O What A Day

Good Golly, Miss Molly

7:53 AM

Sunset

7:10 PM

Cleveland At Dusk

It's 7:30 and I have been up for an hour, sitting in my sister's living room, looking out the family room window at Lake Erie, its vastness dwarfing Chautauqua Lake. I can still see the moon high in the sky on a clear morning. It's 57º and will get up into the 70s like yesterday. 

Saturday morning was our usual routine, beginning with a long paddle and photographing of herons who were still hanging around. Once the blog was done, breakfast was enjoyed, and we got busy because we were leaving for Euclid at noon. I gathered the trash and drove to the Transfer Station while Evie got things ready for our visit. We left at noon and it was an easy two-hour drive to Linda and Rich's home. We stopped, however, to pick up a couple dozen Slovenian sausages at Azmans, to take back to the lake today. 

Both Rich and Linda had been busy, setting up the yard for the clambake for 22 family and friends.  We sat around and talked and got a few things done, readying the bake and libations for later. Earlier, Rich picked up the bake from Euclid Fish, purveyors of clambakes since the 1950s.  My dad used to take me with him to pick up bakes when I was in my teens. Most arrived around 3:30 or 4:00 and the fun began. Evie brought the Travelling Treasure Chest so Molly had a delightful time pulling out the presents, ending up with a backpack.  

Sophie, Molly, And Evie

Miss Molly And Mom

Claire And Molly

The fire was started earlier, so once the water was boiling, we added the clams, potatoes, corn, and chicken. So for the next couple of hours, we sat around drinking and enjoying my nephew Pat's appetizers on charcuterie board. 

Nieces And Nephews

The Family Holz

The Bake

Appetizers

Rich, Corey And Lobsters

A Family Tradition: Pregnant Claire Pours Beer Into The Bake

First, we had clam chowder, and then broth as the bake was about to finish. The finishing touch was the addition of King crab legs and four huge lobsters, compliments of Corey, for the last twenty-five minutes. 

Then, Corey and I spent 15 minutes cracking the lobsters and crab legs and pulling on the meat, and once all was ready, everyone grabbed their plates, piled them with chicken, salad, corn and potatoes, and lobster, and then were served a bowl of clams from the bake by Rich. What an amazing bake and evening, the sun setting, the temperatures in the 60s, and all the clams we could eat. Once we had enough clams and sides, Rich's daughter, Kirsten pulled out the desserts, cheesecake, lady locks, and apple streusel. 

Linda, Kevin, Kirstin, And Rich

Dusk

Kirstin, Kevin And Kids

Enjoying A Fire

Evie And New Friend, Molly

Smores And Darkness

Everyone then helped clean up and once that was done, we finished the day with smores while sitting around the fire as the evening waned. By 10:00, everyone was gone and we did a few things in the kitchen before going up to bed. 

7:00