As a person who avoids controversial posts like the plague, I decided to write about three things I know: People who love Jesus, America & football.
I rarely post on Facebook, but the night of the Super Bowl last year (Eagles vs. Pats), I wrote about how I love any team that beats Brady (a diehard Saints fan over here…all in good fun!); and how, most of all, I love any team that gives glory to God. To which someone asked me if I love any team that disrespects the National Anthem.
How do you respond gracefully to that? Politics and sports shouldn’t be mixed!
Here’s the thing: I grew up watching football. I’ve always believed that it was the greatest, most entertaining game to watch. I loved it because it’s athletes from all different classes, religions and races – unifying for one cause. A game where people put aside their drastic differences to unite for the whole.
Along with journalism, I studied sport management in college. I had classes with athletes. Several of them went to my church. They became friends – normal people. Not objects.
So when the Eagles made the playoffs, and one of my favorite Florida Gators (whom I shared a class with every other day for a semester), was going to be in the Super Bowl, I was ecstatic. I’m a Giants fan (as well as Saints), so I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be pulling for the Eagles aside from the Gators on the team. But then I started reading about the team and their testimonies. So many of the men on that team are outspoken about Christ.
In early June, it can get freezing in the northeast. Well, for a Floridian. Anything below 74 falls under the “freezing weather” category for Floridians (we’re wimps).
But there we were, driving up to Maine, freezing (it was about 60 degrees outside) and starving. My grandpa was driving and I was researching restaurants in Portsmouth, NH. It seemed like a good stopping point for food, and I was determined to find a warm bowl of clam chowder.
Somehow between Zomato and Google, I found the second heaven. This particular version of heaven looked like it was in a little hole-in-the-wall place in the business district of Portsmouth.Popovers on the Square.
Being downtown, it wasn’t exactly fun finding a parking space – not that anything looked extremely crowded. But it was drizzling rain, the brick streets were crooked to walk on, and Popovers looked like a sweet site for sore eyes and hungry stomachs. But when the kind manager opened the door for me, I was confused. It was set up like a Panera wannabe with more comfortable seats. There was the pastry section and then the ordering section, and somewhere in the back food was being made (I hoped).
I seated my grandpa and walked up to the lady at the counter.
Crab cakes @ Popovers on the Square
“What would you like?” She had white hair, kind blue eyes, and I regret not getting her name.
“Ummm…What’s good here?” She laughed at me.
“It depends on how hungry you are.”
We were starving.
I ordered clam chowder, crab cakes, and a lobster roll to share with my grandfather. I’ve never been a fan of seafood – I had my eye on the dessert bar. But about five minutes later, our food was ready, and I suddenly wanted to understand what all the hype is over New England seafood.
Growing up, I’ve had clam chowder every now and then – from Red Lobster. It’s fine. Yet when I tried the chowder at Popovers, it was…beyond words. I wanted to lick the bowl, but I settled for de-layering the adorable popover and dipping it in the chowder. It was scrumptious.
Lobster Popover @ Popovers on the Square in Portsmouth, NH
Next came the lobster roll, or lobster popovers. It was a basic lobster salad and a flaky, doughy popover and perfect. Then the crab cakes. They were pan seared with scallions, bell peppers, aioli and a green salad. I’ve had crab cakes before – but they’ve always felt heavy with a weird texture and a just-OK taste. But these Portsmouth crab cakes were flawless. The pan-seared texture was just right, and the aioli made a scrumptious addition to the already tasty meat. I wanted more, but after the delicious meal I also wanted to try dessert.
I ordered two lattes, a slice of the chocolate hazelnut torte and a slice of the raspberry torte. The desserts were just as delicious as the meal.
I’ve been to a lot of different restaurants in a lot of different places, but I can’t remember eating food as comforting, delicious and rich as the food at Popovers on the Square. I’d never been to a restaurant that made me wish I could move to a different state just to eat there every day. But I can see myself driving – or flying – out of my way just to eat at Popovers. And I’d dearly appreciate it if they’d open about a thousand in Florida!
*Since I originally blogged about Popovers, I’ve been back twice on different trips. Both times it was just as good!
Sometimes the best journeys in life happen when your plans get thwarted. A couple of years ago, I was so set in my ways. After graduating college, I planned on being a sports reporter (I dearly love sports!). After graduation, caring for a sick family member happened instead. Then a road trip to several National Parks happened, and I fell in love with traveling and capturing creation.
Prior to that, I thought beach destinations were the only worthy places to travel. Yet I’ve learned that I love wandering. I love discovering new lands, meeting people from different places, trying different food (I really love food). It’s amazing how similar yet how different places are around the country and around the world.
Most of all, I love seeing God’s hand everywhere I go. The more I wander, the more I see how amazing and vast His creation is. So here’s a little about wandering with wonder and a lot about pursuing The Way.
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“Jesus said to him, ‘I Am The Way, and The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” – John 14:6
“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
wanderandtheway.com 