Providence part 2 - the other stuff

While the decision to fly into Boston and take a train to Providence wasn't the most convenient solution (we couldn't take a nice long weekend w/ J in school and a drive that long for only 1 full day would equal a zombie Aprille to be sure), we did get to spend a bit more time downtown with Sonny & Pam than we otherwise would have.

Friday night we arrived while the rest of the gang was at the non-rehearsal rehearsal dinner an hour away. Sonny left a key to their place - so we explored there and in his neighborhood while waiting for him to take us out to where we spent the night.
The apartment is full of awesome stuff. You could amuse yourself for days on end. So many interesting books, CDs, DVDs. And the walls are covered with all sorts of wonderful art. Plus, there's a knit Dalek. That totally wins points. Yertle the Turtle greeeted us - Sonny has had him since forever - junior high I think.

We walked about a half mile from Sonny & Pam's and found all sorts of good looking restaurants. A nice, but very light salad at the airport for lunch and hauling bags from one mode of transport to another meant I craved a filling Italian meal. We stopped at Pizzico and indulged in a wonderfully tasty meal. I had the papardelle bolognese and J had the lobster ravioli. We'll need to go back for the tiramisu and gelatos.

On Sunday, Pam's sister, Lynda, brought us back into town after packing up the wedding stuff. Sonny & Pam soon followed and we left to do a bit on the town before going to the train station.
Some of the highlights:

• First off, we drove through one of the wealthier Providence neighborhoods, then past Brown, and by some awesome historic buildings. (Like the Turk's Head, above)
• Next up, Symposium books. J loved all the design books that they carry and everything very reasonably priced.
• Followed by Craftland. An awesome shop full of all things crafted.  There's a gallery, but the show had just come down.  Lots of prints from artists Sonny knows.  Cool t-shirts, upcycled goods, and many nifty things.  I bought myself a sea serpent print.
• A peek at Kim Kazan's show at the AS220 Project Space.
• Good iced chai at White Electric Coffee. I may have to get one of the Alec Thibodeau mugs - I like his stuff and kinda' met him at the wedding.
• We drove by an office building built from shipping containers - something I've often read about.  And then we picked up Design New England at the airport and there was an article about the same building in there!
• Plus we got to see Sonny & Pam's studios - cool creative spaces where work gets done, unlike my creative space which just seems to accumulate stuff.

All in all, a great trip.  We're already thinking about a longer visit to Providence and the Ocean State. Very cool.

Cranberries, pine trees, vintage, and grins to light the world - Sonny and Pam got married!

One of the pieces of big news I've alluded to in previous posts came down this weekend. Sonny and Pam got married!!

The wedding was in Rhode Island - a short drive from where Pam grew up and about an hour from Providence proper. The Whispering Pines Conference Center, a part of the University of Rhode Island W Alton Jones campus. After a long, winding drive through pine forests, old fields cut up by huge stone walls, and over creeks and by ponds, you arrive at the compound of grey log lodges, at the side of a small lake.

It was sunny and rather warm for early April (especially considering travel had been held up the previous day by a monster snowstorm through the NorthEast (but that managed to miss RI)). There were small fluffy clouds that met the strategic lighting needs of the photographer (and Pam, on the other side of the camera for once). The bride was stunning in a 50's style cream & gold dress made by a friend and jewelry that caught the light wonderfully. The groom was super sharp in blue sharkskin and a gold tie.

The lodge was gorgeous, sun streaming in many windows, tables and mantles decked with ferns and white lilacs and other green & white combos. The squirrel decor could have been creepy but wasn't bad.

Everything was thought of. Sonny & Pam provided awesome guest baskets made of recycled magazines and full of Rhode Island treats, homemade cookies, and other personalized treats. They filled the soap dispensers in the rooms with coconut soap.

The ceremony was perfect for them. Rev Bill, the officiant, filled it with quotes from great jazz, blues, and rock artists - managing to turn lines from songs into questions for the new couple. They were (are!) sooooo happy.

The food was incredible. Should I list it all? Circulating plates of flatbread pizza, clam chowder, beet & goat cheese phyllo purses, coconut shrimp not over fried so you could actually savor the coconut. A spinach, pear, bleu cheese, candied pecan salad. Pecan-crusted chicken w/ cranberries. Butternut squash ravioli. Yummy pastries and cake from Pastiche.

Fun music from The Moonlighters out of NYC - Hawaiian steel guitar swing. Perfect volume. Gifts that reflected the wonderfully variety of the guests in their wrapping.

Sonny and Pam had a joint speech, where Sonny told of their first "date" - a day spent on a spur of the moment cranberry excursion. He told about how he made sure the friend who made the ring incorporated cranberries and Pam's favorite bird, the woodcock. Pam told of a surprise trip to NYC "for a show", that wound up with a proposal in a photo booth. We gave a standing ovation (led by J).

They are so happy. Everyone there loved them so much. It was totally awesome.

Next - Part 2 - Providence. Our gift to the couple.
I'll be putting more pics on Facebook