7:00~12/15/11~Big Fish

On the first of this year, I started a project that I called “the 7:00 picture project.” It’s really quite a simple idea and hasn’t been much of a project at all; each day at 7:00pm I take a picture of where ever I am.

That’s it.  That’s my project.

The cool thing, is that I’ve actually done it…for nearly 12 months, I have a photo of where I’ve been at 7:00 each day.  It’s become a great way to journal and document my life.  Some days I’m home, some days I’m on the road, some days I’m still at work, and some days I’m in a pretty cool spot here in New Jersey.

Tonight, I’m enjoying some tasty appetizers and great conversation – about the differences between being British and English – at the Big Fish in Princeton. (I promise that it’s a much more captivating conversation than my recap reveals.)

Now, I think my new plan for 2012 will be to continue taking a picture each day at 7:00 and share them here on the blog.

Let’s start now, and we’ll see how it goes…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Posted from WordPress for Android

7:00~12/13/11~A Princeton Winter Wonderland

This is one of my favorite places to go during the holiday season.  I just love walking around Palmer Square in Princeton and sitting on the benches (providing that it’s not too cold outside) in front of the Nassau Inn.

There, the large Christmas tree with brightly colored lights and the surrounding trees lit with bright white lights create a really magical place.  It’s the perfect place for slowing everything – during this busy season – down, for reflecting on what’s important, and for appreciating the beauty in the simplest of things.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

The Princeton Patch

Beginning this month, the Princeton Patch will be featuring posts from this blog.  I am super excited to be affiliated with this publication and to work with an amazing editor, Greta Cuyer.

In case you aren’t already aware, a Patch is a hyper-local publication that shares news, events, and perspectives from a specific town or region.  There are Patches in nearly two dozen states now.  The Princeton Patch is relatively new, but it is already home to talented contributors and a place where community members are sharing ideas.

Check out my work with the Princeton Patch and follow their links at the bottom of the site to find other Patches near you.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

What A (Sports!) Nut

What an arm!

Sports. Sports. Sports.  It’s like another language to me sometimes.  Lately though, sports are everywhere I go.  And you know what?  Even though I may not follow any sport or team in particular, or understand it too well, it’s kind of fun!

Recreation T-Ball
My oldest nephew is quite an athlete in the making.  He can throw a ball – harder, faster, and more accurately than many kids two (and maybe three) times his age.  He already enjoys playing soccer and golf (yes, golf!), and now, his newest sports venture is T-Ball.

This has to be the most adorable sport ever invented.  Seriously.  Pint-sized ball players take to the field and run in all the wrong directions and haven’t yet figured out that the glove is for catching the ball, but somehow they manage to learn the rules of the game – and more importantly, good sportsmanship and how to be a team player.

I’m a huge fan!

Trenton Thunder
In keeping with the spirit of America’s favorite pastime, my annual trip to a Trenton Thunder game is approaching.  I’m super psyched because I had a blast when I went last year.  Of course, I was pretty focused on all of the food (especially the ice cream) available at the ballpark.  This time, I promise to be a little more focused on the game!

THE Princeton Bar and Grill on Nassau Street.

Princeton Sports Bar 
When live sports are not enough – or not an option – one can always turn to a good sports bar to fill the void.  Those in the Princeton area are lucky to have THE Princeton Sports Bar and Grill.  Located on Nassau Street, this sports-oriented hangout is open until midnight or later seven days a week.  They provide a great atmosphere for the biggest sports fanatic – or the casual fan like me – to enjoy all kinds of games and events.

Maybe I’ll become fluent in this language of sports after all…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Hungry for a Little Slice of Pi?

It’s almost Pi Day again!  Last year, I had so much fun in Princeton for the Pi Day celebration (read all about it here).  This weekend brings the second annual celebration of the “geeky” holiday.  Whether your interested in math and science, or shopping and good food, you are going to have a blast this weekend in Princeton!

See you when I get my geek on this weekend!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Gerry Perlinski at Triumph

The Friday of a three-day weekend is always a little extra special.  The Thursday of this weekend was pretty special as well because I (finally) got to catch a Gerry Perlinski show.  Since late this summer, I’ve tried to make it to one of his shows throughout NJ, but for one reason or another I couldn’t.  Yesterday was the first time that I was able to see him perform, and it was great!

My view of Gerry Perlinkski - through the twinkle lights - performing at Triumph in Princeton, NJ.

I sat upstairs at Triumph in Princeton and could hear the music and see the performance perfectly.  Snacking on some of Triumph’s delicious fried pickles, it was really great time!

Now, the long weekend officially begins and more good times with friends and family await…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

December 29, 2010 ~ O Princeton Tree, O Princeton Tree

The tree at Palmer Square, Princeton. Look at all those lights (and snow)!

Mimi Omiecinski of the Princeton Tour Company does a really good job keeping me up to date on all the cool things about, and happening in, Princeton.  For example, through her I learned that the Palmer Square Christmas Tree has more lights on it than the one in Rockefeller Center!  Of course, I had to go check it out before the season was over…

While I was in the area last night, I stopped by Mediterra for a bite to eat.  Their calamari (and slivers of fried vegetables) and humus flatbreads (served with a kalamatta almond spread) were just wonderful. It was my first time at Mediterra, and I can’t wait to go back to try their Pumkin Ravioli or Paella Clasica!

Mediterra in Princeton, all decked out for the holidays.

Hope you are having fun playing in all that snow out there!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Happy New Jersey Day!

Happy New Jersey Day, everyone!
Today is December 18th – and it’s the day, that in 1787, New Jersey became the third state of the Union.

(I have to do my homework a little, to see when this holiday officially began, but you know that I’m sure happy to celebrate it!)

My own week here in New Jersey, preparing for the holidays, has been great – a little cold, but great!

A definite highlight this week was my trip to McCarter Theater in Princeton to see A Christmas Carol.  The show runs through December 26th, so if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, there’s still time!

I’m off to brave the roads and malls for some last-minute holiday shopping…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Picture Perfect: Falling for the Season

Fall Afternoon on Witherspoon Street (photo by Melissa Morris)

This Picture Perfect Sunday, I’m sharing a photo I took on a recent Sunday afternoon.

I was sitting on a bench just outside of Small World Coffee on Witherspoon Street in Princeton, NJ.  The air was crisp and the sun peaking through the trees was warm.  The parked bicycle and the leaves, delicately painted by fall, created a vignette that I had to try to capture…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Let’s do the “Twist” ~ in Princeton, NJ

I was a very happy Jersey Girl the other day when I visited Twist, a Do-It-Yourself frozen yogurt lounge.  At Twist, anyone with a sweet tooth (and I certainly have one of those!) gets the unique opportunity  to “TWIST IT.  TOP IT.  WEIGH IT.  PAY IT.”

View of the self-serve area of Twist from up in the lounge.

At Twist, you can find a variety of frozen yogurt or non-dairy fruit sorbet flavors (usually seven different flavors are offered at a time) in a self-serve fashion.  Whether you choose yogurt or sorbet, all flavors are either fat-free or low-fat, and what’s unique about the yogurt offered at Twist is that all of the frozen yogurt meets the National Yogurt Association criteria for live and active yogurt cultures.

With seven flavors to choose from, the creativity is all up to the consumer.  You can choose to serve yourself a full dish of one flavor – or a lot of one favorite flavor and a sample of a new one – or you can try all the flavors at once.  Part of the fun is that it’s entirely up to you.

I chose to sample three of the flavors that called out to me the most – “Red Velvet” and “Tiramisu” yogurt and the “Mango” sorbet.

My creation at Twist. It was delicious!

After you “TWIST” you get to “TOP.”  There are dozens of toppings to choose from including fresh seasonal fruits, dried fruits, nuts, cereals, seeds, cookies, candy, and syrups.  Just like with the yogurt and sorbet, you can try as many different toppings as you want and take as much or as little as you like.

Once you are satisfied with your creation, a Twist employee will weigh it for you and then you and pay for it by the ounce.  So, even the price you pay is up to you!

The choices don’t end after you’ve made your creation, because there are a variety of different tables, chairs, and couches in the lounge area.  While you sit and enjoy your frozen yogurt in the area of your choice, you can also play board games with friends or select a book off the shelves to read quietly for a little while.

The possibilities really do seem endless.  Each time you visit Twist, you can have a totally different experience!

The lounge at Twist. (photo courtesy of Twist)

Flavors are changed periodically and current flavors can always be found on the Twist website, www.twist-yogurt.com.  Twist is located at 84 Nassau street (right across from Princeton University) and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:30 AM – 10 PM.

Enjoy!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Twist on facebook