document.write(unescape("%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text/css%22%3E%0Abody%20%7B%20background-image

Saturday, August 16, 2025

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  My community.  I really do love it here and I wasn't quite so sure I would when we moved here 20 years ago since I had never lived in a small town before.  One of the best things about this area is the number of farmers, gardeners and people that make and sell local products.  Roadside stands are still a thing here, but they are evolving quickly.  We have so many farms that you can visit to buy local items and visit with all of the animals.  Sheds and small buildings are being converted into self-serve stores.  Not only do I love the local products, but I love supporting local families and getting to know them as friends.  Here are a few photos of one of the newest 'shops.'  She sells dozens of different baked goods, canned goods, mixes and more.  I really love this option for our town.




Where I've been:  Monday-Wednesday I worked.  Thursday was dentist day.  That was not fun at all, and I hope to never have to do that again.  I have to say the actual pain was very minimal, but the sound of roots and bones and loud pops was way too much for me.  Friday, I did feel well enough that we went to the farmers market and stopped by the bakery.  No road trip today though since checking out a new BBQ place is on the agenda and I'm not up for that yet.

Where I'm going:  We have only two appointments this week.  TBG has a 3 month follow up with his cardiologist and we have a follow up with our lawyer to sign our wills.  Both of those should be a breeze.  

What I'm watching:  I didn't watch anything special this week on TV.  Our crepe Mertle is in full bloom and it's more gorgeous this year than any other times.  We had rain a couple of times this week and it perked everything up.

What I'm listening to:  I usually always listen to music when I'm home alone working around the house.  I have a very diverse taste in music.  This week it was Fleetwood Mac, Kid Rock and Annie Lenox.  

What I'm eating:
Even though it is hot as hell outside I was craving chili, so I made a batch, and we had it with garlic cheese biscuits. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Savory Drop Biscuits
Chicken legs, mac and cheese and salad.  I halved this recipe for the mac and cheese.  It made two perfect sides for us with just enough left over to make a few mac and cheese balls for lunch one day. Culinary Adventures with Lori: 52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #11 Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
BIG salad with Coho Salmon
Thursday, I heated up left over chicken legs for TBG and made a pot of rice.  I had chocolate pudding.  I am so glad I made homemade pudding Wednesday night because that's all I could handle.  Luckily, we went to breakfast before I had my teeth pulled so I had at least one good meal that day.
I heated up LO sloppy Joe's that was in the freezer and cubed a couple of potatoes to roast int he oven.  It was the first solid food I had since Thursday morning and I am so glad I was able to eat it.



I'm not sure what is on the menu for tonight, but salad is out for a few more days.

Who needs a good slap:  No one comes to mind

What is making me smile:  Checking things off of my to do list.  I managed this week to clean and straighten up the laundry room, the hall closet and the laundry room on top of everything else that gets done in a week.  

As soon as TBG and I have our daily game time, I'm off to do a bit of dehydrating and odd jobs around the house.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend doing what makes you happy.







30 comments:

  1. I'm recovering from my recent trip to the winery. After I checked my finances, I'm very tempted to drive up there again next week and use the tasting room for a writing sprint. You'll see what I mean at the new blog.

    https://robzillaphotoblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, welcome back my friend!! I'm on my way to check out the new blog now.

      Delete
  2. Glad your procedure was not terrible. I might enjoy a day of just pudding!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad there actually was little pain involved but I still hope to not have to do that again. The pudding was a lifesaver and very good.

      Delete
  3. Your little town sounds wonderful. I wish there were more small shops around here - just a couple small family produce markets are all we have.
    Glad the procedure wasn't too painful. Take care and stay cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really do like our area a lot. It's nice to know I have access to so much good food grown here. It wasn't painful but it was stressful and uncomfortable for a couple of days. I'm just glad it's over. You stay cool too.

      Delete
  4. Sorry about the dental issues. I do remember the terrifying sounds when I had just one of my wisdom teeth pulled at age 40. What an adorable shop that is! We don’t have anything like that here. There is one popular farmers market in the national park, but their prices are terrible, so I refuse to go there. Most of their products, I can get at my local grocer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the sounds were horrible.
      Sorry you don't have a good farmers market or other places to go. Our farmer's market is very well priced. I've been keeping track of what I get and spend there this year and I would have paid far more at the store and not gotten the quality I did.

      Delete
  5. I live in a small town too and it's awesome. I was the same way when we first moved here not knowing if I would like it or not. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else now.
    Sorry about the dental issue. The sounds are sometimes the worst thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you also enjoy living in your small town. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else either. The sounds were horrifying but it's over and I'm glad.

      Delete
  6. I love those little shops too. Around here we have a couple of small shops where they have "honesty boxes" and you just leave the money for what you take "honestly". It's great to support local businesses isn't it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I love them. Most here have honesty boxes or Venmo for payment.

      Delete
  7. I'm glad your dental procedure is over and you are healing well. Yes, the sounds can be the worst part of it! I don't know if where I live is considered a small town but we like living in this area. There is a farmers market every Saturday which is nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Yes, the sounds were the worst!! It's good to hear people say the are happy where they live. I think it would be miserable to live somewhere you don't like. I'm glad you have a farmers' market that you like too, they are so nice to have.

      Delete
  8. The markets and gardens and local products all sound lovely. We have a local farmers market that is open on Sundays all summer and into fall. My youngest has been asking me to make chilli and while I feel it is a winter comfort food but if the child asks then the mom shall make.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear you have a farmers market. I love all of the local produce this time of year.
      I usually never make chili until late fall but for some reason I have really been craving it and it was very good. You're a good mom.

      Delete
  9. The dental sounds make me anxious, as well. I wish we had local farm products in our area. One of our friends are thinking of opening a little store like that on their property - I sure hope they do, I think it would be a big hit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sounds are the worst!!
      We have a large number of people here with them and it seems to grow more each year. It is a huge hit around here. Hope you're doing well!

      Delete
  10. Awe come on Lori, you know I live for the slap.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am heading to the dentist next week for my 6 monthly check-up. My dentist seems to delight in making this go forever! And he loves that scraper-hook thing. Eek! Yep it's great to cross things off the list for sure. Have a good weekend.
    cheers
    sherry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck on your 6 month check up. The dentist is not a fun place to go. Crossing things off my list is nice, especially if they've been on the list awhile.

      Delete
  12. I always wanted to plant a crepe Mertle tree but have never done it. They are so beautiful . Hope your tooth issues are doing ok. That's the worst. Your community sounds somewhat like ours and we love it too. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This crepe Mertle came with the house and it is very beautiful. We don't do much for it but fertilize once or twice a year. It's a deep, gorgeous red. Thank you. Things seem to be healing up well. I'm still eating soft foods because I'm a little worried about chewing but it's probably all in my head. I'm glad you love your community also. It does make life so much nicer.

      Delete
  13. you are a fortunate person to love where you live!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am. It makes me sad to know that some people don't like where they live. That has to be hard.

      Delete
  14. Just yesterday I was thinking chili sounds good. Like you, even if it's too hot I'll eat that stuff.

    Love, love, love the sheds (we call them shops here), are turned into little stores. Roadside stands are a thing here too. Just love that.

    Here's to NOT going back to the dentist.

    Happy Weekend to you, Lori. I hope it's a real good one.

    Cheers, Ivy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello. I hope your lens arrived and that you enjoy your vacation.
      Yes, these little shops popping up are so cute and I love the idea. It's good for the community and the owners.

      Delete
  15. I totally get your craving chili despite the heat. It was up near 100 last week and I was baking pumpkin bread. There is something about August that makes me want to do this. I don’t need a calendar, it’s internal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Pumpkin bread is starting to sound good. I don't usually have many cravings, but I was really wanting chili.

      Delete