Birthday Bowling

What did we do for T's birthday - spend an afternoon at Yorktown Lanes of course. It was like stepping back to the year she was born. Seriously.

I was especially excited about the bowling party as I had recently watched a documentary on the Professional Bowlers Association "A League of Ordinary Gentlemen" (which I highly recommend). I'm totally not ready for the pro's, I'm good when I bowl a 70, but it was really enjoyable.

T looking very disappointed at not getting a strike.

3 games of bowling, ice cream cake, pizza and despite the desk lady's efforts to make us pay for what our coupon clearly included - free games and shoes, it was fantastic! Plus let's be honest, I've been dying to meet T's friends there after hearing so many great stories about them, it was a real treat, and they did not disappoint.

Wow - Library

T has been telling me for quite some time of this "castle" library in her area. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. Reality was impressive. Cleve turned this amazing house into a public library. It's not new or flashy and it's maybe not laid out in a way that makes sense for a library, but it is absolutely amazing. I envy all the librarians who get to work there everyday...even if it is a public library.

I would love this desk, the bust with the bowler hat is pretty fantastic no?

Cleveland Museum of Art

Twilight in the Wilderness, 1860, Frederic Edwin Church

One of the things I really wanted to do on my visit was see the Cleveland Museum of Art. We parked at the institute building and walked to the museum. Of course, with my luck, they were doing renovations on portions of the museum. But almost every section was open. It was amazing. Though I was completely befuddled when we walked in and there was no obvious desk where one might purchase tickets, can you believe it, the museum is free. I was blown away.

The Thinker, Rodin

Brought back a million great memories of the Musee Rodin in Paris!

A Study for "Bathers at Asnieres, Seurat.

A favorite French artist of mine.

The Call, 1902, Paul Gauguin

Vase of Flowers, 1905, Odilon Redon

Here was another exciting moment, Redon's Flower Clouds (you can look it up) is seriously one of my favorite paintings ever. Though as a French Symbolist painter he has some pretty weird stuff, I was totally delighted with this painting in Cleveland, breathtaking colors.

Love the suit of armor! Bedknobs and Broomsticks anyone?

Tiffany Stained Glass Window

Stag at Sharkey's, 1909, George Bellows.

Okay Bellows is one of my favorite early 20th century painters. Hyperventilating at the museum over this one.

The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 1834, Joseph Mallord William Turner.

Major kudos to the Cleveland Museum for having an amazing collection that is free. There was also a fantastic special exhibit on Japanese and Korean "painted poetry" basically scrolls, screens and porcelain pieces that all had Chinese poems integrated into the art. It was amazing - but I totally got reprimanded for trying to take a photo - they should really have those signs more prominently displayed.

Groceries

I think I have mentioned before that my friend K moved in to the apartment right across from us. It is fantastic to have him and his fiancé A around so much. A couple weeks ago they drove up while I was unloading groceries and they helped carry them upstairs. K was so helpful he decided he needed to unpack the groceries as well, only rather than the fridge he left a trail of grocery carnage across the living room.

Tremont

I know I've been home for a month, but in my defense it has been an insanely busy month. Though I really shouldn't complain that my life is full enough to prevent me from having time to sit at the computer and do things. Additionally right before I left for Cleve I acquired one of these guys,

and as T can tell you from my trip I am pretty darn obsessed with it.

There were a lot of things I loves about Cleveland, one of them was Tremont, which hands down (okay maybe next to Little Italy) would be where I would want to live. We visited this beautiful little bookstore and Lilly's Handmade Chocolates there. Both fantastic!

T perusing the selection of very clever cards we both purchased several of.

The chocolate store was seriously amazing. Not that it was useful for us, but they also pare all the chocolate with a selection of beverages.

T making her selections.

Market Time

One of the other many things I wanted to do while in Cleveland was visit the Westside Market. I know coming from California where I've been to many many fantastic farmers markets that it seems funny to go to a market in Ohio, but I must say it was lovely. The produce wasn't much but the meat, pasta, and baked goods held their own.

I had heard about this crepe place at the market & wanted to try it. Okay maybe the market was simply an excuse to go and get crepes.

Do you love how my nail polish coordinates so well with the packaging? Totally planned.