Vacation Reflection

 

Good day, my friends!  I hope that you are happy, blessed, and doing well!

It's back to work tomorrow after my wonderful vacation week.  I could not have asked for a better time off. 

As you know, I worked a little extra before my vacation started last weekend.  But once it got started, it was great from beginning to end.  It got off to a great start with an overnight trip with my Aunt Karen to Erie.  I was blessed to be able to spend a coupe of days with her.  My Aunt Karen is a very special person to me, and I will cherish every moment of this trip.  I have a feeling that we will be doing more trips every so often from now on.  (And going to my new favorite chocolate store Romolo if the trip is to Erie.)

The rest of the week I just took day by day.  I got some lovely little photo trips during my time off.  I could not have asked for a better time to go out and take some pictures.  The weather and the fall colors were perfect.  Other than about a day or so of rain, the rest of the week was gorgeous!  I used both my Nikon and my iPhone to take some pics, and I will honestly say that I am loving my new iPhone!  For some of the pics, I may not know which camera it was if I wasn't the one taking the pics.

I also got to spend some extra time with my mom.  We went out to Buttermilk Falls one evening.  It had been years since she has been out there.  We also went to Hell's Hollow so that she could see the waterfalls.  She had never been there, and she was very impressed with the view.  This is also one of my favorite places for some photography.  We lucked out.  Since it was still a little early in the day, it wasn't too busy.  A couple of groups of people were already on their way out on the trail and one gentleman was packing up his camera gear as we walked down the stairs to the falls.  You may know that I love slow shutter pic when it comes to waterfalls, and I think I snagged some great pics.

I will say that yesterday (Saturday) I did go in to work for a few hours.  The schedulers promised me Reeses, apple cider, and party mix if I would go in.  And you know how I like my food.  Even though I really didn't want to go in, I know they were in a pinch and I decided I would help out.

Today has pretty much been a chill day.  I got some laundry done this morning and I had to go to the store to get some groceries.  Other than that, I have just been relaxing.  And by relaxing, I mean I did go for a 3.5 mile walk through town.

Sadly, my vacation is just about over.  I am certainly not dreading going back to work tomorrow, but don't we always wish that we could have 1 more day off?  I am now looking forward to my next time off, Thanksgiving weekend!  I see you, Holiday Friends And Family Party!

I'm Now A Fan Of Farmer's Markets

 

Howdy, folks!  I hope you are blessed, healthy, and doing well!

This might be a short post, but I wanted to share with you that I am now a big fan of farmer's markets.  Up until recently, I had never really been to one.  I have always liked the concept, but never actually got around to going to one.  The idea of supporting local is of course very important.  However, I thought it was difficult to find the time to go to my local markets.

My local farmer's market in town is on Mondays. I almost always work until 4 pm on Mondays, and I try to get my workout in as soon as possible after getting home.  By the time I would be ready to go, it maybe would be pushing 5:30.  And you know I have to eat dinner before it gets too late.  I believe my local market is open until 6:30, and I wasn't sure what the options would be like getting that late.

About a month ago, I wanted to make an effort to actually try going one Monday.  I figured it would be a light workout day, with the walk to and from being the workout (it's roughly about a mile walk to get there from my house).  In fact, the first time I went, I had to wait out a short rain shower.  

Well, I am glad I went.  While there were only about 2 or 3 stands, they had everything I wanted.  My purpose that day was at least getting a few green peppers and just generally checking the place out.  I was also pleasantly surprised with the fact that they also took credit cards.  (You have to understand, I live in a small town and I wasn't sure if the small local vendors would take plastic.)  I did take cash just to be sure, though.

The people were very friendly.  They answered the couple of questions that I had and were helpful.  

I have since been going almost every Monday.  And while I don't think he was there the first time I went, there is also a guy that sells mushrooms!  I believe that he grows most of the mushrooms, but he also goes out and harvests some from the woods.  I leave with my reusable bags full and a big smile on my face.  While there may not be too many weeks left in the season, I will definitely be making sure I go and supporting our local farmers going forward.

And please cross your fingers for me that they have apple cider this upcoming Monday!

Much Needed Trip To Erie

 

Hello, my good friends!

I hope you all are blessed, healthy, and doing well!

I am on vacation!  It's a good feeling!  I have been looking forward to this for a bit.  Oddly enough, my sister and I planned for the same vacation week but not on purpose.  

Last week was a little crazy.  Someone in the family, not naming names, decided to throw their back out.  Guess it's just a sign that someone is getting old lol.  At work, it was also the Employee Family Fall Picnic.  It was so nice seeing everyone gathered again for the first time since before Covid.  And guess what?, they also had a Nacho Bar!  Freaking awesome!  And then, while my vacation was supposed to start at 3:30 Friday afternoon, I decided to work an extra 12 hours.  4 hours Friday evening, and then a full daylight shift on Saturday.  The schedulers even tried to get me to work Sunday, and I had to kindly tell them that I was on vacation and would be out of town.

I had been looking forward to this overnight trip for a little bit.  Last month, my Aunt Karen and I talked about how we had been wanting to do something together for quite some time.  We actually started taking about doing something way back in 2019, but didn't get around to it due to that stupid Covid 19. 

Time is short, do the things.  And what a better time to do something than in October when the colors are so beautiful.  After texting with my aunt for a little bit, we decided we would go to Erie.  For me, it's about a 2 hour drive.  For my Aunt, in a semi different direction, it is about a 3 hour drive.  What I love about Erie is that it's far enough to feel like I am getting away, but I am not sitting in a car all day.  

We never finalized a time to meet in Erie, so I texted her that I was heading up Sunday morning, but she didn't need to rush.  Right as I was getting to my favorite bookstore in Erie (Werner Books), I get a message back from her that she was in Erie.  After shopping for a few minutes and finding a couple of books, I headed her way.  She was in a little coffee shop up from the hotel.  We chatted for a bit there, until it was time to check in at the hotel.  Unfortunately, our rooms weren't quite ready, so we just hung out in the lobby talking about serial killers and documentaries (my favorite topics of late).  

After we got our rooms, I quickly changed and we went across the road to Sloppy Duck to grab some dinner.  I love the atmosphere of this place, but my options were limited.  I basically had a couple of appetizers and a veggie wrap to choose from (I chose the wrap).  

My aunt had never really been to Erie before, other than a graduation years back.  We drove to the land lighthouse, which I had also never been to.  It was cool to see, but tours were over for the day and weeds/small trees blocked to view from the lake.  If any officials in Erie are reading this, please cut the overgrowth down so that people can actually see what is probably an amazing view of the lake.

Since it was getting close to 6 pm and I could tell the sunset was going to be pretty, I recommended that we drive to Presque Isle.  I could tell my aunt wasn't overly impressed at first.  As you're driving up Presque Isle, there isn't much of a view of the lake.  There are trees/hills of sand blocking most of the view.  At a certain point, she decides to head back down the road and I think pretty much decides that she may as well get out and see the lake.  And then BAM...... She sees the view as we get out of the car and get a view.  The sun was just starting to set and get in the golden hour.  As we start to see the water, the wind slams us in the face.  It was weird.  There was pretty much no wind until we walk on to the beach.  This was the windiest I had ever seen it.   The waves were also the biggest that I had seen.  I could feel the san pelting me in the face.  However, the view was beautiful.  And my aunt was in awe.  I was so happy to see her in that moment.  While the whole trip was amazing, this moment made it all worth it.

We both got some nice pics.  I quickly played around with editing some of them, and I look forward to playing with more pictures to pull out the color.  

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was a little after 7 and I think we both were ready just to settle in to rooms at that point.  It was an especially long day for my aunt, I believe she worked her night turn shift the night before.

The next morning, we were both excited to try to chocolate place we saw the day before.  Oh my yummy goodness.  Romolo Chocolates smelled amazing the moment we walked in the door.  Everything looked amazing.  After a semi quick walk around the place, I decided to get a few things.  I had to stop looking, I kept seeing tasty treats that sounded wonderful.  (I'll be trying to melt-a-ways next time).  I left with some peanut butter cups, caramel chocolates, and some chocolate sponge (didn't know what it was, but I guess their's is really good).

On our way back, we met up the Grove City Outlets, and we both got a few things.  A lot of the stores had some good sales, and you know I love my Under Armor gear.  And this is where we parted ways.  

I can't tell you guys how much this trip made my heart smile.  Seeing my aunt so happy was amazing.  While this trip was way too short, I think we both are looking forward to the next one.  And who knows, maybe Mommy Pants will also be coming along.