Burito Mariachi

Several Mexican themed restaurants have opened in and around Patchogue, like Burito Mariachi. I haven't tried this one yet, but it was bright enough to catch my attention. 

Pantaleons Farmstand

East Setauket has a nice farmstand called Pantaleons that is open pretty much year-round. Right now there are Christmas trees, wreaths, and kissing balls available for purchase.

Sunken Meadow Park

On Saturday I went to a Christmas market held at Northport High School. It was one of the better ones that I've been to recently. When I left I stopped at Sunken Meadow Park which was just a few miles away. I got my beach fix there.

 

Garden Center

 I like returning to familiar places to sketch, like the Bayport Flower House. There is usually something to sketch there.

Texas Roadhouse

 No we didn't make a wrong turn. Our last night of the trip was spent in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and we had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. I hadn't been to one of their restaurants in a very long time. The food was very good. I remember peanut shells being all over the floor the last time we went to one, but I guess with the reactions people have if they are sensitive to peanuts the policy has changed. Now there is a sealed bag of peanuts on the table...clearly marked.

The decor seems to be a bit of everything, including animal heads mounted on the walls. It is a fun place and a bit noisy at times since the staff chants and cheers at different tables. (I'm not quite sure why.) Needless to say the Texas ribeye hit the spot.

Lunch Along the Drive Home

That Sunday morning we started our trip home. Jerry found a place listed in our "road bible" located in Kingsport, TN called the "Fishermans Dock." Although we weren't anywhere near the ocean or the bay it turned out to be a fairly good restaurant. As you can see it was decorated with mounted fish...so I couldn't resist doing a quick sketch for the day.

Hotel Room Sketch & Photos

 My friend, Tina Koyama commented on yesterday's post, saying that places like this (hotels) always have patterns everywhere. The Hampton Inn in Kennesaw had patterns in the breakfast area and in the hotel room too. The Roman shades had a pattern, the chair had a pattern, and there was an abstract painting with a pattern. I don't usually like abstracts but this one had great colors and a soothing pattern.

The evening of the Celebration of Life for my brother, Joe, my sister-in-law arranged for a BBQ buffet for the family. It was nice to be able to spend time with everyone, especially since most of us hadn't seen each other in quite a few years. Many members of the family were leaving for home the next day. I suggested that we do a group shot of our side of the family so we all posed together. There are 5 "children" in my brother's family...all adults, and 3 grands (although only two were at the gathering because Sebastian lives in Egypt with him mom). Family on our side came from California, South Korea, Maine, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, and New York.

We did a photo of my sister-in-law, Joan's family too. They live a bit closer (North Carolina and Pennsylvania).

Joe, I know was happy to see so many of us gathered together.