Author: DJones BranchingOut

Pushing 50 and it's time to try a few (maybe... 365?) new things. This blog is not about reinventing oneself or one's life, but about how much fun one can have while going out on a limb and branching out. Kicking anxiety's butt one day at a time, yeah!

Seven Farmers Markets in Seven Days

From SDFarmbureau.org
From SDFarmbureau.org

When my kids were younger, we frequently went to the local Farmers Markets. For them, Kettle Corn was the reason to be dragged along. For me, the local pork patties and bratwurst, grass-fed beef, fruits, and vegetables were the draw. You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten corn on the cob so fresh that no cooking, salt, or butter is necessary; and Indiana’s pork patties are not to be missed. No grocer has ever been able to provide tomatoes or peaches that can compare to what you can purchase from a local supplier, and if your neighbor isn’t sharing, the Farmers Market is your next best bet.

Here in The Southland, we have the treat of multiple Farmers Markets open nearly every day. Next week, I’m going to take a mini mental vacation and visit a different market every day… I can’t wait! I’m hoping to pick up something for dinner a few nights, some locally produced meats, and other end of the season produce to put up in my freezer. Maybe I’ll find some completely new food to try?

San Diego Farmers Markets (on SDFarmbureau.org) is a great link with mostly up-to-date information on all of the Farmers Markets in the San Diego county area.

From SDFarmBureau.org
From SDFarmBureau.org

Look at that Niche- That is a Nice Niche.

This is an actual profile photo on Eddie Murphy's Facebook page! I'm not kidding- follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/EddieMurphy/photos/a.154069074666916.39917.153822731358217/788316451242172/
This is an actual profile photo on Eddie Murphy’s Facebook page! Seriously, click to link!

Donkey gets the credit for this posting’s title, ha. When I had finished putting some of our collections in the entry way niche, I really did say “Look at that niche, that’s a nice niche!” and I swear, I heard it in Donkey’s voice. I digress… (clears throat).

I have a few random house projects that I have been meaning to get around to

Is this a summer To Do list? Or is this just wishful thinking?
Is this a To Do list? Or just wishful thinking?
  • paint under counter
  • do something with the empty niche above the front door
  • repaint stair risers
  • get son’s collections into manageable storage boxes
  • put all photos into a storage box, not mixed with other mementos
  • sort out and give away extra fall/autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations
  • kids’ (now teens!) grade school holiday art separated from holiday storage boxes

Today I finally did something with a space over my front door. This niche has sat naked for more than five years. As I have passed by it multiple times, every day, I wonder what the heck to do with it? I don’t like random tchochkies too much, so the décor du jour doesn’t interest me.

It took awhile but I finally gathered together items from our travels into a small collection to put into this awkward niche above my front door. Rocks from beach trips, conch shells from the great-grandparents’ world travels, pine cones The Boy has collected… only the tall sticks came from the craft store. So I cheated.

But, here it is, TA DAAAA:

Still needs something more in the front...
Still needs something more in the front…

Why Yes, I WILL Dive into a New TV Series on Netflix, Thankyouverymuch!

Arrow "Pilot" Image AR101d-0117 Pictured: Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW © 2012 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved
© 2012 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved

Continuing with the Marvel Universe, I’ve caved to the friends of The Boy and started in on Arrow. Eleven shows in and I can say this for sure: I love Netflix. About Arrow? The jury is still out on that one. Maybe I just like the Marvel Comic Universe better? Not sure yet…

I’m going to keep plowing through the first season, though. If only to see John Barrowman in a series… I love that guy!

For your daily dose of JB:

Looking For a Break, a Healthy Break- Please?

…because my family is three for three now, and it is really getting to be annoying.

“The most poetical thing in the world is not being sick.”
GK Chesterton

The Husband and I were excited to attend Family Week and spend time with The Girl. It had been six weeks since we dropped her off at the university where she has chosen to spend the majority of her time (and our money, ouch!) for the next four years. The Boy came along, too, excited to see college life in full swing and eager to tell all who ask how much he doesn’t miss his sister, best friend, and general partner in crime. Liar.

Can we once, just once, set foot on this college campus without major illness?

First visit, norovirus hit our family- insulting as we weren’t even cooped up on a cruise. If I’m going to have The Cruise Ship Bug, can’t I at least get it on a luxury trip? Next visit was move-in day, and an anxiety attack hit one of us in a bad way. Now, six weeks later, we are visiting and The Girl is not recovering from a nasty cold as she thought but instead is cultivating a nice case of bronchitis. Family Weekend became Urgent Care Trip Weekend and Pharmacy Fun Day.

Who better than your mamma to spend the weekend with when you are away from home and quite ill?

And, it was awfully nice of her to share her creeping crud with her father.