Too many housebound days over break made for a desperate woman (me). You know, the winter doldrums, the colds that are passed around, an unwelcome gift, the hacking coughs that make for bleary-eyed parents come the morning light (bless Steve, he handled all of Parker’s middle-of-the-night coughing while I slept blissfully unaware next to a quiet Anders). And so, we decided to go for a quick trip to one of our favorite seaside towns.
Portsmouth, if you’ve never been, is all brick and charm. Meandering walkways, window shopping, steeples, and churches full of history. Restaurants and coffee shops to duck into during the winter months. We found a parking spot right away and turned the corner to see their sweet Christmas tree. The big ornaments! A nice (and unique) touch for a town Christmas tree. 
Parker, a few times, declared it “sooooo cold!” and “the worst day!!” He wasn’t pleased about my sudden need for adventure. Oh the irony! His cold keeping me housebound for much of the week! And now, a healthy Parker, wanting to stay home to play with his toys, I suppose. Parker is such a funny dude. He’s such a homebody at heart, his natural state is cuddled up next to Steve on the leather chair, an episode of Masha and the Bear in his future, some apples and peanut butter, pajamas all day, cars or a costume within reach. He always ends up loving whatever sort of adventure (I’m using the term loosely, I hope you know.) I cook up, but getting him to actually leave the house can be a bit hairy.
If you’ve been to Portsmouth, no doubt you’ve already discovered the nirvana that quite literally smacks you in the face as soon as you pass the threshold of Gus and Ruby. Word to the wise: leave your pocketbooks home for this one, ladies. You’ll want everything.
Kisses on church steps work for me, Anders Hunt.
I know this church has a pretty significant history of some sort which Steve would be able to rattle off to you without blinking. I, on the other hand, can tell you everything I want from Gus and Ruby. 
We stopped into Popovers where I had, you guessed it, a popover. It had chicken stew in it and was delicious. Are popovers easily recreated at home? I’d venture a guess they’re not. But it was good enough that I’d like to explore that a little further. 
“Parker, just walk by.” (What a good Instagram son he is!)
And just like that, we were home again for burgers, and a riveting game of Chutes and Ladders. It was Parker’s first time and he very legitimately won, but only after Steve, who was in the lead, hit that big chute. You know the one. That takes you from the second to last row all the way back to the beginning. Oh the excitement and anguish of that childhood game. We laughed a lot. It’s going to be in the rotation for sure.
Woah, it looks so cold. I love the festive decorations of the streets!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
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I love Portsmouth! Such a fun place to spend an afternoon. I use this amazingly simple popover recipe!
http://rachelschultz.com/2015/01/08/new-england-popovers/
what a sweet day. parker sounds like my kind of dude- once you get me out i’m game but it’s tough leaving the homestead. glad you were able to convince him!
xo, brittany
all about my toddler + current favorites on my blog today
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I should NOT have clicked on that Gus and Ruby link!!! Having so much paper product lust over here, and really wishing i didn’t have my credit card info memorized 😛
you’ve gotta erase that from your memory!!
Girl you are not wearing SOCKS! We need to get you some socks or you’re going to be the one stuck home with a bad cold. Brrrr…. 😉
Looks pretty there though, reminds me of Washington Street in Cape May.
Popovers are actually pretty easy to make…as long as you have a *specific* pan for popovers that’s — you guessed it! — a giant pain to store!
“Parker, just walk by.” hahaha! These pics are so great! Looks like such a cute town! All of New England is on my bucket list! Never been! This shall be added to the list. I’ve always been too scared to attempt a popover, let me know how it goes!
This looks like so much fun! Also, I have virtually no skills in the kitchen and I can make popovers so I think you’re good. 🙂 Just last week I had a post with a picture of the ones I made on Christmas and it has the link to the recipe I’ve always used to if you wanted to check it out! And are popovers a very New England thing? I live in Ohio and had only ever heard of them from family in Vermont. I always make them as a brunch type of deal too, but putting chicken stew in it sounds delicious!
https://jessgetsdressedsometimes.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/around-here/
i have no idea if they’re a cultural thing here?! but now i’m curious… you’ll have to try the chicken stew in them!
We vacation on an island off the coast of Portsmouth every year and I love spending the morning in town before we take the ferry out. We always eat at Popovers too, a favorite!
I’ve heard WONDERFUL things about Portsmouth! Now I want to go even more!
Buy a popover pan. I ended up needing two b/c popovers are so easy and such an impressive hit to the table. The varieties are endless. I love plain ones with jam and butter for breakfast or brunch. But I’ve also made savory varieties like Parmesan and black pepper to serve alongside dinner. Yorkshire pudding is essentially a popover wherein the popover pan is greased in fat from the beef you’ve roasted. It’s all good and it will be a life changer for your big family.
We live right outside of Portsmouth and head downtown all of the time. Popovers is our favorite (went into labor there with my son! haha!). Their greek salad with a popover is amazing! To answer your “can I make popovers” question….my grandmother use to make them all the time, they were delicious and I have tried on a few occasions and haven’t had any luck. You need a popover pan and a good recipe!
i hate to have an actual kitchen item that’s used only for one thing – blahhhh (i’ll end up storing it 90% off the time). maybe i’ll just have to get my popover fix when i’m there.
Thanks so much for stopping by the shop and for the kind words! Xo
Such a cheerful looking town. Thank you for sharing!
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Popovers are common in Minnesota too. They actually remind me of Yorkshire puddings. Looks like a beautiful little town! I absolutely agree with adventures to break up the ho-hum of winter days indoors.
OMG!
Do y’all live close to Portsmouth?!
I’m moving to Kittery in a month!! <3
You captured it beautifully!