A summer day in Baltimore

This weekend, my husband’s family is getting together to celebrate his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. My son came down from NYC and yesterday my sister-in-law, Helen, and I met him in Baltimore at Helen’s daughter’s place. Our plan was made several weeks ago because we wanted to get a first-hand look at my niece’s new house in Federal Hill. My niece, Kim, bought her first home this spring and it’s in a beautiful area of Baltimore . . .

 

. . . on a street similar to this.

I purposely didn’t bring my camera due to the incredible heat and the difficulty with the lens acclimating between the air conditioning and the hot, humid air. I think this surprised everyone but just the thought of lugging around my big DSLR through the streets of the city had me a little worried.

So these were all taken with the camera in my phone.

 

My niece, Kim, with her kitty, Millie.

 

Kim made the best appetizers. This one was my favorite. She took cherry tomatoes and cut them in half, then put a slice of mozzarella between the halves, added a sprig of basil and inserted a toothpick. They were served with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Oh, so good.

 

Equally as good was this one – whole wheat bread smeared with a mixture of brie cheese and dill, a sliced cucumber and shrimp to top it all off. Divine.

 

Also divine – Kim’s bike.

Totally fell in love with this bike.

 

The houses in her district are very narrow and long. Kim’s has a little patio through the kitchen sliding doors. This is where she grows her basil and other herbs. She loves her plants, just like her dad. She also has a deck off the third floor where she has more plants and some lounge chairs set up.

 

Beautiful hardwood floors, a working fireplace, and a spiral staircase that goes all the way up to the third floor where Kim has her master bedroom. If I remember correctly, the house was built in 1859.

 

Two tiny windows are in the third floor master bedroom and I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my framed prints on the wall. Then I remembered I’d brought it to Christmas one year for the dirty santa game we traditionally play. Kim had won it.

 

We decide to brave the heat and head out into the 103 degree day so we all piled into Kim’s car and she gave us a mini-tour of her neighborhood and where she works, which is over by Fort McHenry. We walked along the waterfront by the fort for a little bit.

 

Kim, Helen, and my son Matt.

Helen is my husband’s sister.

 

 

We were going to have crabs at this restaurant along the water. It was a little cooler  on the waterfront, but they had just lost power, which explained why the street lights were all out on the way there.

 

So we got back in the car and headed over to Kim’s neighborhood to one of her favorite places – Ryleigh’s.

 

Ryleigh’s on Cross Street in Federal Hill.

I loved this place!

 

We quenched our thirsts with fresh fruit crushes, one of their specialties. Front to back are the Fairwinds Lemonade Crush, a Raspberry Lemonade Crush, and a Grapefruit Crush. I took the photo with my Retro Camera and am not thrilled with my choice. But oh, well. I can always come back!

 

We ordered several appetizers, passing around the plates. There was Grilled Calamari, a Pound ‘o Mussels, Sushi Grade Tuna Tartar (my favorite), Panko Encrusted Fried Oysters, and a Cast-Iron Crab Pot.

Oh. My. Gosh. So good. I’m already making plans to go back . . .

 

Thanks for stopping by today, and to all who left comments on the previous post. I’m still reading all of your wonderful answers, so if you haven’t heard from me yet, you soon will. (Unless your e-mail isn’t enabled – sorry).

Have a beautiful Sunday. And keep cool.

Love you, Kim!

Congratulations on your new home ~