SuzeBlogz

Newport, Rhode Island

In 1658 the small, but growing, colony of Newport, Rhode Island received its first Jewish residents. These fifteen families came from Barbados, where a Jewish community had existed since the 1620s. They were of Spanish and Portuguese origin; their families had migrated from Amsterdam and London to Brazil and then the islands of Suriname, Barbados, Curaçao and Jamaica.

Right after they arrived in Newport they formed a congregation and by 1758 there were enough Jewish people to build a synagogue. I was thrilled to be able to take a tour of TOURO Synagogue, the oldest in America.

even the local cat stops by

In 1820, Abraham Touro had a brick wall built around the cemetery, and when he died in 1822 he bequeathed $10,000 to the State of Rhode Island for the support and maintenance of the “Old Jewish Synagogue” in Newport. He made an additional bequest of $5,000 for the maintenance of the street which runs from the cemetery down the hill to the synagogue building. As a result of his generosity, the street was named “Touro Street.” When the state legislature accepted Abraham’s gift, they were the first to publicly refer to the synagogue as “Touro (or Touro’s) Synagogue.”

some views from the front of the synagogue

 

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from there, after our tour, we set out to see the seaside port

and the town...and...do lunch

we were a little hard pressed to 'find our yacht'...LOL

 

we had lunch every day with our friends Arnie & Wendy and we vowed to have lobster every day of the trip. This was my first lobster roll! Oh YUM !!!

 

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Ah, as the sun goes down...

back to the ship (we had a balcony)

 

lovely dinner in the main dining room where the waiters do their lively parade around the room

and then they deliver a surprise cake to me and sing Happy Birthday along wth the Lenster !!

after dinner we went to Shabbat Services in the chapel on the ship (I put the pix in an app to make it look painted) !

then we find little canapies as another little extra in our room each night (Thank You Lennys peeps!)

and then ...next morning...we find ourselves coming home into NY

pulling into the pier

 

Priority luggage handling to leave the ship whenever we'd like (so nice!)

and, as we do,  we watch them re-load so they can start all over again.

I'm sure you could tell from my posts..we had an AMAZING TIME and we can't wait to C-R-U-I-S-E again

 

so, we will!!!..

in December!...

A Christmas Market cruise...Amsterdam to Switzerand on Viking

Just you wait !!

The "Hello Boston" Travelog

My mom (rest her soul) came from Massachusetts....Mattapan to be exact. My mom had many brothers & sisters, so I have a LOT of fantastic first cousins, all from the general Boston area. The Lenster and I LOVE Boston.

My niece and nephew (my brothers kids) are both graduates of Harvard ...so, Boston (Cambridge too)  plays a big part in our life. We've been many times but, we thoroughly enjoyed our tour around town on the Hop On Hop Off bus.

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Time to leave the ship....

I'm so excited to share a bunch of snaps I took on our little jaunt around town.....hope you enjoy too ! All taken thru the bus window.....so....If you can identify the spots where I shot the pictures all the more power to you !!!

when it comes to history what place could be richer or more steeped in it? It's one of the oldest cities in the entire United States.

 

Boston (named after Boston Lincolnshire, England,) was founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England. It was the scene of several key events of the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston.

a carousel right in the middle of town

 

 

 

The New England Holocaust Memorial

Inspired by a group of Holocaust survivors who found new lives in the Boston area, the New England Holocaust Memorial was built to foster reflection on the impact of bigotry and the outcomes of evil during World War II and to this day.

Open 24/7

Americas Oldest Restaurant

Boston is surrounded by the "Greater Boston" region and is contiguously bordered by the cities and towns of Winthrop, Revere, Chelsea, Everett, Somerville, Cambridge, Newton, Brookline,Needham, Dedham, Canton, Milton, and Quincy.

I have family everywhere !!

I love this pix I took of the reflection.

designed by I.M. Pei (think Lourve)

remember...these were all just taken through the bus window !!

 

tomorrow we'll take an unusual tour of a Rhode Island landmark.

Make sure to visit again !

 

 

The "Maine" Event

So, you'll remember I told you that The Lenster has his own 'peeps' !

Meet our friend Jay

Jay lives year round in Bar Harbor, Maine (population approx 5,235 ) & is in the same industry as The Lenster. He offered to pick us up and take us all over the island. So, despite the fact that Arcadia National Park was still closed, we still got quite the tour.

everyone knows everyone in this beautiful small town so Jay knew every side road, every nook and cranny, every good place to eat.

The town of Bar Harbor was founded on the northeast shore of Mount Desert Island, which the Wabanaki Indians knew as Pemetic, meaning "range of mountains" or "mountains seen at a distance." 

during the summer and early fall months the island is hopping ! When the late fall starts the houses close up and many depart for warmer climes.

Main industry here is...what else...fishing !

and beautiful homes and landscaping

Acadia Park includes hiking along trails or carriage roads, biking along the carriage roads, bird watching, and mountain climbing, and Acadia is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic seaboard.

 The photo below was taken outside the perimeter of the park...then I I used an app to turn it into an 'oil painting' !

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another"oil"...aren't apps fun!?

Many influential people call(ed) Bar Harbor home for at least part of the year. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., son of John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil Co., donated about one-third of the land in Acadia National Park and built the carriage roads that are used for hiking and biking. J. P. Morgan owned a house that is adjacent to Bar Harbor. Cornelius Vanderbilt built cottages in Bar Harbor. The Astor family owned hotels and cottages in Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas. William Howard Taft used to enjoy games of golf in Bar Harbor. The co-founder and CEO of Burt's Bees, Roxanne Quimby, has a home near Bar Harbor and is seen frequenting the downtown area. The star and creator of the TV show Martha Stewart has also been known to frequent Mount Desert Island and been seen in Bar Harbor. Movie star John Travolta has a home in nearby Ilesboro and has been seen many times in Bar Harbor. Architect Fred L. Savage started out on Mount Desert Island, moved, and then returned to design houses for many wealthy people in Bar Harbor.

an absolutely PERFECT day save for the very last 15 minutes...

we're having a ball !!!

Tomorrow BOSTON !!!!

keep coming back.....

Saint John

Still Sailing along.....

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First...a little history:

Saint John is the largest city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, and the second largest in the maritime provinces. It is known as the Fundy City due to its location on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River, as well as being the only city on the bay. Saint John was the first incorporated city in Canada. It was our second stop.

And, we loved it !!!

Did I fail to mention...??.

 part of the reason we are having such a good time is because Wendy and Arnie Yudell are here on the cruise with us. We met them for the first time in January onboard this same ship when we did our New Years Caribbean cruise...and we hit it right off. So...we planned this one so we'd be together again.

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We were VERY intrigued to see signs for an old syngogue

so, of course we had to find Leinster Street

(pronounced, yes,  LENSTER !!!!)

The Museum was opened by founder Marcia Koven in 1986. A Jewish Historical Society had already been established in the congregation.

The Museum is based on a community history model. It is supported through artifact donations and other participation by members of the local Jewish community. The Jewish community in Saint John has roots going back to the mid-1800s. Solomon Hart, a businessman from England, became the founder of the existing Jewish community in the city when he immigrated to Saint John in 1858.

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Saint John is also unique because The St. John River itself flows into the Bay of Fundy through a narrow gorge several hundred feet wide at the center of the city.

It contains a unique phenomenon called the Reversing Falls where the diurnal tides of the bay reverse the water flow of the river for several kilometres. A series of underwater ledges at the narrowest point of this gorge also create a series of rapids.

Tomorrow we'll visit Bar Harbor, Maine. The Lenster has his own peeps...I'll tell you all about it !! We got an amazing tour !!

Hello Maple Leafers !

Hi again peeps and bye bye New Yok City !

Of course I need to begin at the beginning...

there's nothing more moving than floating past the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island...or having a NYC fireboat send you off in glorious fashion

 

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Our cruise has been in beautiful Halifax and Saint John, Canada for the last few days (we’ll get to that in a little bit) so I had no AT&T or WiFi on my computer, phone and IPad till we got back into the states. Today we arrive in Bar Harbor, Maine so I’m good to go again.

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BUT...before I tell you about our glorious 2 days in Canada I HAVE to give you the funniest story...

So, you guys who know me know I have an adventurous life. This is the 2nd time we’ve sailed on this particular ship....the Norweigan Gem.

 

First day at sea we go to watch the sushi demonstration! What a surprise ! Lo and behold...the sushi chef takes one look at me and says “Hi..I remember you from the January cruise”! “YOU ORDERED SPECIAL ROLLS !!!”

 

WHAT !!!!  He must see thousands of people of these cruises..he remembered ME !!

Okay.....I’m humbled.....

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then, I head up to the SPA to book my massages. The receptionist says “HI...I remember you...last time I saw you, you had PINK highlights in your hair” HELLO....WHAT THE ****!!!!

The Lenster says I’m memorable ! I guess I must be cause then the waiter at dinner tells me I have the funkiest hair on the ship & votes me his favorite ! This trip I’m into teal colored highlights !!

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Our first day at sea we arrive in the quaint town of Halifax.

 

It was as picturesque as can be. We had beautiful weather. We took a tour of Peggys Cove.

The first recorded name of the cove was Eastern Point Harbour or Peggs Harbour in 1766. The village is likely named after Saint Margaret's Bay (Peggy being the nickname for Margaret), which Samuel de Champlain named after his mother Margarite

There has been much folklore created to explain the name. One story suggests the village may have been named after the wife of an early settler. The popular legend claims that the name came from the sole survivor of a shipwreck at Halibut Rock near the cove. Artist and resident William deGarthe said she was a young woman while others claim she was a little girl too young to remember her name and the family who adopted her called her Peggy. The young shipwreck survivor married a resident of the cove in 1800 and became known as "Peggy of the Cove" attracting visitors from around the bay who eventually named the village, Peggy's Cove, after her nickname.

 

 

Main Industry...

OK...off the ship shortly...so..More from me later !

One of The Lensters friends lives in town and will be taking us on a personal tour...he has peeps too !!!

xoxoxoxo

 

 

you just woudn't believe...

I, who NEVER, EVER, like NEVER EVER leave home without my passport...left home without my PASSPORT.

 

I could be going to nowheresville ( but, in this case not!) and I always have my Passport.

 

So...we get to the ship and I figure no biggie....I have my drivers license. Ahem...excuse me...I also need to prove I’m a U.S. citizen so....do I have a copy of my birth certificate?

 

HUH?? Why would I have that?

 

And beside, my birth certificate doesn’t have my married name....or a photo....I could be Marilyn Monroe for all they know. ALRIGHT..SHES DEAD..I CANT BE HER...BUT..YOU GET IT !

 

But, they don’t care...nice as they are...you are NOT boarding this ship (going to Canada) without additional proof ! They’ll accept a PHOTOCOPY of your birth certificate but NOT a photocopy of your passport.....SERIOUSLY!!

 

Okay...why bore you...after I got over the initial semi-hysterics we call our neighbor, we give him the details of how to break into the house....find our safe...unlock said safe...rifle through a bazillion papers, find my birth certificate and FAX it over to the ship.

we were prepared to book a flight and catch the ship up in Nova Scotia...you CAN do that BTW!!!

 

WELL HELL....that ought to teach me a lesson. We boarded it at JUST the last minute. We’re 90 minutes from the ship berth so there was no going home & coming back. That would be too easy anyway.

Now that my heart has stopped pounding

I'll try to provide you lovely peeps with a travelogue...

 

A Day in the Life....

of Cheryl and Suze (and Ken and The Lenster !)

Where do I start....is there even enough room to go into any detail?

So, Cheryl (Darrow, for those who might live under a rock....co-owner of Ten Seconds Studio, Dallas, TX !), was coming to NYC for hers and Kens anniversary...for a week.

The Lenster and I met up with them for a day of schlepping, shopping and eating.

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We started off by taking them to our little known treasure trove in NYC called CJS Sales. You'd never find it unless you KNOW about it. I KNOW THESE THINGS !!! I learned it from my Aussie friend Jen Crossley!!

Well....Cheryl nearly fell on her face when the elevator door opened and she saw THIS

YES...you walk through and over and into piles & piles and piles of F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S STUFF !

Chain, beads, rhinestones, purses, pearls, buttons, lucite, plastic, connectors, OH..what the hey...everything is there...

you just have to weed through it. That is half the fun. That is ALL the fun...come prepared...last time we went we brought a suitcase with us, BUT, they will ship !!

When you arrive David gives you the guided tour...pay attention to it..

and you'll get boxes you can fill up, as if this would ever be a problem!

then...you're OFF & running !

and climbing..

and searching and digging and sneezing (oh yes, dust) , but having the BEST time.

and, when you're all done you just wanna die from all the excitment you've had and the hours of fun moving boxes and sorting through stuff. Like a kid in a giant candy store. Thank you Elyse for another great experience at CJS !

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Now, we eat cause we've been shopping all morning and we're dying of hunger and then we move on to M&J Trim.

Cheryl is orgasmic...I swear!

no one has ever seen this many AMAZING belt buckles in one place

and trim

and buttons

and more trims

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Walking....walking..more walking...

passing famous Bryant Park

where, it just so happened, Shakira was rehearsing for her free concert tonight so we were able to hear her for a bit. All the tickrts had been given out for the actual concert.

THEN: On to Metalliferous

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Drawers and drawers of metal STUFF

Look, we're crafters after all..this is what we do...right !!!

and, you know of course that you can always expect the unexpected in Manhattan

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the crazy !!

the pretty

the sweet smells

the unusual

the amazing architecture (Lyceum Theater)

Times Square

lots of costume jewelry shops

Halloween decor

DIY projects

unusual decor in bathrooms !

and a day with best friends !!

that I love !!

Y'all Come back soon again, y'hear!!

I wanna be a Ninja !

But not just any kind-a ninja...a crystal ninja !!

and so....just a few days ago my "ninja kit" came in the mail...and it was a total surprise...because I didn't order it....it was a PRIZE...I'd won it.

thats right...you heard me correctly

I'D WON IT !!

I freakin won The Crystal Ninja Emmy Award Swag Gift Bag

Ever see a little 5 foot, old person, doing flips and yelling...

well..

that was me and my glee !! Screaming and jumping joyfully !

Here's some back story:

Kellie DeFries, aka the Crystal Ninja

was Sponsored by Swarovski & Create Your Style  at the 2013 Craft and Hobby Association's Gifting Suite for the 65th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, CA. The Swag Bag was personally made with 1 Swarovski Crystal glued in the logo by Kellie and her amazing assistant Crystal. (Yes, she is amazing and YES her name IS Crystal!)

The Crystal Ninja Team sat with each attendee teaching them just how easy it is to use the Swarovski Brand Ceralun-2part epoxy clay, a Crystal Katana- Patent Pending Rhinestone and crystal pick up tool with hundreds of different sizes and shapes of Swarovski Elements.

 

The Crystal Katana can pick up and place not only flatback crystals with ease but also chatons-pointed pack crystals, metal findings, beads, pearls, findings and most other small shapes and sizes ranging from tiny pp1 all the way to ss48! The Crystal Katana proved to be a work horse for all of the guests of the Gifting suite.

and one of the 'gifts' in my box was this FAAAAAAABULOUS RING made with their new pink 2 part apoxie clay (which Ive played wth a lot over the last 2 years from other brands) and many many rhinestones that sparkled like the sun!

I have since worn this ring EVERYWHERE !!! and I mean everywhere....even to the supermarket & post offce and most recently to a wedding ! Its my new favorite all purpose piece of glitter jewelry.!!

Inside the Swag Bag was not only 1 Crystal Katana tool, but a jewelry box to hold the custom ring each person created at the Swarovski sponsored table which protected the newly made jewelry piece as it dried. Next to the ring box was an unbelievably delectable handmade pair of Truffles made by SweetCity.org and a mini book published to show incredible portfolio work by the Crystal Ninja Team. 

Great Sparkles were had by everyone!

 

 

.how thoughtfully yummy!

and here, of course, my very own Ninja tool

some of the celebs Kellie and her team met....

Penny Marshall

Jerry Mathers ...The Beev

Lou Diamond Phillips

Richard Karn of Tool Time

our own Julianna Hudgens (of The Jewel Loom Fame)

and obviously so many more. Non stop activity happening over there at the Emmy Party

There isn't even a question that if there is a space...so there belongs a rhinestone...or 50...!

the knomes know that !!

so...where to get one and what to get...

well you want ALL OF IT OF COURSE !!

Look...there's tips, and glue, and all sorts of stuff.

cause look at the things you can do with it

and you definitely want to....

Crystal Ninja is a Branded Partner of the "Made with Swarovski Elements" program.

They are in San Diego, CA and can be reached by calling

Phone	(619) 964-3482

or going to their website

http://www.CrystalNinja.com

 

AND I HOPE YOU ALL GO !!!

It's the hottest thing since sliced bread !