#3028 a taste of Prague in West Valley City

There is a new shop in my neighborhood called Crispy Cones. The grand opening was Friday. I heard about the shop on Facebook, and drove past it on Friday afternoon when I was going to the bank. The Facebook post caught my eye because the crispy cones look similar to the chimney cake I had in Budapest or the trdlink that was all over Prague. The main difference between the two is that chimney cake is large, like almost as long as your forearm, and the trdlink is smaller, about half the size or maybe even less. My curiosity was piqued, so I had to check it out.

I was glad to see the little store was packed with people. The scent of warm pastry, cinnamon, and sugar was in the air. The crispy cones here are trdlink sized, and you can fill them with ice cream or spreads. I pretty quickly decided I would just have Nutella spread in mine, but I would have been glad to have just the cake. 

Here are a few pics I took of the shop:

I love the skyline of Prague detail

There were several people in front of me in the line, so I had a chance to listen to what other folks were ordering and what the man behind the counter was telling them about the treat. I noticed that he had an accent, and I wondered if he was Czech, so when it was my turn to order, I asked him. He told me he is from Romania, another Central European country, and we chatted for a minute about chimney cakes and trdlink after I told him I'd been to Prague and Budapest in the fall. I placed my order and he told me my treat was on the house. How nice is that? 

I waited for about five minutes before my fresh, hot, Nutella-slathered Crispy Cone was ready. It was about the size of a Dixie cup.

I wanted to tear into right there in my car, but knew it would be messier than I wanted to deal with, so I waited until I got home, although I did take a bite!

At home I got after the treat pretty quick. My cone had the cinnamon sugar coating. The cake was good, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I love Nutella, but mixed with the cinnamon and sugar, I didn't think was a great combo. Like I said, I would prefer it empty because the cake was good. I like the size of this treat because it is enough to satisfy the sweet tooth but not feel icky. Also, except for the Nutella, it wasn't overly sweet.

I hope the shop does well. I know in Prague every trdlink shop we saw - and there were many - always had a bunch of people getting the treat. I'm pretty sure I'll visit this shop again, too.

Have a great week!

#3027 three things I can do with my left hand

 

Since I broke my right wrist a week ago, I have had to learn to do things with my left hand. I am right hand dominant, so it hasn't been easy to be a lefty. I have the ability to use the fingers of my right hand, but the cast covers most of my palm, I don't have any flexibility in the wrist because of the cast, and holding anything that weighs more than a pound with my right hand is painful and uncomfortable. Because of all that, Lefty has had to step it up. Here are three things I can now do left-handed passably well.

1. Throwing a frisbee. This is extremely important to Stella the Dog. In the past, you know, two weeks ago, when I tried to throw the frisbee with my left hand, the disc just kind up went vertical and crashed to the ground. There was no flight. Now, though, I can get it across the yard in a nice smooth line most of the time. Here is a pic of Stella before I figured out how to master the lefty throw.

sad Stella

2. Stirring. This is a strange one because I didn't ever think about stirring anything with my left hand. I made myself a scrambled egg the other day, and I couldn't even figure out how to hold the wooden spoon to mix the egg in the pan. I felt so unnatural to me. Since then, I have mixed some tuna with mayo, cottage cheese with chia seeds and seasoning, and of course coffee. It doesn't feel normal, but things get mixed, so that's what matters. The other part of the stirring that that I am gripping the bowl/pan/cup with my Shrek-like right fingers and it isn't a strong grip.

3. Personal/toiletry. Left-handed tooth brushing is different to me. I have an electric toothbrush, so I just have to hold the toothbrush on my teeth and it does all the work, but moving the brush around to the different quadrants feels like solving an algebra problem. Also, maybe I put more toothpaste on the brush than usual or I'm focusing on getting all the teeth clean, but I slobber more now than when I was right handed. I almost always have a little toothpaste dribble on my shirt. My teeth are clean, though. Combing or brushing my hair is a joke. I know it shouldn't be that hard, but jeez, I keep trying to comb with the back of the comb. What's up with that? Mostly I opt for the finger brushing technique. Finally, the most private thing (wiping) has been quite an adjustment. I get it done and it's fine because needs must, amIright? 

Enjoy the rest of the week!

#3026 it has been a rough week

Well...the last week of January was NOT very nice for me.

 On Monday the 26th, I went to a meeting with my financial advisor to move my 401(k) funds from my employer's advisor. I got there a little early, and as I was backing into the parking space, I noticed my back-up camera was dirty. I decided to wipe it off. I was thinking about checking out the nearest Daiso store after the appointment, what I would have for dinner, and about a million other things, but not about how tall the curb was that I had to step up on to get to the back of my car. My toe clipped the top of the curb, and down I went. SPLAT! Face-plant on the grass (thankfully), right knee hit the asphalt, right hand somewhere underneath my body.

My nose was bleeding profusely, big, dark splotches of blood pouring out onto the grass and curb. I got myself up and somehow managed to get the car door open and grab a handful of Starbucks napkins to staunch the flow. I did drip on the doorframe of the car, but somehow avoided my clothes and the seat. Miracle. I had to get three handfuls of napkins before the blood stopped, clotted, whatever. I stood there gasping and wondering if anything was broken. My knee was certainly throbbing, and that's when I noticed my right wrist looked, well, not right. Also, I couldn't open the car door with my right hand, nor could I grip the car keys.

I made it into the building, limping and clutching my right wrist to my chest. Cleaned up my face in the bathroom. Glared at my wrist, and went to the appointment where I promptly asked for an ice pack and some Tylenol. I made it through the meeting without crying or throwing up and took care of the business. Back at the car, I called MT to let him know about the fall and that I was going to the ER, and I cried. A lot. I was in a lot of pain.

I went to the ER in my neighborhood. Filling out the form was excruciating and I cried. The staff got me in very quickly and took a look at everything I said was hurting. The focus was on my wrist which was pretty clearly broken, the type of broken that would need surgery and hardware to put back together. I was given the name of a surgeon and an appointment was scheduled for the next morning. The ER doctor put a giant cast on my arm from my fingertips past my elbow, gave me a sling and a prescription for Percocet, and wished me well.

The menfolk got home shortly after I got home, but not before I called Mom and Lizzie to cry. Lot of crying this week.

 

Tuesday morning, MT drove me to meet Dr. Holt, the surgeon, and the surgery was scheduled for the next day. I was in quite a bit of pain on Tuesday and tried to be as still as possible. I napped off and on. It was just really uncomfortable.

Surgery was around 1:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday. It was an outpatient procedure. I was at the clinic for a few hours. I don't really remember all that much about Wednesday.

Thursday I was up and moving around a bit. I now have a cast from the middle of my palm to just below my elbow. There is quite a bit of bruising on my arm and my fingers which look like little swollen purple sausages, but at least I can use them. The wrist feels pretty good as long as I don't twist it suddenly or hold anything for too long. It is even uncomfortable to hold my phone for longer than 10 seconds or so. 

The menfolk left for Pocatello this morning. I drove for the first time since Monday today to go get a coffee. It was fine. I've been wearing my new glasses which turn into sunglasses when I go outside, so it has been good. I've been napping this week and taking it easy. MT cooked a lot, so I have plenty of food to heat up. He even bought me paper plates so I don't have to wash dishes. LOL

The guys will be back on Saturday. I will get the cast off on Monday the 9th. At that point I will have a brace that I can take off and on when I shower. For now I have a waterproof bag to put my arm in when I shower, which is a lot easier than trying to tape on a grocery sack.

The worst thing has been remembering laying on the curb bleeding and in pain. I keep remembering tripping and hitting the ground. I don't know how my nose didn't break. I was so scared. It has been an awful week.

What I learned from all this is to be present. Pay attention. Yes, you have stepped up on a million curbs in your life, but one misstep, one little moment, can really f*ck up your day.

That was a lot of typing. I'm gonna take some ibuprofen and lay down now.

Be careful out there.

#3025 an evening with Alice Feeney

Alice and me

 On Friday night I did something fun and different. I went to a book talk sponsored by The Kings English Bookshop. The author Alice Feeney was in town to talk about her latest novel, My Husband’s Wife. The ticket included a signed copy of the book, and at the end, you could have Alice personalize the book with your name, which I did. 

Woooo!

I have only read one of Alice’s books, Daisy Darker, which I really enjoyed. It was Agatha Christie-esque.

Feeney’s books are psychological thrillers. They aren’t scary or bloody, but are a little creepy, the kind that get in your brain. I would like to read more of her books. She has written eight novels, including this latest release. She’s pretty popular and her books are waitlisted at the library. Fun fact, one of her novels, His and Hers, is a limited series now streaming on Netflix. 

The talk was held in the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City. I thought the talk would be held in a meeting room, but it was held in THE meeting room, the actual chapel. There were hundreds of people there, and we were totally eating up her British accent and stories about walking along the cliffs with her dog as she works through her stories in her mind. 

Alice Feeney (right) discusses her writing process

It’s fascinating to me to listen to an author talk about their process: how a story forms in their minds, how the characters evolve, and how the words finally make it on to the page. Feeney says that she has five more novels already taking up space in her mind, and she is itching to get back to her shed to start writing the next book. I can’t even fathom that imagination. I would love to have a story floating around in my head waiting to escape onto a page, but I don’t, at least not now. Maybe someday, and maybe not. 

I am glad I looked at the email from Hey Salt Lake on Thursday morning. That’s how I found out about the Alice Feeney event. I do get emails from The Kings English, but I don’t always pay much attention to them. I’ll have to pay more attention in the future, but it worked out okay. I really like the Hey Salt Lake newsletter that comes in my email every day. Between that email and the daily email from Axios SLC, I get a lot of good info about stuff that’s going on that I might be interested in, interesting places, and local news. 

That’s all for today. Take care of yourselves. Be safe out there.

Xo

#3024 three things: coffee three ways

 

I wonder how I made this fun collage. Maybe using Canva? I don't know, and I know it's more than three photos, but I like it, so I figured I'd use it today because I want to talk about coffee.

I started going to Starbucks, or at least I became a Starbucks rewards member, in 2011. A chai latte was the gateway drink, then I cautiously moved to mochas and lattes with coffee. The drinks were quite sweet, so I don't think I noticed the coffee all that much.

When Lizzie and I went to Costa Rica in 2021, that's when I really started liking coffee for coffee's sake. Currently there are three ways to make coffee at my house.

1. Drip coffee. This is the American standard way of making coffee through a drip system. You put ground up coffee beans in a filter, water in the tank, press the button, and within five to seven minutes, you get a pot of coffee. I like this type of coffee because you have so many choices about what kind of beans you want to use, for example the roast, whole beans you grind yourself or already ground beans, and lots of different flavors and brands. I really like a Utah roaster, Cafe Ibis. I currently have a holiday blend that is quite tasty. My biggest drawback with the drip is that the smallest quantity setting on my machine is eight cups, and that is a lot of coffee. I'm usually good for a cup or two, and I dislike pouring the rest of the pot down the sink. It feels like such a waste! I'm considering getting a much smaller coffee maker like the one my sister has. I think it only makes two or three cups.

2. Pods. My coffee maker is a Keurig Duo, which means it has both the drip and the K-cup option. I don't use Keurig brand coffee because most any type of pod will work. I like the Green Mountain pods, especially the morning blend which is a light roast. It's a mellow coffee. It's great for when I'm in a hurry, which isn't often anymore, but it's still a quick fix.

Keurig Duo coffee maker

3. Moka pot. I remember that my abuelita had a moka pot that she used to make her morning cafe. I decided to buy one a couple of years ago when I was ready to expand my coffee making options. How the moka pot works is a bit of a mystery to me, but it's fun, and it makes a strong-ass cup of coffee, no matter what type of grounds are used. Currently, I am using espresso I bought at Trader Joe's. One little cup is satisfying, and since the moka pot just makes one cup, it works nicely. Moka pots are cute, and using it to make a coffee feels like a special little ritual.

My Duo is about four years old now and it is acting a little weird. When I make a pot, water drains from the pod side which isn't a problem since I keep a cup there anyway. I already mentioned what I don't like about the pot (it's big.) The pod side is also being weird. I have three sizes of cups available, 8, 10, or 12. Lately, when I push the 8, which is my usual choice, it drains water, then starts brewing, but brews way more than 8 ounces. It used to stop itself at 8 ounces, but now it gives me at least 10 even when I only want 8. I had a mess on my counter top the first time that happened! Now I am considering replacing the Duo with a smaller pot option and a single Keurig. I don't know, though. I'm on a fixed income now (heehee) so I'll probably just keep what I've got until it gives up the coffee ghost, so to speak.

First world problems, eh?

Enjoy the rest of the week!

xo

#3023 weekend wrap-up plus art gallery

 

my January wee calendar

Good afternoon! I hope you are having a delicious, relaxing weekend.

MT and T were here this weekend. They arrived on Thursday just in time for MT to go with me to the Red Butte Garden volunteer dinner and reception. It was a fun event. We sat by my friend Liz and her husband, and I saw my good friend Wendy B, along with many others. The best part for me was getting recognized for being a volunteer for 10 years!

10 years!!

I write about how much I enjoy volunteering at the Garden, and it's absolutely true. Red Butte Garden has been a sanctuary for me. It's a place I can go to clear my head and to be completely present. One of the "jobs" I have there, bloom recording, requires me to be focused and observant, and I relish the hours I get to spend noting what I see blooming. Last year, I had nearly 159 hours of volunteer time. I have no idea if that is average or below average; there were 572 volunteers last year, and the volunteer hours ranged from 30 to over 600. (The over 600 hour woman is there nearly every day!) My hours goal is always at least 101 hours, so I am fine with 159. Maybe I'll aim for 200 hours this year since I will have more time to give. We'll see. Anyway, I was glad MT was able to come with me to the reception this year.

MT also helped me solve the bird seed situation. He has lots of empty buckets from Lowes in the garage. We filled two of the buckets, then bought a lid (he just had one lid that was available), so now the birdies can have seeds again. I've filled the feeder a couple of times this weekend and it sure doesn't take long for the birds to empty it.

T was a total hero on Friday. He came with me to pick Stella up from the groomer. On the way out of the store, she got a little spooked and slipped right out of her collar in the middle of the road in the parking lot. She had a lot less hair around her neck than when we went in to the store that morning! T calmly scooped her up and carried her to the car. You might not think this is anything heroic, but it is, and I'll tell you why: Stella does NOT like to be picked up. We have had her for three years, and I have never picked her up. I've seen people do it; I think T even did one time before here at home, but in general, she doesn't allow the behavior. So for him to walk to her and calmly tell her it was okay and pick her up, man, that was awesome. He was amazing.  I'm so glad he came with me.

Other than that bit of excitement, we had a nice quiet weekend. Yesterday the three of us had lunch at Moochies. I cooked a couple of T's favorite dishes for dinner on Friday and Saturday - pasta on Friday and croquetas on Saturday. MT worked on a puzzle and the two of them watched some shows on TV. I read and puttered around.  The two of them left this morning, so here I am again, just me and the puppers.

I've got a couple of things coming up this week. On Tuesday, I will take Stella to the vet to have her vaccinations. I'll be sure to tighten her collar. On Thursday I am planning to go to my former office. I need to do some business at the credit union, plus they are having Dip Day and I was invited to come over for that festival. I even bought a dip to take with me, because you can't show up to a party empty-handed. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, having a snack, hearing the gossip, and leaving.

I don't think we've had a little art gallery for awhile, so here are some things that I've made recently.

This first painting is from October. It was inspired by a photo I saw on Instagram from a guy I follow (provencallife) who takes beautiful photos of his home in Provence. This is my interpretation of a photo he took:

Provencal Doorway

These next two pieces are from a prompt from Jill the Artist. She gave a list of adjectives and nouns and the prompt was to select one word from each list and do an artistic interpretation of the words. Both pieces were inspired by art I saw on Pinterest.

Unfinished Spark

Green Balloon

The next one was also inspired by something I saw on Pinterest. It's how I felt one morning when I was out walking the dogs during one of the very brief  and infrequent snow episodes we've had here in SLC this month.

In the Snow

This last one is from my still unfinished travel journal. I bought the pretty postcard in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic and I really wanted to try to duplicate it, so here it is:

my take on Cesky Krumlov

That is all for today. Have a great week!

xo

#3022 three things: 80 lbs of birdseed, grocery shopping on Tuesday morning, and going out for coffee

1. 80 pounds of birdseed. You know how much I love to feed the birdies in my yard. I have a cute little birdfeeder, just one, and it gives me a lot of pleasure to watch the birdies come to the feeder. I love it when the ones on the feeder kick out some seeds for their friends who are waiting on the ground. Sometimes there will be a dozen or so birds in the yard pecking at the seeds. Of course that only happens when the dogs are inside, but we (the dogs and I) watch from the big window into the yard. I usually buy about 10 lbs of seeds every month from Smiths. 

When the menfolk began going through the new property in Pocatello, MT texted me to let me know not to buy any more birdseed. He said they'd found some seed at the house and they would bring it next time they came home. It turns out that when I went to Pocatello for Thanksgiving, I just picked up the seed myself. 

That is two 40 lb bags of birdseed. It's still in the back of my car. I don't even know how I'm going to store this much seed. We have lots of five pound buckets out in the garage, but I don't want to have several open buckets of seeds because I worry that mice will come in to feast, and I am not interested in that option. I'll probably just have to find a container with a secure lid, or else buy one, and I need to do this soon. I'm out of the seed I'd last bought at the grocery store, and the birdies are hungry. They chirp at me from the trees and the power lines. I'll keep you updated on this important issue.

2. Grocery shopping on Tuesday morning. Speaking of the grocery store, yesterday (Tuesday) I went  shopping at my local supermarket, and can I just tell you how pleasant it was? There weren't many people to navigate around, and certainly no little kids. I didn't have to wait in a line for an actual checker, in fact, she was waiting for me to put my groceries on the conveyor. Shopping still isn't that fun (unless I'm at Trader Joe's) but being able to go on a weekday morning is pretty dang nice.

3. Out for coffee. One of the things I wanted to do in my retirement is to go to different coffee places in the valley. I have a small list of places that have popped up on my social media feed, and I'm looking forward to getting to all of them. Yesterday was my first outing. I stayed close to home and went to Azucar,

It is a Mexican coffee place not from from my house. I enjoyed a Mexican mocha and a chunk of pecan bread. The bread wasn't too sweet or crumbly. It was perfect for scooping up the rich foam of the yummy coffee. The dash of cinnamon made everything taste great. I saw a lot of avocado toast being served, so maybe I'd have that next time.  The cafe was quite busy with folks chatting over coffee, studying, and reading, like me. This West Valley location isn't really cozy. It's in sort of a strip mall and it's kind of cave-like. The front is a big window, so during the morning there is decent light. The last time I was here it was later in the afternoon and it was dark in the cafe. I know that Azucar has opened another shop closer to downtown, so I'll have to check that place out, too.

I hope you are having a great week!

xo