A Simple Saturday in the Sticks

Saturday morning, Hugh, Kristi, Mom and I headed to Pickin' at the Pea for another shot at uncovering buried treasure. We fortified ourselves for the adventure with a cup of slow-drip coffee and Mennonite donuts, as one does when at Pickin' at the Pea.

Then, we were off! Mom's attention was immediately caught by an old Victrola, which, unfortunately, had already been sold. Apparently, someone didn't get the memo about eating delicious Mennonite donuts before hitting the sale and they got a head start on us.

This season's sale went heavy on the Halloween theme, which is something that they have not done in any of the years that I have attended. We all know how I feel about Halloween, so I was hopeful that I would find some vintage decorations or some such thing. Sadly, I did not. But! The Halloween displays were on point, including this Frankenstein's monster made out of refuse metal.

 

These "ghoulfriend" photos were also cute...

...but not something that I would spend $15 on when I know, for a fact, that I can print them off from the internet and frame them, myself; been there, done that.

Halloween mantel 2022)

I did, however, give serious thought to this super creepy antique painting. In the end, I decided that it might be just a tad bit too haunted, even for me. 

The witches were on point.

And, there was a beautiful display from a local flower farm. Was it creepy? No. Was it still a nice addition to the sale? Yes.

The only other item I considered-and-rejected purchasing, was this typewriter. It was in really good shape, but; I already own one and I'm not trying to become a hoarder over here.

I knew I wasn't going to purchase this beater/bowl combo, but I think it was really cool, and I enjoyed hearing the history of it from the lady who owned the booth.

So, what did I end up getting? A vintage jadeite pagoda fairy lamp that was really well priced and will go nicely with the rest of the jadeite items I have in my kitchen.

And, I bought a stained glass rooster lamp. I mean...he's adorable.

Did I need a stained glass rooster lamp? Technically, no. But, I mean...he's freaking adorable.

Once we felt like we had picked over the entire show, we headed back down the road to the annual Apple Pie Contest, where Mom's entry was among the best looking of the dozen or so pies.

                  

Unfortunately, she didn't place this year, despite her personal cheering section thinking she should have. 

The first place winner wasn't even a pie! It was an apple cheesecake. How was that even allowed? Next year, we are encouraging Mom to volunteer as a judge; she'd make sure a travesty like that didn't happen again.

And, that was our simple Saturday here in Petticoat Junction. 

Friday Favorites, September #4

I did it! I managed a Friday Favorites post every week this month! This shouldn't feel like such an accomplishment, yet it does!

I really need to get better about setting and accomplishing goals in general. I'll put some thought into what that needs to look like for the month of October. Stay tuned.

So, this week's favorites! Short and sweet, because I vowed to write the posts; I never said they would be novels.

Yesterday, I had an intense craving for a bagel sandwich from a bagel shop in Hooterville that I hadn't visited in years. I wasn't even sure the sandwich would still be on their menu, but was pleasantly surprised to find it there when I visited the shop for lunch.

The sandwich is turkey, lettuce, tomato, red onion, honey-dijon mustard, and crumbled blue cheese on an everything bagel and it sounds disgusting, I know. But, it tastes delicious. I don't know what made me crave it yesterday, but I have a feeling that I have awoken a monster that will require regular feedings in the days to come.

I ate the sandwich on the porch at Not So New Job; it was a gorgeous fall day, which was also a favorite. The leaves on the trees in front of the house have just started to turn, and I am looking forward to more lunches on the porch, with a colorful view.

Later this morning, I am scheduled for another microdermabrasion facial at the day spa. I really enjoyed the first one I had several weeks ago and am looking forward to it.

Tomorrow morning, we are off to Pickin' at the Pea and to the annual Apple Festival here in Petticoat Junction. Mom is baking a pie for the apple pie contest again this year, and the family is excited to support her.

It should be a great weekend, which is always on the favorites list.

What's Up Wednesday, September 2024 Edition

Welcome to autumn! September shepherds in my favorite season of the year and I am very much looking forward to the days growing more mellow and colorful. I do, however, feel like September has flown by; time needs to slow down, just a titch.

I tend to read back over past What's Up Wednesday posts, and the ones in the fall are often my favorites; thank you to Sheaffer and Shay for hosting the party.

What I'm Eating

Hugh and I celebrated our 31st anniversary earlier this month; we had dinner at one of Hooterville's nicer restaurants, where I often order the Tuscan stuffed chicken breast. It's a favorite.

Later in the month, Mom and I attended a play at the community theater, but, before that, we dined at another of Hooterville's finer establishments, where I broke completely out of my usual rut (chicken marsala) and ordered the filet stroganoff. It was really tasty and something I might order there again.

What I'm Reminiscing About

I haven't had an actual vacation since 2021, y'all. That was the year that we rented the most amazing house on Oahu for the Man-Cub's college graduation. Last week, I got an email from the VRBO host for that property, letting me know that they are booking for 2025 and it got me reminiscing about that trip in a big way.

What I'm Loving

Fall means three things: falling leaves, the end of fundraising season (praise hands!), and Halloween! It will probably come as no surprise that I have already decorated my house and that Hugh and I are already cooking up a plan for our annual skeleton display. I also recently added this mug to my collection and I'm not mad about it.

Of course, before the season changes completely, I should mention how much I have loved the zinnias in my front flower bed. This particular variety has been stunning this year, and I plan to harvest as many seeds from the flowerheads as possible, to recreate this look again next year.

What I've Been Up To

Mom has had several appointments in Neighboring City; we are hoping that the end result will be a procedure that will relieve a lot of the pain that she has had in her back and one of her legs.

Hugh, Kristi, and I spent Labor Day in the mountains, riding four-wheelers and communing with nature. I communed with it face-first, when I took a tumble down the hillside. I am graceful like that.

Kristi and I tried our hand at making homemade pasta, using flour that I milled, myself. It was a fun project and we learned a lot, namely; you should combine regular flour with whole wheat flour when making pasta, since using whole wheat alone tends to make a less pliable noodle.

What I'm Working On

Since finishing the wedding Converse for Shanti and the Man-Cub, I have embroidered a number of other items, including the baseball cap I wear when golfing...

... and these jeans.

I also worked with my staff on hosting the best darn Barn Dance, ever. My family helped out again this year and the evening was a tremendous success. So very glad that it is over for another year, though.

And, this past weekend, The Great Garden Experiment of 2024 came to an end when I ripped the spent flowers from the raised beds and prepared them for vegetables again next spring. It will be interesting to see how many volunteer sunflowers spring up next year, because the birds weren't able to get to all the seeds, I'm sure.

When I dug up the dahlia tubers, I was shocked to see all the new growth. I don't know anything about storing tubers for the winter, but I think I'm about to learn.

What I'm Dreading

Hugh and I will be saying goodbye to this sweet boy very soon.

I'm a wreck about it, even though I know it is the right thing to do for him.

What I'm Excited About

We are still waiting for the pictures from the wedding. I get that the photographer is busy and that she had a lot of other weddings this summer, but surely, she has to be done editing soon. I'm excited to see the complete gallery and to get some of the pictures printed for framing.

I'm also really excited to try some new recipes that use goat cheese, specifically the goat cheese that I recently purchased at the farmer's market in Hooterville; the cheese is made locally and the owner/cheesemaker gave me lots of ideas for how to use it. I purchased both the fig balsamic and  roasted garlic rosemary varieties, so I have options.

What I'm Reading

Since spooky season is upon us, it seemed like a good time to start a series about witches. There are something like thirteen books in this series and I'm pretty sure I can make it through them all before Halloween, assuming they continue to hold my interest. I just started Book 3, so I am optimistic.

What I'm Watching

Mom and I went to see a production of All My Sons at the community theater. It was really well done, but more than a little sad and depressing.

And, speaking of depressing; I also watched the Netflix series on the Menendez brothers, and...whew. There was a lot to unpack there. 

                                          

What I'm Listening To

 I'm not currently listening to anything. Since Halloween is right around the corner, I'm looking for recommendations on paranormal podcasts, though.

What I'm Wearing

Still rocking the cute shoes and will continue to do so for as long as the weather permits.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Two of my favorite fall events are happening on the same day: Pickin' at the Pea and the Annual Apple Fest and Apple Pie Contest. Mom is entering the contest again this year and is determined to finish better than third place. Hugh, the Cub, Shanti, Kristi, Mom, and I are all excited about Pickin', for differing reasons; the guys are mostly stoked about the Mennonite coffee and donuts, while we girls are looking forward to hunting treasures.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Halloween! I mean, duh!

Favorite Purchase This Month

I am having a moment with vintage corning ware; this coffee percolator is the coolest thing, ever. Coffee perked on the stovetop is the best coffee, in my opinion, and, while these percolators were recalled and discontinued back in the 70's, I'm willing to risk using it. At least once.