These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...currently

1. FLAKY CROISSANTS FROM ON THE RISE BAKERY

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH

THIS PARTICULAR BAKERY WAS FEATURED IN DOUGLAS TRATTNER'S "CLEVELAND HANDBOOK" WHICH WAS GIFTED TO ME BY MY DEAR FRIEND, ADRIANA. (muchas gracias.)

BEING A CONNOISSEUR OF ALL THINGS BREAD, THE FOLLOWING FRAGMENT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, "...and the best French baguette in Cleveland, if not Ohio."   OBVIOUSLY, I NEEDED TO GET MY HANDS ON THAT BAGUETTE.  THE KIDS WERE HOPING TO DISCOVER A NEW BAKERY THAT WOULD SATISFY THEIR DESIRES FOR SPRINKLE DONUTS. 

ALAS, WE DID NOT FIND SPRINKLE DONUTS AT THIS ARTISANAL BAKERY.  WHAT WE FOUND WAS MUCH BETTER...THE MOST PERFECT CROISSANTS MY MOUTH HAS EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF TASTING.  MY ONLY MISTAKE WAS ORDERING JUST TWO, A CHOCOLATE FILLED (FOR THE LITTLE LADY) AND RASPBERRY FILLED (FOR THE LITTLE MAN).  AS WE ENJOYED OUR NEW FOUND TREASURES ON THE SIDEWALK, I KNEW I HAD JUST DISCOVERED MY NEWEST TEMPTATION. 

APPARENTLY, I AM NOT ALONE IN MY OPINION OF THIS BAKERY.  WHEN THE LITTLE LADY AND I ARRIVED EARLY SATURDAY MORNING TO PURCHASE FOUR CROISSANTS FOR OUR FAMILY, WE WERE MET BY A GROUP OF BREAD-SEEKING PATRONS.  WHEN THE DOORS PROMPTLY OPENED AT 8:00am, AN INSTANT LINE FORMED OUT THE DOOR.  MANY A HAPPY FOLK LEFT THAT MORNING WITH CARBOHYDRATE-FILLED BROWN BAGS.

(I wish that I had audio of our family enjoying this Saturday morning treat. They are THAT good.)

2. HYDRANGEAS

I'M NOT SURE WHY I'M JUST TAKING NOTICE OF THIS DELICATE AND LOVELY FLOWER.  IT COULD BE BECAUSE THEY BLOOMING EVERYWHERE IN THIS NEW CITY WE CALL HOME.  I AM COMFORTED BY THEIR PALE AND CALMING COLORS, SWEET FRAGRANCE, AND THEY WAY THEY CASCADE UPON EACH PERFECTLY LANDSCAPED LAWN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

3. OLIVIA BOOKS

THIS WAS A RECENT LIBRARY PICK, AND I'M NOT SURE WHO ENJOYED IT MORE, THE LITTLE LADY, LITTLE MAN OR ME.  THIS WAS THE ONE NON-TRANSPORTATION BOOK THE LITTLE MAN TOLERATED THIS WEEK AND I WAS HAPPY TO OBLIGE HIS SWEET CRIES FOR "LIVIA."  IF I WERE TO EVER PEN A CHILDREN' BOOK, THIS MIGHT BE THE STYLE OF STORY ONE COULD EXPECT FROM ME. 

Thank you Mr. Falconer for your perfectly timed and charming reads, and for the creation of Olivia, a piglet who reminds me so very much of my own little lady.





4. the Imperfectionists


MY LATEST KINDLE PURCHASE.  A WELCOME RETURN TO THE LAND OF FICTION, AFTER FILLING MY HEART AND MIND WITH COUNTLESS WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM BOOKS ON THE TOPICS OF MARRIAGE, A WIFE'S CALLING, AND RAISING CHILDREN.





5. SMITTEN KITCHEN


AN INSPIRATIONAL SITE FOR ALL FOOD LOVERS. 





6. CLEVELAND'S FARMERS MARKETS


THIS WEEK I MIGHT HAVE EATEN THE BEST CUCUMBER OF MY LIFE. 

NOT ONLY DOES OUR FAMILY LOVE THE SIGHTS, SMELLS AND SOUNDS OF THE MARKET, IT IS A DELIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO SUCH FINE PRODUCE AND PLAN OUR WEEKEND MEALS AROUND OUR PURCHASES.