Day in a Photostrip: 1.19.11

 Mopped the floors squeaky clean = house smelling like almond extract.

Photographed first part of LGV's spring collection. In shop soon.

From above.

 Had meatless, shepherd's pie-ish concoction of leftover roasted carrots and mashed potatoes. Wished there'd been some cheddar cheese in the house.

 Watched the snow fall and wished at the time it was fluffier. Wish was eventually granted.

Burned my brand new Candle Lab candle in their Dad's Den fragrance, one of my favorites, with sweet tobacco and, I believe, clove. 

 Tried a new place for takeout, Bamboo Village. Our two yardsticks, General Tso's and Veg LoMein didn't disappoint. Their dining room was super cute and cozy, featuring a little sushi bar, so we'll have to do the dine-in experience sometime.

Was naughty and stopped into Jeni's for a couple pints for dessert. (Don't worry, didn't eat it all in one sitting.) Totally loving Whiskey & Pecans right now. 

 Did a little after-dinner crafting, hope to do the reveal next week. (Already behind on my craft-a-week resolution. Mais, c'est la vie.)

♡,

Erin

Sunday Funday

We kicked our day of r and r off with an absolutely delicious brunch at Third and Hollywood in Grandview (mentioned before here). The eternal debate: will it be a bloody mary or a mimosa? How about one of each?

Greg had the steak and eggs, which had it going on and them some. Lucky for me he was game to share a bit.

I had the pesto omelet with arugula salad. The omelet was cheesy and yummy. Lucky for Greg, I was game to share a bit.

Another mimosa? Why not.

Of course no brunch is worth its salt with out a little dessert. We wandered over to Jeni's for a couple scoops (pistachio and honey, my tried and true fav, with sweet corn and black rasperries, my seasonal fav) and a french press for me, as I was feeling a little nap-y after a big meal and that second oj+.

We then headed downtown to do a little wandering around and taking in of architecture and what not.

The Scioto River runs right alongside downtown and across the way (the side we're on above) is an area of the city known as Franklinton. Established in 1797, Franklinton was the site of the first settlement in the vicinity of what is now Columbus.

We walked along the river and under the bridge. See here for what the boats filled with firewood are all about.

And took in the view from the front steps of the COSI, Columbus's science and industry museum.

Though it's been expanded upon, the building that the COSI inhabits was once Columbus's Central High School. 

We then tracked back to the downtown side and commenced our stroll along the newly-opened Scioto Mile Riverfront Park.

The pergolas on the left cover porch-like swings, park benches, and chairs and tables with boards for checkers/chess.

A super enthusiastic and nice lady out with her daughter whom we passed offered to take our pic. It saved from having to attempt the awkward arms length thing that always turns out badly. 

About a mile later, we were pretty thirsty, so into Milestone 229, the new restaurant at Bicentennial Park at the south end of the Mile.

We sat out on the patio and took in the fountain, which was full of frolicking kiddies. Beyond is a performance pavilion. Not too shabby. Neither was 229's margarita, and we saw tons of really good looking food go by, although we were still too stuffed from brunch to try anything ourselves.

On the way back we caught some wildlife.

And stopped for a swing.

Hooray for Sunday funday and exploring in one's own backyard!

♡,

Erin

Golden Highlights

This weekend we were back at the basement, this time with help from Greg's Mom and Dad. But there was an escape from the dungeon (as I'm sort of starting to think of it) by Greg's Mom and I long enough to take in the Farmer's Market (as per the usual for me, as you already know).

I've wanted to try one of Sassafras Bakery's (super cute website) lovely goodies for awhile. As by the time we were ready to pack it in and return home, it was nearly 11:00 and I was still sans breakfast, I finally just couldn't resist any longer, and upon being told it was the last chance, brought home this gorgeous peach basil scone. (Last chance because Ohio peaches are nearly gone till next year. Boo.) And oh boy, it was as good as it looks! 

Also on offer at the market was the new fall edition of Edible Columbus, published quarterly and devoted to covering the wonderful producers and purveyors in the region.

So before getting back to work, I brewed up a cup and took a load off. (I swear the sweet fall palette of this assemblage is a happy coincidence!) 

So happy to see Honeyrun Farm featured! (See previous Farmer's Market tribute.)

(At risk of it seeming like this blog is completely devoted to farmers markets and dahlias) later in the afternoon I plucked these lovelies from my own front garden!...

and jammed them into a few little arrangements for around the house. I've been hooked on fresh flowers on the dining table for quite awhile now, and after sticking some in the office and spare bedroom for the benefit of our Labor Day weekend guests, I've now gotten used to peeking into these rooms and having cheery bouquets sitting there staring back at me. So for now, while they're abundantly free for the cutting, I think I'm going to keep indulging.

Anywho, progress was made in the basement; optimistic projection is that we'll be watching college bowl games down there. Pessimistic, the Super Bowl.

Back soon.

♡,

Erin

High Summer

Another great summer weekend drawing to a close. We went out for cocktails (at Mouton), dinner (at The Rossi. First time we'd tried it. Really good atmosphere, food, and service. Fabulous Deco bar.), and a nightcap at Bodega in the Short North Friday night. For those not familiar with Columbus, the Short North is situated north of downtown and south of the Ohio State University's campus. Centered on High St., it's a mostly commercial district chock full of restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries. It's where we like to go when we're in the mood for that energetic, hip sort of vibe and good people watching.

Saturday morning it was the Worthington Farmer's Market as usual, where I picked up these lovelies. And as when I posted on an earlier bouquet here, I'm not sure of the vendor's name. I will look in to both next time we're there (in two weeks, going home to Illinois for my birthday this coming weekend!), I promise.

Then we took our hungry selves to our usual Saturday brunch spot, Northstar Café in Clintonville. 

Followed that up with an estate sale I'd scoped out on Friday. They were advertising everything would be half price Saturday after noon, so I held out and only ended up missing out on one goodie I really wanted. I'll share what we scooped up in the next couple of days.

Then to beat the heat, we headed to the theater for The Deathly Hollows Part 2. Maybe for the second weekend in a row, maybe not.

We concluded the day by making cherry lemonades (with a splash or two of vodka. Will share the recipe here in the very near future) and a tasty, nearly entirely grilled dinner.

Today was more work and less play, but it ended with a nice big thunder and rain storm as we tucked into tasty chicken sausages, corn on the cob, sliced tomato, and potato salad, topped off with ice cream.

I hope you've enjoyed the gratuitous floral-ness.

This final bloom fell off the main event, but was too pretty for the trash.

Hope your weekend was nice and summery.

♡,

Erin