Breadsmith

I'm not quite sure that there is much more I need in life besides bread.  I don't discriminate...white bread, wheat bread, cinnamon raisin bread, especially garlic bread...they're all fine by me.  I'm sure that you probably feel the same.  If you don't, then either your diet is extremely unfortunate, or you haven't been to Breadsmith in Lakewood yet.  This awesome locally-owned bakery makes some of the best loafs I've ever had!

Stuffed Hot Banana Peppers

So Howie and I are officially sustainable urban residents.  Finally, right?  We woke up early last Saturday morning to take full advantage of the gloriously sunny and warm July weather and decided to venture up to the Lakewood Farmer's Market on our bikes.  Right when I stepped into the little plaza and laid eyes on the abundance of fresh vegetables and cartons upon cartons of peaches, I instantly felt inspired to concoct about 10 different recipes.  However...I had to restrain myself because I didn't have a ton of cash on hand.  Sad day.  But we still walked away with a backpack filled with fresh pasta from Little Lakewood Pasta Company, green onions, radishes (a total impulse buy on Howie's part - they're still sitting in our fridge) and the star of this blog post...spicy banana peppers.  Well, more like half spicy banana peppers for Howie and half "sweet" a.k.a. still-spicy-but-not-flaming-hot banana peppers for me.  I don't know if it was the freshness of of the locally-grown peppers, my adoration of Italian cuisine or my ahhh-mazing cooking abilities *cue eye roll*, but these Stuffed Hot Banana Peppers were out of this world delicious!  Stop by the Lakewood Farmer's Market this Saturday from 10am-1am in front of the Marc's shopping center and then try this recipe in your own kitchen afterwards!

The Detroiter

I love a good Friday happy hour after a long week of work.  Who doesn't?  What I love even more is when said happy hour establishment sells only regional craft beers and has amazing appetizers, sandwiches and entrees to accompany these local beers.  Did I mention every single item on the menu is made from scratch?  Sounds too good to be true...but it isn't.  The Detroiter, located in the former World of Beer location, is the newest addition to Lakewood's bustling restaurant and bar scene - I must say, it's quickly becoming my favorite.

I'm Back!

It's June 15th.  Yes, I've officially slacked off hardcore and gone 1 month and 6 days without a single post.  In short, my creative outlet that I started based on my passion for cooking and love of Cleveland was beginning to feel like a chore...so I decided to take a break until I missed it.  And I do.  A lot.  It was actually really nice to take time away from the blog to go out and experience the start of summer through my own eyes rather than my camera lens.  I think Howie especially liked that he didn't have to endure 10-15 minutes of me photographing all of our meals at slightly different angles too (P.S. Sorry Howie I'm back to my old habits as of yesterday!).  I could probably write paragraphs and paragraphs about everything that's happened in the last 5 or 6 weeks, but I thought pictures might do it more justice.

A few key points...
1. Howie and I finally moved in together after 4-1/2 years and it's awesome!
2. I've been watching the Cavs playoff games religiously and even got to go to one woo
3. I live really close to the lake and the beautiful morning sunrises are almost enough motivation to get me out of bed for 6am runs (except this plan is failing because of point #2...why do these games start at 9pm on work nights when they're playing in Cleveland?!)
4. My best friend, Rachael, and I got a surprise invite to hang out and have a bonfire with Third Eye Blind, which is only my favorite band ever.  I just about died but then realized that would be wasting valuable one-on-one time with Stephen Jenkins.

 I have a feeling that Summer 2015 is going to be the best one yet!