Spring Flee

Each season's Flee is a hodge podge of crafters, food stations, and local shoppes clearance racks. And each time it is packed with an equally eclectic mix of our local population. The weather was ideal, the warmest day yet and we ate our lunch on the grass. I couldn't pass up the chevron coasters despite the fact that they are nicer than our scrap wood lopsided coffee table.

Afterwards Tasha introduced me to City Folks Farm Shop. This darling gardening shop features seedlings, burlap sacks of composted dirt for just $3, and the cutest little pooch, Olive. The customer service was so impressive that I've gone back three weeks in a row, also maybe because Olive is so cute.

We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the sun cross the sky in Tasha's backyard with Toby and Logan fighting over sticks.

The 4th

This is what the 4th of July looks like in Columbus. It's pretty much the best.

Ohio Roller Derby

Completely unplanned, Sarah scheduled her birthday party at the same roller derby tournament as Jason's bachelor party. There were plans to embarrass the boys but by the time they arrived we had turned into such die-hard, kazoo blowing, screaming fans that we couldn't peal ourselves away from the game. Typically I would rather watch my cats for an hour than watch a game of any sport but roller derby really does it for me. Maybe partly because I know that these gnarly ladies have full time lives and jobs outside of the rink.

I wonder if they offer season passes?

An enchanted orchid forest

My mother came for a short visit last Saturday. The day was quickly filled with art galleries, conservatories, sharing photo's, and starting huge endeavors.

The Franklin Park Conservatory was hosting their enchanting Orchid Forest Exhibit. It's undeniably the best place to escape all the snow. The flowers hang and shoot from every corner. Many of them looking like foreign insect strung together. They even creating an intricate spinning castle with a train that runs around it and of course their are orchids growing all over it.

I'm considering a membership. According to Sara, a current holder of one, it entitles free visits with a visitor and is good for other cities conservatories as well!

The goodness of butter

This past week I took a yogurt and butter making class (a.k.a. Columbus hippie gathering) with Snowville's owner Warren Taylor. Whoa was it awesome! He taught us yogurt making with Kefir (not sure yet if my body agrees with this stuff) and butter making which is shockingly simple.


• The whipping cream just needs about 5-10 minutes in a mixer (medium speed) until it turns to curds.
• Scoop up balls of the good stuff and gently squeeze out the liquid over a colander and bowl (the liquid is buttermilk so don't disregard it!)
• I went through the squeezing process twice because the more liquid you remove he longer it will keep.

• Then store the butter and buttermilk in the fridge until your ready to use.


The best part of making your own butter is that you can experiment with flavoring it. You could infuse it with herbs, garlic, honey, whatever strikes you.

I heart Columbus - Downtown

This once dead little cluster of buildings has begun to resuscitate into a thriving metropolis. It's still in the beginning phase. There are clusters of construction and open soon signs. Most restaurants still close at 3pm but those that stay open are packed in the evening. New galleries like OSU Urban Artspace, the endless list of theatre events, and cool hangouts like Dirty Franks all help to bring our downtown back to life.

Faves

...favorite season that is. Isn't Columbus gorgeous? Most of these pictures were taken along the bike trail which I just discovered is a the end of my street.

I love Columbus - Local Food Week

Visit eatlocalohio.org

Country Living Fair 2010

Being an old lady at 25 has it's perks. Like shamelessly counting down the days to The Country Living Fair. And being one of the first ones there on an early weekend morning to spend the afternoon sifting through antiques and handmade goods while sipping on lemonade. Not just any lemonade, the crunchy sugar kind. $5 magazine subscriptions and pumpkin pyramids, could it get any better?

On a side note, the fair was held at The Ohio Historical Village. Why do they not advertise this place?!?! It is amazing. More on that later.

I heart Columbus - PechaKucha

Defined by the ever reliable Wikipedia: "Pecha Kucha Night events consist of around a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds. Each presenter has just 6 minutes 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next presenter takes the stage. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise, fast-paced and entertaining."

Last night I attended Columbus' 14th PechaKucha. It consisted mostly of presenters speaking passionately about different aspects of Columbus, calling us all to care a little more. The air vibrated with the intense patriotism that Columbusites have towards their homeland and I was reminded once again why I have chosen this city.

Fireworks and why bikes are better

My friends parents were generous enough to open up there downtown condo to us young things to watch Red White and Boom. I made a wise choice of taking my bicycle and I flew from work, down closed city streets, to the condo. The view is breath taking and it's hard not to feel lucky to see the show from up above rather than in the sea of people. Columbus continues to impress me, the show was amazing with a huge rumbling finale.

And after it was all said and done the four of us jumped on our bicycles and strolled our way home through the stopped traffic.