cincinnati...day 1 {september 30, 2021}

This week is travel-from-one-end-of-Ohio-to-the-other. Last weekend, Cleveland; this weekend, Cincinnati, for my nephew’s wedding.

Our drive from Columbus to Cincy has a stop in Dayton at our accountant’s office. With a view like this, guess who didn’t pay much attention to the accountant…

Dayton, OH and the Great Miami River

Cincinnati is a city filled with many gorgeous parks that overlook the skyline and the river. We explored two of them, Bellevue Hill Park and Eden Park. Bellevue Hill is a small park and has a lovely skyline view, but the Ohio River isn’t too visible. A large hedgerow blocks the river views.

Cincinnati from Bellevue Hill Park

Eden Park is just a couple miles from Bellevue Hill Park. It’s home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Krohn Conservatory, and the southern terminus for the Buckeye Trail. Eden Park is much larger and has lakes, walking paths, a 172-foot water tower from 1894, impressive views of the Ohio River and Newport, KY.

Eden Park overlooking the mighty Ohio and the Big Mac Bridge 

rice and rosé {september 29, 2021}

A chirping smoke alarm woke me at 5:30 this morning and by 6:00 a.m. I was in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher.

Coffee…always coffee.

The “kids” come down one by one. I love having everyone here, working at various tables, seeing what amazing young adults they have become.

With all these mouths in the house, I make some brown rice veggie cakes and stir fried veggies for lunch.

Cheesy Veggie Brown Rice Cakes

2 c. cooked brown rice

1 T. olive oil

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 1/3 c. broccoli florets

1 medium carrot chopped

1 bunch kale shredded

1 roasted red pepper chopped

2 large eggs

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Other veggie options that would be good: 1/2 c. frozen peas, chopped up green beans, sweet potato instead of carrots, cauliflower, spinach in place of kale...really whatever you have in your veggie bin or whatever you like. Make it yours!

• Preheat oven to 375°

• Saute onions, broccoli, carrots, and kale.

• Stir in roasted red peppers.

• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, fold in the cheese, rice and veggies. Add salt to taste.

• Grease a muffin tin and put 1/4 c. mixture in each cup.

• Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until done.

• Cool slightly and remove from muffin tin.

While the kids work, I take a 2.5 mile walk/run. 32 minutes. Not a bad time for me…under 13 minutes.

We’re going to dinner at 3rd and Hollywood for dinner tonight with the gang. I start the evening with a recommended wine, Stoller rosé. Cheers!

taco tuesday {september 28, 2021}

 Did somebody say Taco Tuesday?

My future son-in-law is a taco maker extraordinaire. Tacos from scratch…no Old El Paso seasoning allowed. A shopping trip to La Michoacana for the real deal ingredients ensues.

Anthony walks up to the meat counter and points out skirt steak (arrachara) that he will use. “Por favor, corte la carne con la máquina.” (Please cut the meat with the machine). The butcher knows exactly what to do and hands a pile of thinly sliced meat wrapped in white butcher paper to Anthony. One more purchase from the meat counter, a link of chorizo which will get mashed in with the pinto beans.

The taco shells are right in front of the meat counter and Anthony is very specific about the ones he wants. One of the brands is too thick and chewy. Anthony know the exact hot sauces he wants. I’m having a blast watching my future SIL in command of his element! And I'm having a blast just looking around at all the festive decorations, the fresh vegetables, and all the Latino foods and spices.

Back to the house to prepare the taco meat. It needs to marinate for a good 6 hours. Anthony seasons the arrachara with adobo, sazón, cumin, salt and pepper and then puts it in a marinade of beer, soy sauce, tequila, lime juice, and minced garlic. Time to let all that deliciousness soak in and then put it on the grill.

To go with the tacos, my girls prepare cilantro lime rice and mashed pinto beans with chorizo. Top those tacos with queso fresco and it's a meal made in heaven to share with familia.

doggy in the house {september 27, 2021}

Monday morning.

Browns’ victory.

Back to Columbus.

Just outside of Columbus on I-71 thousands of cars pass daily under what's affectionately known as "The Flag Bridge." After the devastating events of 9/11, the Belknap family, whose company, Capital City Exterminating has been around since 1943, created this display of flags on the Park Road Bridge overpass over I-71. The Belknaps decided to honor those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks, as well as the men and women who serve in our military, by adorning the bridge with 78 American flags, a tradition that continues to this day.

For the next week, we have a full house…my daughters, their boyfriends, and Clark! 

Sweet Clark is 15 years old. He lives in Chicago but has come back to his roots for the week. My daughter adopted him when she lived in Columbus 11 years ago. He’s definitely a mixed breed: American Eskimo Dog, Chow Chow, Beagle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Samoyed. I love this sweet boy.

browns/bears game day {september 26, 2021}

An orange sunrise opens the day for the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears. Both teams sport orange. Will Browns orange or Bears orange be the victorious color?

The anticipatory early morning drive into THE LAND.

Super fan heading to the game!

                                                                             Tailgate goodies ~ 

The Browns and Da Bears gang...love these people! 

boozy rice krispie treats {september 25, 2021}

Heading to Cleveland for a family weekend. 

The Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears are bringing the gang together.

My contribution to the tailgate, Rice Krispie Treats made with CLEVELAND whiskey and browned butter…very respectably adult. 

Brown Butter-Bourbon Rice Krispie Treats

(Recipe from Food52)

2 sticks salted butter, plus more for greasing pan

3 (12-ounce) bags mini marshmallows, divided
1/4 cup bourbon 
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
10 cups (one 12-ounce box) rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
Flaky sea salt, to garnish

Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Set aside.

In a very large pot set over medium-high heat, melt butter, stirring constantly, until the milk solids at the bottom of the pan start to brown and the butter smells nutty and darkens in color. This will take about 5 minutes. Do not walk away or leave unattended.

As soon as the butter has browned, add two bags of marshmallows, the bourbon, vanilla, and salt. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden, smells like caramel, and is smooth and glossy.

Turn off the heat, add the remaining bag of marshmallows, and stir just until melted. Add the rice cereal and quickly stir to coat them with the marshmallow mixture. (If your pot is not big enough, quickly transfer the mixture into the largest mixing bowl you have.)

Transfer into the prepared baking pan and gently press into an even layer. If the mixture is too sticky, coat your hands in butter or oil to make it easier to work with. Garnish with flaky salt. Let cool completely and cut into squares.

pumpkin spice everything! {september 24, 2021}

Two days into fall and pumpkin spice everything has taken over the grocery shelves.

Ew

Bleck

No thanks

No thanks again

Ick

What a way to start the day

There is one redeeming pumpkin spice food and that is great-grandma’s pumpkin bread recipe. It’s been around for at least 5 generations. Wonder if pumpkin spice Twinkies will be around for that long…

flowers {september 23, 2021}

The earth laughs in flowers.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

After being cooped up in the house for most of yesterday, I needed to get out and breathe in the cool, fresh air. And for 3 miles, I took deep breaths of the fresh autumn air and noticed all the flowers that still bloomed. Such pops of color to brighten the walk!

autumnal equinox {september 22, 2021}

And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.

~ Oscar Wilde

The flowers are showing their wear from the summer's heat and transitioning to say, "We'll be back...see you next year." Even as they lose their summer glow, their beauty shines and brings a smile to what was and what will be.

On this first day of fall, the clouds are thick and heavy with precipitation. It's pouring and looks like rain will drench the earth all day long.

Lots of errands to do but for now, I'll listen to the sound of the raindrops, watch the locust leaves drop into the yard, and enjoy my coffee. 

pawpaws {september 21, 2021}

Is it a mango? A papaya? A banana?

No, it’s a pawpaw.

With its tropical taste, you wouldn’t think this fruit is native to the Eastern United States. It’s a tropical fruit found in a temperate climate.

FUN FACTS ABOUT PAWPAWS

*They’re mostly wild. While the pawpaw has been rediscovered and now cultivated, for most fans of the fruit, part of the pleasure is in the thrill of the hunt for them in the wild.

*They have nicknames. Because they’re most often foraged for free, pawpaws earned the nickname “poor man’s banana.” They’re also known as custard apples because of their creamy texture and similar appearance to apples.

*They’re nutritional powerhouses. Pawpaws are high in Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, a good source of potassium and several essential amino acids.

*Cooks love them. Pawpaws are good in ice cream, pies, breads, ketchup(!). Their tropical quality means they can easily be swapped into recipes that call for papaya, mango, or banana. 

*You can drink pawpaws. Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, NC, makes a popular seasonal beer using pawpaws. Good in smoothies.

*The pawpaw remains elusive. They're becoming better known and is one of the most searched-for food terms recently, the pawpaw is still not available outside the regions in which it grows.

*The State Fruit of Ohio. The pawpaw is natural to Ohio and became its second state fruit in 2009.

*Today I ate my very first pawpaw. 

caponata alla siciliana {september 20, 2021}

 What to do with a little bit of this and that. Easy peasy…caponata!

Here comes a not-so-traditional addition to the brininess, pickled okra.

2 medium eggplants, cut into cubes

1/4 c. olive oil

2 medium onions, sliced

2 T. olive oil

1 -14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 c. diced celery

3/4 c. sliced mixed olives

2 T. capers

1 T. pine nuts

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

3 T. sugar (add 1 T. at a time to taste(

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

Pita chips or toasted bread rounds

Saute eggplant in 1/4 c. hot oil over medium-high heat for 10 minutes or until tender and slightly brown. Remove eggplant and set aside.

Saute onions in 2 T. olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add tomatoes and celery; simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until celery is tender. Stir in olives, capers, and pine nuts. Return eggplant to pan.

Stir in red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into eggplant mixture. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Cool. Cover and chill 8 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Serve with pita chips or toasted bread rounds.

a birthday and the browns {september 19, 2021}

The September birthdays keep rolling in; today is my youngest child’s 31st!

From the moment the nurse put this baby boy in my arms, I knew that we would have fun adventures ahead of us. And we have. He always makes me laugh. Even when he was in trouble he could make me laugh and charm his way out of being grounded for life. He always gives me a big hug. Even when it wasn’t cool to hug your mom, he would hug me in front of his friends. I love this kid.

Today’s birthday celebration coincides with the Cleveland Browns home opener and the first tailgate of the football season.

Cornhole or Bags?

While the fam went to the football game, I spent three hours exploring downtown Cleveland on a glorious, sunny day.

*I hung around First Energy Stadium to hear the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Other sights included the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Voinovich Park along Lake Erie, a stop at Nuevo for a margarita, the Free stamp, a walk past National City Bank, a walk through Tower City Center. What fun to hear the roar of the stadium crowd as I meandered.

Oh, say can you see...

                                               A September 16 cheers to my birthday 

                                   which fell on Mexican Independence Day

                                              

National City Bank is now PNC.
As former Nat City employees call it,
Previously National City.

A birthday, a Browns win, and a home cooked dinner for the birthday boy topped off this very best day!