Bucket List

So I've done a New Year's List and a Nectar List, but not an official Bucket List so here goes...and speaking of lists +Lisa Dionisi Whitehead did you start our official hate/like google docs and add your new vocab word to our other list lol.

1. Trapeze workout http://www.thestudiocleveland.com/aerial-silks.html
2. Scuba dive +Lisa Dionisi Whitehead 
3. Glamping  +Lisa Dionisi Whitehead  +Ashley Keene https://www.pinterest.com/liswhitehead/glamping/
4. Learn a foreign language - Miguel - como fue espanol?
5. Go to Paris - Doug, you can be my tour guide :)
6. Visit the South Pacific http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/islands/borabora/bora-bora.asp
7. Grand Canyon
8. Hot air balloon ride/festival )http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/islands/borabora/bora-bora.asp
9. Master some yoga inversions - Nat and Mary: I need some serious help here!
10. Visit a psychic or have one visit us
11. Learn how to to play guitar 
12. Stomp grapes in a vineyard http://irvinhousevineyards.com/grapestomp.php
13. Get out of my comfort zone
14. Buddhist temple in Bali and Mulia hotel http://www.themulia.com/en/social-gallery
15. Have a real Christmas tree
16. Host an exchange student - Lisa -hoping I can do this for CIP at some point http://cipusa.org/ - would love an au pair so Liv and I can practice our Spanish but they are expensive
17. See a shooting star
18. Chakra balance http://harmonyyogastudios.com/reiki
19. Create art for my house
20. Be the subject for a still life sketch class
21. Hang gliding http://www.kittyhawk.com/hang-gliding/
22. Take a greek mythology class
23. Tie dye +Lisa Dionisi Whitehead  +Ashley Keene 
24. Jamboree in the hills +Gina Speelman http://www.jamboreeinthehills.com/
25. Haunted Punderson http://www.examiner.com/article/spooky-and-intriguing-special-events-abound-at-punderson-manor-lodge
26. Frankenmuth, Michigan
27. Belfast, Ireland
28. Dive for pearls
29. Service trip - +Gina Speelman - remember our School of the Americas protest in Georgia?
30. Sailing
31. Drum circle 
32. Dinner celebrating the feminine  - Sark
33. Bayou trip with +Gina Speelman 
34. SAS reunion +Gina Speelman, Mel, Doug, James, John 
35. Complete my peace studies certificate - Ty http://www.tri-c.edu/programs/conflict-resolution-and-peace-studies-certificate/index.html
36. Learn to play chess
37. Have a breathing room - Thich Nhat Hanh
38. Whistle with my fingers 
39. Take Liv to International Children's Festival http://childrensfestival.playhousesquare.org/shows.html
40. Cleveland International Film Festival +Bridget Kriner 
41. Visit all the states 
42. African safari 
43. Ride a train http://www.npr.org/2014/03/13/289836945/amtrak-opens-the-door-to-writing-on-the-rails
44. Surf 
45. Cousin's club
46. Attend an Indian wedding
47. Ride a bike with a basket on it (preferably in PEI)
48. Ride a mechanical bull
49. Double dutch jump rope
50. Teach Liv how to make the old school thread friendship bracelet
51. Do a home improvement project instead of paying someone to do it
52. Travel alone
53. Take myself on artist's dates
54. Wear a big hat on derby day 
55. Big Spring Botanical Garden 
56. Research my family tree
57. House swap http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2013/01/30/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-home-swapping/1877345/ - I particularly would like it to play out like something from the movie "The Holiday"
58. Keep asking - especially for the unlikely 
59. Write Gilbert 
60. Stay at Hotel Palais http://www.booking.com/hotel/ma/palais-namaskar.html?aid=347990&label=sppctrip-hotel-722702_xqdz-52c3b26928aaa3a4af171edd441c5d4b_pool-com_slice-99999&utm_source=tripad&utm_medium=SPPC&utm_content=images&utm_term=hotel-722702&lang=en-us&utm_campaign=US&trip=VSi0wQokHTYAAHL2dq8AAAAU#_=_
61. Write an article for elephant http://www.elephantjournal.com/or rebelle  http://www.rebellesociety.com/
62. I also want to donate everything when I die and have my ashes placed in the ocean to help its ecosystem but it is quite expensive to fund this :) I once watched a special on this on the Discovery Channel and now can't find additional info. on the process - oh yay! - I think I just found the site: http://eternalreefs.com/
63. Attend a masquerade ball
64. Throw candy from a parade float

Broadway in CLE

So one of my favorite things about this city is that we are home to the biggest theater district outside NYC. Add in the awesome GE chandelier, the plethora of new restaurants, and a great launch party and I love my city even more.

Dazzle the District Images

 Monday night after enjoying an open bar and apps we were the first to learn of the new series lineup scheduled for the 2015-2016 season...

Drum roll please....

After the introduction of the first show Bullets Over Broadway I started getting anxious. While the show itself looks cute, I despise Woody Allen and just sort of wish I didn't know he wrote/directed the show.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder looked a little hokey, but seems to be a fan favorite and the 2014 Tony winner so I'm hoping I will be pleasantly surprised with the production.

I was totally intrigued by the concept of If/Then. Who of us hasn't wondered how differently life may have turned out if we had substituted a choice here, picked an alternative there. The plot sounds not unlike the Gwyneth Paltrow movie Sliding Doors from the late 90's. I did, however, hear that the show is confusing so luckily the presenter at Donor Night gave the audience members what may be a much needed hint with the removal and addition of her glasses to illustrate that when the protagonist has her glasses on we are in one version of Elizabeth's life, and when off another.

Soooo excited for Beautiful - the biography of Carole King with such iconic songs as Locomotion and You've Lost that Loving Feeling. I also think a 'beautiful' sweatshirt souvenir will be perfect for yoga. I don't know if these yet exist, but I'm still kicking myself for not buying the bright yellow sweatshirt from this year's production of Motown, that I'm already planning ahead ;)

I was also pumped to see Matilda in the lineup and had planned on taking Liv, but after seeing a trailer for the show, it is looking rather dark for a five year old: Matilda Trailer.

And seriously who hasn't cried their eyes out to the movie Steel Magnolias. Pumped to see how this translates to the big stage.

As for the 'headliner' of the series, I am a  disappointed but only because I've seen Phantom so many times already. I was happy, however, to see that this was the only repeat in the series from the past few years. I plan on using my swap-a-show donor option to switch this out for Annie or Wizard of Oz.

Here's to another great season ahead and looking forward to hearing reviews from all of you!

Back in the saddle

Ok so I've decided to recommit to writing once a week....the coolest thing about writing is that even when nobody reads it, you still have attempted to imprint yourself upon the universe; it matters not  that your voice fills a void of billions of other voices - it still seems concretely gifted to the world in some way which is pretty cool! There is something romantic about boxes of old letters (sent or not), a feeling of leaving a legacy (knowing one day my daughter might stumble across my words revealing not necessarily the truth of things, but a narrative of what I believed to be true at the time), and a sense of community with everybody else out there who wants to be heard - even when the listener may not extend beyond self; sometimes it is our own words telling our own stories that we struggle the most to make sense of.

So one of the things that has kept me busy not writing is house hunting - I am the worst house hunter ever by the way. I tend to travel with a whole search party and if my realtor wasn't one of my bff's she would most definitely hate me. She actually still might lol.

So I basically want a house that is aesthetically pleasing on the outside (this is like a non-negotiable to me and I most certainly prefer capes or colonials), has the charm of old-world (i.e. an abundance of carriage windows or the really really long vertical one, french doors, and built-ins), but with modern updates (i.e. granite counters, open floor plan) and all white trim - everywhere! I love a white kitchen too. An in-ground pool, fireplace, and a big winding front porch, white picket fence (with portal hole) for the backyard, and decent sized rooms, sans basement are also all on the checklist. I also like brick (red) - obsessed with The Confectionary Cupboard building on Center Street for those of you familiar with Mentor (they really should have a pic of the outside of this business online - it is sooo cute), black roof (no brown), and ivy up the sides or if I can't have that I will take a charming gray three dormer cape (there is one on Reynolds that I pass frequently and adore - I actually have thought of leaving them a note to see if they might be interested in selling and just don't know it yet) . Did I mention I don't want to have to really do any work on this house myself. Oh, and that I have a budget?

Here are some of my favorite inspirations:

 

(Might need to move to Wordpress: why can't I left flush or keep pics in order I want them...arghhh.)

I actually looked at the five below but there were some major problems with all :(

So what I am saying/asking is positive thoughts this way so I can finally get out of Ash and Scott's hair and start decorating :) And if you or someone you know lives in a house that resembles any of these maybe you/they want to sell and don't know it yet in which case you should call or private message me immediately?! :)

A Night Out in Cleveland

This past week I've been downtown a lot. First we celebrated my sister Ashley's birthday beginning the night with private dining at Blue Point. Service was a bit slow (I think because we were separated from the other patrons), but the cocktails and food were delic! The fire on the river martini, lobster bisque, and filet oscar were oh so good (and I generally am not a huge soup fan)! I would have preferred crustier bread (yes, crustier is an official 'food critic' term), but I guess one is hard pressed to get everything they want!

After stuffing our faces, we headed to Pickwick & Frolic for a Burlesque show and ended the night at The Vault (I was really blown away with how the bar managed to seem so big and intimate at the same time). I was expecting a long line and a high cover and was pleasantly surprised that there was neither - just don't dance on the furniture +Ashley Keene ). The Vault could have been lifted right out of a bigger 'more popular' city, and would be a great place to bring guests (you can actually hear each other speak inside the venue which is always something I appreciate!)

Packing even more into the weekend, Ashley and I attended Pippen on Sunday (not one of my faves and judging by all of the sexual innuendos I'm wondering how many parents left the performance shocked and/or upset - there were a lot of kids in attendance). Oh, and please don't think I didn't like the show because it was a bit risque (I loved Hair) - I just wasn't overly impressed with the soundtrack or plot line.

Can I pose what seems a really obvious question? If you are a restaurant housed inside the second biggest theater district in the country why in the world are you not open every time a show is playing? Otto Moser and Sung's House?!?! We popped in to Bin216 and while I love the sophisticated decor - sleek leather and tufted walls - the service leaves a lot to be desired as does the menu (my cosmo was terrible too). Ummm - I would like to meet the person who is ordering a single deviled egg for $1.50?!? Seriously!

 Ash and I went with the slider - it was good - but left us starving...

So we went hunting, searching, traversing the city for more food (it really shouldn't be this hard should it?!) We only had an hour after our failed prior attempts at eating so our limited choices became even more limited. We stopped in Parnell's Irish pub which had no food, only drinks. Isn't that against some kind of Pub law? Finally, we made our way to District and life was suddenly rosy again. I ordered a French25 but our bartender Wayne asked if he could concoct an original libation - what choice had I but to oblige :) Here it is:

Since  I love labels, I demanded a name for this pretty drink - should you ever want to order one it is known as the 'blushing Krisitna' - obviously named for the color, not a characteristic. Ash and I split the seafood risotto. If if weren't for the less than crusty bread (again!) it would have been a perfect dining experience (although the bread did come with several condiments so that made me smile).

Already looking forward to "Dirty Dancing" and our next dining experience. Cowell and Hubbard +Ashley Keene ?

Afternoon Tea at Sisters Tea Room

So today we visited the Sisters Tea Room on Mentor Ave. And, can I just say, our waitress Theresa was so super friendly she alone was worth the visit.

The Sisters Tea Room was exactly what you would expect:

Merrily miniature

Lots of florals

Dainty and delectable

Detail driven from the sugared grapes to the teapot shaped sugars

+Ashley Keene  and I went with the Seasonal Teas which included a winter blend and a pumpkin chai.

We lunched on the Tea Sandwiches which included cucumber with green goddess cream cheese, curried chicken salad on a croissant, seasonal veggie wrap which included a hummus spread, and the roast beef with horseradish mayo on a cheese roll.

We got Olivia the dessert fancies which included a brownie with cherry, chocolate cheesecake, a cream puff, and blueberry strudel.

She, however, was much more interested in pouring and drinking the milk than she was with eating any of the food.

For a pot of tea, the four mini sandwiches, and the 4 dessert bites my bill was $15 - which is, in my mind, totally worth the experience (probably would be an even better deal if you could actually sit and converse while sipping your tea instead of trying to keep a still hungry 5 year old entertained! Not to worry, they had to go cups which they happily handed over when someone's good manners started shifting).

My only suggestion would be a kid friendly option (so I wouldn't have had to ask for those to-go cups quite so soon) such as a grilled cheese cut in the flower shape like the egg salad sandwich was or an old-school french toast stick drizzled with some syrup.

Thank you for a lovely brunch!

New Year's Resolutions - 15 for 15 - and a quote that aligns with each for good measure

So looking back at last January's blog posts I managed to complete some 3/9 New Year's goals which has me at a rather pathetic 33%. So this year, my goal is to improve my score - even if only by a few percentage points. Here are this year's goals:

1. Complete the 2015 Reading Challenge 
To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life. ~W. Somerset Maugham  

2. Find a new place to call home and simplify  
Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. ~William Morris

3. Master two Yoga inversions
Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. ~Bhagavad Gita

4. Visit a new city
Wanderlust: a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world, to discover one's very existence 

5. Finish Destinos series (aka learn to speak Spanish) 
Anything can happen child. Anything can be. ~ Shel Silverstein

6. Listen more - talk less 
Be curious, not judgmental. ~Walt Whitman

7. Complete the Color Run 
When was the last time you did something for the first time? 

8. Get my (re)imaginings pilot off the ground 
She lets her imagination run away with her.

9. Three hours of not looking at my phone a day  
And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling. ~Shani

10. 1 hour of uninterrupted Olivia time a day
Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing. 

11. Find more serenity.  
She is clothed with strength & dignity and laughs without fear of the future. ~Proverbs 31.25

12. Register for a class for my Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies Certificate
Respond to every call that excites your spirit. ~ Rumi

13. Take Liv to the 2015 International Children's Festival 
"Our lives are connected by 1000 invisible threads -  along those sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes & return to us as results" ~Melville 

14. Host a gratitude dinner
Be with those who help your being. ~ Rumi

15. Take Olivia to Pride parade
It's not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.  ~ L.R Knost


My Mantras for this Year: 
Not My Circus. Not My Monkeys. (Polish Proverb)
What Other People Think of Me Is None of My Business. 

Lots of love this new year,

k

Gifting Experiences

So I love giving and getting gifts, but I like it even more when that gift is an experience - sure there are the typical ones like massages and a pedicure, but when I started to think about what I spend in any given year on theater tickets, mini-getaways, and lessons I began to ask: why the heck am I not wrapping these up and gifting these to my child so it feels more like a privilege then just an ordinary state of affairs - of which it is both. It is not unusual for Olivia to vacation yearly, enjoy nights out at movies and life performances, or participate in some type of enrichment activity and yet these events are a privilege as SO many people are not afforded similar types of experiences. I know several adults who have yet to attend a ballet or travel outside of the state while by age 5 Liv has a stamped passport and orchestra seating at Playhouse Square. I don't want her to take these types of opportunities for granted so while she gets a few of her 'wish list' toys (I try to encourage puzzles and crafts) I really attempt to give her presents whose reach extend beyond the month of December. Here were some of the experiences she found under the tree this year:

Spanish lessons starting in January at Camp Globo represented by our Spanish styled Rapunzel

Ticket to see Beauty and the Beast

Ticket to see Cinderella

Ticket to the Ice Capades (I never knew that was two words - huh!)

And for my sister and brother-in-law

And for mom and Joe

Other cool gifts our family has given/received throughout the years have included a fishing charter trip, the deck,  a white-water rafting package, Universal Studio tickets, a Costa Rican waterfall excursion, an area golf package, and oh so perfect for the holidays a Straight No Chaser concert.

Hands down, one of the most generous experiences my husband and I were ever gifted was our honeymoon. At the time, Joe and I had just purchased our first home and so we didn't have the money to honeymoon right away. However, leave it to my amazing bridal party to all chip in and purchase us a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas.

Know someone who has always wanted to run a 5k - how about paying for their registration for an upcoming race? Or perhaps a hot air balloon ride for the romantic in your life (so jealous my friend Katie received this gem from her sweet husband)? A beer-brewing or cooking class for your hard to buy for significant other? Maybe a friend whose been a little down lately could benefit from some comic relief at one of the local comedy venues?

The possibilities are endless and the recipient gets to experience the joy of the gift twice - both upon receipt and when they actually engage in the experience.

The gifts need not be extravagant either - for instance, there is still time to purchase the following for me before the holiday officially ends at midnight tomorrow :)

I can't help but think to a few favorite movies for some virtually if not totally cost-free examples, namely the night of star-gazing at an airplane graveyard from Can't Buy Me Love or the picnic from Up. 

A few years ago I surprised Joe by pre-arranging with his boss a scheduled vacation day of which he knew nothing about until his alarm went off at 6:00 am and I told him to hit snooze - that he was off for the day. I'm pretty sure that 'non'-experience experience ranked pretty high in his book of best gifts ever.

What are some of your favorite gifts of experience? What is on your wish-list? I'd love to start racking up some ideas for next year's holiday season :)