This past Saturday started out like all of the other Fall ones: Jim, Zoe & Emma heading over to the Eastside for Soccer practice and me cleaning the house with the music blaring. Around 11:30am, Jim called to say, “The Lincoln School is having a Festival of Children’s Books & their Authors, why don’t you head over here and join us?” “Sure”, I said. “Let me just finish up here and I’ll head right over.” Of course it took me almost 2 hrs to finish up, but I made it in time to see this line in front of the Lincoln School!  Wow, I thought, is that line for an author?! Oh heavens no (those long lines were inside!), the line was for the Chez Pascal Mobile Food Truck (sausages, sandwiches, soups, oh my)!!

I skipped that line and headed indoors to meet up with the family. Jim was about through with the crowds, so he and Zoe took off for the playground. I ventured into the gymnasium to wait in line with Emma for well-known authors:

Chris Van Allsburg and Brian Selznick.

Seeing Emma waiting in line for her favorite authors reminded me of myself when I meet a favorite Chef.

We finally headed outside towards the Mobile Food Truck, only to have Chef/Owner Matt Gennuso tell me they were all sold out of everything!! He did have some scrumptious squash soup left, so he ladled some into a cup for me. Thank you Chef!!

On the way home, I stopped at Venda Ravioli on Federal Hill and stocked up on cold cuts and meat for the week. I couldn’t resist: Hot & Sweet Capicola, Tuscan Salami, Sharp Provolone, Spinach & Herb Pork Sausage, Short Ribs and more.

After we arrived home we discovered that the Buckeyes had lost the game. 😦 Jim and I decided to go to the movies to cheer ourselves up! We went to see: “Paris” at The Avon Cinema on Thayer St. An enjoyable flick, reminding us to head back to Paris as soon as possible! Despite the fact that we had popcorn while watching the movie, we were still hungry. How can you not be, while walking down Thayer St.? Wonderful aromas emanating from all sorts of restaurants and cafes. The choices can be mind-boggling, but we settled on our favorite: Nice Slice Pizzeria.

A tiny pizzeria,

Nice Slice has a wide array of toppings and choices. Everything from a simple meat pie to more Vegetarian- friendly selections. We settled on two slices:

tomato-mozzarella (fabulous and traditional) & cranberry-almond-spinach-feta on whole wheat crust(amazing!).

Jim & I made a decision then and there: when we decide to take a Friday night off from making our own pizza, we WILL happily drive across town for pizza from Nice Slice!!

We ended a fun-filled day with a couple beers (Brooklyn Lager) at E & O Tap. A cool, dimly lit bar full of west-side hipsters playing pool and listening to great music on the jukebox.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty beat now.

I wonder what activities next Saturday will hold? (hint: a good friend’s Bar Mitzvah!)