Baked. Pumpkin Cookies.

For as long as I can remember, around this time of the year; my mom would pull out the kitchenaid mixer as a constant staple to her counter top. You see, once it was cool enough outdoors it was time to start whipping up the batches of pumpkin & chocolate chip cookies at my families house.

These pillows of pumpkin perfection dotted with choco chips are a HUGE crowd pleaser. From the office Halloween luncheon to your late night bon fire, these will NOT disappoint, promise. Try them, you’ll thank me.




"i heart pumpkin cookies recipe"

Pre-heat over 350'

Combine...
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/2 c oil (vegetable)
- 1 c sugar

Mix w/ combined dry ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp milk (dissolve)

Once combined, stir in...
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate Chips (As much or as little as you like - I use the entire bag!)

Spoon onto baking sheet in little "blobs." (Yes, that's a technical term!)

Bake for 10-14 minutes...toothpick should come out clean.


If you’re not into baking, Elmwood Bakery on Madison Ave in Lakewood makes adorable spooky petit fours for sharing, Blackbird Baking Company is currently whipping up batched of Pumpkin and Ginger cookies, theres always the apple tarts available at On the Rise Bakery on Fairmont or not to be missed chocolate dipped macaroons from Prestis...I digress.

Who has a sugary sweet tooth? Not me! :)

Celebrate Fall in Ohio!

The other day I was driving on 90 and noticed the onset of gold, red and orange.in the trees. Beginning in September, visitors of Cleveland flock to witness the brilliant colors that make up the region's fall foliage. Add to that the areas wealth of seasonal harvests like apples and pumpkins, and we've got a traditional autumn getaway complete with hayrides, crisp color and crafts.



Celebrate the season at one of these fall-themed festivals.
> Yankee Peddler Festival: Sept. 18-19, 25-26 at Clay's Park
> Village Peddler Festival: Sept. 18-19 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
> Cedar Valley Settlers Celebrations & Music Festival: Sept. 19 at the Rocky River Nature Center in the Cleveland Metroparks
> Fall Fest: 18th Century Festival: Sept. 26 at the Brecksville Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks
> Fall Harvest Festival+Antique Tractor Show: Sept. 25-26 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
> Corn+Pumpkin Harvest Weekend: Oct. 9-10 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
> Apple Butter Stirrin' Festival: Oct. 15-17 at Historic Roscoe Village

Browns or Art? (09/19)

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

"Sunday Funday" and there are so many options around town...the two biggest events would be A) the Browns Home Opener and B) The Cleveland Museum of Art Chalk Festival & Membership Appreciation Day. What will your Sunday hold for you?

The Browns vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, game time 1:00pm, will you be at the Munny Lot? Plan to put on your orange and brown and support your local football team. Let's go BROWNIES!!!

Not into sports and feeling like playing with some chalk and exploring the new collections at the Museum of Art, then invite your friends to join you in creating a unique piece of chalk art.

Fundraisers

With the onset of fall comes the arrival of fall not for profit "charity-fundraising season." Post-summer vacations and pre-holiday season, this is the perfect time to scrape your extra change together and give back to the numerous not for profit organizations in the community.

Here are a just two of this weekends events you might not want to miss...

Sips & Dips : raising money for Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

A Taste of Little Italy : Montessori School at Holy Rosary

Hop around the City (09/11)

Sparx City Hop is a free all day event that celebrates the visual, culinary and performing arts of Cleveland’s most central and metropolitan neighborhoods. Free trolley service by Lolly the Trolley allows individuals and families to “hop” through the neighborhoods of Downtown (Historic Gateway Neighborhood, Historic Warehouse District, PlayhouseSquare and the Campus District) plus the districts the connect directly to Downtown (Tremont, Ohio City, MidTown, AsiaTown and St. Clair Superior).



The trolley routes connect people to over 70 galleries & artist studios, over 100 restaurants, several markets and dozens of specialty retail shops. In addition, Sparx City Hop connects participants to a variety of sidewalk concerts, main stage performances, special gallery and studio events, the Terminal Tower observation deck (see details below), the Tower City Street Fair, the Sparx Classic Car Show, a variety of merchant specials and so much more.

Bring your family to the fully restored Terminal Tower Observation Deck to see an unparalleled view of the entire city! Originally opened in 1929, Terminal Tower has been a Cleveland landmark for over 80 years. The interior of the Observation Deck has been restored to resemble what it looked like in the 1930’s and 40’s. Tickets are just $5 and kids 5 and under are free. To purchase tickets for this weekend visit http://terminaltowerodeck.eventbrite.com/

Between 25,000 and 30,000 people participate in the Sparx City Hop each year. Don’t miss this opportunity to get out and explore what makes the core of our city so special!

Up Up & Away (09/04-06)

When I first moved to Cleveland almost 12 years ago...one of the first big attratctions I attended was the Cleveland Air Show. The afternoon of plane walkers, the Blue Angels, pilots...LOTS of pilots and the amazing acrobatic show still “Wows” me to today!



This Labor Day weekend don’t miss out on the spectator event. The Air Show is a rather affordable, local outing that is fun for everyone...general admission tickets are good for one full day of aviation fun (Saturday, Sunday or Monday). FYI there is no seating, so remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Fair-time (08/12-15)

The fair opened Monday night at the Berea Fairgrounds and will run through Sunday, Aug 15. The entry fee ranges from $6 for general admissions and $5 for seniors and children 5 to 12 years of age,

If you are feeling especially daring you can get tickets to ride, rides. Carousel anyone? For those of you who want music, live entertainment includes the Pink Floyd tribute band, Wish You Were Here, which will perform Saturday at 7:30pm. Plus, for everyone there award-winning pot-belly pigs, blueberry pies, funnel cakes...and if nothing else the ultimate people-watching experience.

Wanna go to the fair? :)

Family Day with the Browns (08-07)

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

The Browns will switch it up from its daily training camp practice schedule in Berea for a Brown team vs. White team scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium THIS SATURDAY! Fans will also enjoy music, inflatables and numerous giveaways starting at 9:00 am on Tailgate Terrace, located outside the stadium on the east patio.

The scrimmage is free of charge and is a non-ticketed event. Gates open at 11:00 am. Parking is $5 per vehicle in the Port Authority Lots surrounding the stadium. Fans who arrive between 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. should enter through BrownsTown located on the north side of the Stadium and park in the North Port Authority lot.

For more information visit www.ClevelandBrowns.com.

Oldies but goodies. (08-05/22)

If you haven't been...take a breather from this hot and humid air and slip away to the seats of the Palace Theatre for the 13th Annual Cinema at the Square.

This summer the Palace Theatre’s screen (a 20 foot-high by 47 foot-wide super Hurly-Glo projection screen) will feature 16 film favorites from August 5-22.

I went a few years ago and I haven't stopped thinking about the afternoon vintage flick since then. This year I want to try to make Gremlins, Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, Goldfinger & The Muppets Movie!!!

Along with the sweet movie experience, before the movies moviegoers will be treated to pre-show organ recitals on a restored 1927 Kimball organ that contains 16 sets of pipes, a xylophone, Glockenspiel, a complete set of drums and many cymbals.

So sit back, and enjoy a movie or two in the next few weeks. It's an awesome experience that will bring you back to what going to a movie once meant. For showtimes and ticket information visit Playhouse Square.

Lakewood Art Festival (8/07)

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Don't miss the amazing music lineup! For details on the bands, visit the Festival Website.

FREE family theatre in the city.

Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to announce Song of the Seekers, a new play developed by CPT’s inner-city teen theatre, STEP (Student Theatre Enrichment Program)

Inspired by a two thousand-year-old ancient Indian text STEP’s ensemble of inner-city teens reveal personal dreams, hardships and victories with their original play, Song of the Seekers. An inventive remix of Shudraka’s classic comedy, The Little Clay Cart, this family-friendly performance explores the artist’s life and the struggle to be truthful in a society addicted to products and punch lines. Packed with a cappella singing, dance, beat-boxing, rhythm and rhyme, Song of the Seekers is about finding true love, freedom, and artistic authenticity in a complicated world.

Song of the Seekers, a new play by CPT’s STEP, is the culmination of an eight week program. Using Shudraka’s writings as a starting point, CPT Teaching Artists, have guided these extraordinary young people on a journey of self-discovery and awareness through the dramatic arts.

The fun, free performances begin this week, to see the entire summer calendar of free perfromances, visit cpt's website.

Thursday, July 29, 7PM, Herman Park

(W. 58th & Herman + Rain Location: CPT)

Friday, July 30, 7PM, Fairview Park in Ohio City

(W.38th & Franklin + Rain Location: Westside UCC)

Saturday, July 31, 7PM, Harmody Park

(Irving Ave & South Hills Dr + Rain Location: TBA)

scoop scoop, yum yum contest

Ruggles, gotta get me some....more!

Grab your bowl and grab your spoon Ruggles Premium Ice Cream announced that it wants fans of the frozen treat’s popular radio commercial to create their own version of the company’s catchy jingle and enter to win an impressive array of high-tech prizes in the “Ruggles Scoop Scoop Video Contest.” The online contest will run throughout July, also known as National Ice Cream Month.

To enter, visit www.RugglesVideoContest.com, download the jingle’s music and words, and by using a digital or video camera, or cell phone camera, create a video version of the famous Ruggles jingle. The Web site will contain rules, a sample video and instructions for uploading contest entries.

“Our popular jingle always ranks high on the list of commercials you sing with,” explains Penny Baker, marketing director for Ruggles. “We can’t wait to see the videos as our own ‘ice cream idols’ get creative. It’s a fun way to celebrate the summer ice cream season and win some fantastic prizes at the same time.”

Videos will also be available via the Ruggles Premium Ice Cream Facebook page, with updated “scoops” posted on Twitter throughout the contest via www.twitter.com/rugglesicecream.

Participants must be 18 years or older to submit an entry, but anyone can star in the video, such as family members, children, or church choirs, for example. Winners will be announced on July 30, 2010.

ALSO....for discount tickets to any summer sweet treat that Smith Dairy/Ruggles sells....you can grab discount coupons at Smith Dairy under SAVE MONEY!

24 flavors.

The other night I was driving home during a summer storm and had to get gas...we are talking driving on fumes.

I pulled over at a random gas station that barely accepted credit cards at the pump, you know the kind. As the rain dripped through the over hang my gaze was drawn to a shiny red light of the neighboring business.

There it stood in the rain, parking lot filled with cars, people in raincoats with umbrellas, pushing and shoving their way into this random ice cream shop/grille. For a moment I thought to myself, "why on earth would this place be so hoppin, and who would actually make it a destination on a hot and humid night?"

Then somehow, my feet started walking towards the light, just like a bug zapper luring a mosquito. I was entering the Cone Zone & Grille, located in Cleveland (next to Westpark) at 4081 Rocky River Drive. There was a big banner on the front of the building reading "24 Flavors of Soft Serve"....Apricot. German Chocolate. Coconut. Peach. Peanut Butter. Just a few of the LOTS of flavors of soft serve.

I hadn't eaten dinner so it gave me a free summer dinner pass for a small cup of cheesecake soft serve and WOW, was it tasty. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Fill your car and head over to the Cone Zone for a variety of smooth creamy treats. Next time, I'm thinking a mixture of peach, coconut & banana, tropical fun.

a "sweet double feature"

This weekend stock your car with twizzlers, rasinettes and snowcaps, throw in your favorite blanket and a pillow and head out to the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theatre located in North Ridgeville.

The Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In was built in 1965 by the Sherman family and is still owned and operated by a third generation of the Sherman Family. The Aut-O-Rama Drive-In became the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In for the 1972 summer season.

This weekends best double feature is Grown Ups (with Adam Sandler) @ 9:40pm and the Karate Kid @ 11:30pm. I think that this is by far the best double feature lineup they've had so far this season.

I also think this is pretty cool...rather than ban outside food at the Drive-In they give patrons a choice of weather or not to bring food or beverages into the drive-in. For a $5.00 fee, you can purchase an “outside food & beverage permit” at the box office to bring in your own goodies.

So, when the summer sun goes down, where will you catch your summer blockbuster hits? Hope to see you at the drive in!

Clifton Arts Fest

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

This year marks the 23rd Clifton Arts & Musicfest in the lakefront Cudell/Edgewater neighborhood on the northwest side of Cleveland, on Clifton Blvd.

The Clifton Arts and Musicfest was established as a unique celebration combining fine arts and live musical performances – a true street festival located in a very attractive and vibrant urban neighborhood setting.

As a juried art competition, only the finest artisans from Ohio and around the United States are admitted to the show. Prize money in the amount of $7,500 is awarded annually in the Juried Art Show.

It is always a fun, colorful show. Ride your bike, walk, throw on your roller blades and enjoy your Saturday afternoon taking in some fabulous local art.

Made in the 216 (06/11&12)

I shouldn't have to remind you, but just in case "the 216" is less than 4 days away! (Friday June 11th & Saturday June 12th)

For up to the minute show details visit miss mastermind Danielle's blog I'm sure she will have fun stuff to say this week. We are so excited to see what creative displays and new artists she has unearthed. Hope to see you there.

Did you know?

That in 1902, a resident of Akron, Ohio, Martin F. Christensen, invented an automated machine that could manufacture glass marbles. Traditionally, workers made marbles by hand from clay or stone, including marble. Christensen's invention made glass-marble production an entirely automated process. Christensen established the M.F. Christensen and Son Company in Akron to produce the thousands of colored balls of glass.



While the Akron factory does not still produce marbles, you can still visit the American Toy Marble Museum located in downtown Akron. Free and open to the public. With thousands of marbles to look at I'm sure you'll find your favorite Aggie or Boulder. Throw the family in the car, take a thirty minute road trip south for a few hours of fun.