What's happening:
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| I have never had an amaryllis before, so did not know what to expect. It was a gift to me at Thanksgiving and it did have two small blooms, nearer to the bulb at Christmas. I decided to just leave it be and the thing took off and provided me four huge blooms on Valentine's Day. Maybe more blooms for Easter? It seems to know when there's a holiday. |
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| For Valentine's Day, we finally ventured out of our house and drove to downtown Akron's Canal Place. The old BF Goodrich tire factory has been transformed into a few breweries and we were there to check it out! Fun fact: My paternal grandfather and my grandmother's stepfather both worked for BF Goodrich and is why they moved to Akron from southern Ohio and Altoona, PA. I guess you could say I wouldn't be here if this place never gave them jobs back in the late 1920's. |
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| The inside of the brewery we visited was still very industrial. |
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| I do love a cool mural. |
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| We were excited to try their Valentine's flight along with a pizza. It was a fun Saturday date. |
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| Remember that big pile of snow on my deck? We had two 65 degree days in a row last weekend, but that pile is still hanging in there. I'm waiting to see how long it lasts. |
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| In other outdoor news, this weird leaning tree cracked in our backyard. I suppose we'll have to pay someone $700 to come take it down. Thanks, Mother Nature! |
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| Middle Child had a birthday last week and wanted to try a new (to us) Italian restaurant. That girl loves her pasta. After many years of eating at different Italian joints, I've come to the conclusion that each place has their three sauces (usually a red sauce, marsala, and alfredo) enabling them to just stand in the kitchen spooning the sauce onto whatever shaped pasta or meat you order. They never have to change the menu or re-invent themselves. I ask you, who wants marsala sauce on their salmon? Is breaded chicken with red sauce (parmigiana) that much different than breaded chicken (marsala)? #notimpressed |
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| Looks like we'll be living with this longer than was initially promised. The first tub we chose and was ordered in November is no longer being made. The second one is of course backordered, as is the water closet door. The joys of remodeling! |
Beautiful amaryllis! I have never had one. Wow!
ReplyDeleteIf you don't think the leaning tree would hit anything when it fell maybe you could just wait--LOL!
We are expecting melting weather for the next week it says. Might even hit 40 degrees! Right now--wind chill warnings and it's -6 degrees. Spring? Never sure till at least May--LOL!
Hi Rita! Unfortunately, leaning tree might knock a few other trees over that would then hit our house. Oh boy, you must be north of me with that wind chill. We had what looks like 3 inches of snow overnight. But, yes, you can’t be safe until mid-May!
DeleteOoooo...that amaryllis is beautiful. Love the color!
ReplyDeleteI have such a passion for all-things "industrial", so I really like the looks of the brewery. I've never been to Pittsburg but I'm thinking of visiting, just to check it out, because I love how industrial that city looks - particularly all the bridges.
I don't drink beer, however, that menu would make me want to try one. Yum-my!
And speaking of snow, it's supposed to get very cold and snow here today. More like a rain/snow. Crazy though, because for the past few days it's been very warm and spring-like.
Tell your Middle Child that I totally understand her PASTA passion because I'm the same. In fact, I made some pasta with a pesto sauce (Trader Joe's) a few nights ago and it was delicious. And I'm with you about sauce. I like to change things up whenever I have pasta and try something different. Sometimes I simply like olive oil and chopped garlic over my pasta.
Sure hope you get your tub soon!
Have a faaaaaabulous weekend, my friend! X
I think you’d really like Pittsburgh. I haven’t visited there in a very long time, but lots of neat bridges and museums. I think you’d really enjoy it. We had the rain turned to snow yesterday. Looks like 3 inches on the deck, so our little snow pile grew again!
DeleteMiddle Child favors tortellini with pesto sauce. That’s her all time favorite. I think my favorite is my homemade veggie lasagna. I use tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini and the very thin noodles, so it’s more like homemade pasta. Better than restaurants! Have a great weekend! XO
What a very sweet and redundant amaryllis. I love gifts like that; they just keep on giving!
ReplyDeleteHow cool about the BF Goodrich connection; you do have to be thankful for those tires, right? Look where they took your family.
So sad about the tree AND the tub situation. Goodness, that can be frustrating. But I know in the end you will be so happy with your new bathroom.
The amaryllis currently has 5 skinny palms/stalks that are as tall as the flowers were. It looks quite tropical, which makes me happy. Everyone who grew up in Akron was there because of the many tire companies. It’s kind of a cool connection. My husband’s father worked for Firestone. The tub is another one of those raw material issues that began with the Texas hurricanes a few years back. Not sure when any of these businesses are going to catch up to the demand.
DeleteThe flower is beautiful! If that sort grows so easily, I might have to give it a try. I wonder if even *I* could keep it alive.
ReplyDeleteI recognize the tire factory from my Akron U. days. Cool that it's breweries now! I wholeheartedly approve. Sounds like your date night was ideal.
Fun that you're keeping track of the snow. Sad that the bendy tree is dying. I mean, it's a neat bendy tree. Too bad. :(
I hear you on Italian food. Hope the wine was good!
And I've never once heard someone talk about a remodel that didn't involve something being back ordered and something else going wrong at every other step. Seems to be par for the course. :/
What.a.minute……are you a Zip??? My husband and I are proud grads and met on May Day!!! Long before your days, but still, I knew there was something I liked about you! We walked the same hallowed halls. Very cool!
DeleteI’ve been known to kill a plant or two. The trick is to not water frequently. Like, just ignore it until it’s parched and droopy.
Our little snow pile pet on the deck was revived last night with 3 inches. We are betting he will live till May.
I’m so tired of the remodel. These guys and their swiffering, just pushing the dirt around before they leave each day. Lame cleaning, in my book!
Beautiful amaryllis! Happy belated birthday to your daughter! LOL about your description of Italian restaurants. I won't mention that to my son who works at a "fine" ristorante though I'm pretty sure they have those sauces you described though I don't think they do a marsala or parmigiana :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun to explore those breweries in the old factory. I like when they repurpose a building instead of leaving it vacant and build something new. Glad it was a fun date for you and your husband!
Oh wow with your remodeling. It gives me second thoughts of wanting to do any here. That would drive me crazy!
Interesting with the tree. Kind of looks exotic like that though but I know can be a hazard.
Have a good weekend!
betty
It sounds like your son works at an upscale Italian restaurant, not the ones here that are just a half step above Olive Garden. You have to go downtown or to Little Italy to get better Italian here. And of course, you get what you pay for! I do love when they repurpose old buildings. They also hold wedding receptions there on the factory floor. Not my cup of tea, but I can see where some would like that. Having old trees is nice, but can also be costly. Happy Weekend!
DeleteSomeone gave me a waxed amaryllis over Thanksgiving last year. It only blooms once and then it's done. It was really pretty. I want to get a potted one so I can get blooms more often! Happy Belated Birthday to your daughter!
ReplyDeleteI don’t even know what waxed means, but yes, this one is potted. I googled and learned it can sit outside in the summer and then brought back in when Fall hits. I’m hoping it blooms again.
DeleteThe bulb was encased in wax instead of being planted in dirt. You don't have to water it or anything, just make sure it gets some sunlight. Now that I think about it, I should have taken the wax off when the flowers died and tried to plant it in dirt! Oh well!
DeleteI learned something new! Very interesting.
DeleteWe've never had an amaryllis. Sounds like they're very robust and don't need a lot of attention. I think our Italian restaurants are a bit less lazy than yours and don't just rely on three sauces! The restaurant pic is a bit puzzling - where are the tables and the customers? Or are they in an adjoining room?
ReplyDeleteYes, the amaryllis is not needy! The picture is just the entrance/lobby area of the restaurant we visited. It had a ‘Tuscan’ theme.
DeleteNever had one of those lovely bulbs-to-flowers.
ReplyDeleteLOVE how you said.... We finally ventured out... So true isn't it? -sigh-
But glad people are venturing out!!!!! And without masks!!!
We all just-got-to live or die with this virus.
Quality of Life... It's been missing for years now.
We need to take it back. Or just wither up and dry up. Yish....
🚫 ⏰ 🚫
The past few years have been exhausting, mentally and emotionally. It’s nice to be back to normal. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteThe date sounds fun
ReplyDeleteIt was something we enjoy doing.
DeleteAs you know, we have an apt-home (current terminology) in a former textile mill, so a repurposed factory would be of great interest to us as well, Bijoux. And, we have been in a few other than where we live. Hope the beers and food were good as the names were intriguing. We have several breweries here in Nashua, NH, most within walking distance of our apt. I agree with your comment about the basic sauces in Italian eateries. These days, most home projects are taking way longer than anticipated, also way more costly in some cases.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun for us to be able to walk to a brewery. We waited 9 years to start doing major projects here and the pandemic sort of pushed us into doing something big. We will be thrilled when it's over and we can use our bathroom again.
DeleteI'm pretty sure Tara has or had an amaryllis at one time. It looks familiar. I'm just not sure, because she is slowly transforming our home into a jungle. One leaf at a time.
ReplyDeleteLove the way they transformed the tire factory into a brewery!
And now that I've lived on the Northern Plains a few years, I have learned how exciting it can be to watch how long it takes for big piles of snow to melt. You can even make a game out of it if you're so inclined, ha.
I'm still freaked out about the flower pot over your head at night! We are considering naming our deck snow pile so that he can be a temporary pet that lives outside. Finally, a pet even I can handle!
DeleteBTW, I'd love to pick your brain about something over email sometime, if you're comfortable. I'll totally understand if not though.
ReplyDeleteI replied to you on your blog.
DeleteWe had an amaryllis at Christmas that was pretty. I cut it back once the flowers faded and left it alone. By Valentine's Day it had re-bloomed in a smaller, but just as pretty, way. Because we're waiting on cabinets we have yet to start our bathroom remodeling, but should it ever begin I imagine we're going to run into similar problems as you have. Oh joy, I say sarcastically.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like most bulbs bloom smaller the second time, so it was odd to me that mine tripled in size and doubled in flowers. It was a miracle our cabinet were made in time. I know that can take forever. Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.
DeleteThe flower is very pretty. Remodeling sounds stressful.
ReplyDeleteIt’s stressful, but I can’t wait to try out the new shower!
DeleteSounds like a nice Valentine's Day. Regarding Italian restaurants, I've often wondered if local options are actually authentic. Years ago when I was a teenager, I had a classmate whose grandmother was from Italy. I was lucky enough to be invited for dinner (a few times) and can honestly say that the that they made way back then was quite different from what I find in Italian restaurants today.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. Italian food, like Chinese food, has been Americanized to the point where it’s really not the same.
Deletegreat your post. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome.
DeleteThe amaryllis is gorgeous! I'd probably kill it within a week. I just noticed 2 of the plants that I bought last summer are withered and dead. The other 5 are still thriving though, knock on wood. Oh, and I killed all 7 of the succulents I bought last summer too that everyone swore I couldn't kill. I do not have a green thumb, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteYikes on the tree. I love weird curvy trees, so I'd be really sad that I had to have that one come down.
We don't go out for Italian. It seems to be way overpriced and I can usually make it better at home for so much cheaper. Sorry you weren't impressed with the dinner, but even on less impressive food outings, I'm sure the company made it all worthwhile.
I freaking hate how the whole house seems to be in disarray when even just one room is being remodeled. Here's hoping you can get your bathroom wrapped up soon!
The trick is to just not water. Seriously, stuff dies from being over hydrated, esp. succulents. It does taste better to make pasta at home! I totally agree, and so much cheaper. I’ve discovered open floor plans suck when you are remodeling. There’s no where to hide! Lol!
DeleteI think not having a cat would help my plants too. She just killed one of my last window plants today by continuously smacking it off the sill. Just when I think my kids are grown and I can have nice things, I stupidly get a cat and realize I will never be able to have nice things LOL.
DeleteI don’t do pets!
DeleteThat amaryllis is so pretty! I wish we could have plants inside, but the six cats make it a really bad idea.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your tree! It's so frustrating to spend that kind of money to get rid of something.
It’s only been since we moved here that I’ve bought indoor plants.I have a great kitchen window to put most of them. Yes, spending money to remove something is painful.
DeleteGoodness, the amaryllis is beautiful! And this is coming from someone who just found out what an amaryllis is.
ReplyDeleteLove the BF Goodrich brewery and that fabulous mural. It's amazing how these old buildings can have a second life.
And I was impressed with your family's connection with the place.
A good Italian restaurant serves a lot more just pasta. When you come to Brooklyn I'll take you to some of my favorites!
It seems like the amaryllis became popular over the last decade, so I’m late to the game, too. Most people from Akron were there because of their connections to the tire industry 100 years ago. Sadly, that’s long gone. At least they have Gojo Industries now (makers of Purcell) and Goodyear still has their HQ there. The last time I was in NY’s Little Italy, I had some fantastic pizza and gelato. Have a great rest of your week!
DeletePurell! Thanks autocorrect!
DeleteI am beginning to think that I will live out my life in a construction zone! But at least it is contained within a walk-out basement, but the next project will involve areas where we "live". Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt can definitely seem like forever.
DeleteAmaryllis are amazing! So beautiful! I have never seen a red one. You are so right about the Italian places; I myself figured the same thing out, and ditto for the Mexican dining establishments. My thing is, it's so easy to make homemade sauce and cook up any shaped pasta you want, and do the same thing at home. But it is fun to go out to eat at an Italian place that does it right. Here in Columbia my pick would be Alodia's, but we have not been there in so many years that I don't even think about it anymore. I am so sorry about your tub! Aaarrggghhh! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMexican does seem to be similar. They have maybe three sauces that are used with every dish. And most of the food is the same, it’s just eaten in different carriers (enchilada, taco, taquito). Today, they finished the plumbing, except for the tub. Next is electrical, so we are at least seeing progress.
DeleteGood to see folk are getting out and about. Give me a few months and maybe I'll be back in circ!
ReplyDeleteIt feels normal again!
DeleteWe had an amaryllis plant last year. It bloomed beautiful flowers right around NYE. It continued to grow these long, green leaves. The leaves got so long that they were almost scary. LOL We cut it down and planted it in the yard. Let's see if they pop up this year. I had to laugh at your Italian restaurant comment. Since I cook Italian food all of the time, we try to stay away from it at restaurants. I'm almost never impressed.
ReplyDeleteYes! My amaryllis is now in the long leaf phase, so long they are starting to fall down. I’m debating whether to put it on the deck this summer and bring it back in come Fall. I was wondering what you’d think of my saucy opinion!
DeleteLovely amaryllis plant. Look forward to seeing what it decided to do for Easter. Your Saturday adventure looked like fun. What a cool looking brewery. Glad they kept some of the industrial look alive. Take care and hang in there with the remodeling project.
ReplyDeleteI will be excited if it blooms again. We do love our beer. We often wonder what we did before craft breweries! Electrical phase will be completed tomorrow!
DeleteI think Amaryllis celebrate your valentine's day with its blossom. This is so nice.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was lovely.
DeleteYes, jobs back in 1920 was a big thing.
ReplyDelete$700 for taking down a tree? That is real steep.
I think the liability insurance is what drives up the tree cutting business.
DeleteStill doing a bit of back reading. OH MY...chocolate beer and pizza, that just sounds so delicious. The industrial look doesn't always interest me, but that place looks kinda cool.
ReplyDeleteLove the flower!
Have a great weekend!
~Mary
Thanks so much for stopping back again!
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