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!

Wedding Bells!

I know this post will be far more interesting to my family and those who know them than it is to most of you, but bear with me.I recently had the joy of attending the wedding of Mark, my cousin's oldest son, and his wonderful Katie in the Cleveland area.

This is Mark and his brother, best man, best friend, Jeff -- waiting for a first spotting of Katie!

Mark was the first of the kids from "our gang" of cousins. I think of him more as a nephew because his mom, aunt and uncle are more like siblings to me. He waited a long time to find just the right woman -- but he scored big!

Our day began with a ride to the church along the beautiful Chagrin River. It, too, was decked out in its best for the big day!

This was the first interfaith wedding service I'd ever been to and it was remarkable. Held in a Catholic church, it also included a rabbi, along with the priest, and many of the traditions of both faiths were implemented.

Among those I found especially moving were Katie's giving flowers to Mary, as in the Virgin Mary, at an altar by the side. This confused some of us when we saw it in the program because we thought they were giving flowers to Mark's mom and couldn't understand why Katie's mom wasn't getting them too. (We Protestants had as much trouble with this one as anyone else!). (That bouquet is Katie's wedding flowers -- Mary's are beside her.)

 In one of the Jewish traditions, the couple drank from a wine glass. Later a different glass was broken as we shouted "Mazeltov!" (The rabbi said that was the last time Mark would be able to put his foot down -- and at the reception, Katie's 10-year-old nephew told Mark that was true -- he saw it in his house all the time!)

And the rabbi read the marriage contract, called the Katuba, which they both signed.

Finally, they were married! Applause and cheers!

Outside we waited for them to appear as bubble bottles were passed out.

Some of us had more fun with the bubbles than others! Check out David's beard! I love my family!

 
(This is the same photo taken after the bubbles dissipated. I think I like the bubbles best!

Of course, we had to take the "gee, we finally cleaned up -- and we're not too bad shots!" My cousin was one happy Groom-mum!

           

And then the departure. It was off to the reception -- but not before a hug for dad!
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Mark and Katie greeted us at the reception -- in a manner of speaking!

Some fun things at the reception -- cut outs where you could have your photo taken. I love this one of my cousin Patty ...

and of course Rick and me!

There was delicate and graceful cake cutting.

 

And in the toast department, Mark's brother Jeff rocked it with a funny and loving toast.

 

You can't beat a wonderful family time -- especially when a lot of love is involved!

Soon I'll take you to some terrific spots around the Cleveland area and share another special day with you! But this post is long enough for now!