Wordless Wednesday: Who Does Everyone Love?

Tomorrow marks the Feast of the Assumption, and beginning of one of my favorite festival weekends in CLE...THE FEAST in Little Italy! Kicking off its 115th year, be sure to stop over between August 15-18th for some of CLE's finest and authentic Italian cuisine and festivities at The Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy! Check out my Feasted: The Feast of the Assumption blog post from last year and Cleveland.com's guide to The Feast of the Assumption here. Cannolis, meatball sandwiches, cavatelli, dancing, music, family, friends, faith and fabulous food! See ya there CLE Italian loves and lovers!

So who does everyone love? Why an Italian Girl, of course!!! :0)
Circa The Feast 2005

Sister Celebration: A Birthday Recap in CLE!

This weekend we celebrated my sister's birthday AND her new home she shares with her lovely bf! Lots to celebrate and lots of fun!!!

Best man grilling apron, ever!

On Saturday, I headed over to her new digs to check it out and it was awesome! She's officially a surbanite complete with a nice yard and cul-de-sac..who woulda thunk? Her life has shifted significantly since her last few birthdays--but all for the good, she's happy, she loves her life, and all I care about is seeing her thrive :)

Cheers to your new home, and wishing you lots of love and good juju!!!

After checking out the new place, we headed back to the Heights to have a final celebration. It's crazy, when she and I first moved into that apartment I was 21! How quickly 5 years fly by!

2nd day at the apt.
celebrating my 21st birthday on Coventry

So many good times, so much growing up, so many adventures, and so many evenings sitting on that lovely porch drinking vino, painting our nails and watching people walk by. Sure going to miss that place--but all good things must come to an end and I'm so excited for the next chapter in her life too :)

 

 

So, we took a gamble as we returned to the apt. with the stormy weather and speed-walked down to Little Italy for some delicioso food at Mia Bella. We were able to sneak in some divine apps before having to hurry inside as the heavens opened up and the summer storms rolled in. It was an adventure!

Birthday girl in post summer rainshower glow

Yum! We shared the eggplant parmesean which was cut thin and LITERALLY out of this world  & some sauteed calamari (as opposed to the standard deep fried).  I got a super simple (yet tasty) pizza complete with fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, olives. That's what I really like about Mia Bella, it's fresh, simple and not too over the top. Real authentic Italian food! Mangia mangia!

 

On Sunday, Gina had a big cookout at her new digs and it was a great family & friends fun day, complete with bat masks, awkward family photos, and cornhole! Winning comination!




Wouldn't trade this fam for the world!

Gimme that!



Reviewing the financial investment of boxes of corn

Post a bitter battle of cornhole..

It was a wonderful weekend welcoming my sis into her new home and a new year to celebrate fun adventures ahead. Feeling blessed and wishing you all the best, sis.. LOVE YOU! xoxo!


Feasted: The Feast of the Assumption

Feast by definition:

1. rich or abundant meal
2. sumptuous entertainment
3. something highly agreeable
4. a periodical celebration, usually of religious nature.

Check. Check. Check. Check!!!!

The Feast of the Assumption has grown to be quite the special occasion for our family. Cleveland's 114th Annual Feast of the Assumption took place in Little Italy this weekend (in case you live under a rock.) The religious event has evolved into a 4 day long festival of food, family, fun, community, libations, charity gambling, guidos and pure goodness.

Celebrate the Feast

My sister cooked up a GIGANTIC storm for Saturday morning--commencing her annual Feast Before the Feast Party. Goat cheese & cherry strada, egg muffin souffles, garlic pesto bruschetta, fresh fruit served with a side of mimosas and espresso. There was a ridiculous amount of food. And I had every intention of taking fancy food pics prior to digging in but my appettite got the best of me. So I will just assure you that it was spectacular and keep subliminally reminding my sis that she for reeeal needs to open a restaurant. Even my Gram gave the final seal of approval--holy smokes!

The Cellini women!
With Gram holding up the pic of Patrica, Italy where my Grandpa was born
He'd be so proud of us girls! Always in our hearts!

Bella sorella!


Despite me working diligently this past month to lose 9 pounds, I am fairly certain I ate my weight in delicious Italian meatballs, sausage, cannolis, and cavatelli. And--I am really not worried about it--soooo worth it. Good food brings family and friends together, and that is what feasting is all about!



Speaking of bringing people together, my gal pal, Kayla (right) introduced me to one of her homegirls from South Carolina, Jenna (left). These two Southern Belles are such an awesome addition to our city and we are so happy to have them! Jenna just moved to the great land of CLE to accept a teaching position at John Carroll--my alma mater--double cool points. We had some great convos about comparing their hometown to their current place called home, CLE. The consensus? Cleveland has an incomparably rich culture, and the melting pot of food and nationalities brings the communities together to appreciate our differences and break bread at the same dinner table.

Corbo's famous meatball sandwich they only make twice a year = heaven for all

Look at all those people!

Girlfriends unite!

We then headed over to Gusto where they had some...interesting tunes provided by this gentleman :) But with the good times rolling, no one seemed to mind.


Yes, sequins were involved... 

 

Let's show them the Southern Shag

That's right. Kayla and Jenna shared some of their hometown love with us, by teaching us the South's honorary dance known as the "Shag." Sure Austin Powers may have initially crossed my mind, but these girls were groovy on a whole other level!!!

I love Gina thoroughly enjoying the show in the background! :)



Bravo! Nicely done, ladies!!!!

Rich or abundant meal(s)? Check! Sumptuous entertainment? Oh yeah! Something highly agreeable? The whole weekend was two big thumbs up! And periodical celebration, usually of religious nature? Celebrate we did! Tying faith, family, friends, and fantastic food into a fabulous Feast of a weekend! Mangia, mangia!