iNeed a Playdate: fall iNeed a Playdate a Blog for Northeast Ohio Moms
Showing posts with label fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fall. Show all posts

11.04.2014

Looking Back on Fall in Northeast Ohio

Looking Back on Fall in Northeast Ohio

Autumn is coming to a close and with it all the fun fall activities!


I feel like we did a lot more outside last fall than this but we certainly did a lot and I wanted to take a moment and share our memories.

Looking Back on Fall in Northeast Ohio


Halloweekends at Cedar Point pretty muched kicked off the season for us.

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on

10.21.2014

It's ColorFall at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens


Autumn in the Cleveland Botanical Garden is ColorFall and we spent the day exploring the Hershey Garden searching for scarecrows and enjoying the cool, beautiful day.


A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on

HarryPOTer  | ColorFall at CLE Botanical Garden

9.26.2014

Thoughts on Autumn (plus some pics of Northeast Ohio)

Thoughts on Autumn (plus some pics of Northeast Ohio)

Fall always makes me feel like I'm in love.


Sweet and pure.

Innocent.

9.18.2014

My Fall TV Favorite: The Demon in Dean

Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel. - Abdelnour

I am a collector of quotes.  Long before tumblr and pinterest, I had a pen and a notebook.  I would scribble them in margins, underline them in books, and put them in my planner on the date that I heard it.

I love words.  I love that really clever people string these wonderful sounds together to form a thought that I wish I had thought of first.  So, instead I collect them.

As I was thinking of what to write this week I came across some that I really dig, but I have no story to tell to go with them.  I filed them away until the perfect story came to mind that would fit one of them and kept searching until I found "Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel." from Ziad K. Abdelnour.

Then I saw this tweet...

9.17.2014

Northeast Ohio Bucket List Events | September 18 - 24


We are in full fall mode!  Are you?

Last weekend we did Cedar Point's Halloweekends which was a howling good time! Check it out here!

9.10.2014

Fall Events in Northeast Ohio You Can't Miss

Fall Events in Northeast Ohio You Shouldn't Miss

Fall in Northeast Ohio is amazing.  Besides the trees changing color and the cooler temperatures, our area has some fantastic fall activities for the family and many are free.


Funny side note - I originally planned to feature four events but I just could not pick just four!


Starting this weekend is Chalk Fest at the Cleveland Art Museum which happens to be the same weekend as Second Sundays at the Museum.  


We love going to Second Sundays (read about one here) and this month's theme is America the Beautiful.  The Chalk Fest is a celebration of light and talent using chalk.  Everyone can join in the fun and there are some amazingly talented people who participate. Their ability to make images jump off the sidewalk is inspiring.  Walk around or join in, either way fun will be had.


Quick and cute story - the Husband and I had one of our very first dates there twenty years ago.  Of course back then we were just friends and ten years after that date we started dating.

Also this weekend is Cleveland One World Festival along MLK in Cleveland's Cultural Gardens.


Ethnic food, performers, and even a parade Saturday.  Check out their schedule for more details.



Northeast Ohio Bucket List Events | September 11 - 17


Got my Pumpkin Latte and I am ready to do fall and all of the fun!

Some of my all time favorite things happen this month check out my list of fall favorites.  Don't worry - it is a short one but worth it!

THIS WEEK'S NORTHEAST OHIO EVENT BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS

9.03.2014

Northeast Ohio Bucket List Events | September 2 - 9



Hello Fall in Northeast Ohio and our Event Bucket List post for 2014!

Summer is over!  

Back to homework, early bed times, and dreading the first snow fall.  I will predict it will be Halloween, just that day, and then not again till December 24th.  

When is the time change?

Check out this week calendar!  There is so much going on in September my head is already spinning! 

THIS WEEK'S NORTHEAST OHIO EVENT BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS

10.30.2013

Last Minute Halloween Treat: Pinterest win or fail?


Last night I decided to make Halloween treats for my son's third grade class


I scrolled through pinterest and found two ideas that were easy enough and did them.  I'm actually a little proud of these and wanted to share.  No, they are not as pretty as the originals but they were so easy to do and I know the kids will be happy.  Oh, who am I kidding - these could be unrecognizable and the kids would still be happy to get sugary sweets at school.

I also went a little crazy and made chocolate covered pretzels fingers but that was not as hard as I thought it would be and my favorite craft store had 75% off everything Halloween and fall related - score!

The original pin



Mine

(I left the foil on since it was going to school)



The original pin



Mine




Easy peasy, right?

Dip the pretzels in chocolate, put on wax paper and add green chocolate for the steam when it dries.  I put the chocolate in the freezer to make the drying go faster.  While I was doing that, baby girl put the pretzels in the peanut butter cups.

Pinterest win or fail?


Witch's Fingers



10.18.2013

Fall Harvest at @WRHS_History's Hale Farm Village (psst... don't miss it!)

~ this post is sponsored by Western Reserve Historical Society.  All opinions are mine ~


The Annual Hale & Farm and Village Harvest Festival is going on this weekend but we went last weekend under the threat of stormy skies.  Lucky for us we did not let the weather sway us because it was a gorgeous day in the country exploring what it was like before electricity.

As we walked through the village we got to see how apple cider was pressed (too many bees to actually try it), watched apple butter being made, pick apples and shuck corn.  The kids ran freely through the open spaces, jumped into leaves, explored a maize maze and even tried their hands at farming (sort of).  There was also pumpkin painting and a hay ride for more traditional Halloween fun.  Of course, our hay ride was us under an umbrella but it was still fun!

If you haven't made plans for this weekend, or even if you have, this should be on the must do list.  The fall colors are brilliant, even on an over cast day.

Admission:
$10 adults; $5 children and WRHS Members are free 

Buy your tickets online today!
Saturday, October 19
Sunday, October 20

Harvest Festival Activities
12:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Livestock Talk -Oxen at the Hale Carriage Barn

1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Johnny Appleseed at the Hale House Apple Orchard

All Day Activities
Gatehouse Visitor Center & Patio
Apple Cider, Apple/Pumpkin Butters & Breads
Hand-crafted at Hale items available at the Museum Store
Straw Pile, Wagon Rides, Pumpkin Painting

Hale House & Barnyard
Apple Cider Press, Apple Orchard & Johnny Appleseed
Home Crafts & Textile Demonstrations
Milking Shorthorn Oxen

Herrick House & Barnyard
Apple Butter Making
Sheep, Hogs & Chickens
Farm Implements

Early American Crafts & Trades
Blacksmith, Glassblowing, Broom Making, Spinning & Weaving

Corn Maze & Corn Picking












This post is sponsored by Western Reserve Historical Society.  All options are 100% mine. Western Reserve Historical Society provided our family with a year membership.

8.28.2013

Our #HappyinCLE Bucket List for September in Northeast Ohio!


Hello September!  I have scoured the web (and stalked my blogger friends like @FindTimeforFun) to find what will be on our bucket list of things to do in September.

I also, finally, figured out a use for Google calendar! Sure this is a lazy way to go but there is so much to-do going on in September!  Heck, I even started a Pinterest board!


Bucket List for September in Northeast Ohio Top Picks

10.12.2012

Because You Always Wanted to Make (Super Easy) Pumpkin Bread


Fall is cool weather, Cleveland Browns, leaves turning and making anything pumpkin flavored.  I was inspired today to make pumpkin bread but, some time ago I lost all of my loaf pans.  But, I do have a mini loaf pan and muffin tins so what started off as pumpkin bread turned into pumpkin muffins and because pumpkin muffins are boring, I threw in mini chocolate chips.


Super Easy Pumpkin Muffin/Bread/Cupcakes

  • Two boxes of cake mix.  I use Betty Crocker because they participate in Box Top for Education.
  • One large can of pure canned pumpkin.
  • Mini chocolate chips.  I had half a bag left over from the brownies I made so I used the rest of them for this.
Dump it all in one big bowl and stir, stir and stir some more
Grease your baking pan(s) with Crisco
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes




Told you it was easy!

Want more pumpkin?  I have two more recipes here.

9.22.2012

Six Word Memoir - Fall

Mourning the end of summer.  Hello fall.

 






11.24.2011

Because You Want to Make Pumpkin Tiramisu

Because You Want to Make Pumpkin Tiramisu


When I was pregnant with my son, my mom's health problems had gotten worse. She even moved in to our apartment building so it would be easier to help her.

I must admit, it was wonderful having her in the same building, even if the reason was not ideal. It certainly made helping her easier and it was nice that she could see the baby whenever she wanted. Not going to lie, in house sitter was a bonus!


Baby getting blessedShe had been encouraging us for some time to get our son baptized. Not that he was not going to be baptized, but I was feeling overwhelmed and there just did not seem to be a rush. At least until it was decided my mom was going to need surgery and she insisted that we have it done so she could be a part of the ceremony. Her surgery was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving. The. day. before. Thanksgiving.

Since Thanksgiving day was going to be stressful enough we decided to have Corey baptized the Sunday before Thanksgiving and after the ceremony, have our Thanksgiving dinner with all the bells and whistles.  

I spent all of Saturday cooking and cleaning to finally lay down around 2:00 AM to be woken - five minutes later to a screaming, feverish infant who we had to take to the emergency room. We spent SEVEN hours in that emergency room and got home with just enough time for a quick shower and change before going to the church for his baptism. But, you know, whatever - still a HUGE success. It was, by far, one of my favorite Thanksgivings to this day. 

It was, also, the first time that I ever made tiramisu and the last time, until this year. 

What does any of this have to do with anything this fine day of Thanksgiving?

Absolutely nothing!

But, I made Super-Simple Pumpkin Tiramisu and want to share the recipe.

Super-Simple Pumpkin Tiramisu

1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
3/4 cup sugar
1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese
1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
2 (3-ounce) packages halved ladyfingers
1/4 cup rum (Captain Morgan is best)
2 ounces crushed amaretti cookies

Beat whipping cream and sugar until peaks form. Add mascarpone cheese, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice; beat just until filling is smooth.

Line bottom of 9-inch-diameter spring-form pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with 1 package ladyfingers, overlapping and crowding to fit. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons rum. Spread half of filling over ladyfingers.

Repeat with second package ladyfingers, remaining 2 tablespoons rum, and remaining filling. Smooth. Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Chill overnight.

To un-mold, run knife around inside edge of pan. Release pan sides; sprinkle with amaretti cookies.




Writing Prompts:

1.) Share a Thanksgiving recipe you will be cooking up this week.

Google+ Google+