Three-Day Weekends Are Better Than Two-Day Ones

January 14, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 3 Comments

This is the OMG IT’S A THREE-DAY WEEKEND?! face.

Okay, maybe not – this was his face when we went out to breakfast, because that’s how our weekend started. With pancakes! I got the lemon ricotta pancake because it’s truly the best. It’s custardy and I pretty much am in love with anyone and everything lemon that’s sweet. I also don’t typically put butter or syrup on them either, because they’re just so good.

Friday started out with 58 degrees and rain (and a run in short sleeves!) – and then it ended up with sleet and then snow. The weather actually got so bad that my Friday night plans had to change. I was originally supposed to have a girls night with my sisters-in-law and go to the art museum to see their new Jazz Age exhibit, but due to the weather, the museum closed early!

Luckily, our dinner plans didn’t fall through and we were able to have some french food at L’Albtross. We started with cheese …

And after our main course, ended with dessert!

Saturday was pretty good too. The day included some surprise chocolates from B — Mitchell’s has some great chocolates near me, and I love their pretzels and chocolate covered ginger.

The day also included a 2+ hour car nap for FW!

While he napped, I baked some zucchini breakfast cookies for FW to hopefully enjoy. They weren’t that sweet, but I’m hoping FW will want to eat them for breakfast.

After the nap, we headed to the art museum to finally catch the Jazz Age exhibit. Since the museum was closed early Fri. night, we were able to exchange our tickets and go Saturday. All of us ladies couldn’t all schedule the same time, but

I was able to go with B and FW – and Katie – instead.

The exhibit was great! It had so many cool parts and pieces – jewelry, textiles, cars, dresses, and more.

After the art museum, we went to Little Italy for some pizza and dessert.

It was a cold night but we had to walk to get some pastries, too!

Chocolate cannoli and rainbow cookies. My favorite!

Sunday morning started off with some ME time! B and FW went outside to brave the cold and get in some sleighing, while I stayed home. I was able to get in a short run and walk.

I was also able to start some cookies (and do some laundry, but that’s not as exciting 🙂 ) – so that means I baked TWICE this weekend!

We finished off Sunday with a trip to visit our friends’ new baby girl (she is so sweet!!!). I brought some of the cookies over and B made some homemade chicken soup to bring as well.

And then it was time for a Polish-inspired dinner with B’s family, where FW enjoyed playing with his cousins. Pretty much perfect comfort food for a COLD weekend!

FW’s daycare is closed tomorrow, so I’m spending the day with him. Thus, the three-day weekend! Some questions for you:

Any tips for keeping a toddler entertained when it’s cold and snowy/icy outside?
Do you like Polish food?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

The Best of Summer

June 4, 2017June 5, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

What do I love about summer? Hmm … that’s easy. Being outside. Running outside. Drinking beers outside. Going for walks outside. Sipping cocktails outside. You get the idea – being outside. Laying in the sun outside.

And this weekend, I had plenty of outside time. So in my opinion, it was pretty great!

It started off with patio cocktails / happy hour with some of my lady friends. It was just warm enough to sit outside and we all ended up getting Rose Spritzers. Girly? Yes and it was just what I needed.

For dinner, B and I got Indian food takeout. It was SO good. Naan and second helpings not pictured.

Saturday morning, we had plans to do a local 5k race. B ran the whole thing with FW in the stroller and I ran with him. FW slept the entire time 🙂

We ran the race with B’s family – look how many of us there were! And 5 of them – including all the kids – ended up getting age group awards.

The race featured pancakes after the the run. Not a bad post-race meal 🙂

After the race, we hit the West Side Market for some groceries.

The afternoon included some errands, including shopping for some summer clothes for FW … but on the way back, we were able to grab a patio beer at Goldhorn Brewery.

After drinks, we hit the grocery store for pizza supplies. And while we were there, we grabbed some delicious mussels as an appetizer.

And then it was pizza night. Obligatory homemade pizza photo not included. We also then watched War Dogs, which was much different (and better!) than I had expected.

Sunday morning started early with FW waking up at the crack of dawn and not being able to go back to sleep. So we decided to get out and go for a run at the park.

And sit by the beach for a little bit.

Then it was time for DONUTS! We had missed National Donut Day, so we figured a belated celebration was better than never!

That afternoon, I did a little baking for the first time in … well, forever! I made a peach cobbler-type cake for a dinner with our friends.

And that evening, we headed to Dave and Anson’s house for a dinner with them, Joey and Lulu and some other friends who were in town. It’s crazy that it’s no longer just the couples – there were four kids there, too! It was fun to have Francis play with their kids.

And the boys were happy to get together – they all met at law school and have stayed friends since!

And that was it for a fun-filled summery weekend.

Some questions for you:

Do you stay in touch with your friends from school?
What was the last thing you baked?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps.

Weekends That Feel Like Spring

April 8, 2017April 9, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

We finally had a springlike weekend in Cleveland!! The weather was sunny and Sunday it was WARM so we spent as much time as we could outside. Friday night, B, FW and I went to Little Italy for dinner and dessert! The weather was sunny and cool and it was nice to be in such a walkable area for dinner. We grabbed mushroom pizza at Mama Santas and the best cannoli at Presti’s.

Saturday morning started with a 4 mile treadmill run and some breakfast with the boys. Fun fact – we learned that FW loves mango!

We spent most of the afternoon looking at houses. Still no real contenders … but we did get to go out for lunch at one of my favorite places – Stone Oven! This is one of my favorite salads.

And since we ended up finishing our house hunting near B’s brother and his family, we decided to take a walk with FW’s cousins! FW snoozed for a bit while we walked.

Saturday night ended with some steak and potatoes. I love it when B cooks for me 🙂

Sunday started with some more outdoor time- I got in an outdoor run with Mary. I got in 9 miles, and they felt great!

After the run, it was time for Sunday brunch with B’s family. We typically do Sunday dinner, but this weekend was a delicious brunch.

After brunch, we headed to the park to enjoy more sunshine. It was packed- everyone was at the lake!

Since we had Sunday brunch with B’s family, we had dinner to ourselves. B made an awesome meal – he roasted a whole chicken and put it with a giant salad. My type of meal!

And that was it. I hope the weather stays nice so we can continue to spend time outside this week!

Some questions for you:

Did you get in any runs this weekend?
How do you like your steak cooked?

I’m linking up with Katie and the weekly wraps.

Valentine’s Weekend in Photos

February 15, 2016February 14, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 10 Comments

It was a great weekend in CLE! Yes, it was cold. Yes, it snowed. (Yes, it’s February) BUT my parents were in town from NY so I got some good quality family time in, which you can’t beat. Here’s a quick recap of the weekend, in photos. I’m going to attempt just 3 words (or fewer) per photo. Here we go!

Friday night pizza.

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My favorite treats.

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Saturday weather check.

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Family bump photo!

My favorite breakfast.

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Cleveland Bazaar!

Parents +Inlaws Dinner

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Valentine’s Day baking

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My favorite lunch

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Art museum

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Like father

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Beautiful museum atrium

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Love my momma

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8 years old!

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Phew, that was hard! I’m not good at not rambling, I suppose.

Anyway, what a GREAT weekend. It’s so nice to have my parents in town – I miss them a lot these days and am so glad they came EVEN in the cold winter. But hey, at least it was warmer than NY?

Some questions for you:

Did you get any good treats for Valentine’s Day?
Do you do meatless Fridays during Lent?

As usual, I’m linking up with Erin for my weekend snapshot post, Katie for MIMM and the weekly wraps.

My parents in the CLE! (and that weekend I ate a lot of Italian food)

February 23, 2015February 22, 2015 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / Leave a comment

This past weekend, my parents came to town. It was very up in the air at first – if the weather looked iffy, they wouldn’t make the 8ish hour drive from NY – so I wasn’t expecting them to come. We’ve had a less-than-stellar winter in Cleveland – very cold and snowy – and I expected this weekend to be the same.

It was -5 when I woke up on Friday. Thus the day started with a treadmill run. Again.

Thankfully, even though the weekend did have a dose of cold and snow, my parents were still able to make it! They came in Friday night and left Sunday morning, so we really only had one full day with them … so we packed in as much wintry fun as we could!

Friday night, we had reservations for Cibreo. Sidenote – it’s Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week, so if you’re in Cleveland, be sure to check out the list of participating restaurants and get yourself to one this week!My mom and I both dined off the Cibeo restaurant week menu and it was great – we both had the arugula butternut squash salad, salmon and lentils, and split both desserts (zeppoli and a custard). B and my dad got off the regular menu. Everyone loved their meals – I love Cibreo and their great Italian food.

The salmon from the Cibreo restaurant week menu – my mom and I both got it and had leftovers so I have lunch for this week!

Friday was pretty frigid – like single digits plus wind. So after dinner, we relaxed in our apartment, showed off some photos from our Asia trip, and well, that was the extent of our Friday night.

Saturday started off with a 4 mile run and then some Insanity cardio abs. Ouch. I haven’t done any Insanity workouts since B and I did them right before our wedding, and this only 15 minute workout killed me. In a good way, of course.

insanity cardio abs

After that, I met my parents and we walked to the West Side Market! The weather was warmer than Friday, but super snowy. Still, it felt SO good to be outside and walking! It had been so long since I’d been outside for an extended period of time and I was really getting stir crazy.

Selfie during the walk

After walking to the Market and picking up some groceries, we walked over to Hingetown to my favorite tea spot. Yes, this was the third time I’d been to Cleveland Tea Revival in one week and I’m not ashamed. Their ginger tea = amazing. My mom also loves their tea and even ordered some ginger turmeric to be shipped to New York.

Family at the tea shop

By then, we were all pretty hungry so we walked back to Ohio City and got some soup at Souper Market. Yet again, I got the mulligatawny so I’ll spare you another photo of that soup – it looks the same each week and now that I’ve given up meat for Lent it was the easiest soup to select. AND I have some leftovers for lunch next week!

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After driving back downtown (B had met us at the market and gave us a ride – we had walked enough already), my parents and I checked out the North Coast Harbor Ice Festival. It was cool to see the sculptures – I have no idea HOW people make those!

My mom and I goofing around with the ice sculptures

Anchors away!

Then it was time to relax a bit – we had been walking a lot and we were all a little tired after going nonstop since the morning. We decided to watch a movie that was on TV, the Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise. Have you seen it? I have NO IDEA what the ending was about. Seriously – if someone has seen it, please tell me what happened!

For dinner we decided to brave the snow and cold yet again and drive to Little Italy for Pizza at Mama Santa’s and dessert at Presti’s. I think my favorite comfort foods are Italian and soup, and I got both in one day. Pretty lucky!

Disclosure: I had mushroom pizza (no meat for Lent). But I ate the slices before I remembered to take a photo.

Cannoli=happiness. I ate the one on the right – every single bite.

Sunday I decided to take a rest day. That means no elliptical, no running. This was the first rest day I’ve taken since we got back from Asia (more than a month ago) and with training for the Cleveland half marathon starting this week, I convinced myself somehow that my body needed some time off. Instead of working out in the morning, I joined my parents for breakfast before they hit the road. After saying goodbye (never easy), B and I took a walk, which always seems to help me get my mind off things. We went back to the ice sculptures and spent an hour exploring the area and other parts of downtown. It was a nice feeling to yet again be outside, enjoying the weather even if I had a day off from working out. Oh yeah, and we had some sunshine! IMG_20150221_211231

SUNSHINE AND BLUE SKIES!

Sunday dinner was per usual with B’s family and we had even MORE ITALIAN comfort food – this time, lasagna and ice cream sundaes for dessert. Pretty much the cherry on top (yup, pun intended) to a wonderful weekend.

B’s mom’s lasagna. One had veggies in it and the other had meat.

How was your weekend?

Do you still eat ice cream in the winter?Yes! Year round please.

What’s your favorite comfort food? Soup or Italian food.

A wonderful Cleveland holiday

December 9, 2012December 10, 2012 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / Leave a comment

I love the holidays. The lights everywhere. The baked goods. The cookies. The music. The Christmas Ale. The overall warmth and jolliness that everyone seems to espouse (especially after a few cookies and Christmas Ale!). And even though it’s not even the middle of December yet, I’m already in full blown holiday spirit!

Cleveland public square at night - all lit up

Cleveland during the holiday times is great. Public Square is lit up and there’s so much going on! In addition to a few holiday parties (not mentioned below), here’s how I’ve been celebrating – with 15 days left until Christmas!

Baking … and more baking!

Yes, as if I need an excuse for baking … but so far this year I’ve made Oatmeal Scotchies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies and Cherry Almond Chocolate Kisses. When I get back to NY, I’ll likely make some more – probably some lemon bars, thumbprint jam cookies, peanut blossoms, Tuxedo Cookies, and much much more.

Some of the holiday cookies we baked for our office potluck/cookie exchange party

Some of the holiday cookies baked for our office potluck/cookie exchange party

Rocking it at the Cleveland Rocks! Awards

Each year, before the holidays, the Cleveland PRSA Chapter celebrates the best in the year’s programs and invites local PR pros to celebrate as well. This year, projects I worked on won several awards, including Best in Show! Plus, the Silent Auction I helped coordinate garnered a record number of funds to support the chapter’s scholarship fund. It was a great night and definitely wonderful to celebrate with my other coworkers and friends in the business.

Coworkers Goofing Off At Our Photo Booth at the Awards

Best In Show winners with our award – a guitar!

Enjoying the Cleveland Orchestra’s Holiday Performance

Each year, the Cleveland Orchestra puts on a performance for St. Ignatius as a fundraiser for student scholarships during the holidays – and it’s amazing! They play holiday concerts during the entire holiday season for the public, but I love the Ignatius concert tradition. We get dinner in Little Italy with B’s entire family (parents, siblings, aunt, uncles, grandma, cousin, etc.), then enjoy a performance in Severance Hall by the Cleveland Orchestra. It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit – and I love it!

third row at the Cleveland Orchestra!

Watching A Christmas Carol at Playhouse Square

This weekend, B and I got tickets (THANKS CHRIS!) to see A Christmas Carol, put on by Great Lakes Theater. We made the evening into a date, and got drinks with his brother and parents before, saw the show, and then enjoyed dinner at Cowell & Hubbard. It was a great way to spend a wintry evening – the show was great (although it made me really want to watch A Muppet Christmas Carol) and dinner was awesome. We enjoyed some beef ceviche, escargot, fois gras donuts and seafood dumplings — all food that I don’t normally order.

Escargot, beef ceviche, seafood dumplings and fois gras doughnuts @ Cowell & Hubbard

Giving Back with Caring Cubs

This weekend, B and I took ourniece and nephew to the zoo! Not only were we there to see some of the animals, but we were there for a Caring Cubs event. Caring Cubs is an organization I became introduced to through Bridge Builders- they hold monthly events for young children, ages 2 to 7, designed to teach various lessons of social responsibility. We took Oliver and Sofia to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, brought some new and gently used toys that were in turn donated to the Department of Child and Family Services, and then got to enjoy an animal show plus tour of the zoo afterwords. We finished up the afternoon in Little Italy, enjoying some pizza and dessert at some of our favorites – Mama Santas and Presti’s.