Coffee & Studying

Our days are filled with studying. Or rather, Matt studying while I work on other projects. 

This weekend, we acquired new coffee paraphernalia and appreciated well-brewed coffee while hitting the books. The best weekends are the ones where we just get to do life together and enjoy simple things. 

Catching Up

credit: Pumpkin Pie Slice by TheCulinaryGeek

I've taken some time off from blogging the past few days and now it's time to catch up.

The weekend (and Monday) were busy in a nice way. Busy with things that I wanted to do.

This weekend, I...

watched a ballet performance by NEOS Dance Theater.

had a delightful breakfast with a new friend.

napped.

watched lots of Downton Abbey

participated in Matt's family traditions.

baked a pumpkin pie.

tried this recipe which, for the record, is delicious.

talked with my dear friend and roommate, Elise.

took a trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

enjoyed the extra hour of sleep and lighter mornings brought about by daylight savings!
saw the first snowflakes of the season and hoped they wouldn't stick.

What did you do with your weekend?

A Rainy Weekend

This weekend was everything I needed it to be.  A perfect mix of relaxation and activity.

It was the beginning of weather that truly feels like Winter. A cold drizzle and biting wind. The continuous sound of rain drops against the window panes.

It was the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up under heavy blankets and read a good book, while listening to Bon Iver. The kind of weather where, if you do have to go outside, you bolt from the car to the nearest building, hopping over puddles as you go.

On Saturday, I was able to spend time on my own. Caught up on sleep. Went to a coffee shop just to get out of the apartment and to force myself to make progress on projects. Finished some writing.

Sunday was perfect.

Matt and I spent a lazy morning talking and drinking coffee. We ran a few errands and worked on our Halloween costumes. We visited a thrift store that has been voted the best in Cleveland. We ordered Thai food and had a picnic on the living room floor.

How did you spend your weekend? 

B Spot

Over the weekend, Matt and I went out to lunch at B Spot Burger.

We have a bit of an obsession with burgers and it was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The weather was breezy, but warm enough to enjoy being outside, so the open atmosphere of B Spot was lovely. While we were there, one of the umbrellas on the patio was lifted by the wind and thrown across several tables and into one of the patio heaters, which also livened up the experience!

I tried the New Jack City burger and Matt had the Kojak. Mine was good, but his was phenomenal. We'll definitely order it again. I'd also highly recommend the seasonal Pumpkin Pie shake. And the Lola Fries. With coffee barbecue sauce. Yum!

In related Cleveland news, Michael Symon's new book Carnivore comes out today! I've seen advertisements for several signings in the area and I'm hoping to make it to one.

Farm Picnic

This weekend, Matt and I spent some time on a farm, enjoying a picnic with new friends.

As I've said before, the proximity of the city to the country in this area is ideal. We drove out of Cleveland and, before long, were passing giant barns and Amish buggies.

It was a gorgeous day that turned into an overcast day that turned into a yucky, rainy, windy day. But when the downpour started, we ran for the barn and took shelter under its knotted rafters. We watched the rain and chatted with a new friend about the beauty of farm life-- the hard work that it requires and the abundant rewards that it gives. 

I love the city. But someday I dream of learning more about farming. Working with my hands all day and going to bed exhausted at night.

Coffee Club

Tonight, just to get out of my apartment and do some work, I went to a coffee shop that I used to frequent in high school, the Coffee Club in Broadview Heights. It's is not a trendy coffee shop. But it is a great place to sit and be comfortable, to drink coffee and read. There are little, out-of-the-way tables and nooks where you can sit for hours and never be disturbed.

Having lived in Cleveland before, I find that I'm often reminded of my past life here. Echoes of younger me still resonate in many of the places I visit. The Coffee Club is one of those places.

My most distinct memory here happened during my freshman year of college. Over Christmas break, I met up with several friends for coffee. We wanted to catch up on each other's lives since we were living states apart. 

And I had a boy to gush about. I vividly remember telling my friends all about Matt. What he looked like. Why I was falling for him. How we had gone for a walk during the first snow fall of the year-- bundled warmly, throwing snow at each other, and talking about everything we could think of. I wasn't yet sure if he liked me, but my friends insisted that he did.

And then, as freshman girls do, we became giddy and giggly. Someone stole his number out of my phone and threatened to call him. I panicked and protested, but continued to laugh. She never called him, but years later admitted that she'd never deleted his number from her phone. 

All of this came flooding back to me tonight. A memory that I probably never would have thought of again if I hadn't gone back to the place where it happened.

Cleveland is a juxtaposition of my past and present. Maybe that's why I love it so much. There are good memories here and difficult ones. But there is also the opportunity to create whatever kind of memories I want to create, this time around.

Weekend

There was so much going on in Cleveland this weekend...

and we didn't do any of it.

Between my job and Matt's classes, life has been crazy lately and a couple of days to relax was exactly what we needed. 

The weather has been GORGEOUS. Mid-70s and sunny during the day, cool at night. The perfect weather for a dress and boots. Or jeans and flannel shirts. 

This weekend, we went to a bike shop and found the perfect bike (which I will buy and ride every day, hopefully soon!). We got lunch at Swenson's and ate it at the park. We saw my big brother and his family, spent some time with my precious nieces. Took naps. Drank coffee. Had a cookout with some friends who are becoming dearer to us lately. Laughed and cried and talked. 

It was one of those weekends that I wished would last forever.

Recently

I often realize once I'm in my car, halfway to wherever I'm going, that I've forgotten my camera. Don't you hate when that happens?

So, here are a few 'not pictured' events while spending some time in Hudson recently.

Hudson Art Fair. Hundreds of artists set up tents around downtown Hudson to display (and sell) their work. We found some beautiful pottery that I wanted, but didn't end up buying anything because, by the time we'd seen everything, I couldn't remember where I'd seen the things I wanted to buy!

Flip Side. Matt and I love the new trend of gourmet burger restaurants. We're thinking about creating a detailed chart to rate our favorites, based on categories like "Best Burger," "Best Sides," and "Best Condiments." We think that Flip Side would probably come out on top. Go try the sweet potato fries. They are to. die. for.

Hudson Library Book Sale. Happens on the first Saturday and the third Thursday of every month. And I just discovered it, so that means my library will be growing even more in the future (which might be a problem because books are already OVERTAKING my apartment!!!).

Taste of Hudson. People-watching at the Taste of Hudson was probably even better than the festival itself. Small children with brightly colored hair and painted faces. High schoolers trying to impresses their friends. Cute families.