More From Cleveland -- Art, Food and Family!

When last we left our happy travelers, we had wrapped up the Tudors at the Cleveland Art Museum. But there was much more to see and we were going to see it! So, here is some of the art that I really loved! This is an airy portrait by James Tissot.

We all know Monet painted lots of things like this...

But this one, called "The Red Kerchief," (1868-70 and an oil on fabric) rather surprised me!

Time Out with the Tudors

We recently headed to Cleveland for an extended family wedding. It was the first trip I'd taken (apart from to the kids or to the lake) since Covid and what a treat to connect once more with friends and family. Our first stop was to see friends Jane and Mike. Jane had kindly given us tickets to the Tudor exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art for the following day and we enjoyed a terrific dinner and catching up. Mike had recently returned from Ukraine where he was training doctors and civilians in emergency medicine. He had some fascinating and harrowing stories to tell.

The next morning we were off to the museum. The period of the Tudors -- Henry VII through Elizabeth I -- was a time of an arts renaissance. It was also a time of great political change -- separation from the Roman Catholic Church, wars, and more. 

Finding Our Way Home

Are you travel-weary, having joined us for a wedding and more in the past few posts? Well, I have to just finish up! Our last day was our travel day, but it wasn't without an important mission and delightful surprise. It started off with a delicious breakfast at Luna Bakery in the Cedar/Fairmount area of Cleveland Heights.

 

 With crepes and treats like this, what wasn't to love?

And the conversation wasn't bad, either!



After bidding Jane and Kevin farewell, we headed to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Cleveland. The sun was out as we passed Playhouse Square. Someday I'll tour all those terrific theatres!

Our purpose was two-fold. First, we enjoyed a lovely service with an inspiring sermon in an environment that was simply beautiful, a rival to many of the fine churches I've seen.

 

But the main reason for our trip was to see the organist/music director, Todd Wilson.



In his youth, Rick was a boy soprano at Toledo's Trinity Church. One of his fellow choristers was a boy named Todd Wilson who also played the organ. Years later, Rick heard him as a soloist on a Christmas selection on public radio and after some Inspector Googling found it was the same guy he hadn't seen since he was nine years old. They've aged.

 But not much else had changed. It was clear that these two had a remarkable shared history of diligent music instruction, tough love from a tough taskmaster -- and they both grew up to love music and continue to pursue it.



For Rick, his classical guitar is a passionate hobby. For Todd, it is a profession, as he not only is music director at Trinity but organmaster for Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra. The day we met he had to run.

He was off to play a silent movie in Youngstown! Meanwhile, we enjoyed a few more minutes at this beautiful church before heading toward home.



It was a gorgeous day so rather than taking the turnpike, we chose to follow the Lake Erie shore on the old road and our trip took us through the town of Vermillion, Ohio. It was there that we discovered the Old Prague restaurant. This Czechoslovakian restaurant came complete with a keyboardist who offered music from that country. She was very chatty!

Shall I tell you we belonged to the "clean plate club" -- or can you see it yourself?!



Then it was back in the car, back on the road and home. I have to say, for those of you who have been so kind to follow our journey over these few posts, thank you. It was a special time for us -- time to relax with each other, to see old friends and meet new ones, rekindle long-past relationships and share in the joy of love with family. It's a trip we won't forget.

Cleveland -- Friends, Family and Food!

There's lots to love in the Cleveland area -- and I don't mean just my family (although they're the best part to me)!We started our road trip in a stop at Tony Packo's in Toledo for lunch. You can't beat the good hot dogs (and Rick will tell you, the chicken) at this restaurant that came to even greater attention when Corporal Klinger of "MASH" sung its praises.

 

Our lodgings were at the Inn of Chagrin Falls. It was a historic building located in this charming town which reminds me of Disneyland Main Street. We had the Canary Room and its white wicker and cheery yellow decor made for a relaxing spot to land and bright place to awake.



Included was a continental breakfast in the adjoining dining room.

A comfortable sitting room made for a great spot to curl up with a good book!

I wish I'd had my camera when we had dinner at Cousin David's. Bonnie's chili was delicious and it was a great way to start our visit. The next morning, I enjoyed my walk in downtown Chagrin with visits to some of my favorite shops and a look at the falls. Even though it was a gloomy day, the colors were bright.



I couldn't help but think that Mark and Katie picked a great weekend for their wedding. If their wedding photos turn out with color like this, they'll be amazing!

I made a quick stop at the Chagrin Falls Hardware Store which had a wonderful Halloween room, which I featured in my "Halloween Party" post. And it wouldn't be right if I didn't make a stop at the Herb Shop!



Rick and I met one of his business clients for lunch before the wedding. I had met him the night before and enjoyed a second chance to hang out with lively conversation and good food.

Well, you saw the wedding HERE. The morning after, we enjoyed family brunch -- bagels, fruit, blintzes -- at my cousin's house. (The groom's parents)



All the family was there and it was fun to chat without shouting over the DJ background!

 

Even Mark and Katie came! The newly weds were pretty happy -- and I suspect glad the hoopla was over!

 
Then it was off to my friend Jane's house, where we spent the next night. We were ready for dinner and enjoyed delicious pizza at the Vero Bistro in the Cedar/Fairmount area of Cleveland Heights.



In addition to salads, we shared three pizzas -- a classic Margherita, an Italian meat offering and one that had a friend egg in the center!

 

It was fun to peek over the railing and see them put in and remove pizzas from the brick oven!

 

When we came down for our gelato, we had an even better view.

All that fire led us back to Jane's to have a fire in the fireplace -- perfect for a cool October night.

Jane has a 1919 house and as a historic preservationist she maintains that with her furnishings and decor. Rick is sitting in front of part of her cookbook collection. In this case, the books go floor to ceiling. And there are more elsewhere!

 

And it was off to bed. One more very meaningful bit of our trip coming soon!