This weekend we co-hosted a croquet & casseroles party with our friends C. & K.

In the end, over 20 different dishes showed up! We had to get very creative in finding spots for all of them. Funny enough, the one guest from Minnesota actually brought a salad (which was very yummy). D.’s favorite casserole was a Martha Stewart chicken and artichoke pot pie.

C. and K. brought a fantastic croquet set and the badminton set was up — both, great games for warm summer days.

As day turned to night we settled around the fire. Good times and the casseroles made life easier on the hosts than a traditional BBQ. Throw your own!

I’m a big fan of slides and a bigger fan of big slides.

But I’m not such a fan of precarious heights… like those of a carnival ferris wheel. I was near tears on this one. Notice the pigeon toes vs. the confident placement of my toes in the former picture.

Yet there was plenty to see outside of rides, like the Chainsaw Massacre…

and a very large cow.

We missed the “Buffo — The Worlds Strongest Clown Show”. But really, does the world need a “strongest clown”?

I found the little piglets very amazing. I had no idea they played like puppies… and have a newfound respect for people who keep pigs as pets.

I talked myself into another scary (for me!) ride. D. had a lot of fun on this one.

It was a good time. This mild summer is getting high scores in my book.

Lucas County Fair | 1406 Key Street | Maumee

A good friend (and great Toledo artist) and his fantastic wife are moving to Hotlanta this month so we went to their going-away party, held at the Jerk Hut on LaGrange Street. We enjoyed music and food on the front patio… with great weather. It’s sad to see our friends go but wish them the best.

D. fell in love with the food immediately (the pic above was his plate). I’m looking forward to going back and trying their meat pies or “meat patties” and some sweet plantains — a throwback from when I went to school in Miami.

Bye W. and H. We’ll miss you.

Jerk Hut | 3117 Lagrange St | (419) 720-5375

Amidst errands on Sunday, we popped over to the St. George Festival. There were pony rides, great middle eastern food, and a petting zoo with small white lions (I don’t believe the caretaker’s claims that they were pyrenees dogs. Lies!). Also, we caught a fantastic performance by the Toledo bellydancing phenomenon that is Leyla and the Lapis Lazuli Troupe. I have only two words: flaming sword.

Leyla Bellydance | www.leylabellydance.com

St. George Orthodox Cathedral | 3754 Woodley Rd.

Dinner at Manos’ kicked off our weekend. One of my favorite dishes is the baked feta… typing this is making me hungry.

The opening of Ottawa Tavern has been pushed back a week (thanks to Manos for letting us know), so after a short moment at Space 237 for their opening we drove straight to Frankie’s to see Sinker (above).

We chatted with friends over Dr. Reed’s. What’s a Dr. Reed? you ask… PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) + Ice + Lime + Straw.

Not Miller High Life.

Not lemon.

PBR, Ice, Lime, Straw. Period. It’s the drink of the summer, courtesy of D’s co-worker Harper.

Friday ended with the first ever show by the Secret Swords [2 parts Stylex + 1 part Shuttlecock = Secret Swords]. Keep your ears peeled.

Manos | 1701 Adams Street | (419) 244-4479

Sinker | myspace.com/sinkersinker

Secret Swords | myspace.com/secretswordsmusic