Bikes, Trains, Boats and Automobiles

As you know from my previous blog Festive Flag Day Birthday Celebrations,  I just celebrated my birthday. It was so much fun, I just had to share.  My mom who is the beautiful lady you see on our site, gave me a fabulous family heirloom - a Bakelite Cameo necklace.  What a wonderful gift, and no, you won't see it for sale on our site :-)


There were lots of special greeting on Facebook from friends and family. 

Raspberry Fool

On the Towpath Trail

Our friends Dennis and Jeanne drove from Cincinnati to Akron with a bounty of food and gifts.  They made some wonderful seafood dishes (see the lobster bisque recipe below) and brought gifts from Don Drumm Studio's and Gallery in Akron, Ohio. Jeff gave me some beautiful vintage jewelry and a new camera lens so I can take close up photos of our merchandise. He also made Raspberry Fool and ice-cream.

http://www.marthastewart.com/336871/raspberry-fool

The next day we spent biking the beautiful Ohio Erie Towpath Trail.  This trail follows the old Erie Canal.  After a scenic ride 18 mile bike ride,  we hopped the historic passenger train for an air-conditioned ride home.   What a deal for a $2 ride! We shared some popcorn and rode back in comfort to the train station. http://www.cvsr.com/aboutus.aspx.


Saturday was a trip to Jamies Flea Market http://jamiesfleamarket.com/ in South Amherst, Ohio.  We bought some great finds.  It is definitely a good place for those who like to pick and "junk" it. 


We had a late lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Mallorca in downtown Cleveland.   We shared wonderful Spanish food - paella, seafood stew, mussels and a stuffed salmon.  After we arrived home, we spent the rest of the day boating on the Portage Lakes.  We love cruising the lakes, relaxing and looking at the homes. 


Just when I thought the celebration was over, our son and daughter Beth and Danny pulled up in the driveway Sunday evening.  After Beth pulled an all nighter working in costume on a film in Kentucky and Danny had just finished studying for finals, they drove in a nasty rain storm to surprise me with a delicious homemade dinner, gifts and a DQ cake. 


What a wonderful weekend!  How lucky and fortunate I am to have such special friends and family.  Thank you for making life so special.

Dennis and Jeanne's Lobster Bisque