CoffeeMilk's Blog

It's only 12 miles offshore and an easy daytrip for boaters from mainland Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.  It used to be called "The Bermuda of the North," which doesn't make too much sense... Block Island is an island getaway, but it maintains its distinctive New England flair. 

Fall is not necessarily a bad time to visit. Some of the hotels and restaurants shut down after Labor Day, but the crowds are gone and it is easier to explore.

We took the Block Island Ferry from the state pier in Galilee (Point Judith).

The island is small so grab a map, rent a scooter or hop on a bike and explore.

To start your own adventure...

Block Island Ferry
http://www.blockislandferry.com/

Surf Hotel
(401) 466-2241

Atlantic Inn
http://www.atlanticinn.com

Harbor Grill
(401) 466-2828

Block Island Historical Society
(401) 466- 2481
Email: bihistoricalsoc@aol.com

Just eight miles from the Rhode Island border is the maritime town of Mystic, CT.
The storybook New England town is full of coastal scenery, seafood restaurants, charming boutiques and plenty of history.

The town's 1922 drawbridge on the Mystic River opens hourly in summer to let boats through (and coffee milk in!).  

Mystic Seaport is the world's largest maritime museum.  The replica 19th century village takes up 17 acres along the Mystic river.

(you can reach the seaport by water taxi!) 

The 1841 Charles W. Morgan is the last of the nation's wooden whaling vessels. In the blubber room below deck, guides explain how whale blubber was sliced, diced, and boiled into oil.

Savor a "slice of heaven" at Mystic Pizza, made famous by the movie starring Julia Roberts.

To Start your own adventure...

Mystic Seaport

www.mysticseaport.org

S&P Oyster Company

Mystic Pizza

http://www.mysticpizza.com/

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and Elizabeth Hopkins.

(Special thanks to Mark for spending one of his last days in New England with us!) 

The Waterfire season is in full force! Whether you head down for a full lighting or a partial lighting, it is an event every Rhode Islander has to take part in at least once.

I headed down to Waterplace Park for a partial lighting.  The crowds are much smaller at a partial lighting, which is nice if you hate the hassle of finding parking and fighting for a perfect spot to watch the flames.

To Start your own adventure...

Waterfire Providence

www.waterfire.com

The Season's Schedule:

http://www.waterfire.org/season-schedule/2008-sche
dule#2008

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and are copyright protected.

As the Red Sox gear up for their exhibition games in Tokyo, I'm in the same city on a sightseeing tour of the Japanese cherry blossom trees.  Here's a brief tour of one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.

Apparently, the Japanese know our blog...

Mounti Fuji...

(I couldn't resist...)

The Tokyo Stock Exchange...

Me and my Harajuku friend...

The Japanese do French pastries amazingly well!

Tokyo Tower...

This month CoffeeMilk hit the road, and traveled to New York City for the WCBS NewsRadio 880/Caliper "Working Women's Luncheon," where the speaker was CBS's own Katie Couric.

CBS Evening News Executive Producer and 34-time Emmy winner, Rick Kaplan...

The Reuters Building...

CoffeeMilk and their "swag" bags...

Lincoln Woods State Park
2 Manchester Print Works Road
Lincoln, Rhode Island
http://www.riparks.com/lincoln.htm

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and are copyright protected.

To start your own adventure...

GREAT GRANDMA LOELLA FROME SOFT MOLASSES COOKIES

 1 cup shortening
 1 cup sugar
 3/4 cup molasses 
 1/2 cup sour milk (milk with a dash of vinegar in it)
 2 eggs 

Combine those ingredients first

Next add:

1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1/2 teaspoon all spice, 1/4 teaspoon ginger and 4 cups flour.

Add cups of flour one at a time, mixing each in completely before adding the next.

Chill dough in refrigerator overnight. 

On a well floured baking sheet, roll out the dough.
The dough tends to be sticky so use lots of flour.
Place dough you're not using back in refrigerator, it gets hard to handle as it warms up. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Cookies will puff up nicely when done.

BASIC SUGAR COOKIES

Step 1:
In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. Divide dough in half and chill 30 minutes.

Step 2:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, working with half of the dough at a time, roll 1/8 inch thick. With floured cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. Using a metal spatula or pancake turner, place cookies 1/2 inch apart on cookie sheets. Reroll trimmings and continue to cut shapes. Bake 8 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Special thanks to great grandma Loella Frome, Dustin & Robert Vanzant & Keva Andersen.

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

Winter is almost here...

Lincoln Woods State Park
2 Manchester Print Works Road
Lincoln, Rhode Island
http://www.riparks.com/lincoln.htm

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and are copyright protected.

     With the summer crowds gone, autumn is the perfect time to experience Newport's culinary charms.  With the city's second annual Restaurant Week in full swing, even the most discriminating tastes can be indulged.  With about 30 restaurants to choose from, and three course meals ranging in price from $16 to $30, you may want to sample several. 

     Below, Polo Club at the Vanderbilt...

 Man of the House:  Mr. Vanderbilt himself...

For more information on Newport's Restaurant Week, visit www.gonewport.com, or visit the restaurant featured above.

Polo Club at the Vanderbilt
41 Mary Street
Newport, Rhode Island
1-888-826-4255
www.vanderbiltrc.com/

Know of a place we should visit?  Email us at ehopkins@wpri.com and erodriguez@wpri.com

All photos belong to Elysia Rodriguez and Elizabeth Hopkins, and are copyright protected.