A Cool But Perfect Fall Day For A Clambake

A Perfect Setting For A Clambake: My Sister Linda's Home On Lake Erie's Shore

My Sister's, Ellen And Linda

7:05

It's 7:35 and the sun has just filled the lake and our living room with its light.  I was up an hour ago, to a chilly, 37º morning here on the lake, just avoiding the first frost of the autumn.  We still have time to enjoy Evie's garden and try drying some of her dahlias.  It's 9:00 and I have been out paddling down to Wells Bay and back.  I spotted and photographed both a hawk and heron, making my morning despite the cold.  I couldn't wait to get back in the house and put on my Ugg boots to get warm. 

A Juvenile Bald Eagle

A Young Heron

Yesterday morning we did our usual and got ready to drive to Euclid at noon, to my sister's house for their annual fall clambake.  While I gathered up the trash and took it to the Transfer Station, Evie dusted and then vacuumed the downstairs, as the leaves began to fall in earnest for the first time this October.  It was fun to see and it means mulching will begin this week, a fall routine.  We never rake leaves, always mulch, 

Sisters And Brother In Laws, Rich, And Walt

We both showered, dressed warmly, gathered up the Chautauqua sweet corn, Wegman's jam (Rich's favorite) and beer and drove two hours to the clambake on the shore of Lake Erie.  We were early because my sister, Ellen, and her husband Walt were also in town for the clambake. 

Firepit Ready, With Grandson Jack, Son Richie, And Dad, Rich

Bundling Up, Sisters Claire and Sofie, Fiancee Cory

Nephew Pat, Wife, Courtney, Sister Ellen

My sister Linda and her husband Rich are always great hosts, whether a dinner party or a clambake. The gang of children, grandchildren, friends, and girlfriends began to arrive at 4:00, as Rich started the fire pit and once it was boiling, added the clams, then sweet potatoes, and chicken and let it boil. 

Keeping Warm

Ready To Add Lobsters 

We sat around drinking beer, enjoying the amazing appetizers on board by my nephew Pat, a seasoned gourmet.  About 5:00, the lobsters were added to the pot and the broth was poured out and passed around, it burned the roof of the mouth if you were not careful. 

The Clams, The Clams

A Few Ate Inside

By 6:30, the sixty-one bags of clams, the chicken, the sweet potatoes, and sweet corn were all but gone and we were forty or so happy group.  For dessert, as usual, we had the mayor's cheesecake, topped with a single strawberry.  What a great day, meal, and time to catch up with family and friends. 

Grandsons And Friends After The Bake

And as I mentioned yesterday, clambakes have been a part of our family since the 1950's when my Mom and Dad would put one on each fall.

Sunset On Lake Erie

We left for home reluctantly by 8:00 and it was as easy two-hour drive with little traffic once we passed Painesville.  We were both tired from eating and drinking beer, but we watched a bit of TV to wind down from the excitement of the day.  And, we get to look forward to another clambake in two weeks, here at the lake with neighbors, Cleveland natives, who also have a tradition of fall clambakes.  Lucky us.