More Italian Fun

 At our Italian language class yesterday we celebrated our classmate Judy's birthday.

 Make a wish Judy!

 After class we headed to downtown Long Beach to meet Mitra's sister Bita who is visiting from Iran. We met up at Padre's.

Margarita Time!

 "The two sisters, Bita and Mitra"

 Isa joined the party

 It was a fun Friday night.

 How nice to finally meet Bita!

The Way They Like It

Losing An Illusion

"Losing an illusion makes you wiser
than finding a truth." -Ludwig Borne

Recipe for Happiness

"Italy and the spring and first love altogether should suffice to make

the gloomiest person happy." -Bertrand Russell

 

Spello, Italy  image from Art People Gallery

The Last Full Day of Family Fun in Ohio

 March 19, 2017

 On our last full day in Ohio we met up with Mike's brothers Rock and Tony and their wives Mary and Linda and our nephew Trace. We had fun at a place called "Old City" in the Gordon Square Arts District.
 
OLD CITY LIBATIONS
6706 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Here I am with my sister in laws on our way to eat Pierogis at Old City sodas. 

"The emphasis was originally on the sodas, but old city is  a full-fledged bar," 
 The menu focuses on meat and cheese plates, pretzels served with a variety of sauces and build-your-own pierogi.
  "The pierogi will come with various toppings, everything from caramelized onions to pimento cheese to chicken paprikash."

 After lunch we shopped and packed and gathered together back home to say our goodbye's. Tony, Linda and Trace left late afternoon to catch their plane home.  

We went over to Aunt Fifi's house to say our goodbye to her later that evening.  Time to pack up and get ready for an early morning flight home.  What a wonderful time this was for all of us to be together and to reminisce and to honor Lucy as we said our final goodbyes to her. She leaves a wonderful legacy of a life well lived.

 This is a painting that Lucy's mother brought back from Italy. It hangs in her living room.  When Sofia would look at it she would point and say "Water" and then "boats". 

Mary's Diner

On Saturday March 18th after a morning adventure in the wine country we discovered a wonderful family restaurant called "Mary's Diner".

 This beautifully decorated 1950's era restaurant is owned by Neil (pictured below) and Nicole LaRusch.

 They were both on hand along with Neil's father who greeted us warmly upon arrival.  

 This family style restaurant serves wonderful comfort food at reasonable prices.  Portions are plentiful. Service is friendly and prompt. Everything is made from scratch and so delicious.

Lake Erie perch sandwich

Open faced pot roast sandwich

 We found Mary's Diner on yelp with great reviews that were spot on. We love this place.

 Did someone mention dessert?  Oh yeah Mary's Diner makes home made pies daily. 

 We ordered practically one of everything  and  they were delicious!

Coconut  cream pie

 apple pie

Banana Cream pie

 and "Sweetie pie" don't ask me why? we were so stuffed from lunch but we could not resist and they said, "You have to try our sweetie pie!"  So we did.  Yummy.

Here I am with the owner Neil La Rusch.  Thank you Neil for such a great dining experience.  We highly recommend "Mary's Diner" in Geneva, Ohio.  There is also a sister restaurant "Mary's Kitchen" in nearby Geneva on the Lake. I'm sure it's fantastic too. 

The Last Days of Our Trip to Ohio

 On Saturday morning March 18th very early the kids woke up to catch their flight back to Missouri.  We were able to hold Sofia  while the kids gathered their luggage.  Hard to say goodbye to this little one.

 Later that morning the remainder of the  troops (Rock, Mike, Tony, Linda, Trace and I) drove to the countryside for Ice Wine Tasting. 

 

 The three brothers Mike, Rock and Tony

 We then moved on to beer tasting

From here we drove through the scenic countryside to a great diner called "Mary's Diner" but more on that in tomorrow's blog.