Explorers Club

I’ve talked about Melissa on the blog before but I may have forgotten to mention how absolutely sad I am now that she has moved to South Carolina to be a big grown-up animal doctor (booooooooooooooooooo) instead of staying here in Columbus with me. So when she told me she was thinking about coming up for Labor Day weekend, I got super-joyous. And then she did. And now she’s here! Since our time together is limited…we are taking full advantage and doing every awesome thing we can think of. Starting with breakfast.

 

I had never been to the Explorers Club in Merion Village but I am so glad Melissa knew about it because it is the coolest, out-of-the-way little place. The service was wonderful and the food was perfect.

Their vegetarian menu is AWESOME and they were able to substitute tofu for scrambled eggs. So good.

This is Melissa’s I’m-Sad-I-Live-in-South-Carolina-And-Not-Here face.

I am not even going to think about how sad I’m going to be in two days when she has to go home.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

love, elizabeth

Our state fair is a great state fair

Saturday was actually kind of a hard day as a hospital advocate so when Kyle brought home Ohio State Fair tickets, I was relieved to spend the evening out and about. It was closing weekend for the fair so it was pretty crowded but we enjoyed ourselves. One of my biggest passions/interests is in American popular entertainments and I especially love carnivals and sideshows so, naturally, I had to take pictures of the all classic midway spots.

Fair food is scrumptious which is a good thing since it’s also deep fried and overpriced. We saw the sign for the smorgasbord and all I could think of was this.

And as crowded as the fairgrounds were, up at the top of the Ferris wheel, the world felt very small and far away.

Speaking of which, did you know the first official Ferris wheel was constructed in 1893 in Chicago? Now you do.

I love that you can see the Columbus skyline behind Kyle in this picture.

We didn’t get a chance to see everything but we did spend some time in the sheep barn and met this fuzzy guy. I wanted to give him a hug but I’m not sure he felt the same.

Have you visited your state fair recently? What’s your favorite thing to do at the fair?

love, elizabeth

Sunday Flowers

If I haven’t gushed over the Franklin Park Conservatory on this blog already, I must be on crack. Because this place is one of the very best things about Columbus.

Franklin Park is basically Ohio’s answer to the Denver Botanical Gardens. Denver still wins because…well, because it’s Denver and I’ll always be a Denver girl in my heart. All the same, FPC has so much going for it (things like adorable café, free and easy parking, community garden, and cheap-o student memberships).

This place gave me the nature fix I’ve been craving this winter because even a mild winter in Ohio is still…well…a winter in Ohio.

What are you taking lots of pictures of these days?

love, elizabeth

And when October goes…

No secret that I love fall but it’s slipping away so quickly! Made a trip to the mall last week and was alarmed to see that Christmas (the commercial version, anyway) is in full swing.
Trying to savor the autumn sun and the last of the beautiful leaves before it gets freezing and gloomy until April, Ohio-style.




This time of year makes me think of this song by Nancy Wilson…



What about you? Anyone else thinking seriously about Christmas yet?

Oh, and be sure to stop by tomorrow for the vintage giveaway...it's going to be rad. And stuff.

love, elizabeth

Afternoon in the Apple Orchard

We spent the afternoon hours at another one of my favorite places…Lynd’s Fruit Farm. Just north of Columbus in Pataskala, the Lynd Farm is famous for its pick-your-own orchard and its amazing vegetables, jams, jellies, baked goods, and corn maze. We took nearly a hundred pictures but thought I’d share a few of my favorites here…

That’s right. I went there. Don’t judge me.

Kyle carting around our spoils. Among them: a gigant-o bag of fresh kettle corn, three pumpkins, a jug of cider, and two jars of jam. Cause when we go Lynd’s, we go crazy.

It was an awesome Saturday and I now I have a big bag of fresh-picked apples to turn into applesauce. I’ll post the recipe if anyone would like it.

What about you? What are you doing to dive into fall? And, more importantly, do you want to win this hand-knit scarf to help you celebrate? Giveaway is open until Thursday night…

love, elizabeth

Independently Yours, Columbus

Have discovered yet another reason to love Columbus, Ohio, the self-declared “indie art capital of the world.” It’s called Independents’ Day and celebrates the many local businesses, restaurants, and artists in the area with a little one day festival.

We got to see local indie band, Necropolis, play a set. Emily (pictured right) is a friend of mine from the PhD program. That’s right. I know rock stars. No big deal.

In front of the state capitol building. Obviously, this is just cause for levitation.

While I was downtown, I met a couple really awesome business owners and I’m super excited to spotlight some local Columbus artists. Tune in for that over the next few days…

What about you? How was your Saturday?

love, elizabeth

PS: Just a few more days until the giveaway. I think you’re gonna like it.

Mozart’s Bakery and Piano Cafe

On Saturday, my friend Francesca and I stopped in at one of my favorite eating-spots in Columbus. Mozart’s is an Austrian-style bakery and café with live piano music and a menu to die for.

Strawberry champagne cake

Fruit tart

Mozart’s specialty, the marzipan peach.

If you’re in Columbus, Mozart’s is worth stopping in for a cup of tea just to hear the music.

We sat by the Mozart statue. I think he was a little grumpy that afternoon.

Francesca holding our pastry boxes

This is probably one of my favorite Columbus spots, for atmosphere alone. But the food is good, too, and not overly-priced. Francesca and I are coming back here to have their traditional afternoon tea at some point.

What about you? Anyone have a favorite tea/coffee/bakery spot in their city?
love, elizabeth

PS: On September 23rd, in honor of the first day of fall, I will be announcing my next giveaway! You are not going to want to miss this one…I keep trying to figure out how I can enter and keep it for myself.An alias maybe?

Sign of the Times Saturday: under the bridge

Is it Saturday again already?? Want to link up? Go HERE to add your funny sign post.

Saw this sign at Glen Helen a couple weekends ago. Adorable. Or maybe scary.

love, elizabeth

Short North

While Columbus, Ohio is not my hometown, it is my home away from home home as long as I’m in graduate school. And after a couple years, I’m finally starting to feel like a part of the community. On my birthday weekend, Kyle and I had a chance to explore the downtown and Short North area a little bit. Thought I’d highlight a couple of my new favorite businesses today. And just so my readers know, this post is sponsor-free and totally sincere. I just happen to love these two places.

Saw this paper sitting here in some flower beds. The headline caught my eye…

Bakery Gingham is known in Columbus for its cupcakes. Which are, um, what’s the word, PERFECTION. I could seriously eat about ten Ultra-Violet White cupcakes in a day. I won’t. But I could.

My other new favorite spot is the floral shop, Rose Bredl. Go HERE to visit their blog and see gorgeous arrangements and inspiring ideas. My good friend, Meredith, works there and I recently stopped in and met the owner, Mary. What a sweet little place and what an awesome staff!

Just walking around the shop inspired me to go home and decorate. I will definitely be buying flowers here in the future…

What about you? What are some of your favorite spots in YOUR town?

love, elizabeth