British Emporium visit... and other stuff

British Emporium Purchases

The British Emporium opened up a few months ago here by us. It's not a large store, but packed with British items that aren't in the normal grocery stores (Yes, it's $$$). But we love Walkers shortbread and to find it Gluten Free was a blessing (and it tastes great!). And their dark and milk chocolate with Irish Whiskey or Bailey's Irish Cream is pretty darn good too! As for the Shepherd's Pie Mix, I make this a lot, but usually just use brown gravy. Thought I'd try Colman's as my dad always loved Coleman's mustard. 

Funny story: I made blueberry muffins Monday... 24 mini-muffins  with plans to freeze them and use them for breakfast or snacks at tea time.

Well, I had an appointment to go to the dentist that afternoon, so I left the muffins cooling on the counter. When we returned, it seems that my youngest son and granddaughter had dropped by for an impromptu visit (President's day/no school). They were no longer at the house... but my muffins were reduced to almost half... with a note left by granddaughter saying "I was here!". 

Previously I was known as the grandma who makes the best tea cakes... and now she says I also make the best blueberry muffins! (Guess I am pleased to have that honor)

And lastly, I'm going to show you some Easter cards we found that I think are really cute: (one silly/one sweet)

cover of card on left
and
inside words on right

and

cover

inside words

I do really like Easter! It's my favorite holiday (a true celebration of Spring). Everything is turning green, plants and trees are starting to bloom, baby critters are being born, and live begins anew! I know it's  a celebration of the resurrection and to me (in my heart) this is  confirmation that life will always be renewed.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring!... even those of you that still have snow on the ground. The Groundhog predicted "an early Spring" (I want him to be right).

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

ps: For those of you who may not be aware, we had a little feral female (black & white) that we were afraid wasn't going to make it. She's probably a little less than a year old...but had suddenly gotten very thin (hip bones sticking out) and shaky. She slept every night under the heat lamps and was obviously getting weak. We thought to try to catch her, but she's feral and she will only let us so close.

Anyway, the good news is that these last 2 days, she's looking much better. Eating well and moving like she's getting stronger. I've been praying for her, but afraid possibly she had something that was not going to heal itself. We've experienced what we call 'miracle cats' before that got well despite all odds. We hope she is going to be another one.

monkey mind working overtime...

There are so many things going through my head these days... serious thoughts like how does one tell what one 'knows' for sure and what one 'chooses to believe'. Why am I thinking about this? Something I read or heard must have brought it on. People say that you should 'know' that this (whatever)  is truth. How do you know this? I may want to believe it, but do I 'know' it? NO.

So what do I know? I know I love my family. How do I know this? Well, I have 'experienced' this love. So, to know something do we have to have experienced it?

Then what is Faith? The dictionary says faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

or

strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

This is not to be an in depth discussion. It's just something that has been nagging at me. I 'choose to believe' some things that make my life easier, better, more fulfilling, less fearful, etc. I choose to 'trust these instincts'... but do I 'know' them to be truth? No. 

I sometimes wonder if we as humans can actually know for sure what is truth. Some of us put our faith in religion, some in science, some in ourselves, and some in nothing. I tend to choose religion, science, and myself... because it is a choice that works for me. What works for you?

Now... that subject concluded. Let's go on to lesser things.

Recently DH and I were reminiscing about silly pictures brought on by a Family Feud question that asked what you would do if your mother posted a naked pic of you on social media (I'm presuming a baby pic? since it was your mother?) Anyway, we laughed at the answers and then DH reminded me of a pic we got of his mother (taken by a family member) on a motorcycle with leather jacket, helmet, etc. when she was in her 90's. It was so 'not her' that we laugh about this pic even now. 

Anyhow, it reminded me of the pic my son took of me on a moped when we were in Oahu. Not nearly as funny as his mom's pic on the motorcycle in her 90's. But still funny to me.

Possibly I like the idea of me being more the 'moped' type... living free on an island... sounds nice, doesn't it? (in my dreams)

Anyway, this is my mish mash of a post today.

And a funny cartoon that hit home with us... as I'm always cold in the house... even if the thermostat is set in the 70's.

It's Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! And as always, thanks for reading my gibberish. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Saturday morning Brunch...

Outside The Fifth

Inside The Fifth

DH and I went out to Brunch this morning! This is something we don't do much as I'm not much good early in the morning. I don't think I come fully awake and functional until 9:30 or 10 am. Anyway, that said, we don't go out for breakfast much. I usually make tea/coffee and toasted sourdough bread with lots of real butter.... sometimes even an egg and soldiers, and maybe occasionally pecan pancakes... but not till around 9am.

However, this restaurant, "The Fifth" is close to us and has Brunch every Saturday and Sunday. It's called Brunch and there's a specific Brunch Menu... but it's served all day on the weekends.  We made reservations for 11 am.

Something else that's interesting about this restaurant is that although it's not that large, it has 3 sections: an outside patio (that is enclosed when it's raining or cold), a main floor area, and a raised area that is all large booths. If you look closely in the Inside the Fifth pic, you can almost see the raised area on the left. 

DH and I sat in the raised area and we ordered Poblano Cheddar Grits, the Brunch Burger, and coffee. The Poblano Cheddar grits were awesome... and the Brunch Burger was the best burger I've ever tasted. 

I forgot to take pics, so these are all off the site... and the Brunch Burger was served with herbed hash browns (not the french fries shown in this pic) and were delicious. Here I found another pic that may be more accurate for the Brunch Burger. 

What was special about this place (besides everything being made from scratch - and all real sugar or real butter, etc.) was the care they go to make everything just as you want it... asking  questions and more than happy to make it your way. 

So, obviously,  we were pleased with this place and will definitely return. I'm sure everyone has their own requirements as to what makes a good restaurant. I have 2 :  good coffee and good grits! The Fifth has both... 

And just a FYI, this place seems to accommodate an eclectic crowd. While we were there, several booths were taken up (including ours) with the gray haired set, several tables with families, and several with the young crowd. Interesting, yes?

Well, thanks for reading. Just wanted to share our new restaurant adventure. Enjoy your weekend! (it's raining here)

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

a lot about nothing...

Nothing much to write about today... cooking things left over in refrig or pantry before going shopping again this week. 

So, I took out one remaining russet potato, one remaining sweet potato, about 6 carrots, and a small bunch of broccoli.  Will bake the potatoes, make a small carrot souffle with the carrots, steam the broccoli with a little brown butter and garlic herb powder, and cook some pork chops with butter, brown sugar, and garlic. That should do.

The only difficult part is cutting the recipe for carrot souffle into a little less than a third... since I only had 6 carrots and not the 2 lbs the recipe calls for. But it should be OK. We'll see.

small carrot souffle

I find cooking challenging these days as since my BC diagnosis years ago, I mainly cook 'fresh'... very little canned or frozen. But adding DH and Grandson into the picture, I have to consider what they like as well as my food sensitivities. Luckily none of us eat a lot of red meat. I occasionally cook a roast, but not often. Mostly we eat chicken, pork chops, lots of salads and veggies, and I love Salmon, but the guys won't eat it. 

They do like Stouffers Lasagna and Marie Calendars pot pies (neither of which I can eat because of my being gluten free). But that's OK as I have my own GF stock. And I can 'make' almost any home-made recipe GF by using GF four or pasta... and usually they don't notice a difference. 

*On a different note, I go for my next hearing aid testing this week. This time they test my hearing 'with the hearing aids in'... (at least that's what I understood). I've had them for almost 3 weeks. They seem to work fine. I'm still adjusting them on occasion... like when inside a restaurant, etc.

Starting to notice that perhaps I need to set the left and right ones differently. Will have to talk to her about that. And have to remember to take them out before showering, brushing your hair, or using hair spray. Also have to be careful about pulling my glasses or mask off when outside - as the hearing aids can come off with them.

Yes, 'remembering' is the important thing... and this ol' gal isn't great at remembering these days.  But hopefully I will do better as time goes on.

That's it. Nothing much to share today... just a quiet Sunday and a creative left-over Sunday dinner.

... and a few funnies:

and 

this is what it's like with our outside ferals... 
they don't miss much

Thanks for reading... and wishing you a wonderful week to come!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

February 1, 2024 - Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 

Wishing everyone a Happy February!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian