Hello All. Surprise! I have lots to say! First, I never made it to Naked Foods the other day. I suddenly remembered how the management annoys me (not the staff) and decided to go to the always friendly and well managed Terry Naturally. I can thank my friend Kelly for my latest obsession...Sahale Snacks (allowed on my current food plan, in moderation). This is the most unusual snack mix in the world. Nuts, fruits, seeds, peppers, spices and sweet syrups all combine to make an absolutely addictive treat. Please try some, it's good for you and so unusual. I guess the term unusual isn't exactly a win you over term when it comes to food, but there's no other way to describe it!
Yesterday I made my way back to Trader Joe's and picked up some staples.
Mark's new favorite...high in protein, spicy and delicious:

These lentils which are amazing. Yes, I know lentils are easy to make, but sometimes it's nice just to have some on hand for impulse cooking. I like them cold with a vinaigrette, some chopped onion and yellow tomatoes!
Some dry cured bacon with no nitrates...
Fresh mozzarella, basil and strawberries which I combined with some balsamic vinegar and oil to to make a beautiful salad. Strawberries and vinegar may not seem like perfect bedfellows, but trust me...they combine perfectly.

Balsamic vinegar can be fairly pricey (anywhere from $5 to $50.00 per bottle) and normally you'd expect the pricey stuff to be better. Surprise! I've had the good stuff and I must say this $3.95 bottle from Trader's Joe's comes in second, but a close second. It's very sweet and will do for salads, though probably not when added by the shot to sparkling lemonade (a delicious summer drink by the way).
Sweet treats! I'm not a true baked meringue fan, but these little numbers are better than most.
OK, so that does it for the foodstuffs. Now onto the thriftstuffs!
The Salvation Army had its fifty percent off sale and I took full advantage! However, I have some new rules:
- No purchases unless they have a specific use and place to go.
- No picking up something just because it's a good deal and it could be worth something if I got around to selling it on Ebay.
- No more fabric until I use what I have.
So here's what I ended up with...
This (still unwashed) glass baking dish with an unusual top:
These childhood favorites of mine. Please tell me some of you remember Judy Blume. What about Forever? I was 10 or 11 and absorbed every page! Hard to believe it was banned in some places when today it seems so tame. After reading Then Again Maybe I Won't, I told my little brother Adam ( I was 10, he was 9) all about "nocturnal emissions", he didn't believe me, so when we (him, me, my mom and my dad) were in our tiny rowboat coming back from dinner ashore, I chose the perfect moment to ask my dad what a wet dream was. AGAGAHHAHAHAAHAHA!!! Of course, my parents didn't realize that I already knew and was asking just to prove to my brother that I was sooooo in the know. I give my dad credit. He calmly explained what one was and my mother nodded in agreement. You gotta love Judy Blume!
This 1953 vintage children's book. "Daddy" couldn't go to work because of a blizzard. It's not politically correct anymore, but still a good story.
These large spice jars (almost like apothecary jars) which will be perfect for filling with my homemade fizzing bath salts at Christmas.
50 iridescent stars (for $2.00!) which can be used to adorn gifts for years to come!
And this kooky melange of vintage ornaments:
All for $6.00!!!!
Today, I saw a book at the thrift store called Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much. I had to laugh. What about a book called Meditations for Women Who Do Too Little? I work a lot of hours for a part-timer, but nothing compared to the friends I have who work full time yet manage to get all their household things done, creative impulses satisfied and maintain their friendships. I'm not sure why, but it seems like I allow myself to put energy into places it doesn't belong. It's one thing to take time out to read and relax (I do), but another to begin organizing a shelf only to get distracted looking through old photos and suddenly realize half the day is gone. No one would ever call me lazy, and most people wouldn't consider me unorganized...I have good methods. However, lately it just seems like I've lost some focus. It could be because of all the extra hours, but I'm not sure.
I did finally get my essay for the free tent in and that feels good, though I am well aware of the fact it could be better. I've had a lot of creative impulses, but not a whole lot of follow through lately. We shall see, maybe the tide is turning. Mark offered to sit down with me and help me prioritize my wants and needs and figure out what the deal is. I may take him up on it in a few days.
I sent out a message to my friends tonight asking to borrow (and take good care of) any camping equipment they may have sitting around. I already heard back from one and the lanterns and extra tarp are taken care of! My normal method would be to buy out the entire LL Bean catalog, but this time I want to play it smart and not get gear crazy until I am sure I want to spend more time alone in the woods. I have some equipment, but am planning to borrow everything else.
If any of you reading this are regular campers and have suggestions of out of the ordinary things you find helpful, please let me know!
OK everyone! Off to bed and it's full days of work through Saturday...H. asked if I would work a full day tomorrow and I said yes. I want the extra cash for Christmas thrifting!