Freshness

Ah Lancaster, home to the many Amish and Mennonite, as well as many others.....but mostly Lancaster is known for its large Amish populations. 

We had to make an early trip up to Lancaster this morning due to a funeral, for my wonderful and kind hearted grandmother, Grammy.

Since Lancaster has so many farms they have LOTS of fresh produce, something we do not get that often hear in DC.  We got to Lancaster sooner than we expected so we headed off for some fresh produce.  There's this one corn stand that we pass when we go up and it's always packed. At 9:45 people are showing up in the hoards. I believe it is bring your own bags and or boxes.  YES, people come and buy SO much corn, they must be feeding a small community. I mean I can eat corn with the best of them, but at some point I have to stop. Corn there costs $3 per bakers dozen. I don't know how much it costs by all of you, but here it runs about 75 cents an ear. I only bought 7 ears for the hus and I for a buck fifty.

Corn soaking before the grilling

Freshly grilled and steamed corn....note how burned and charred those ears are? 

 Yet, not even damaged, not dried out, not burned soo severely.
 I of course buttered and salted, but I decided to add a little cayenne, my spice of choice to add a little extra heat and flavor.

 
 Sugar Plums

After that we headed to a local orchard where I picked up some white and yellow nectarines, red cherries and some sugar plums. Yup, you know the ones who dance in your head....they are bite size and delish! 

After the service we all had lunch as a family at a local smorgasbord.  I always think that's a funny name.  I wasn't overly impressed with their options although their salad bar was nice.   

 I asked Gary if he wanted to go for a buggy ride, but he declined....

That sign says Doll Outlet, over 5,000....sorry if you are doll lovers, but that kinda creeps me out.  I'm pretty sure dolls come alive at night and run all over the place, not killer like, like Chucky, but still...

Then Gary and I drove to Bird-in-Hand (yup, true name). Lancaster has all sorts of fun names, Paradise, Blue Ball, Intercourse....

We hit up a bakery and an antiques place.  We don't do this often, we aren't pickers or collectors, but since we watch many of those shows we though, what the heck.  I found an old Maxwell House coffee tin (Maxwell being my maiden name) and Gary found some old beer cans, as well as a old mirrored Schlitz sign.  I was hoping that I could find some sleigh bells. Nothing screams Christmas to me than hearing those (I know, Christmas is about 6 months away, what's the hurry, but I'm always looking).  There was one strand for $125 a little out of my price range and a smaller strand for $20, but they just didn't sound right in my mind.  I think they would look great hanging on my door with some Christmas tree branches and a bright red bow. Oh well, next time. 

Weekend Update

 Don't you love how my weekend updates come midweek?
I'm just leaving you hanging. 


Friday:

I left school as soon as the kiddos left and headed to my friend Jenna's house.  We were going to pick up our race packets and bibs in Annapolis and were hoping that we wouldn't hit traffic.  The Expo was at a hotel and was fairly small, they had muscle milk, ING, the bike doctor, skirt sports, cytomex and some other cute vendors.  The bags looked like messenger bags and the technical shirts were black.  I restrained myself from buying cute running skirts which I don't need and instead bought a running hat that I did need.  My head is quite small and so hats sometimes look weird, or I have to pull them so tight that they aren't able to attach again, bummer.  But I found this cute Brookes Hot Pink/black running hat.  Winning!

There were apparently tornado warnings/watches in our area. We were supposed to get some big storms and we did. We had thunder and lightning and heavy downpour.  The sky got real dark, some people started pulling off the road even before it started to rain.  As soon as I got back to Jenna's I took off for home,  My SIL and her boyfriend were coming down spur of the moment for the weekend.  I wanted to beat them home, but got backed up in traffic for about 30 minutes. Reason.....there was some major flooding on the road. 
This I was not a fan of....my poor lil VW golf...I drive a low rider

Saturday:

Race Day: Zooma Half, see post from yesterday

After the race I napped, seems to be what I typically do after a race.  Not to mention I was up at 4:45 for the 7:00 AM race so I was tired! 

Saturday night we had our International Dinner, the theme being Germany.  The hosts supplied, a cheese platter, beer brats, a plethora of German beers and wine. We also had red cabbage, sauerkraut, onions and potatoes.  I provided the dessert of course.....I made apple strudel.  It's funny, everyone was amazed that I was still walking after a half marathon and that I cooked.  I am usually fine the day of the race, it's the day AFTER the race that my body really hates me.  

Sunday:

Sleeping in was on the agenda.

Then we all headed over to Eastern Market for brunch at Boxcar Tavern.  DC is quite the brunch city, but maybe most cities are, we just aren't in them frequently enough.  We've never been to that restaurant before and since it was such a beautiful day we (mainly I) wanted to sit outside.  We didn't get outside seating, but we did get to sit in the gigantic open window and people watch and enjoy the fresh air.  

Gary got scrambled eggs, home fries, fresh fruit and bacon.

I had an open faced french dip sandwich with a side of fries.

SIL-Jess, had a bacon and bleu burger with a side of fries

Chris had poached eggs benedict and a side of home fries 
Sorry- he ate it too quickly!
 
I looove big hats!  I also love accessories- sunglasses? Yes Please!

Then we walked around Eastern Market. LOVE this place. On Saturdays it is local artists selling paintings, jewelry, clothes, etc. There are also local farms that sell their fruits and veggies too.  Sundays are the best because there are all those vendors plus a flea market.  We've purchased many items for our home at Eastern Market, some things are just so unique.  People are so creative!  There are also food vendors too. One of my favorite, In a Pickle.  If you don't like pickled foods then this is not a stop you should visit, but if you do, hit that place up! You can sample all their different types, hot and spicy, dill, sour, wasabi and horseradish.  You can also get 3 pickles on a stick for $2.00!

True Wuv                                 Ballerina skirts!

Food- of course, I couldn't stay away from that....

People, you will be proud, I DID not buy ANYTHING! Wait, that's a lie, I got a homemade strawberry lemonade. YUM!

The perfect pair

Hobby of the day: Shopping


With warmer weather upon us it's time for skirts, dresses and capris to be pulled out of storage.  New York and Company has some super cute dresses right now.  I wish that I wasn't trying to save money right now. Perhaps it's because we are leaving for Jamaica in a day and it would be prudent to not go overboard with my shopping.  One thing that I love about NY& Co is that they have teacher's discounts. At least someone appreciates us.:-)

I love shoes! There's nothing like a nice pair of heels or wedges, the hard thing is finding a pair that is comfortable. I'm not sure if they truly exist.  Even expensive shoes are super comfy. I suppose though that any pair of shoes you might wear for a significant amount of time may hurt your feet.  Sneakers if I wear them too long hurt, flip flops, etc... it really doesn't matter for me.  With heels however my feet start to lose feeling. They often go from hurting to hurting so bad that my feet start to go numb.  Probably not the best thing. What we girls do for beautiful shoes. Guys just have no idea- I guess in that area they are a lot smarter. 


I'm currently on the hunt for a cute pair of brown wedges, preferably a pair that will not break the bank.  I bought this first pair at Old Navy, they weren't onsale sadly-although I just checked online and they ARE onsale!!!What?!  
I wasn't sure how I felt about the tying aspect of the shoe.  I tried on a pair that were basically like round shoelaces.  I felt that those might cut into my ankle.  It's important to have shoes that stay on your feet and don't hurt you in an extra places, toe pinching, rubbing weirdly, you know what I'm saying. This pair has a thicker more ribbon like tie.  They aren't solid brown, they are brown and off white spotted. The nice thing about them is that they are quite when I walk, no click clack down the stairs or through the halls.  They seem to have a little suede like cushion for my foot which is nice.  Since the part that holds my foot is made out of fabric it is very comfortable and a little stretchy, no suffocating my lil toes and no weird rubbings or tightness.  

The pictures on ON have them laced in the back- I think they look a little more girly this way.

 The other pair that I bought Marshall's are brown T-strap.  They are made by Guess.  They were $10 more than the ON pair. They are super cute. They are a darker brown with the braiding around the outside of the shoe.  They have a buckle strap and they don't seem to really have any padding for my foot.  They are much louder too when I walk.  There are definitely times when I like to hear the sound of shoes, but then there are times when I find it somewhat obnoxious, maybe that's just a pet peeve of mine, or from living under people with loud shoes.  

Appreciate that I just got a pedicure, otherwise my toes would have distracted you from the beautiful shoes.


 I love the wedges offered on Nordstrom.com, especially the teen section.   I also love that Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns! It's too bad that the majority of their shoes are more than I would like to spend, at least on one pair of shoes.  I can get 3 pairs of shoes for what one of them costs. I do love the Juicy Couture pair...but $249, no thank you.  
In the past I have purchased from Target, Bakers or BCBG.  

Now, I just have to decide between the two pair.  Oh decisions, life is hard. Haha

Shop till we drop

Yesterday was another beautiful day, unfortunately it was also extremely chilly. It was in the low 40's, but today it's supposed to be in the 60's and then by Thursday in the 80's. Um...ok not sure how I feel about that one. I'm ready for spring weather, but not summer. 

My friend, Jenna and I have been waiting to do a spring shopping trip, preferably to the outlets- cheaper is usually better, well at least in this case, especially where my husband is concerned.  We are headed to the Queenstown Outlets in Maryland. Unfortunately we had to head across this bridge. She hates to drive over bridges, so I get the joy of doing so. I do NOT like this bridge.  People do not go slow.I also prefer to be in the inside lane, you know just as a little extra protection.

I'm not really sure what I plan on getting, I've been doing a lot of online shopping recently.  We have that Spring Break trip coming up in 21 days! Yeah! Still not bikini worthy, but I did purchase a few cute bathing suits from Vics Secret.  I purchased back in the day from them for my honeymoon,  but was cheap so I didn't get nice lined ones, ha jokes on me.  I got two cute ones that I can mix and match with other bathing suits that I have. In the past I've always purchased from Target, but maybe it's because I'm getting older *gasp* but they seem a little too pre-teen for me.  They've also started adding a lot more padding to their suits, as if we even need to show more skin at the beach/pool than we are already. Ha!

I also bought this super cute Old Navy tube top dress, in black of course, even though I would enjoy the other colors. I figured I would get more use out of this one. Plus, it is the only one that came in petite size, so my hope was that it wouldn't drag on the ground. Sometimes the "short" version of clothes isn't  short enough for me. Apparently they aren't offering short any more.

Be proud of me, I think I spent less than $100 at the outlets! I was reserved. Don't get me wrong there were plenty of things that I saw that I could have used and or worn, but that's not the point.  The Nike store did have some good sales, though not as many as I would like. I got florescent green shoe laces for next weekends Rock N' Roll 1/2 that takes place on St. Paddy's day and a pair of shorts. I only bought 1 even though it was basically 2 for the price of one.  I passed up a super cute pink pair with black and white checker designs on the side. I also bought Gary some compression shorts and a sweatband. I am looking for a good running hat but the ones that I tried on there and at Under Amour were too big or squarish on my head. 

Almost bought these, only $31! Super cute and lightweight, but I held back....

I also bought a cute dress from J. Crew super bubble gum pink, but with pockets. I love dresses with pockets! I was too lazy to take off my leggings and boots, but I kinda pulled it off, at least that's what the sales girls said, but they probably just want me to buy. Hopefully they were being sincere.  Jenna said that it "gave me a waist" lol. I don't really have one, I feel like I go straight down.  I passed up another dress there and a button down. I love their button downs, but 59-69$ for a button down is like $40 too much! I also purchased a super cute navy blue and orange striped shirt that was 40% off, plus my additional 15% off for teacher's discount. I love that J. Crew has teachers discounts even at the outlets and on stuff that are already on sale too! Some stores do not honor that. So score big points for you J. Crew and your super cute over priced clothes.

Old Navy was having buy one get one on their t-shirts, who can pass that up? I only bought one though I purchased a blue t and got the yellow one for free. 

I had tossed around the idea of buying a Michael Kors purse, but no good sales. I would really like one, but held back.  We went to Kate Spade and they were having super sales like 50% off on some purses, but I just didn't like their wool winter line and if I am going to buy a Kate Spade purse I'm going to buy the real deal. I want the Kelly green purse.....LOVE that color and stripes and polka dots.  Someday, it's on my want to have list.

[source]

Which one would you pick if you could? 

When you go outlet shopping are you reserved? 

As Seen On TV

We've all seen the commercials

Bought this! Cami Secret

I have this problem a lot, shirts that are a little "too low" for the work place, especially since I'm a teacher.  They work....one thing I am dissatisfied with: I feel like it bunches sometimes/wrinkles.... so I have to tuck the bottom part of the cami secret under my bra, but at least the problem is solved.

  

Yes, I also bought this....for my mother. She has old couches and they sag, so I got one to see if it would work.  It did seem to help give the cushion some extra support.

I've only purchased two items from As Seen.....however, since I haven't really been disappointed yet, I would also like to purchase:

My hubs' car could really use this, maybe we could see better on the road at night, or it could just be that his 11 year old lights are just....OLD.

The Hip-T: It's like the belly band for non-pregnant people.  I own about 20 plus spaghetti strap shirts. Thank you Forever 21 and H & M for having reasonably priced shirts.  I wear them under EVERYTHING, sweaters, dress shirts, t-shirts, etc... I just don't wanna be one of "those" people.....no one wants to see my plumber. 

You have to pull it up over your feet and up over hips, I wonder how long the elastic will last in this...I also wonder if it will irritate my stomach if it's too tight.

Anyone have this?

I DO NOT WANT:
But maybe could be convinced.
Do you have one?

Forever Lazy