Easter in Cleveland

Kathryn, Dan, Owen, Julia, Hampton, Kevin

We were in Cleveland over the weekend, and had such a great time.  We saw lots of family, took a long walk around Euclid, went to the Cleveland Art Museum, had macarons and champagne at a cool little patisserie downtown, and watched March Madness.  We had a delicious Easter brunch at my niece Kathryn's house in Shaker (baked eggs in hashed brown nests, thanks Pioneer Boy!) and a wonderful Easter dinner at my sister's, and Tom and Evie even came in from Chautauqua for the day. So nice to  be back home for a few days, and with our family. Of course before I left I collected three or four bags of rocks from my sister's beach, to bring home for my garden. Much of my garden is bordered by rocks from Lake Erie, and I can always use a few (well, lots) more.

We came back on Monday to 77 degrees in Virginia, greened up grass, daffodils blooming, and some early cherry tree blooms. What a difference a warm day makes! Yesterday morning I was outside spreading bonemeal over my perennial garden, something I do every year. I don't know if it makes any difference, but I've been doing it for years. It's the only fertilizer I use. I also cut back my 'Limelight' hydrangea, a little later than usual, but it should be fine as it blooms on new growth. It's raining this morning, so that bone meal will soak in nicely around my plants and strengthen those roots!!

Fun Times in North Carolina

I drove down to Pinehurst, NC last week to meet two of my dear friends from high school, Kathy and Mika, for a few days of fun.  We don't see each other very much, because we live in Cleveland, Boston, and Virginia, but we stay in touch. We last got together about five years ago for a whirlwind weekend in New York City, and had such a good time, I can't believe it's taken us this long to get together again.  We were delayed a day because Mika couldn't get out of snowy Boston, and poor Kathy had a broken foot, but that didn't stop us from having a great time. Lots of talking and laughing and drinking wine, good meals, a wine tasting with chocolates at a local wine shop, and visits to lots of the local potteries.  Who knew there were so many potters in that part of North Carolina?

Mika and Kath

Kathy

After a few days with the girlfriends, I drove about two hours west to Charlotte, to see Julia and Hampton for the weekend.  It was a gorgeous weekend, sunny and warm (70 degrees!), and so we spent most of Saturday walking around town and around their neighborhood. They live right next to a great park, and it was so nice to see so many people out and about. We even walked to dinner and Uber-ed home (my first Uber ride!). And I was so excited to see one of these Free Little Libraries in the neighborhood. People can build one of these little boxes and put it in their yards, and then anyone can borrow and leave books inside. Such a great idea. I drove home on Sunday, and back to winter.

Holiday Dishes!

I love the first day of December because it's the day I can take out my Christmas dishes.  I love having these dishes and and taking them out always helps to get me in the spirit.  No other decorations out yet,  I'm still amazed that Christmas is only 24 days away.  I guess it's time to pitch the pumpkins and start cutting the greens.

Julia and Walt after their Thanksgiving Day run

Wedding Weekend in DC

We went to a beautiful wedding this weekend in Washington, DC. Julia's best friend and college roommate was married on Saturday and it was one of the most beautiful and thoughtful weddings I have ever been to. Every detail was perfect, and they even got the weather perfect as well. They have a wonderful family and the love was everywhere.  We were so happy to be included in their happy day and it was fun to see Julia and Melissa,  still such good friends all these years later.  Lots of memories this night.

The reception was held at the top of the Hay Adams Hotel, right by the White House, and the views had everyone in awe.  This was the view from the dining room and the dance floor. The dining room was incredible, with two really long tables the length of the room, set all in white and crystal, with beautiful white flowers and tall candles,  so sparkly and magical, and the Washington skyline all lit up behind us. It was beyond gorgeous. There was even a moon.

The maid of honor looked beautiful!

Detail of the back of the dress, so pretty.

Happy faces! As you can imagine, everyone was taking pictures with this view. What a night.

Chautauqua Lake

Evie's garden

We've been going to Chautauqua since Brooks was three months old, when Tom and Evie first bought their house on the lake. It's a place where our whole family often gathered in the summers and where we celebrated many special occasions. My parents loved it there, my kids love it there, and so we have lots of Chautauqua memories. Walt and I spent a long weekend there these past few days, and were lucky to have lots of lake time and do many of the things we love about Chautauqua. Evie always has the best meals and she made homemade pasta and shrimp vodka sauce for our first night there. It's so nice to eat every meal outside, with the lake just a few steps away.  On Saturday, after a breakfast of Turkish menemens (turkish omelet), we put on our walking shoes and took the boat over to Bemus Point, taking the usual walk along the lake drive and admiring the lakeside homes, then stopping at Seezurh House for a beer afterwards.  Then it was back to the lake, sitting on the dock, and taking a swim.  Tom and Ev were hosting a neighborhood cocktail hour that evening in their yard, so we got to meet lots of their neighbors, some of whom we've known over the years.  Then we drove to their Rod and Gun Club for dinner, having a good old-fashioned prime rib dinner (delish), and even danced a little to the after-dinner band.  My mom and dad would have loved it.

On Sunday we relaxed in the morning then had a breakfast of eggs and pea meal bacon and bagels. One of my oldest friends was also at the lake that weekend, so Kathy and her husband Bill stopped by for about an hour and we got to catch up. They have visited us before at the lake and it was great to see them and hear about their recent trip to visit their daughter in Africa.  Then we took the boat over to Chautauqua Institution to listen to a free concert of Dixieland music.  It was the last weekend of the season at Chautauqua, so there was a lot of activity with people packing up and leaving. We walked around a little and stopped in the great bookstore on the grounds.  We got back in the boat and Biff drove us across the lake to the Viking Club for beers, and we sat on their deck for about an hour enjoying the pretty day.   Such a nice afternoon on the lake! We went home and Evie made Turkish koftes with pita bread,  one of my favorite Chautauqua meals. So many Chautauqua favorites!

It was so good to see Biff and Evie, and get in some Chautauqua lake time.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of Evie's garden, of course, everything so lush and colorful. She has a great perennial garden and lots of hydrangeas, rhodos, and pretty trees.  I love the painted rocks they use to border the garden and decorate their porch--a project they do with their grandchildren every summer. Biff is into cairns and they have several amazing ones around the lake. Guess who brought home a bagful of rocks?

Just a few of the painted rocks

Evie's garden

Homemade pasta night

One of the cairns

Enjoying the Viking Club

My favorite porch at Bemus Point--the Lenhart Hotel

The Biffer

Hi Evie!

Pretty Chautauqua evening on the lake

Cold and Frozen Lake Erie

It was so fun to see a frozen Lake Erie this week when we were in Cleveland.  I haven't been back to Ohio much in the winter and Julia didn't remember ever seeing it frozen. I guess we mostly visit in the summertime.  So of course I had to take some photos. And as always when I am home, I was poking around my sister's house and found some old photographs that I had never seen, so I am including those here for my family to see. It was interesting to see some of my grandparents, my dad's parents, as young people. I only remember them as grandparents--old and stern!

My mom and dad

I love how my dad is looking at my brother Tom

My paternal grandmother, Grace Poynton--those clothes! that bow!

My paternal grandfather Frank Davis, as a young man

My great grandfather William Hamilton Davis

My dad (on right) and his brother Harry, probably in Washington, DC

My grandmother Grace

My Aunt Peggy

Aunt Peggy with my sister Linda and me, August 2013

We have been away for the past three days in Cleveland, attending the services for my dear Aunt Peggy, who passed away last Friday.  She was my mom's younger sister, was part of my life always, and was my favorite aunt for sure. And I made sure to let people know that I was her favorite niece yesterday, although I know we all felt like her favorite niece, favorite nephew, friend, etc. That was just the way she was. Our families grew up together, my cousins and I love to talk about holiday dinners together, remembering the cramped dining room at our grandparents house, the children's table where we would play with our food, all those memories that are so fun to talk about when you are together. I remember spending a lot of time at my Aunt Peggy and Uncle Tom's house when I was little. I would sometimes spend little 'vacations' at their house, and when my cousin Kenny was born, I remember spending a week at their house, helping my Aunt Peggy with her new baby.  Just what she needed, another kid in the house, but I remember having so much fun.

My mom Betts (left), my uncle Reed, and Aunt Peggy

My Aunt Peggy told me she loved me every time she saw me, she kissed me when I was leaving, and then kissed me five more times before I got out the door. She was the most positive person I know, always smiling, always genuinely interested in what you were doing,  always marveling at all the changes she has seen throughout her ninety-two years, instead of complaining about them. I last talked to her about 10 days ago, and as always she didn't complain about her own failing, she just wanted to know about me and Walt, hear about our kids and their busy lives.  She was so happy that my cousin Bob (her son) lives near us, and that our families  are close, and spend our holidays together.

My mom (left) and Aunt Peggy, on Lake Erie, 1920s

As my cousin Bob said at her funeral, her life was about loving people--her incredible family--husband Tom, six amazing children, her beloved grandchildren, her great grandchildren, and all of us. She was a mom through and through and she was never happier than when everyone was together. She was a loving sister to my mom and I appreciate the friendship and  bond they had throughout their whole lives, both living into their nineties. I know she missed my mom after she died, and she knew I missed her too, and we talked about that when we saw each other or talked on the phone.

It was so nice to be with our family these past few days, to be with my Uncle Tom and cousins. My cousins and I know that we are so lucky to have had our moms so long, but it doesn't make it any easier to lose them. I will miss her so much. XOXO

Celebrating in Cleveland

We were in Cleveland this past weekend to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my sister Linda and her husband Rich. Hard to believe!! They had a big dinner and party at Pine Ridge Country Club, and all of their children and grandchildren were there, along with lots of other family and friends. It was so great to be with all of our family, and many old friends who we have known for so many years. We looked at old pictures and of course reminisced about their wedding on that cold December day 50 years ago. We carried white poinsettias! (I was a bridesmaid.) We talked about and looked at pictures of the 50th anniversary parties of our grandparents and our parents, all joyful occasions for our family, and now it's their turn.  It was a great party,  a delicious dinner, and with loving speeches by their oldest son Rich and oldest grandchild, Claire. All the grandchildren came out with posters showing what they love most about their grandparents. We danced until late, and it was so much fun to celebrate this occasion with Linda and Rich and their family. Quite a milestone.

Walt and my brother Tom

 Tom and Evie

Linda, Rich, Richie (dressed as Rich as a Providence College basketball player back in the 1960s), and JP

Grandchildren

More grandchildren

Grandchildren at dinner--Shea, Owen, JP, Grace, Sophie, Colin, Emily

Rich, Grace, Emily, and my niece Kathryn

Richie, Shea, Connor, JP, and Colin dancing

Dancing

On Sunday, my niece Kirsten was sworn in as Council President for the City of Euclid, and we were able to attend the ceremony--here she is with her family after the ceremony. We are so proud of her!

Connor, Kevin, Emily, Kirsten, and Dan

Kirsten and Emily, relaxing

Dan, Richie, and Connor holding our grandparents'  50th anniversary plate 

Chilly day on Lake Erie

And a snowy Lake Erie, end of December