Gobble, gobble...

In spite of all my best intentions, it doesn't look like I'll be blogging before the big day. Susan, Lawrence, Winston and new baby Lewis are coming down, so this week is filled with preparations of the food and visiting variety.

My very best wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving enjoying your loved ones, good food, and good friends!

A bench for all seasons...

Adding to my growing collection of bench photos, I snapped this one when we were out and about the other day. What caught my attention was the row of cute jack-o-lanterns sitting there as we drove past; Lew quick turned around so I could get a picture.


I didn't notice the bonus kitty in the window until I was focusing to take the shot. What an appropriate Halloween decoration the furry little beastie makes... too bad it's not black! I wonder if it sat there and watched the trick-or-treaters??

Out to lunch...

After an early afternoon doctor's appointment yesterday, we decided to try someplace new for a bite of lunch so we moseyed on over to Fredericktown's Creekside to see what we could find.



We discovered a neat Italian coffee cafe, La Dolce Vita, that offered not only coffee, latte, and cappuccino...


but an assortment of paninis, croissant sandwiches, and soups, along with an enticing array of cakes and pastries.

I was freezing my butt off, so we decided to forego the charm of eating outdoors and instead opted for the warmth and ambiance ... well, warmth anyway... of the indoors.


I decided on a cheddar turkey melt croissant, which was quite good, and a good-sized cup of homemade tomato basil bisque, which was also very good. Hearty, slightly smoky and a bit spicy. Since it's been eons since I've had a decent cup of it, I couldn't resist the lure of an autumn-themed cinnamon caramel cappuccino and oh, my goodness -- was it yummy! Not too sweet, no bitterness at all, just nice and creamy and frothy. (As you'll note, all of this deliciousness was served on the very finest of Italian china!) ;)


Okay, okay, so the place wasn't overflowing with rustic Tuscan atmosphere, but the food was good and we had a fun afternoon of it. We've added it to our list of return-tos.

Something new every day...

Wow, wonder of all wonders! I couldn't believe my eyes. I just saw a street sweeper truck come up the road, sweeping!

In all the years I've lived here, I've never, no never, seen a street sweeper. Hell, I've never seen one in town, let alone out here in the burbs. Amazing!

And, he didn't go by just once, he went by twice! Woof!!

... doesn't take much to make my day, does it?? ;)

A penny saved...

... turns into dollars! Yeah buddy, I am loving saving me some money!

So, I've been doing a bit of holiday gift shopping online and have scored me some great deals with searching, sales, and promotion codes. Can't say what the items are... the internet has eyes, ya know? ... but I got a $75 item for $61 and change at Amazon, plus free shipping.

At another place (which must remain unnamed) I got a $175(!) item for $67 and change (good thing too, else it would have stayed in the store!) plus free shipping!!

At a well-known ladies shop, I got $30 knocked off my total, plus free shipping - got to stack two promo codes! Can you stand it?!

Shoof, not only am I having fun, but I'm about half-way done! Wheee! :D