no pics of my trip to Philadelphia - NONE at all. Oh bother and double phooey.....

But I had a great time anyway, even if I don't have the pics to show for it. This was not my first train ride, but my first long train ride here in the states. And it was long, my friends.....11 plus hours on the train going up. Signals were down in NC in the morning so the train was 40 minutes or more late. Then lots of stops for construction on the way up. Even the conductor was apologizing profusely about the delays.

Phinally got to Philly sometime after 9 PM on Friday. Got to my hotel and crashed for the night.

Saturday I walked to the Reading Terminal Market and just wandered around a bit on my own, finally meeting with Suzie and Drew close to our meet-up time. (Suzie is just the same in person as she is here! I knew her right away!) We were joined by Pam, Ruthanna, Alexa, and later Lou, and Lpink (or "pinkie" as Lou calls her).

I took some great pics of vegetables, chicken feet!, candles, cold salads, etc. etc. You'll just have to take my word for it! Outside at the Harvest Festival activities is where I was beguiled by the Trainwreck sandwich - a luscious mix of beef? or pork? and andouille, cheese, grilled onions and a Cajun mayo sauce - "yummm-O!" The fellow fixing the sandwich was a little perturbed at my asking him to cut it up in six pieces. He thought I should have bought 6 sandwiches! And then I wanted them covered over with foil so I could transport them back to the inside of the market and the table where we were going to eat. You can get a lot done with a "puh-leeze?"

We had pretzel-wrapped cheese hot dogs too - good! I did not sample the black-eyed pea soup but it looked good. And Lou's pizzelle's were dessert - beautiful and delicious! You will notice that Alexa only brought back one beer? And Lpink did pass around a photo of the BF - nice! When Drew came back with his second lunch of bacon cheese fries, we all were too stuffed and just managed to watch him eat them. Ruthanna decided the small bottles of G3 Sauce would be her hubby's anniversary present!

Weren't we surprised when an attractive woman came up and asked "My dad is looking for some women from a Cooking Forum....would that be you all by any chance?" Lou's no dummy, he gets his daughter to scout out women for him. Just kidding, Lou!

After our long lunch, it was getting more and more crowded in the RTM so we all parted ways to finish shopping, head for home, or in my case head back to the hotel for a nap! Pam was so dear to make sure I found my way back and also pointed out the direction of Chinatown. After a rest and regrouping, I headed out to Philly's Chinatown which turned out to be mostly restaurants and tiny, haphazard grocery stores. I did find a restaurant supply house and asked the fellow working outside if it was open to the public. "Sure" he says, "the door's open isn't it?" Ha ha.... So I wandered around in there and $12 later had me a lovely wood wok spatula/stirrer thing, a dumpling press, a 1/4-sheet pan, and a new large wooden spoon. Great prices!!! (Pic will follow as I have now deleted a bunch of pics from the camera.)

I have to say that I was very impressed with the cab drivers, Hampton Inn staff, Cosi staff at the station and the Amtrak crews who were all so professional, so helpful, and so friendly and courteous. Philly should be very proud of these folks who make tourists and visitors feel so welcome. I am so glad I took this adventure trip to the big city! You have to understand this is an adventure for someone who usually stays in her small town confines.

And I am so glad I had the chance to meet some more wonderful Forum friends! If you haven't done a meet-up yet with CF members, you really should try it sometime!

Well, phooey again...the camera is not cooperating so I can't post a photo of my goodies. Will try again later.

Teresa

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Comments (30)

lindac
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sounds like you had a phabulous time!...even if your were phoolish and phorgot to empty your camera's chip.
So where was dinner Saturday night? or were you too phull phrom the all day excursion at RTM?
( Alexa, you started all the ph stuff!!)
lpinkmountain
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sorry I could not stay for Chinatown Teresa. I would have loved to do it but I had just gotten back to PA from MI driving all day the day before and I was unfortunately spent. It sounds great! It was so nice to meet you! Wish I had gotten there earlier, since the Market did get incredibly crowded in the afternoon! What an amazing place!
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diinohio
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sounds wonderful, and I know it was a good time from the others' pictures.

Take your time, but I do want to see your pictures too! lol

Di
mustangs81
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, there is no doubt in my mind that you can handle yourself in ANY environment. You are one smart cookie, bless your heart!

Thank you for your detailed trip report. I'm sure you haven't had time to read through all the posts so I well tell you here that I thought for weeks about meeting you in NC and going with. Although from the report, it sounds like we could have driven and gotten there sooner.

Glad that you are back safe and sound.

Cathy
teresa_nc7
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Dinner was Lou's biscotti as I did not feel like pounding the pavement anymore and the thought of getting Chinese delivered made me feel a little queasy. I'm still getting over a cold/crud. Plus, I tried a lot of bites of this and that at our lunch in the RTM. I was looking forward to Pho at one of the Vietnamese restaurants close to the hotel but that will have to wait for another time.

Teresa
caliloo
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I am so glad your trip home was easier than the one up here and I am thrilled you enjoyed Philly. Anytime you want a repeat - definitely let us know.

It was gerat meeting you and I cant wait to see pics of your goodies.

Alexa
teresa_nc7
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Here is a pic of my Chinatown purchases and the lovely Black Currant balsamic vinegar from Alexa:

{{gwi:2074007}}

I also brought back some fudge for my mom and spices for both of us, dill and Chinese 5-Spice. Can't believe I came home with so much money not spent. Next time I'll fix that!

Teresa
jimster
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, you get the prize for coming the greatest distance, although Pinkie may want to challenge that by claiming Michigan was farther. :-) There ought to be an engraved plaque for what you did. That takes real determination. I'm a little surprised Cathy didn't pile into the car with DH and head for Philly, picking you up on the way. Maybe DH feels he has done enough of that for a while.

Nice toys you got. Into Chinese cooking, eh?

Jim
User
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, Sounds like you had a lovely weekend. I hope your trip home wasn't 11 hours.

I like your new kitchen toys. I see dumplings in the near future.

Ann
lindac
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm kind of zeroing in on that quilt....
compumom
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hey Teresa! Glad you could have phun in philly with the phillies, Lou and Drew! Great souvenirs to remember your trip and the special CF crew who came to meet you too!
mustangs81
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Jim, you aren't far off from what was happening behind the scene!

Nice haul Teresa.
jessyf
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
WOW I love that darker, wider spoon! Hey I'll train with you next time, keep you company. At least in spirit.
sheshebop
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sorry about your pictures Teresa. Looks like you have a pretty nice haul of goodies though. And I too am zeroing in on that quilt...wish you could come up here and help me with mine. I am a novice.
Anyway, glad you had a great time meeting CFers.
annie1992
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm looking at the quilt too, I still have that quilted block Teresa sent me hanging on my wall.

Teresa, you sure get the award for persistence, wow. I think I could have almost made it in 11 hours!

Annie
teresa_nc7
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thought you might like to see the entire quilt. I made this last year - it is called "It's About Time." After quilting for over 20 years I finally made my first bed quilt for me - it was about time!
jessyf
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
*thud*
caliloo
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That is GORGEOUS!!!!!! Thank you so much for posting the photo. GREAT JOB!

Alexa
jude31
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How...very...beautiful, Teresa! Thanks for posting the picture of the quilt as well as the ones of your 'goodies".

jude
lakemayor
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, That quilt is fabulous! Oh that is really a skill. I can't sew a button on. My mother-in-law has made several quilts over the years but she embroidered hers and then quilted them. I like yours better. (She is deceased so she didn't hear that) I hope.

Glad you had a wonderful time with the CF group. Sorry about your pictures, I would have loved seeing them.

Karen
jimster
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That is a dandy quilt. And, with several expert quilters among my family and friends and having attended quite a number of quilt shows, I feel qualified to say that. It's exceptionally beautiful.

Jim
dedtired
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I like that you said you will go to Pho "next time." That means you are committed to another visit. I am jealous of your purchases and wish I'd had the stamina to go with you. After fighting the crowds in the afternoon at the RTM, I was zonked.

I just loved meeting you. I admire you for getting on a train to a strange city to meet a bunch of strange people -- uh, I mean strangers. We're sure not strangers any more.

That quilt is a work of art.
mustangs81
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
OMG, I knew you were a talented quilter but that takes it to another level. Yet another skill Teresa (original Teresa) has in her tool box.
lindac
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wonderful!! And am I seeing hand quilting as well? do you do your own quilting? by hand??
The colors are wonderful!
teresa_nc7
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Linda, I used to quilt all my quilts by hand, but now I machine quilt almost exclusively. This quilt I sent out to be longarm quilted by a member of my quilt guild. She did a wonderful job! I was thrilled with her work and I love my quilt.

The fabrics used were 1930's reproduction prints, some authentic vintage 30's fabrics, and some plaids, checks and polka dots thrown in for a good mix. The 30's prints are what I call brighter pastels - very happy fabrics. I'm glad you like the quilt. It gives me such pleasure twice a day - when I make the bed in the morning and when I pull back the covers to go to bed at night.

Teresa
User
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa that quilt is gorgeous, glad you decided to keep it! I've given away all but one of my rugs and I really enjoy seeing it every day. Think I may keep the one I'm working on as well! LOL
User
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, you are an artist. A very talented artist. Your quilt is so beautiful.

I have always loved homemade quilts. I have fond memories of my grandmother and her friends working on a quilts.

Ann
hawk307
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa:
It was really nice putting a face and person with all the names on the CF.
I just back home to the Pocono's today and went to The VA hospital.
Just got back a little while ago.

I'm going to help you out with the Photo's.

I'll put them in Detired's ( Pam's )Post, because she has all the names with her Photo's.
That will save me some work.
See you over there.
Thanks for being you,
Lou
doucanoe
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Teresa, that quilt is truly specatcular! I have made just a few quilts over the years, but none as detailed and wonderful as that one!

Linda
annie1992
15 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I agree, Teresa, that quilt is just beautiful, and I love the colors.

Of course, I already knew you were a talented quilter, but this really seals the deal.

Annie

Well.....phooey! Small-town southern gal goes to the big city!

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lindac

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