Eastern Market

When I went to Sarah's two years ago to wedding dress shop we went to Eastern Market in D.C. I loved it then and knew I wanted to go back. Luckily, Dan and Sarah live right next to a golf course so when Tim and Dan played Sarah and I headed to the city. We parked at the metro and rode in. It was a glorious October day. Love this view of the Capitol as we crossed from the metro toward Eastern Market.

 

On weekends there is a flea market and a good amount of outdoor vendors set up.

 

 

I had to get a picture of these metal pink flamingos because Jen bought Sarah a couple of plastic ones for her wedding shower last year. These metal ones are a huge improvement!!

 

 Something for everyone...even Tim.

 

We walked around the outside area and just browsed. I didn't see too much that really caught my eye except a $35 yellow painted night stand. I couldn't get over the cheap price. We saw several more for $100 each. If we had a vehicle it would have been worth buying but not to haul on the metro. I did pick up a couple of old cookie cutters because I liked them and mom has some like them. We grew up making cookies and now I have followed suit and bake sugar cookies. I bought them (well, actually Sarah paid for them because I didn't have any small bills...I owe you Sarah. ;)) and walked away, then I thought, "hmph, if I asked mom for her cookie cutters she would probably give them to me." I don't know why I had never thought of it.

 

 

 Then we went inside. I love the inside market. I love looking at the baked goods, pastas and even the meats. Sarah did buy two steaks for Tim and Dan's dinner. We checked the seafood but prices were a bit higher so we bought scallops at Harris Teeter later. I loved all the fresh flowers too!! How beautiful.

 

For lunch Sarah had the crab cake sandwich just like last time we went and I picked the oyster sandwich. They were on a fresh homemade bun and were delicious!! We each shared a couple of bites of each other's sandwiches.

 

Then before we left we headed to the bakery for a little sweet. We were going to share a cupcake but I spotted a cannoli which I had never eaten before. It was good but next time I think I would pick the cupcake.

We walked back to the metro as we finished off our cannoli.  We stopped by Harris Teeter to pick up a couple of things and then back home to relax.

Barn Sales

Back in the summer the Hogan's invited us to visit when Sarah and Dan were there in August. With Tim's new job the timing just wasn't ideal so we didn't go. Well, of course Sarah was all sad and played the "but when will I get to see you again?" card. ;) So, we told her we would come up to visit in the fall since she wouldn't be in until Christmas. We planned to leave Thursday morning and drive back Sunday but Tim found out a couple of days before he had three meetings Friday morning he couldn't miss. So, we changed our plans and left Friday afternoon and came back Monday. I am so glad I have learned to be more flexible and just go with the flow. We didn't end up leaving until about two thirty because his meetings ran long. No big deal though.

We had an uneventful trip and arrived in Falls Church 9ish. We watched the rest of the baseball game...yes, still watching and waiting for the Cardinals to lose!! Thank goodness they were finally eliminated so I can get on with my life now. ;) Haha. I kid...kinda. =/

Saturday morning we got up and showered and headed to Frederick, Maryland to two barn sales!! Yes...barn sales!! Sarah had seen a story in The Washington Post a few weeks ago and suggested we go because of course she knew I would love it! Instead of playing golf Tim came along with us (not to worry he played golf the next day.) After all, he is my spotter! First stop was to the Stylish Patina's barn sale. There was a lot of good stuff. We bought a small ironstone platter, a silver candle snuffer and old pair of binoculars.
 

 

 

Then on to Chartreuse & co. It had several buildings to go through, including a large barn and old farm house. It also had some great stuff. I loved all the industrial pieces and lights. We ended up buying a metronome (we thought it was a radio until we got it home) made by Seth Thomas. I was sold when I saw that it said Seth Thomas because when I was a teenager I had a dream I had a baby and named him Seth Thomas. Obviously, that is where I go Seth's name. My parent's sold that brand clock in their jewelry store at one time. We also bought a clock that I loved too. I love old clocks but hadn't ever bought one. I loved the shape and color. It was different than any I had seen before.

 

I left there happy with our purchases! The area where the barn sales were was so beautiful. It was all farmland and farms everywhere. We also drove through a couple of little communities called Buckeystown and Adamstown which were so quaint with beautiful old homes. We passed several pumpkin patches too.

 

 

 

Since we were out that way we also stopped at Lucketts which I have wanted to go to for over two years. It was a great place to browse through but we were hungry for lunch and I had spent over my self imposed spending limit so we walked through a little quicker than I normally would have.

I definitely would like to go back to all three places sometime while Sarah still lives in NoVa. We stopped in Leesburg and ate a late lunch at a little pizza place. Then Sarah drove us around the Dulles Toll Road so we could see her Deltek office in Herndon. We listened to the end of the Virginia football game as we drove back to Sarah's. Whew, wish we hadn't. Virginia is having a ROUGH year! Such is the life of a Virginia fan. At least Tech lost too. Dan didn't have anything on us. ;)

 

We went back to Sarah's and just relaxed. We cooked dinner later and of course watched the baseball game.

 

Here are my barn sale finds in place at home.

 

Next up: Eastern Market.

Game 3

Going to a playoff game was all I expected it would be and more. I told Seth that I would much prefer coming to a Reds game in October than a fall foliage trip. That's only partly true. ;)

 

We left Pound around 10;30 a.m. and arrived in Cincinnati with plenty of time to park and walk to Great American Ball Park. We waited in line just for a few minutes before the gates opened.

 

I think I take a picture of this bridge every time I go to Cincinnati.

 

 

We found our seats and went down to watch the San Fransisco players warm up. We happened to be where the pitchers were throwing.

 

 

Tim Lincecum

Madison Bumgarner

Matt Cain

Sergio Romo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stage was set. It was less than a minute away from the first pitch. Then some idiot ran out onto the field. The funny thing is that I mentioned to Seth before the game about someone possibly doing that very thing.

 

 

First pitch from Homer. I was so glad we got to see Homer pitch.

 

 

It started well. It was actually a great game. Tied 1-1.

 

 

 

 

 

After the first inning I put my camera away so I could enjoy the game. When I took it out in the bottom of the ninth inning (hoping for a walk off win) I had left it on and the battery was dead. No harm though because the Giants ended up winning in the tenth inning. Boo!!

 

Homer was great. We have seen him turn every corner in his career this year. I'll just link this article about his pitching performance.

 

We left disappointed the Reds hadn't won but knowing they had two more games to try to win the series. It took us for ev er to get out of the parking lot and to the interstate (since our exit was closed and there were no detour signs...thanks a lot!) but after an hour we finally got on the road and arrived back home at 3:00 a.m. Long day but oh so worth it!!!

Cincy Weekend Part 2

Haha, how's that for a creative title?

After Friday's game we were able to witness something that had never been done before. Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman had bet someone earlier in the season if the Reds won ten games in a row he would shave his head. Well, win they did!! So, he challenges people to raise $20,000 for charity and he would have it done in front of the crown after Friday's game. They made it a pretty big deal. Members of his family were there and other folks on the field.

We were watching from a spot where some people got in front of us so we started walking to the car forgoing watching the Friday fireworks but stopped to watch the spectacle on the t.v. In all, $50,000 was raised and a celebrity who shall not be named because I don't particularly like him matched it so a total of $100,000 was raised for the Reds Community Fund. Now, that is impressive. Guess, it was worth it to Marty!



Like I said, we didn't stay for the fireworks so luckily missed most of the traffic exiting the game.

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. We used to park over in Covington, Kentucky and walk across to Cincinnati sometimes. I would like to do that again.

We were able to swing by Steak and Shake for something to eat and get back to the motel in time to watch all the coverage of Marty getting his head shaved.

The next day we slept in and didn't get out until eleven. I really wanted to go to the Worlds Longest Yard Sale at MainStrasse Village in Covington but since it was supposed to be in the upper 90's decided against it. Considering we were going to be outside at the game we thought air conditioned places might be best. We really didn't have a plan but ended up at Dicks, Walmart, Walgreens (buying moleskin for a blister...story of my life) and then driving around trying to find a Goodwill we could see from the Interstate. After two peoples sketchy directions we finally found it ourselves. Three empty frames for me and a couple of tee shirts for Seth later we headed into Cincinnati to find the Urban Outfitters. Of course we didn't know the directions but knew it was close to the University of Cincinnati. Seth looked it up on his phone and we exited on the correct exit but then of course it took awhile to actually find it. Let's see, driving around the inner city. Not for me. Thank goodness Tim was a trouper. He accidentally went up a one way street only once! We eventually found it, parked and went in. It is in an old church building. Seems wrong. I remember calling Urban Outfitters once to tell them to stop sending me their catalog because it was so offensive. The store-same thing. Jen would have liked it though.

After we left the store we drove around a bit more and went through a neighborhood of gorgeous older homes. They were the kind of homes we imagined the owner of the Reds would live in. Because we didn't want to pay to park and walk somewhere in the city to eat we drove back over on the Kentucky side and ate a late lunch before heading back over to the Ohio side again for the ballgame. The temperature heading to the game was 98 degrees. Hot much?

It was much more crowded before the Saturday game. We wanted to get there early to get our Johnny Cueto bobble heads. They gave out twenty five thousand and we were concerned we wouldn't get one if we didn't arrive early. Ha! Well, actually, we're just used to getting to the ballpark early.

We went around to the side where it was shaded though to get in line. 

We got a good view of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square from that side.

We got our bobble heads and went in to wait two hours for the game to start. Remember the temperature driving to the park? Yeah, and it was a lot more humid. It made for an uncomfortable two hours. Well, actually, it made for an uncomfortable few hours. there was a better breeze though and luckily it was overcast again. Thank goodness!

Mike Leake pitched. Let's just say I think Tim was right when he said he's the weak link. Not the best outing but the Reds won anyway!!



I put my camera away after I took these pictures of Mike Leake. It was hot and I just wanted to enjoy watching the game. Thank goodness they won so it made sitting at the hot humid game worth it!!

We decided no more August games for now on. We're thinking spring and fall are the best times to come. Guess, we'll see next year!

Cincinnati Weekend

We finally made it to Cincinnati over the weekend. I had tentatively planned to go to the St. Louis series in July because it was the same weekend as a flea market in Burlington, Kentucky but it didn't work out. This was a much better series with the Pittsburgh Pirates but no flea. Oh well, maybe next year. The Reds were in first place in the Central and the Pirates 3.5 games back going into the series. So, obviously a big series. It didn't disappoint.

We left Friday morning and made great time. Seth slept most of the way and missed lunch so we ordered a pizza before even going to the ballpark. this worked out perfectly since the food at Great American is just so so. I thought the gates opened two hours before the game so we left for the ballpark around 4:30.

One of my favorite views. Rounding the curve with the city in view.

The Cincinnati skyline has changed a lot in the twenty years we have been visiting.

Crossing the Ohio River.

We got there before five o'clock but the gates didn't open until 5:30 so we waited. We're used to getting to the ball game before the gates open. It was good to see a crowd already gathered too!

We made our way in, watched the Pirates' batting practice and found our seats. For the first time Seth didn't go to get any autographs. The lineup for Friday's game. Notice: no Votto (DL after knee surgery), no Phillips (injured calf), and no Bruce (terrible stats against the left handed pitcher.) Hmmm, I wasn't sure if the Reds could win without their best players.

It was pretty hot but there was a slight breeze occasionally. Thank goodness for the glorious clouds!!

The breeze off the river was great but it was pretty much blocked from our seats.

When the sun did appear for a few minutes before the game started I walked around to watch some of Reds Live. We pretty much watch this most nights before the games so it was interesting to see it taped live.

Our seats were in the outfield so we had a good view of the outfield players. Both games we went to were sell outs! The Pirates best player Andrew McCutchen played center field.

Luckily, the Reds pitching shut him down and he wasn't a factor in the series.

Mat Latos pitched for the Reds. And pitch he did.

Chris Heisey hit an in the park home run which is almost unheard of in Great American. This made the score 1-0.

Mat Latos pitched well. Every time a Reds' pitcher struck out a player fire came out of the smoke stacks.

Not only did Mat Latos pitch well but he hit a  two run home run!!

Luckily, we got to see Aroldis Chapman come in to save the game.

One of his pitches was 102 miles per hour!

And this one belongs to the Reds!!