After months of promises, we finally received our second assigned parking spot…for my car. Let’s just say that I went a little “Ed Derr” on them with a couple of emails reiterating my frustration in having a descent parking spot for the amount of rent we’re paying. I had been parking in a problematic sloped gravel lot. That got pretty tricky, pretty quickly, after any snow accumulation. I guess we’re lucky if this is the biggest problem we’ve had after moving into our building. Bonus, my parking spot comes with a lovely view of the canal, Lock 3, and the State Street bridge reconstruction.

Greg wanted a bit of nature this weekend. Accomplished that with a quick visit, it was still pretty cold, to Brandywine Falls. Because of the recent polar vortex the falls were almost completely frozen over. Just a stream still spilling over the top onto the icy piles below. It was very pretty. When we arrived it was just us and an older couple with their dog. I offered to take a picture of the three of them with their camera. They were very sweet.

Week 4 of 2019

Cold. That’s the predominant theme of this past week. I’ll repeat. Cold.

One of things I’ve been wondering since we moved downtown, was if the canal ever freezes over? The answer is yes, in some places. This photo is more south of where we live, closer to Canal Place and the former home of the B.F. Goodrich factory. There’s ice in that there canal. Back by our place, the canal must run warmer. It hasn’t shown much ice growth and all of the ducks and geese have moved there. Also, why don’t they fly further south for winter? Another question for another time.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Winter storm Harper dropped about a foot of snow over the weekend and closed the Library on Sunday. As Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I had another day off. My car was buried in snow in a lot on a hill, so I elected to hoof it in the cold to get a Monday latte at Akron Coffee Roasters. It was cold, but worth it. And it was probably best that I wasn’t driving as reports of bad conditions on Akron streets persisted well into the week.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

This is my second fiddle leaf fig, Finnegan, and he’s sprouting some new growth in the middle of winter. This really excites me, as I had just “put down” my older mini fiddle leaf fig. Fyvush (don’t you name your plants?) hadn’t transitioned well to our new place.
Later Tuesday night, Greg and I met our friends Michele and Megan to celebrate Michele’s birthday at Bricco. Lots of wine, martinis and laughs. I love those people!

Thursday, January 24, 2019

I just love the quiet of the Library in the morning before we open. Also, you can miss some great views when you don’t occasionally look up.

Friday, January 25, 2019

I don’t know when exactly it happened, but sometime in the last 20 years this became one of my favorite words. On Friday one of my co-workers gifted me this lovely little dish. Huzzah, indeed!

Saturday, January 26, 2019

There are few things better than an afternoon nap with my fellas. I actually think Ted enjoys it the most.

Week 3 of 2019

So this week started with sunshine and flowers and then devolved into Snowmageddon 2019 as winter storm Harper blanketed northeast Ohio in about a foot of snow and sub-zero temperatures. The snow-capped mountains in that print should have been our warning that hunkering down was imminent.

Monday, January 14, 2019

So this photograph represents the illusion that I have my life together. Also, who doesn’t love a simple arrangement of colorful tulips in the middle of winter?
This morning was tough. Though, thankfully I had changed my day off this week to today, so things weren’t as bad as they could have been. Today was Ted’s first visit to his new groomer since we moved downtown. This visit was way overdue. When I went out to start the car this morning, a thing I don’t do as much now that I walk to work, I found out that the 14 degree weather plus an old battery resulted in a no-go situation. After realizing that Allstate’s road side assistance could take up to 90 minutes, I remembered that the good folks at Downtown Akron Partnership offers free battery jump-starts. Within 5 minutes of my call, Michael, one of their ambassadors, had my car running once again. As a result, I was only about 15 minutes late dropping off Ted. If you know me well, you know that I hate being late to anything…ever.
As you can see from the photo below, Ted loved his stay at “the spa” also known as Downtown Akron Doggies. They even sent him on his way with a lovely plaid tie. His humans sure do love a good plaid accessory.
Finally, there are few things better than a simple bouquet of tulips in the middle of winter. I hope that you’ll treat yourself to some floral cheer this week. You deserve it

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Light snow and hikes along the Ohio & Erie Canal. I’m not sure who is responsible for plowing the tow-path trail, but it’s much appreciated by this downtown resident. To be honest, the snow removal of common areas in downtown has far outpaced what we were used to at our condo in Tallmadge. When we moved downtown, I feared that it might be more difficult to walk Ted in the winter. I’m happy to report, it’s just the opposite.
Also, Ted loves the snow. He enjoys burying his snout deep into snow piles and rooting around for goose-scent.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Admiring the fast work that they are making on the Bowery project. They are working hard through the winter to make their November 2019 deadline to finish the work. The Bowery was one of the main catalysts that brought Greg and me downtown. When finished, there will be new apartments, restaurants, breweries and even a small grocery store. As that one window reads, YES!

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Snowed in and hunkered down. We only left the apartment a couple of times to walk Ted. I made a hearty breakfast and we watched Sunday Today with Willie Geist. That’s our favorite way to begin Sundays. It’s a light, informative and often-very funny show. I highly recommend the “Highs & Lows” feature, the “Sunday Sitdown” interview and the “Life Well Lived” segment. That last one always renews my hope in humanity while also making me feel like a very lazy person.
Weekends are also for plant watering. Above are my three window-sill jade plants taking a soak in the bathroom sink. I’m really pleased with how well they are thriving. I’ve had jade in the past that quickly faded. These seem to love their western exposure. What are your favorite houseplants and do you do anything special for them during these dark winter months?

Week 2 of 2019

That’s right folks, I’ve kept up with my writing resolution into the second week of the year. Baby-steps, y’all. Nothing earth-shaking here. I introduce you to the family and give a little glimpse into my week “getting stuff done in the downtown.” That’s a little jingle that I like to sing while Greg and I get, well, stuff done in the downtown.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Our living room, and for the most part, entire apartment is pretty much finished. The last little piece was swapping out our gigantic original coffee table with this new smaller one. Also, Greg is very much hoping that I’ve reached the limit on accent pillow purchases. Yes, I have a problem. But I also can’t turn down a one-off clearance pillow. You just never know when you might want to do the Great Pillow Swap of 2019! Just so you know, there are more pillows hiding inside that storage ottoman. Another time, I’ll tell you about our trials and tribulations of picking out, and more importantly, getting new living room furniture into our apartment. It wasn’t easy, but we are very pleased with the end result.
What’s your decorative accessory obsession? Share yours in the comment section below.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Most days I get off work at 4 pm, when there’s still about an hour of daylight remaining this time of year. Tuesday, I had a meeting after work and got to walk home a bit later in the warmish and windy early evening. The real treat is that all of the festive year-round lighting fixtures are a sight to see. I love the string lights looped around Cascade Plaza. As I stroll past Lock 4 I’m always delighted by the trees wrapped in white lights and the ever changing LED light show along the canal and series of waterfalls.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Can anyone disagree that mornings are better with croissant? Especially when said mornings begins with a 10-minute walk in wintry conditions? Ok, let’s be honest, it could be 65 degrees and sunny and I would still argue that mornings are better with croissant. Because they are.
Since we moved downtown in October, I’ve been walking to my job at the Akron-Summit County Public Library each day. Rain, or snow, or shine. Not only that, but I switched from a half-hour lunch to a full hour so that I can walk home and take Ted out for a mid-day trek along the towpath. All of this extra walking has been a boon to my ability to not pack on my usual extra poundage during these winter months. I’m also able to keep that stash of clothes with the additional X pushed to back of the closet.
But Wednesday and Friday mornings, that’s a “treat yo self” opportunity to enjoy a finely crafted croissant from my friend Sally at Summit Croissants. Today’s was Meyer Lemon Pastry Cream filled. The bright citrus flavor and the colorfully sunny disposition of that flaky treat was a stark contrast to what was happening outside during my walk to the coffee shop. I earned it.
How have you treated yourself lately?

Thursday, January 10, 2019

This is Ted. He’s our 8-year-old golden retriever-shar pei rescue.
Here are some interesting nuggets about him:
He loves snow, good thing for a day like today. He’s insanely friendly, unless you are a deer or a goose. He doesn’t bark, but loves to sing. He especially enjoys harmonizing with The Black Keys, Empire Carpet commercials (800-588-2300 Empire. Today.) and the intro theme music of the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.
Ted has adapted so well to our move downtown. In fact, he’s dropped about 10% of his body weight due to all of the walks he gets now. No more just letting him out the back patio door as we did at our old place. Actually, I think that as long as we’re around (Greg is his favorite), he has his ball and The Black Keys, he could adapt to any surroundings.

Friday, January 11, 2019

Breaking news…I am able to purchase a latte from a coffee shop other than Akron Coffee Roasters. It doesn’t happen often, and it’s usually when they are closed around Christmas or if we are out of town. But this morning I ventured out to Heartwood Coffee Roasters in Hudson to meet an old friend from High School. My visit with Julie reminded me that I need to do a better job of reconnecting with friends from high school, college and past jobs. It really was, one of the best parts of my week.

Saturday, January 12, 2019

I spent the day working. Ran sound for a library program about a reality television show survivalist. It was interesting. Akron audiences sure ask a lot of questions. Also, the speaker asked if I’d seen his show. I had to admit that I watch too many Real Housewives shows to have time for anything else.

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Back to the Northside Marketplace this weekend. Lunch at Nomz followed by a quick stroll through the Countryside Conservancy Farmers’ Market. Not a lot of produce to choose from, but we left with a seeded baguette from the Brimfield Bread Oven and feta from Lucky Penny Farm. The cheese went on the Greek Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Farro skillet bake that I made for dinner. A real winner of a recipe, so flavorful! The bread sopped up all the delicious juices left in the bowl.
Earlier you met our dog Ted, this is my husband Greg. He is the gentle soul that deals with all of my whims and grand ideas. He’s a very patient man and keeps our finances in order. I’ve always joked that if it weren’t for Greg, we’d live in a well-decorated cardboard box.
He’s the best partner in life you could ask for. I’m a very lucky guy.

Week 1 of 2019

The new year has begun with dumpster balloons. The adventure continues with blimps, walks around downtown, seeing friends, great food and so many lattes.

My goal for this year is to update my blog weekly. You’ll see many of the same photos that I share on Instagram and Twitter, hopefully with more of a story behind them. If you were a fan of my old cooking blog, you may still see the occasional recipe pop up here, as well.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Happy New Year and back to work after so many days off. I shouldn’t feel like those balloons. I should feel refreshed. I’m not. Also, it’s weird that I didn’t find anything photo worthy on the first day of the year.
Post-holiday lights along Main Street in downtown Akron. We tried to stop at The Lockview for a belated birthday gathering with friends, grilled cheese and tots. They were closed for some odd reason. Instead we went next door to Baxter’s Bar. On the plus side, the company was great, as were the drink specials (half-off wine – hello tasty Malbec). On the negative side, they are running a quite slimmed-down food menu for the winter…I get it, they weren’t busy and the Main Street Corridor construction doesn’t help. Each couple ordered one of their pizzas, they weren’t great. The night rebounded, culinarily speaking, when we capped off the evening at Akron Creamery for some delicious Thai-rolled ice cream at the Northside Marketplace.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Well, that was my first chocolate milk latte of the new year at Akron Coffee Roasters. And it was, of course, amazing. I saved a chocolate-pistachio croissant from Summit Croissants for a mid-morning break. Even though it was a short work week, it felt like it lasted forever. Here’s hoping the weekend will feel just as slow. Somehow I doubt it will.
I got to watch the blimp buzz by our apartment building during my lunch walk with Ted. Actually, the new versions of the blimp (not really a blimp), don’t make that old buzzing sound that I remember from years ago. Back then, you typically heard the blimp before you saw it.

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Afternoon sunshine. I love how it illuminates the leaves of the sansiviera. I also love that this plant is thriving so well. I have three smaller versions on the window sill of my bathroom.
This Saturday was just the best day. The weather was great and there was so much sunshine. We walked to the Northside Marketplace and had a delicious lunch at Nomz, a new micro-eatery. I cannot rave more about their Turkey Mostarda sandwich. On toasted local multi-grain bread they stacked arugula, brie cheese, mustard seed infused cranberry sauce and smoked turkey. Later in the day we took Ted on what was going to be a short walk but ended up being much longer one when Greg and I decided that the day required Akron Coffee Roasters lattes for both of us. We sipped them in the little parklet on High Street and were thrilled to run into photographer-friend Meghan and her husband Scott. To say that Ted was showered with attention, would be an understatement.

Our Journey Begins

“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.”

― Roy T. Bennett

The big little move.

This past summer my husband and I made the decision to sell our home of nearly 20 years in the suburbs and move to downtown Akron. We’d been excitedly following all of the news of upcoming development and changes to the heart of the city. A redesigned promenade, old office buildings and hotels getting new leases on life as market-rate apartments, a grocery store, updates to Lock 3 and the “Jewel of Main Street,” the Civic Theatre.

While most of this work won’t be complete until later in 2019 or even 2020, we were eager to make the move. To be one of those early adopters of a new downtown lifestyle.

So in early October, we signed a lease on a 7th floor, 1300 square foot, two bedroom apartment at Canal Square Lofts.

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