Farewell To An Old Friend

At least that is how it feels! One of my most favorite spots in 

Dayton is closing their doors. Not for lack of business..oh my no!

It is not easy to get a reservation at all!

But the owners were faced with a tough decision. 

They were asked to renew their lease for 5 years and, sadly, 

they came to the conclusion to end this most glorious run.

Both Terry and Vickie work so, so hard!

I often wonder where they get their energy! 

We always surmised it was the tea! But when you must

 look at another 5 years...well...it is understandable. 

Just yesterday my friends and I went down to

say our farewells. The owner, Terry Roland, says the decision

 was difficult and met with a few tears. 

I know he and Vicki will miss their customers. 

We will surely miss them!

Terry Ronald was born and raised in Wallasey, England, 

 a town located directly across the River Mersey from Liverpool.

 He has lived in the US for many years, having had a career as 

a civilian aerospace scientist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

 before retiring a few years ago.

Vicki Morris has lived in Dayton most of her life but, like me, has felt a 

very strong affinity for all things British for as long as she can recall.

 Being involved in this venture is almost as 

rewarding for her as moving to England. 

My friends and I, my mother and Grace, celebrated many a birthday here.

We have fond memories of a British tea done to perfection.

To hear Terry tell the story of Basically British click here!

                                                                                         

Farewell Basically British. 

You will remain in our sweet memories and hearts forever.

Warmly,

Susie Q

Olive: an urban dive

Housed in a historic 1938 Wympee's Hamburger shop, Olive: an urban dive

is amazing and well worth the stop! 

The Wympee diner opened in 1938 and became a

 part of the fabric of many Daytonians’ lives before it 

closed in October 2009. 

And now it lives again...fabulously!

Olive epitomizes the urban dive concept: It’s unassuming, laid back... 

and has an atmosphere that is genuinely unique in our city.

 Olive is the most sustainable restaurant in Dayton and

 goes to great lengths to reduce garbage, to compost 

what food doesn't make it to the table, and to remain energy-efficient. 

So, in other words, the thought that went into this place really 

can’t be overstated.

Two of my oldest and dearest friends and I 

have lunch each month to catch up and share a few laughs.

 This month we thoroughly enjoyed Olive!

How can you not love a restaurant whose motto is:

"Local over import, labor over convenience and 

service above all else...we chase chickens.

 When we say free range we mean it!"

Their menu consists of traditional and their own interpretations

 of Mediterranean cuisine including:

 Greek, Spanish, Italian, French, Moroccan and 

Turkish influences...but 

 there are burgers and regular American food as well

 with them sneaking in the healthy wherever they can! 

 All the ingredients are local, fresh, organic. 

Everything is made in their tiny kitchen 

and is recycled, composted and ecologically sound.

Even the flat ware...go ahead. Toss it into 

the compost!  They dare you!

So fresh...they don't have a can opener or a micro wave. Nope.

Olive is serving  the best grass-fed beef, sushi-grade tuna, 

outstanding risotto, and fresh, local vegetables.

The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable, 

the proprietress warm and welcoming,

 the food was excellently prepared. 

What's not to like? Not a thing!

I had to try the Cream Soda...so good! 

My friends each chose the fresh squeezed lemonade

and a "sunny little pot of tea" respectfully. Each raved about them.

I also hear their french press coffee is to die for...

They put a unique twist on standard items - 

I had the Tuscan Grilled Cheese on ciabatta bread 

with pancetta, pesto, balsamic marinated mozzarella and tomato. 

Amazing! Add a cup of spicy sweet potato soup and a salad of

 spinach & field greens in a fig balsamic dressing...oh my.

My friends chose the mayo-less chicken salad on locally baked 

croissants with Havarti cheese and tomato. 

They could not have been more pleased!

And did I mention the sweet potato fries with 

home made ailoi for dipping?

Olive has many delightful desserts but we each chose one

 of the Jeni's Ice Cream flavors

they carry. Olive is the only local place to feature Jeni's,

 a Columbus based company, and it is decadent and oh so good.

If find yourself in the Dayton area, run, as fast as you can, to Olive!

You will not be disappointed!

To learn more about Olive: http://olivedive.com/index.html

Warmly,

Susie Q

Sunflowers And Sunny Smiles

Late August means sunflowers blooming here in Ohio...

...and I love taking photos in a near by field. This year we talked dad 

(aka my husband Bill!) into being in some of the photos!

We sure missed having Daniel home for the photos. Hoping

they last just a wee bit longer so he can get back for 

some more family pictures!

Right pretty girl?

Hoping your week is filled with sunshine!

Susie Q

A Blog End...Or A New Beginning?

Being kind is really so simple!

In a week where I seriously debated ending this blog...

there were such sweet offerings of friendship and love. 

Of course these dear ones had no idea I had considered

taking Rabbit Run Cottage down for good.

Time to write and photograph a blog properly is

limited these days and I don't get to visit visit all of you

as I would like. When I do make my way around the blog world

I don't always leave a comment and for that I apologize.

So many of you have come to mean so much to me. Most of you

are supporting and loving and I have been blessed to spend

time with many of you...becoming real friends. True friends.

Sadly I have also seen the demise of what I thought were loving

 friendships and that is always upsetting to me. I considered 

ending Rabbit Run Cottage for many reasons not the 

least of which was the absence of these friendships

in the blogging world as well as the world outside.

I must not have much to offer as a blogger I deduced or these

 people would not have found it so easy to turn away.

It is true that I am not one to constantly change my decor

or blog about a design project and yes. This seems to be 

what the blogging world centers on these days.

But then I received those kind words and encouraging

emails from dear ones and I realized why I blog.

I blog for me, for my close friends and family, for the friends who 

I have met through blogging that hang in there with me loving,

gently supporting and making me feel silly for ever questioning

my presence in the blog world.

One may never know how their kind word, that smile freely given,

the words of encouragement offered may mean to someone but

never let that stop you from sending that love out into the world.

Be a blessings...be a good friend...take time to care. 

I will keep Rabbit Run Cottage online because I enjoy this 

sweet spot in cyberspace. Through it I have met some 

wonderful people who have been so kind and I hope to meet

 even more in the future.

I won't be the most popular blog on the block no, but that's

just fine with me. As long as I can offer my heart, my photography,

and my writing and have one person who smiles because of it, well, 

I am successful!

My love to you all and a special hug to those of you

who are one of my blessings.

Susie Q

Camera At The Ready!

Camera at the ready...uh huh. That's me!

I have been so lucky to be asked to

photograph a few precious children lately. 

I will share those photos later

but for now, let me share the wedding I had the 

pleasure of shooting last weekend. 

What a wonderful family!

Thanks to dear Cathy for allowing me to take her daughter's photos

and to Katie and all the ladies for being such beautiful subjects!

Just a few of the 500 I shot...and yep. I

go for overkill! *laugh* But how I love to take pictures!

Looking for the groom...

It was such a joy to be a small part of Katie and Mike's wedding!

May they share many, many years of happiness together!

Love,

Susie Q

Summer's Bounty

Is there anything better than the fresh vegetables and fruits of Summer?

No, unless it's visiting a local farm or farmer's market to

 buy those delicious

treats!

Not only do these taste so good but they are beautiful in

color and shape...

They say we enjoy food with our eyes as well as our

taste buds!

And when your produce looks this

pretty and fresh you know you will dine well!

We always enjoy visiting Treadway's

and bringing home many  fruits 

(and veggies too! *smile*) of their labor.

They are always friendly, helpful and the

produce is oh so good.

Last night we feasted on sweet corn, squash, tomatoes,

 cantaloupe and the juiciest blackberries.

No Queen or King could dine any finer!

Just one of the many joys this season brings!

Hoping you too are enjoying some of Summer's

delicious bounty!

Love,

Susie Q