We sure do know how to pick ’em. This morning while sitting smashed in a pew, unable to see the altar or anything else for that matter, surrounded by hundreds of loud, fidgety kids and space-sucking winter coats in the most crowded mass I have ever been to (ranking right up there with Christmas and Easter services), I wondered what on earth was going on. First of all it was apparently “Sports Sunday” meaning this mass was the kickoff to the sports season for the Catholic school attached to the church. This meant millions of kids and every single member of their family crammed into one mass, instead of spreading the population out across four masses. Then Father informs us in his homily that this is the largest parish in Cincinnati. Of course it is. We thought the first church we attended was enormous and that this one would be more manageable. The first one was most likely the second largest in the diocese. Unknowingly, we upgraded. Not that I’m not happy that there’s lots of people attending church in Cincinnati, but I think I’ve learned my lesson and will stick to Saturday evening or early Sunday morning masses from now on so I can actually get something out of it other than squished.
Feeling pangs of Golden Harvest deprivation (our beloved fresh hippie breakfast hotspot in Lansing, MI) we treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast at an eatery called Annabel’s. It’s a local joint that received excellent ratings on Urban Spoon, so we decided to give it a go. And it was good. It’s no Golden Harvest (and nothing ever is), but we think it’s as close as we’ll get in Cincinnati. Located in the heart of the tiny Mt. Lookout downtown, Annabel’s has ten tiny tables – and that’s it. With so few tables, the place was absolutely packed with regulars who raved about the food and know the waitresses by name. We waited a good half hour right inside the door, but it was worth it. This artsy, bohemian establishment serves locally-grown, mostly organic, totally fresh, and fully homemade food. Their menu is very small and only features a handful of choices, but they all sound delicious! The menu boasts such delicacies as lox and cream cheese, flavorful scrambles, corn blueberry pancakes, bowls of completely fresh fruit (oranges, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, strawberries and pomegranate), and warm croissants. Though it is a twinge more pricey than most breakfast places (due mostly to the area of Cincy), it’s an excellent place for two to catch a leisurely breakfast. We were also seated about 4 feet away from one of the Cincinnati Bengal’s players and his wife’s boulder of an engagement ring wife.
Now we’re home for the day, watching the two NFL playoff games on the tube and rooting for the Packers. We took down our holiday decorations and tree today and it is so nice to have our living room back….spacious, uncluttered, and with much more light streaming in. I love the holiday decorations but by mid-January I’m ready to have our living room back! We’re hoping for a productive week ahead. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
P.S. Packers won! They’re moving on in the playoffs and compete against Atlanta next!
