I'm embarrassed to admit that it's 3.2.12 and this is the first post I've done in 2012. I'm certainly not the most prolific blogger and I SO want to do better. I have a backlog of topics but the doldrums have kept me from getting the info out there.
It's late, so I won't say much tonight. But K. and I went to the annual Chili Cook Off (http://www.downtownithaca.com/events/view/chili-cook-off-2012.html) again this year, after having taken a break from the lengthy lines of previous years. I have no patience for standing in line and if it's cold...even less patience. The Chili Cook Off is a victim of its own success as is, in my opinion, The Ithaca Festival. (The latter event played a part in my wanting to live here and I regret to say that it's gotten so large that I consider leaving town every year.) The events have outgrown our "venue."
But I digress. The temperature has been SO warm this year, that we decided to walk to the Commons and see if there was any chance of getting to do some chili tastings. We hit it right! Yes! We waited in line for tickets for no more than 10 minutes and then, rather than try to be totally fair judges of the samples, we opted for samples of whoever had the shortest line in our vicinity. We got a good mix of veggie and meat chilis as well as some wine samples. Tip: There was an indoors wine and cheese tasting location in Center Ithaca this year that also sold tickets. There were no major lines there when we visited, so you may want to scope things out and see what you have the patience for on a busy day in Ithaca, NY.
We did re-visit the Bandwagon Brew Pub after shopping and sampling and got a couple of flights. The place was packed (good for them!) though they were only serving drinks during the afternoon. The acoustics in the place are a little lacking - or maybe it was the very loud woman seated at the table behind us who felt compelled to project her voice so that we had to hear every "effing" word" and opinion that she had on that particular afternoon. We were relieved when she and her entourage opted to move on. Just an FYI, the refrigeration problem mentioned in my "Flights of Fancy Post" have been addressed. Our samplers were nice and cold, not tepid.
One other mention: We were shopping for a birthday gift for a dear friend while at the Chili Cook Off. We ventured into 15 Steps, one of our favorite gift shops on The Commons. As an aside, I'm astonished to find that they don't seem to have their own website. Or, perhaps they do and it is hard to find. But this shop has a fabulous selection of whimsical gifts, jewelry, artwork, ornaments, wedding rings, Skagen watches (of which I am a gift recipient and I LOVE it!!!), pottery, crafts, candles, pewter work, etc. We found our friend's birthday gift here and thought that I should give the place a "shout out." Bettsie Park and Ken Jupiter have done a great job featuring a wide selection of beautiful objects in a price range to fit any budget. Stop in and don't wait!!! (15 Steps is located at Center Ithaca, 171 East State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-4902.)
It's late and I'm fading. Peace. (C. Cat 2:25am 3.2.12)
