Day 324 of 365 - A Lovely Day Away

As mentioned, we are out of the city for a couple of days.  Today, we have had the pleasure of a couple of lovely outings.  First, this morning, back to the local Farmers' Market to pick up some interesting items and chat with vendors and other shoppers.  It's great to be in the relaxed shopping atmosphere, to interact with the growers of the produce that I bought or the vendors who have carefully created or accessed their products. (Our brother-in-law is familiar enough with the market to tell us to avoid the vendors who are sellers of products shipped in from elsewhere, so we can shop local.)

It's not that I don't have access to these same kinds of shopping opportunities in the city where I live.  I do, and I hear about a great variety of them from friends.  I've just been a lazy shopper at home, going to my habitual places and not taking the time to seek out novel situations.  I really have no good reason for not shifting my behavior, other than habit.  Sad, but true, that I seem to need to go 'somewhere else' to do this kind of thing.  I need to give myself another motivational butt kick to change my food shopping approach where I live.

This afternoon we drove out to the river front property of a niece and nephew where we enjoyed a picnic lunch that we had brought and enjoyed the serenity and view of the location in the Kawartha Highlands.  We also had a wonderful catch up visit with this nephew whom we don't see often.  On the way home we stopped at a Mennonite farm stand where I picked up some more local produce, locally grown saffron of all things and a fresh baked Chelsea bun for tomorrow's breakfast. Yummy anticipation!

Tonight we'll be having a delicious dinner which has been simmering in a crock pot all afternoon, prepared by our brother-in-law's visiting friend.  It smells wonderful and I'll be delighted to try it.

Oh my, it was a gastronomic delight.  I had osso buco for the first time.  What a treat.  Then we took a break between the main course and dessert, a farmer's market pie, to listen to my husband serenade us with his guitar.  We all had fun and lively conversation together.

All in all, it was a splendid day and I look forward to a good night's sleep in dropping night time temperatures, nestled in a cozy bed with a nearby open window.  I'm so grateful for my lovely day away from home.

P.S.  Not one power tool, gas blower, edge trimmer or lawn mower has been heard in two days.  Heavenly!


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