I love me a good weekend. A good weekend with nothing really planned so all there is to do is relax, be semi-productive, and enjoy the company of family and friends. And that was just what we had in store for this weekend – nothing planned going into the days, but plenty to keep us busy Saturday and Sunday. It ended up snowing and icing so we didn’t get to spend much time outside, but we kept warm and had fun indoors.
It ended up being a GREAT weekend. And here’s why:
Fresh flowers. From Urban Orchid. I love fresh flowers and B and FW surprised me with a wintry bouquet that I’m loving:
Brunch with friends. I didn’t get a picture of the food, but FW got to try some new toys out while he was there!
Reading. B and FW read a little on Friday night and I love watching them read together. FW is finally (sort of) getting interested in books!
Adopting a family during the holiday – and dropping off the gifts. B and I organize a local adopt a family program during the holidays each year and this year I was there for the drop off. I’m so grateful to be able to be part of a great tradition!
Some running. It was cold and super icy, and I ended up only having about 20 minutes or so to work out on Saturday so I got in a short, quick run.
Colorful sandwiches. I mean, look at those veggies. Almost too pretty to eat! Love me some Herb & Twine.
A new local grocery and butcher shop in the neighborhood – everything was so fresh and looked so good!
Wintry homemade meals. B made me lamb shank and root veggies (from above said new grocery store) and it was SO good!
Tree decorating with B’s family. It’s feeling like the holidays!
Some questions for you:
Did you get outside this weekend? Was it super icy near you?
What a glorious weekend. It was the perfect amount of fun, productivity and even somewhat relaxing. I haven’t had one of those weekends in a while and I was definitely due for one!
Friday night, B and I played it low-key and decided to enjoy a patio meal. We hit up Sushi 86 and it was still warm enough to eat outside. I love warm September nights.
❤ me some sushi. Sashimi and rainbow roll
Saturday morning started somewhat early. I had plans to meet up with Mary to go for a run. She had 13 miles to run and I wanted to do 8, so I met up with her about 5 miles in. We ran a one-way route, which was fun for a change.
After the run, B and I went about doing normal Saturday stuff. We hit up the West Side Market and Hingetown for groceries, coffee, scones and kombucha.
Then it was time for my monthly Ladies Craft Beer Society! This month we were drinking ciders and making leaf bowls! (craft: here)
Saturday night, B and I decided to have dinner while watching some games – so we hit up a sports bar and I found a drink that is a a combination of two of my favorite Southern Tier beers – Warlock AND Pumking! It tasted like fall in a glass.
BUFFALO CHICKEN SALAD
Sunday, after a short workout, B and I headed to Dave and Ansons to girl out and watch the Browns game. The Browns ended up winning! We also had a really good meal – steak, watermelon, quinoa salad and some buckeyes that I had made for dessert.
It was such a gorgeous day that we decided to also walk to Mitchells for ice cream.
I know there are just a few days left where we can really enjoy the weather, so I’m trying to stay outside as long as possible. Thankfully, the weather for this week is looking amazing. Guess there may be some patio meals in my future!
Some things I’m looking forward to this week:
Some work travel. Two days out of the office means the week will FLY by!
Gorgeous weather.
Akron marathon relay this Saturday. I’m nervous (it’s my first relay), but I’m really trying to step outside my comfort zone!
We all have those weekends. Those weekends when someone asks you what you’re doing and you’re SO happy to say, “Nothing!” Or maybe you’re not happy. But I was happy to be able to say that about last weekend. After a few weeks of traveling, and looking at my calendar and realizing that I’m traveling likely every weekend through April 19th, I was looking forward to a weekend of doing nothing. And boy, was it a GREAT do nothing weekend.
Here are some of the highlights:
Friday night included dinner at one of my favorite places, the Flaming Ice Cube. I love their vegan, carbolicious food before a long run! B and I split the Buffalo “chicken” dip, and I got the kalebouli wrap. I could eat kalebouli every single day and be happy.
Saturday started early with a 12 mile run with B and his sister. Despite not getting the pace we wanted (B was shooting for 9 min/miles for the whole time) I felt pretty good the entire time. Perhaps the key to feeling good is running slower? Mary kept on going for 15 total miles – I was very happy to be done with 12. And I think my body was too – after our run for a few hours I had some shooting pain down my back right side – from my glutes to just above my calf. Thank goodness it went away!
Post-run, B and I picked up some supplies at the West Side Market for meals for this week. I won’t be able to shop there until the end of April, so I took advantage of the opportunity to get tons of food – probably too much. I’ll be eating spaghetti squash, eggplant and butternut squash for a few days 🙂
Love the fresh produce!
Did I mention we also got lunch at the Souper Market (LOVE their bread and Mulligatawny) and shared a giant Apple Fritter from the West Side Market?
seriously, these are the BEST apple fritters
After the market, B and I decided to get coffee and tea. Well, coffee for him (Rising Star) and tea (from the new Hingetown Tea Revival shop) for me. I LOVED my ginger turmuric infused tea. And how cute is the shop?
After our Ohio City escapades, B and I decided to do some outlet shopping. I actually didn’t end up with anything (surprise! I’m saving money for our upcoming vacation) but B left with 2 new suits that actually fit him. I didn’t realize how big the suits he’d been wearing were on him until he tried on the new suits. WOW – what a difference! I can’t wait until he wears them 🙂 If he lets me I’ll post a photo because they looked really good.
And the night included a few drinks out and then a lazy evening of watching Game of Thrones (and I didn’t fall asleep during the episode!), homemade pizza, and wine.
Sunday I ended up having to work most of the day so I spent the day at a coffee shop before meeting B’s family for dinner. Today is B’s mom’s birthday (Happy birthday!) so we celebrated Sunday evening with more pizza, more wine and other Italian food.
Food, family and a good run. That’s what I call a pretty good “do nothing” weekend – don’t you?
I know it’s already Wednesday. But how was your weekend? Do you enjoy “do nothing” weekends? Do you already have plans for this weekend?
Spoiler alert: This post contains 1 dose of bird poop and 6 Christmas movies. In one weekend. You’ve been warned.
I don’t know what’s up with me this year, but I just can’t get enough of the holidays. Christmas may be more than 2 weeks away, but I’ve been feeling SO in the holiday spirit. Really – I’m like the anti-Grinch. From watching waaay too many holiday movies, to decorating my apartment, to seeing the Cleveland Orchestra holiday performance to attending not one, but two, holiday festivals – I had quite the holiday-themed weekend. And it was amazing. Here’s a little peek at some of the fun:
Friday night B and I made plans – to stay in and do our annual decorating/Love Actually night. It was awesome. This year, we added red wine and sushi to the mix – a combo that was pretty amazing.
another dinner thanks to Sushi 86
Best holiday movie.
Saturday we slept in for the first Saturday in a while – which was definitely needed. I deemed it was too cold and slippery for an outdoor run, so we headed to our apartment gym and I was able to get in 5 miles on the treadmill plus a kettlebell workout. Yes, my muscles are still sore.
After our workout, B and I decided it wasn’t too cold for a walk to Ohio City. Grocery bag in hand, and super bundled up, we walked over the bridge to get in some shopping at West Side Market, as well as check out the Ohio City Holiday Festival. There, we were introduced to mulled Christmas Ale, which made standing outside and drinking a little less cold and miserable. Oh, and I also got pooped on by a bird. Which I hear is good luck, right? I’m not making it up – MSN says, “if a bird lets loose on you, then good things are coming your way. One idea is that it’s a sign of major wealth coming from heaven, based on the belief that when you suffer an inconvenience (albeit a pretty gross one), you’ll have good fortune in return.” Can’t wait to see what luck I have in store!
bundled up along the walk to Ohio City
watching them make the mulled Christmas Ale
After hanging out at Great Lakes for a little while, we walked back downtown and decided to hit Gallucci’s and pick up supplies to make pepperoni bread for dinner. When we got home, something amazing and hard-to-believe happened – B gave me the remote control and I promptly turned on the Nightmare Before Christmas and then a holiday movie I hadn’t yet seen – 12 Dates of Christmas, starring Mark Paul Gosselaar. It’s a pretty cute holiday movie, if you ask me (don’t ask B what he thought), and with that as the backdrop to our cooking pepperoni bread, I was pretty content.
PEPPERONI BREAD!
B headed out to watch the OSU game, but I was pretty stuffed from our pepperoni bread and previous beers, so I decided to take on the daunting task of seeing how many other cheesy holiday movies I could get in before the game was over. How many holiday movies can I watch during an OSU game? The answer is nearly 2 whole movies: I’ll Be Home for Christmas (starring JTT and Jessica Biel) and Holiday Engagement (originally a Hallmark channel movie). So yes, that brings the total to 5 Christmas movies.
Sunday B and I had big plans – we were going to go to the east side for their holiday festival, Circlefest, before catching the Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday performance. I of course had to fit in another holiday movie – so I set my alarm so I could get up early, run on the treadmill, and watch my next made-for-tv holiday movie, Holiday in Handcuffs (starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez) at the same time. Don’t worry, I didn’t finish the movie so I never made it to 6 full movies.
Anyway, after my workout, we headed out east. We started out at the Cleveland Museum of Art for a holiday lunch with a few other members of the Cleveland Phi Beta Kappa board that I’m on. The food in the cafe is pretty good – I had a great beet and butternut squash salad with some pork and barley soup and we enjoyed the view (and some live music) in the Atrium.
After lunch, we walked around the holiday Circlefest and checked out the food trucks, live music, ice skaters and ice sculptures. Most of the institutions were letting people in for free, so we got to ride around Lolly the Trolley and check out the Botanical Gardens (and the Gingerbread House contest entries) AND MOCA!
old stone church gingerbread house at botanical gardens
outside MOCA – it’s all reflective!
After Circlefest, it was time for the Orchestra. Each year, B’s family gets together and gets dinner in Little Italy before seeing the Cleveland Orchestra perform their holiday repertoire in a private concert for St. Ignatius students, alumni and their families. I loved it! They even played a few songs from Home Alone – don’t worry I am not counting those songs in my tally of Christmas movies, but it was a fun and festive show!
It was a great weekend – filled with tons of holiday fun. And I can’t wait to continue the holiday fun this week – I’m traveling to DC for work (I’m getting a major award!!), celebrating the holidays in our building holiday party AND seeing A Christmas Carol this week!
Some questions for you:
Do you like running outside in the winter or do you prefer the treadmill? I always prefer outside. Even though I had a cheesy holiday movie to keep me entertained on Sunday, I was still wishing the roads were cleared and I was outside.
What’s your favorite holiday movie?
Have you seen any of the holiday movies I mentioned above?
Any fun travel plans this week? DC on Tuesday – and then that’s the last travel until I go home for Christmas!
Can you believe it’s already Monday? Last week flew by … and it was great. Spring was here in full swing, with warm nights, warmer days and sunshine all around. I took advantage of the weather – and even started off my Monday morning with a little sunburn (just kidding Mom, it’s just a little tan).
Here are some highlights from last week:
Thursday I had my final Bridge Builders session before our presentations. It was one of my favorite sessions by far, with part of the day of reserved for civic engagement activities. I was in the Ohio City group, which meant that one of the places I visited was Ohio City Farm. I learned how to dig up day lilies and learned that the local farm is the second largest urban farm in the U.S.! And it’s open on to the public starting next month so you can even walk around and check it out for yourself when it’s open. And buy some fresh, local produce!
I really like that this photo shows both the farm plus the city in the background
Friday, our office spent some time beautifying the local street. Each year we adopt a spot outside our building and do some planting. That’s right – two days in a row I gardened! And probably more gardening than I’ll be doing for another year.
working on the Adopt A Spot
our garden – almost finished
Friday night, B and I decided to spend the night out on East Fourth – we enjoyed dinner at Saigon (I am obsessed with their chicken cabbage salad and their lemongrass tofu) and then headed to Hilarities to see the comedian Dom Irrera. He was great – definitely a comedian I enjoyed seeing and pretty funny.
one night of vietnamese food. Definitely not enough.
Saturday, B and I went for a run. I did a 5k by myself and then B and I did 4 together, making for a nice 7 miler to start my day. Post-run, B hit the West Side Market for our weekly groceries, and since the weather was still looking nice, we decided to catch an Indians game. I’m glad we did – they ended up winning and it was a beautiful day!
Cheering on the Indians
Saturday evening, we visited the Cleveland Asian Festival, and then ended up getting Vietnamese food takeout to enjoy on our patio. Yes, we had Vietnamese food 2 nights in a row. I’m only slightly ashamed.
Sunday we got up early. No, you may recall that I wasn’t running the marathon or half marathon, but I still woke up around 3 a.m. – to drive to Notre Dame for B’s sister’s graduation. It was a long day, and made me think of my gradation from BC. The night before, it’s a tradition for the seniors to stay up – all night – and watch the sun rise over the Boston skyline. Sentimental? Yes. Cliche? Maybe. But I loved every minute of those last few days, spending time with my friends, cooking out on our Mod lawn, staying up all night, and barely making it through the commencement without falling asleep.
Look, I dug up old photos for you. B and me waiting for the sun to rise with other grads, on graduation day, and my photo of the sunrise from BC campus.
I don’t know if the students have a similar tradition at ND, but as spectators we enjoyed listening to the commencement speaker, sat in the sun for the outdoor ceremony, then got brunch, and finally saw his sister get her diploma in a smaller ceremony indoors on campus at the end of the day. We then headed home – meaning we got home around 8:00 so it was another night out for dinner. I decided not to have Vietnamese food for the third night in a row … but instead Lebanese! I opted for Taza, and enjoyed every second of it.
B and me at the graduation
Notre Dame Commencement. Check out all those grads!
B and me in front of Touchdown Jesus
It was a crazy, fast, nonstop weekend with little sleep and little downtime, but I loved every minute of it. What did you do?
Some thoughts to ponder:
Do you remember your college graduation? Did your school have a tradition?
What’s the earliest you have set your alarm recently? 3 a.m. on a weekend was rough. But at least I could sleep in the car!
What’s your brunch drink of choice? I love bellinis! I’m not a mimosa fan – I don’t really like OJ.
Do you have a green thumb? Not at all. A few of the actual farm workers at Ohio City farm redid the day lilies that I potted. Whoops!
It’s that time of year — did you watch any baseball games this weekend? What’s your baseball game snack of choice? We had peanuts!
I Crashed The Web 