Reconnecting and Reunions

Today I am exhausted. Eyes must be propped open on toothpicks just to stay open.  Limbs are filled with lead.  I am moving with the slowness of one stuck in a vat of molasses. 

We spent our weekend travelling.  The primary objective was a Rosanne Cash concert to see in Colonial Willamsburg.  It was a much needed escape for me and my husband.  A long dinner out over wine and good food.  A weekend spent in one of our honeymoon spots.  Meeting up with my stepdaughter and her husband for lunch since we were close enough to see them. An evening filled with good music and laughter.  Conversation that wasn't constantly interrupted by a kindergartner's stream-of-consciousness banter.  While a substantial chunk of Saturday and Sunday were spent in airports and on airplanes getting to and from our destination, I can say without reservation it was just what we needed.  Even the time travelling.  We needed the reconnection.  Life has a way of getting in the way of couples.  No matter how much we try to be present in our relationships.  The minutiae of day-to-day life gets in there and can make you feel, well, just, meh.  A weekend like this was just what the doctor ordered.  Of course now all I want to do is be at home, with the fireplace roaring, snuggled down on his shoulder watching Out of Africa on repeat.  So then there's that...

One of the sweetest things this weekend though had nothing to do with us.  It came at the tail end of our trip.  We were rushing to make our connecting flight back to Ohio (which ended up delayed by several hours).  Once at the gate, I sat down breathlessly next to a woman with the most adorable little baby girl ever in the history of the universe.  Husband continued on to find a restroom.  I gushed to her about how sweet her little sleeping girl was.  She told me she had been travelling from Nigeria and asked about the delay.  Then asked if I had a phone she could borrow to call her husband.

Come again?  She's been travelling from Nigeria.  Alone.  With a nine-month old baby girl? Let's all pause for a moment in respect for this mother.

So the rest of her story was all the more sweet.  Her husband had left in August to start his MBA program at The Ohio State University.  Their daughter was only 3 months old then.  They haven't seen each other since.  She was on her way to Columbus to join him with their little girl in her arms.  Non stop flying, connections, more flying.  Hasn't ever been out of Nigeria in her life.  I have to mention here she was wearing sandals.  She spoke to her husband on my phone for a bit, telling him she loved him, she was sorry about the delay, they would be there soon, the baby was fine, etc, etc.  It was adorable.  I wanted to hug her, but didn't want to wake the baby.  When husband arrived back from the restroom we all chatted on and off through the duration of the delay.  Once we boarded our flight she disappeared from view until landing.  I saw her at the gate where she asked how to get to baggage-and urgent look on her face.  I felt tears stinging my eyes with joy for her.  A little while later as we exited the airport to our shuttle I saw to my right a taller man holding up that little, beautiful baby girl in his arms, smiling ear-to-ear, as her mother beamed from a bench below.  The family was reunited on a cold and snowy Ohio evening. 

Yes, it was a perfect weekend.  With a perfect ending.  We even got to reunite with our boy who wanted to stay longer with his friends.  Which is completely understandable.  The beginnings of independence are blossoming in him. 

For now though, I will get back to work and hope that this next mug of coffee will wake me up.  Or something like that...

Westward Bound!

We have made the epic decision to take our summer travels across the great continental divide and head to California. If you are a regular reader of my corner of the interwebs, you know we have stuck to places we can reach via car and a few tanks of gas. But this wasn't entirely out of the blue. A way long time ago in a far away land....

Okay, not so long ago and not so far away, I was preggers. And when in such a state I declared we would take our then uterus-bound son to Disney before he was too old to be disillusioned by it. I hadn't gone as a child. My husband hadn't gone either. Dammit, our son would! So we came up with a plan. Somewhere around kindergarten or first grade we would head to Disney for vacation. Until then we would spend our summer vacation time at the beach, figuring it very baby/toddler friendly. After Disney, start planning summer road trips.

Before I knew it we are suddenly in the throes of kindergarten. I'm not sure how this happened. But here we are. Our boy is a Cars-loving soul. When we heard about the new Cars Land opening at the Disney Land in California, we knew our trip would head west and not south. If you know us though, you know we are not amusement park, theme park, or otherwise inclined folk. The notion of Disney Land over World is perfect for us. It is smaller. It is historic (well, it was Walt's first park). It doesn't require the tolerance of 100° heat and 100% humidity. And it is in a much cooler state. Win-win!

So, the planning stages have begun. We are looking at all of our options right now, and won't really be booking anything until after the holidays we think. Obviously we will fly there. This thrills our boy to no end. (Well, both boys and mom. We are a family of nerds) It will be a two-week journey. Four days, or so, in Disney. Then rent a car, hit Highway 1 and meander up the coast towards San Francisco. It will be a total road trip.

I fully intend on writing the heck out of this. From the planning stages, packing, transportation, actual trip and arrival back home. Prepare yourselves. It's about to get all Cali up in here. But if you are looking at doing anything similar, you can at least learn from our mistakes and benefit from our finds.

I hope you are ready California. The Clarks are a comin'!

 

Sand Between My Toes

We just recently returned from a week at Tybee Island, Georgia.  It is what I consider to be one of the most perfect places on the planet.  Laid back as all get-out.  Friendly everywhere you go.  Small enough you don't need to drive much at all.  The scent on the breezes switches between the salt from the sea and the salt-mud of the marshes.  The entire island functions on what they call "Tybee Time"-and it truly does.  We swear days have hours added to them, and each hour moves slower than the last. It is divine.

The first few days of our stay was a deluge of rain and wind, thanks to Tropical Storm Debby.  Yet it wasn't a washout.  The islanders handled her arrival with the same attitude they do any other event-a chance to toast her arrival and pour drinks for everyone around! Cheers!  So we holed up in our lovely cobalt blue Fish Camp Cottage, snuggled under blankets, read books, played cards, drank wine, went on a few wet walks, and crossed our fingers that Debby wouldn't stay with us all week.

Angry, growly ocean. What's a girl to do? 

White wine on the screen porch? Why yes! 

A beach read on the day bed under a handmade blanket? Okay!

And then like magic we went to bed (well that wasn't magic), woke up for our morning walk and heard only the singing of all the birds of Tybee.  No rain.  I hopefully peeked out of our window and saw blue skies and sunshine. We couldn't get our walking shoes on fast enough! To the beach for our sunrise walk.  In the process of her storm and strife, Debby had scrubbed the atmosphere as clean as could be.  No humidity.  Cooler temperatures.  We could actually go to the beach-and get wet from swimming, not rain! I was so excited I considered cartwheels!

Look at how lovely Fish Camp is in her sun-dappled glory! 

The sun was so happy to return to Tybee it was exploding all over the garden at Fish Camp!

This was the vacation of doing nothing.  Quite literally.  After Debby's rains stopped, we moved our reading of books, playing of cards, and drinking of drinks from indoors to outdoors.  The beach umbrella was set up, the bathing suits came out, and we took to the sand.  There was digging to be done, waves to crash into, dolphins to watch, walks to be had, and more sun-filled relaxing to fill up on.

I will save this image for days this winter when I am chilled to the bone.

The view from under my new straw hat. 

Sunburned cheeks didn't keep this treasure seeker down.

In between our relaxing days at the beach, we did leave our little Fish Camp Cottage for a few meals out and one tiny adventure.  We chose Fish Camp for a few reasons.  One-it was adorable as could be.  Two-it was tiny and fit our family just right.  Three-it was within walking distance of our favorite spot to eat in all of Georgia-AJ's Dockside.  I don't even know where to begin when telling you just how much I love AJ's.  From the fact that you sit outside (if you know what is good for you) on a deck or dock.  (don't worry, there are giant fans everywhere) To the realization that the restaurant sits on the back river part of the island, affording you beautiful sunset views in the evening, and salt marsh views all day long.  And the food-oh the food.  I fell in love with crab eating at AJ's for the first time.  They have a sandwich-the crab burger-that could quite possibly be the very thing I request for my last meal.   From the spicy-sweetness of the giant crab cake, to the remoulade sauce that comes with it, and the ohmygoodnessIamdroolingeverywhere-ness of the experience.  Here, just look.  Don't lick the screen though.

I seriously have dreams about this sandwich.

I failed to photograph the delicious homemade Key Lime pie for you-I was in a food coma.  We went two times during our stay-on our first day on the island and on our last.  If there was a way for AJ's to fly me a crab burger to Ohio, I would pay for it.  Mmmmmmm.

My husband and I managed to talk (con) my brother (who went with us for the week) to watch our son for part of a day so we could drive into Savannah for some massages at Savannah Day Spa.  I found it on yelp-it was the top-rated spa (yelp did not disappoint here!) booked a couples massage and we headed in.  If you are ever in the Savannah area, book something, anything, at Savannah Day Spa.  From the moment we walked into their beautiful facility (housed in a old home right on Oglethorpe Avenue) we were made to feel comfortable and at home.  We left feeling relaxed and blissful.  Truly divine!

As a sidenote, the cottage we rented-Fish Camp Cottage-was absolutely adorable.  We used Mermaid Cottages as our rental agent, and they were the best rental company we have ever worked with (and we have used many during our vacationing experiences!).  From our booking, through our many questions, to the fact that they are "on-call" 24 hours if we need anything-the ladies of Mermaid are fantastic! Fish Camp was small (at only 900 square feet) but it lived large.  It was filled with thoughtful touches the owner added-hand crocheted blankets, a well-stocked kitchen, tons of books on shelves throughout the cottage, lots of local art, many movies, not to mention the freshly ground Mermaid Morning Bliss coffee that was waiting for us on the counter.

This vacation was just what the doctor ordered.  I am starting to feel more like myself again.  I wish the doctor would order a course of crab burgers, but that doesn't seem to be in my future.  I'll work on that one.

A Conferencing I Go...

Tonight may be Halloween, Beggar's Night, All Hallows Eve (or whatever version of Trick or Treat you prefer) but tomorrow I am hightailing it to our beautiful state capital for the one and only All Ohio Counselor's Conference.  Don't lie, I know you are seething with envy at this very moment. 

The AOCC is truly an amazing thing.  First, because it is not just for any one type of (school, community, mental health, marriage, family, substance, etc.) counselors specifically.  Nope, it is all-inclusive.  Bring your favorite mental health professional along with you and enjoy!  I will be sitting in on sessions with fellow school counseling peeps as well as those from community settings, private practice and more.  It is so good to get perspective from such a diverse group of people. Secondly, AOCC is awesome because it has such a wide variety of sessions to attend.  I will be sitting in on sessions on topics ranging from helping students with special needs, bullying, female aggression (grrrrr!), helping students in military families, how to avoid burnout and more! Finally, it is a chance to refresh, reconnect with colleagues I see rarely, and gear up for the tough time of my year.  I always return home feeling excited about my job.  Just the shot in the arm I need after a long start to the school year. 

Did I mention how much I adore Columbus though?  I start feeling giddy about going down there several weeks in advance.  Between the amazing restaurants, the cool shops, and fun things to do, I find my days don't have enough hours in them when I'm at AOCC.  The conference is held at Easton-for those not in the know, one of the malls made like a giant main street-so shopping and food abounds.  But I like to escape the cardboard box of a mall and explore the more downtown districts.  You'll find me roaming the sidewalks of the Short North (my favorite area!) and poking around the quaint streets of German Village.  I love that Columbus can be both big city and small town all at the same time.  You have to love the Midwest for that!

Now, I have to run...I have a very important itinerary to plan...with conference sessions, meal breaks, and all important shopping to squeeze in.  See everyone soon!

Of rings and things

So on our vacation to Western North Carolina, we celebrated eight blissful years of marriage! (applause, cheers, throwing of flowers) Thank you, thank you.  To celebrate my stepdaughter and stepson-in-law (I just love writing that out, it is fun) watched our boy Jack for us so my husband and I could see a rare movie.  In a theatre.  On the big screen.  Together.  Give me a moment.  


Sigh.


Okay, I'm back.  It's just that we don't see many movies as a couple, or at all for that matter. So this was particularly enjoyable.  We don't get out much, I guess!  After laughing heartily at Bad Teacher (a good laugh-fest for an educator, definitely NOT a documentary:) we set out for Biltmore Village in Asheville.  We hadn't spent much time in Biltmore Village on our first trip, and I wanted to poke my nose into some local shops and enjoy shopping without threatening time-outs and "you are getting on my very last nerve" statements.  Oh, and without fear that our bull in a china shop child was going to wreck something.  This is how we stumbled across Blue.  From several shops away I spied these giant glass globes suspended in the trees and gasped "we have to go there."  Dragging my spouse along, over brick sidewalks, I found the source of these magical orbs.  Blue is a small local art gallery/goldsmith/jeweler/jewelery designer that will knock your socks off.  I found myself walking around the shop with my breath half-held in, whispering things to myself as I took in each small piece of art.  Then I found the rings.  Oh momma, was I in trouble.  Here's why...

At first glance, this yellow sapphire and diamond ring looked orange.  And I'm a sucker for all things orange.  So I tried it on.  Then the salesgirl told me to take it outside and look at it in the sunlight.  I gave her a look like she must be out of her gourd.  Take this, expensive, beautiful, exquisite ring outside.  Away from her eyes?  "Yes" was her assurance.  So I did as she instructed, and was she ever right.  The rich orange of the indoors gave way to a glittering golden yellow that instantly reminded me of a pair of topaz earrings my grandmother used to have.  I didn't want to take this ring off my finger.  It was that perfect.  But sadly, we did not set out that day to purchase expensive jewelry, and I parted ways with the piece.  I still cannot get it out of my head.  But, life is all about choices, and the time was not right.  Someday though, I fully intend to return to Blue and have Susan West design and construct a ring that will suck the air right out of my lungs, exactly as that ring did.  I love everything about her shop-from their use of 100% recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds, and that the designer is right there to talk to.  Blue is my kind of jewelry store-one of a kind.  I encourage you to look it up, and if you are ever in the Asheville, NC area to head over and check it out. Just be prepared to fall madly in love with at least one piece of jewelry.  Then have some sort of coping skills.  


Mine was in the form of the three-layer coconut cake I devoured after our romantic dinner later that evening.  Cake helps everything!

Caaaake!

I have a little tale to tell you today.  It involves cake.  In our family, it is pronounced "caaaake!" (yes, with an exclamation point)  I bake every cake I make from scratch.  Three-layer jobs, frosted, filled, topped...all from scratch.  Lovingly made for birthdays and holidays.  I started doing this right after my husband and I got married and continue the tradition still.  However, while on vacation a few years back, I made a recipe for dessert that flies in the face of all that I hold dear about cake baking.  And while there is a name for this recipe, in our house it is simply "caaaake!"  The recipe is from Paula Deen's "The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook."  It is called...ready for it...Better than Sex Cake.  When I tell people this as they're eating it, I usually get the response of "pretty close."  It is a darn good, yummy, melt-in-your-mouth, rich cake.  How it earned its new name in our house happened the first time I made it.  Our son was  two years old and we were vacationing on Tybee Island, Georgia with my entire family.  We were desperately trying to get him to eat something for dinner-anything at this point.  But he had spied the cake on the counter top.  His whimpers had turned to cries, had turned to screams, and before we knew it he was arching his back, red faced, screaming CAAAAKE! at the top of his little lungs while flailing his arms around.  Now, two years later it is funny.  That evening, I was exhausted and horrified at his behavior.  Admittedly though, the cake is that good, it is worth throwing temper tantrums over.  Here's the skinny on it:

This is not the best photograph of the recipe, but I wanted to include it so that you understood I have done a bit of altering.  Here is where I veer from the page:  I add waaaaay more than 6 ounces of caramel (more on that later) and the icing I make is not the 8 ounces of Cool Whip called for.  It is so much better than that.  

So, here's the steps you need to follow.  Ready?  Buy your favorite boxed chocolate cake mix.  If you're anything like me, this is extremely difficult.  I almost want to wear a disguise when I do this.  I prefer the dark chocolate cakes, but use whatever you prefer.  Prepare it according to the directions on the box to bake in a 9x13 inch pan.  Bake.  


The recipe states to pierce the warm cake all over with a toothpick, but I found that the sweetened condensed milk and the caramel just sit on top of the cake because the holes aren't big enough.  So I use a fork and stab away at varying depths.  I even get a little violent and tear some gaping holes.  It won't matter, trust me.  Here's my ugly cake:

Now you pour the goods on the cake.  The order does not matter-but you dump warm caramel sauce and sweetened condensed milk all over the top.  Sorry for the blurry-ness.  Can't pour and hold a camera steady, I guess!  About the caramel sauce-I use a jar of Sanders Butterscotch Caramel (it really isn't butterscotch like you think of, more like salty caramel goddess of yum).  The jar is 20 ounces.  I use about half.  Honestly, I just eyeball it and when it looks good to me, I consider it done. 

I then use a spatula and spread the caramel/sweetened condensed milk mixture evenly over the warm cake top so it will sink into the holes I've stabbed in.  This takes a while.  See: 

This is what it will look like after all of that yummy deliciousness has absorbed into your cake.  Not pretty, I'll admit.  But that is the next part.

Now it is time to make the icing.  Remember I said I do not follow Ms. Deen's recipe for this at all?  I had this icing on another cake a friend of mine made and knew it was destined for this one.  It is like a whipped cream meets cream cheese meets heaven frosting.  And, it is easy-peasy to make.  Here is what you'll need:

Powdered sugar, cream cheese (softened), cool whip (defrosted-don't be a goof like me and forget that important step!), and crumbled Heath Bar pieces.  That's it!  First you will take your softened cream cheese, put it in a bowl and whip it up with a mixer.  Then you will incorporate 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar.  I do this 1/2 cup at a time so I don't make a giant mess of myself.  

Once your powdered sugar is completely incorporated into your cream cheese, you will want to fold in your cool whip.  Let me repeat: fold in your cool whip.  Do not under any circumstances whip it in, or you will make a giant mess, lose the fluff, and be sad.  See below:

Done with the icing!  Now we frost the cake, and eat.  Here is the cake all done:

 I just sprinkle the Heath Bar pieces on the top, generously.  They're even better the next day (if your caaaake lasts that long) because they get a little gooey around the edges and are still crunchy in the middle.  Mmmmmm.

Here you can see the cake, the carmely-milky yum oozing around it, and all that good frosting on top.  This is what brings out temper-tantrums in small children and drool in everyone else.  

 I dare you not to lick the screen.  Go on, try not to.  

Finally, I leave you with our boy, who has forever changed the name of this dessert to simply CAAAAKE! He gives it a thumbs-up each time we have it.  I always make it for vacation.  Just for him (and the adults too).


Better than Sex Caaaake 


1 boxed chocolate cake prepared as directed for 9x13 inch pan
14 oz jar sweetened condensed milk
6 oz caramel sauce
4 Heath Bars, crushed


Bake cake according to directions for 9x13 inch pan.  Remove cake from oven when cake tester comes out clean.  Pierce warm cake all over with fork.  Pour sweetened condensed milk and warmed caramel sauce over top of cake and spread to cover.  Place in refrigerator and chill.


Betsy's Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting


1 box cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 container Cool Whip


Whip cream cheese until fluffy.  Slowly incorporate confectioners sugar until all 1 1/2 cups are in.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Spread onto cooled cake.  Top with crushed Heath Bars.


  

Headed south y'all

I am as Midwestern as they come. I live on flat prairie surrounded by corn, beans, and wheat fields. I swim in the Great Lakes. I am a fan of major league teams that never seem to have a winning season, but always hope for next year. I know what it means to be roasted to death in August only to be blown into my car by a below zero wind in January. I've seen tornadoes and blizzards. In one calendar year. I have no accent.


Yet, in my secret fantasies I have dreamed about being Southern my entire life. Well, maybe not since birth, but close. I think with a Southern accent a lot. I collect books set in the South. When I taught High School American Literature, I did an entire unit on Southern Writers. I like to use y'all. I told my husband that if we ever moved South, I would adopt an accent immediately. Sweet tea, butter, and pimento cheese are my three favorite things ever.


So it serves to reason we have vacationed south of the Mason Dixon line each year of our marriage. Usually at the beach, but in the South nonetheless. I love it. This year, we headed to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Secretly I had a little bit of trepidation on this, as there wasn't sand and saltwater. But upon arrival, I peered at the view and exhaled that woody air. I had arrived home. The South. It was perfection. Here is what the view off our porch looked like:

See, divine, right? Of course our rental was on a winding, rocky, dirt road (which was awesome). We had no cell signal (which was also awesome). I will have several posts for y'all over the next several days about the trip, Black Mountain, Asheville, the house, and my sabbatical from social media. I figure this is a great way to ease back into my hectic school year. Reliving my blissful vacation. In the land of sweet tea, honeyed voices, and balmy air. Until tomorrow y'all!

On my mountain

I was not going to post at all while I was sitting on my mountain (side note:it isn't really my mountain. But it feels that way, so pardon the literary liberties.) However, I'm sitting on the porch of our cabin rental, reading my third book of the week, listening to a thunderstorm roll in, watching the light change on the Seven Sisters (the peaks we look at-just you wait till I get you photographs of those ladies-whoohoo are they beauties!), and I just have to write.

I have sent this week off social media. Spent it not reading email. Spent it reading books. Reading a select few blogs. Spent it sitting. Spent it cooking, talking, meditating, napping, photographing, exploring, and generally emptying out the garbage from my brain. Let me tell you it feels lovely. At this very moment I feel better than I have in years. I really don't want to come back down off my mountain. I want to wake up each morning and look out the window at the Seven Sisters, drink coffee, eat a giant bowl of cereal, meditate, and go about the day. I want to breathe this forest-scented air deep into my lungs. I want to listen to the insanely loud cicadas as I drift off to sleep. I want to stay where I have NO CELL PHONE SIGNAL.

But, back to life I shall return. I have a garden that needs tended to. A job that needs attention. A house that needs lived in. Family that needs visited with. Friends we miss.

For now thought I will go back to watching these two hummingbirds. Eventually we will eat dinner. Maybe have some more of our vacation dessert caaaaakkkeee. (more on that later too)

Much better this day

I know, if you check back regularly, I left you hanging. I am sorry for that...it has been crazy-busy here this week! But I am doing much better. Last post I was in the throes of wretched anxiety. Today, I sit here, coffee mug in hand, iTunes playing my favorite playlist of the moment, feeling cool as a cucumber. Or at least, as cool as one can feel when trying to organize a household to leave for vacation. That is what this week has been about-preparing to leave our nest and get away. Over the weekend I would have gladly left early, purchased needed clothing and food upon arrival, and spent extra time at our mountain retreat. Today I'm extremely glad we did not, feeling so blessed for the husband and son I have and the family who are in my life.

So yes, I am doing better today. I'm working on adding some daily meditation to my routine. I'm starting to eat better. My little family is going to be doing some walking each day next week to jump-start our fitness plans. And, I'm going to disconnect. Take a sabbatical of sorts. I plan to stay off twitter/facebook/google+ as much as possible. I am taking paper and pen to write, draft, and come up with ideas. But as much as I can, I will digitally disconnect. When I return, I plan to tell you all about the magical mountains, the delectable restaurants, the fun side trips and more. But until then I have suitcases to pack, cookies to bake, a car to load, tomatoes to tie up, groceries to buy, and more. See you soon!

Detroit Rock City

I'm an Akron, Ohio girl.  Born and bread.  Raised in the shadows of rubber factories, the Goodyear blimp, and that other city to the north of us that we have a love/hate relationship from.  You know, Cleveland.  We live and die with their professional sports teams. So it stands to reason that I'm a huge Cleveland Indians fan.  I grew up wearing the red, white and blue of team spirit.  Hoping that each year would be "the year" for us.  Witnessing my very first professional game at the old Muni Stadium when hardly anyone was  even there.  Remember when The Jake was really The Jake.  Screaming at the top of my lungs in the late 90's.  Dying a little inside each of those seasons.  We still love our boys though.  How could we not?  


Then I married a Detroit Tiger's fan.  Now I love baseball in all of its forms.  Little league games on warm summer nights.  Kids playing catch on the lawn.  Sappy baseball films on winter nights.  Baseball speaks to the poet lurking in my soul.  I would watch any game, any time, anywhere.  While I don't get to see my boys as much as I would like to, we take the 40 minute drive north five times each season to see the Tigers in Detroit.  This was one such weekend away with friends.  I am here to tell you, that city is anything but dying.  Gritty yes, dying no.  


Spending any weekend in Detroit, I can't recommend the Book Cadillac Hotel enough.  This was our third stay with them, and each time it has been divine.  After over 30 years of decline, in 2008 the Book Cadillac was re-opened by the Westin group and is an absolutely stunning historical landmark of a hotel.  The rooms are elegant, beautiful, comfortable, and I would seriously move in if they'd let me.  Actually, they might since they have condominiums on the uppermost floors!  I mean, those showers alone are enough to get me through the door.  Heavenly isn't enough to explain just how lovely they are.  


We were in town with friends for a baseball experience.  It started with a play, Ernie.  It chronicled the life of Ernie Harwell, the longtime voice of the Detroit Tigers who recently passed away.  To be honest, I was along for the ride on this one at the outset.  I knew how much my husband was looking forward to it, being written by one of his idols, Mitch Albom and about one of this other idols, Ernie Harwell.  I don't have such an attachment to either.  However, I sobbed my way through one Kleenex and well into another by the end of the 9 inning, two actor, play.  It is told in a tunnel under Comerica park on the night Ernie was there to deliver his farewell speech to the crowd.  He tells a boy all about his life, love for his wife, love of the game, and more.  I wept each time Lulu came up, when he talked about seeing the expanse of green the first time he went into a major league park, even when he talked about his cancer.  If you are a lover of baseball, get yourself to Detroit, get tickets and go.  It is breathtaking.  And take tissues.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house.  


After the game, we wandered a few blocks over to Cliff Bell's Night Club, a live jazz, art deco, totally awesome jewel in the city.  Sitting there in my cocktail dress, sipping on my drink, I felt transported back to the time of Mad Men and Don Draper.  Only I am lucky enough to have a lovely husband to go home with!  The music was hopping, the drinks were delicious, and the place was packed.  We have been there twice, and if you go, I do recommend two things-make sure you have cash for the cover charge (they have to pay the band!), and have a bit of an empty stomach because their food is very yummy!  


The following day we went to Comerica Park to take in an actual baseball game.  While my heart does lie in the expanse of green we sentimentally call "The Jake" still, I do really like Comerica Park.  It is a great place to take kids for a game, there isn't a bad seat in the place, and the food is delicious.  (why do I always seem to come back to food...I'm noticing that as a pattern...hmmmmm...)  While the Tigers lost, it was a great afternoon to take in a game.  I got to see a few dads and sons there together for the first time, a trio of sons taking their dad for probably the thousandth time (who was at least 75), one manager in a heated discussion with an ump, several hits sink into the stands to get tossed back onto the field, and ate an entire bag of peanuts.  It was blissful.  


Today I'm home, sunburned on my cheeks, and a bit sleepy.  Thank you, Detroit Rock City, for being your lovely gritty Midwestern self.  We will be back soon.  And for those of you who have never thought of going, please do so.  She's a great place to visit!  

I Died and Went to Chocolate Heaven

I love chocolates.  All things chocolate.  When I went to Europe 9 summers ago, I ate my way through Brussels, Paris, Venice, and Florence on the back of chocolate shops.  I'm not a chocolate snob per-say.  I would drown my sorrows just as easily in Cadbury Eggs, Almond Joy Bars, Hershey Hugs, or Reese Cups as I would Deitsch's Brothers chocolate covered pretzels, fine Belgian chocolates, Godiva, or any other handmade delicacy I can get my grubby, chocolate-covered paws on.  One of the many ways my husband romanced me was to bring chocolates and red wine over to watch PBS one evening (I never claimed we weren't nerds...)  Well, last Sunday, I discovered a new place for chocolate lovers, such as myself.  


Lilly Handmade Chocolates is located in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.  We were having brunch just down the street, and when we were walking into the cafe I spied the bright pink sign for Lilly's down the street.  Of course, I would have to inspect it.  Immediately after brunch we took a stroll down the street.  According to Lilly's website they are, "an artisanal chocolatier that specializes in pairing fine wine & craft beer with its fresh, handmade chocolate confections."  Well, had I known that, I might have skipped brunch and headed straight for the chocolate shop.  (Okay, I wouldn't have, because Lucky's Cafe was amazing.  So good, I forgot to take any photographs, so much into a food coma was I.)  The shop is bright, shocking pink.  Delightfully pink.  Elle Woods would approve.  Each chocolate was matched with a bottle of wine or craft beer.  I think there may still be puddles of drool in front of their glass case.  (so sorry ladies!)  There were also these steel sculptures made by a local artist holding Lilly Chocolate's bark, and special Easter Eggs.  So began my decision making trial....


I decided to go with a six-piece assortment to sample a variety of flavors, along with a Salty Bunny Egg for our boy Jack (and us as well!).  Owner, Amanda Montague and a lovely assistant were both on hand to discuss the offerings that sunny Sunday afternoon, so when we left, I felt ready for my first (of many!) Lilly Chocolate experiences.  

My Six-Piece Assortment Box Sampler

Three of the chocolates I chose were a bit of a walk on the wild side for me-while I love chocolate, I do not typically like when it mixes with something healthy, like fruit.  But I chose 40 Winks (dark with lavender essence), Cinnabunny (dark with Vietnamese cinnamon/ground ginger and honey), and Lime (white with lime juice) as my "daring" choices.  My safer choices were Old School (milk with malted milk), PB Monsters (milk with peanut butter/honey/crunch topping), and Southern Gentleman (milk with Makers Mark and buttered pecan).  Ready?

Forty Winks

 This was my very first taste of Lilly Chocolate.  I chose it because the flavor profile reminded me of my favorite Jeni's Ice Cream Flavor (Wildberry Lavender).  I was a bit skeptical, but totally wowed!  The bittersweet chocolate made the lavender flavor more pronounced in the ganache.  And that candied violet on top, was a subtle and sweet crunch.  

Cinnabunny

Now, I have fallen in love with Saigon Cinnamon ever since Jeni used it in her ice cream, so while this was a little "daring" for me, I was looking forward to tasting it.  I found the chocolate profile to be less bitter than the Forty Winks but perfect for the accompanying flavors.  The cinnamon taste reminded me of those red hot candies I loved as a child-only all grown up!  And those cocoa nibs on top, where can I get my hands on some to throw into my own candies and cakes? Delicious!

Lime

Now, I am a sucker for Key Lime pie.  I see it on a menu and am immediately figuring out how to save room.  I love lime beverages, lime candy, lime everything.  However, I have yet to try lime with white chocolate.  Why have I waited so long?  I could smell the tartness of the lime curd filling before even biting into this.  The mellow, buttery white chocolate was perfect for the puckery lime filling...I could almost picture myself on the deck at AJ's Dockside in Tybee Island.  Almost.

Southern Gentleman

This ended up in our box because I made a killer Dark Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for the holidays.  It fairly oozes chocolate, and I only use Maker's Mark.  I even put the booze in my whipped cream.  Well, the Makers Mark hits you as soon as you sink your teeth into this beautiful plaid chocolate.  The milk chocolate tempers the booze flavor only enough that it doesn't bite back.  And that pecan inside was buttery perfection.  I would swear that Amanda was standing over my shoulder as I baked my pies when she came up with this one.

PB Monsters

We are a peanut butter loving family.  So it only served to reason that I added a peanut butter filled concoction to our sampler.  PB Monsters ruins forever any grocery-store checkout peanut butter candy for me.  It was salty, crunchy, and had just the right amount of peanut butter flavor so as to not overwhelm the smooth milk chocolate.  

Old School

I ended the tasting with Old School.  This was dusted with malted milk powder on top, which was a delicious touch.  It reminded me of those delicious malted milkshakes you can only get in the summer from our Midwestern custard stands.  It was smooth, malty, milk chocolatey goodness all in one bite.  Perfection!

Snif. Guess it is time to restock.

In all, I would have to say that my favorite was the Forty Winks...a surprise for me since I am more a traditionalist when it comes to chocolates.  It makes me anxious to return to Cleveland and get a sampling of all the other delectable chocolates Amanda cooks up!  Of course, I could order online and have them shipped to my doorstep, but it wouldn't be as fun as strolling the length of the counter, chatting with them, and browsing the immense wine and craft beer selection they have.  I promise, if you can check out Lilly Chocolates, you will not be disappointed!

A little something to tide you over...

I was going to sit down today and write out a lovely restaurant review of the place my husband took us to in Detroit over the weekend, and a diatribe of our trip to "that state up north" for Jack's birthday gift, but I just don't have it in me today.  I'm exhausted.  We were running like crazy all weekend...trying desperately to keep up with a four-year-old who was wide-eyed with excitement.  Then today I am thrust into a world where I've somehow lost an hour of sleep, am riveted to the tragic news coverage of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan, and am dealing with the OGT at work.  This is enough for a girl to turn on her Keurig, put in K-cup after K-cup whilst sticking her mouth right under the spout.  I'm that tired.

But, for today, I want to let anyone know that if you are in our neck of the woods, you must check out The Henry Ford Museum.  We went the summer I was expecting Jack for our anniversary.  (I know, we are a couple of nerds...you can say it)  I hadn't been, and my husband hadn't been in years.  It really is like our nation's attic.  This place is amazing!  I love the Smithsonian, but this blows it out of the water, because it is just so much more fun and less serious.  When Jack started to show a serious interest in cars/trucks/planes/trains/tractors we vowed to get him there as soon as we could.  Well, seizing an opportunity this past weekend while in D-town for Disney on Ice (more on that later, you know, when my coffee binge kicks in) we stayed overnight and took in the museum.  It was, fantastic.  Wonderful.  Beyond words.  And the automobile exhibit is down for the year too.



Here is a smattering of Jack's top exhibits:



Largest Steam Engine-He loved climbing on this!



Ag in America-tons of farm equipment



 



DC-3 Flying Overhead



FDR's Sunshine Limited

I'll have a full review later on this week, but do yourselves a favor and check out the museum's web page, and schedule a visit soon.  It is such a treasure and so much fun with kids of all ages!

Perrysburgers

So yesterday I talked about finding good eats, and right after I posted, my darling husband got home and asked what our dinner plans were.  Being a hungry gal who had yummy food on the brain, I suggested a good hamburger.  He was up for the idea and wanted to try a new place in a town not far from us.  So, we packed into the car and headed West to Perrysburg, Ohio for dinner.  The restaurant-Perrysburgers-was what we agreed to try.  It was fantastic. 

Come on in, the food is delicious!

Locally owned, with the slogan, "Uncommon Burgers with Unending Fries," it is strictly a burger joint (although you can order hot dogs with the same toppings).  We walked in and settled down at a window seat to read over the menu and make our selections.  The menu (as you can see) is quite extensive! Eventually I settled on the Chicago Burger and my husband on the Billy's Breakfast Burger.  Their kid's menu has one choice-the Krabby Patty Burger.  Jack was in heaven! 


 

The Extensive Menu



The burgers were fantastic!  Very juicy, perfectly cooked, and delicious.  My Chicago Burger was topped with relish, pickles, sport peppers, banana peppers, and mustard.  The Billy's Breakfast Burger looked to have everything but the kitchen sink on top of it.  The fried egg that topped off that creation was as good a fried egg as you can find anywhere...runny yolk and all!  Jack's Krabby Patty Burger was just the right portion for a 4 year old.  He ate every last bite of it, which is saying a lot for a kid who normally eats only PBJ and chicken fingers with fries.  We were too full to take advantage of the "unending fries" but honestly, the fries were fresh-cut, delicious, and (at least for me) perfect for soaking up malt vinegar.  Maybe next time I won't get the full 8oz burger so I have room for more of their salty, deep-fried goodness. 

 

My Chicago Burger-Perfectly Messy  

Billy's Breakfast Burger-Complete With Fried Egg!



The best part for both my husband and I, apart from the food, was seeing that the chef that night was a high school senior from our school district who is in the culinary arts program at the career tech school.  It was his first night flying solo, and he did fantastic!  It warmed both of our hearts to see a locally-owned restaurant filled with customers, serving wonderful and simple food, employing young, up & coming chefs, and doing it all so well.  I highly recommend taking in a dinner at Perrysburgers whenever you are in Perrysburg, Ohio.  It is wonderful! (located at 220 Louisiana Ave. Perrysburg, Ohio)







A Very Happy Diner