serene | Small-town Saturday

Most stuff in our small town isn't open every day. Lots and lots of places are Wednesday-through-Saturday. Many places are Saturday-only (or Wednesday-only, or by-appointment-only). Most places are closed Sunday. Most places are open Saturday.

So Saturdays are the days we wander around, with James getting to mostly decide where we're going. And Sundays are the day we putter around the house.

Today has been lovely so far. Let's see if I can remember the places we hit.

Stopped by the CPA's office to pick up our tax papers. We're getting a moderate refund, which we were not in any way sure would happen, what with selling a house and stuff, so okay, cool.

Diane's bakery for stuffed croissants and an apple turnover for breakfast (and coffee for James)

Walked down the main street (which is not called Main Street) on the sunny side of the street looking in shop windows

Walked back up the main street on the shady side. Stopped at the food co-op for beans and potatoes.

Then next-door to Birdwell's, a coffeeshop/gift store owned by some seriously chipper Christian folks. I had bought a hairband there that I love, and looked for other colors, but they only had more of the same color. Then I got a boba (boba? In New Mexico? Get a rope!) and James got a double espresso after assuring the proprietor that he did not, in fact, need cream or sugar

Stopped at Encore, the resale shop that's closing at the end of this month and selling stuff CHEAP. Got ten napkin rings for $5, a cool pottery bowl for $10, and lots and lots of greeting cards by local artists for $3 apiece. Plus said good-bye to Ramona and Holly, who have been so very sweet to us since the first day we walked in. They're moving to a bigger town (El Paso, I think), where there's better/more available healthcare. Gave two of our masks to the tourists from Arkansas who don't carry any with them and don't think they do any good, but they're mandatory here.

Next, I went to the used bookstore and James headed home after a few minutes because it smells of smoke in there, but I had to call him back a half-hour later because I found this pile of books and the shop is cash-only.

Stack of books, mostly cookbooks and a ukelele book

After we paid for the books, we headed back downtown to Mint Chip Creamery, home of my fave candied-pistachio ice cream, because Laura, the owner, fries fresh donuts to order on weekends. I like mine plain and unglazed; James got chocolate glazed this time.

Then home to put the books, beans, and potatoes away and to say hi to our lizards (they mostly live on the walls outside our house, but sometimes they get in. Not today, though.)

Turned back around and headed the other direction, to the furniture shop we got our bed and sofa and recliner and end tables from. Found a cabinet to replace the broken one in the bathroom, and a bookcase for the bedroom that will probably hold household goods to keep the pantry tidy.

And now I am sitting here, well-fed, well-exercised, and so happy to be where we are. Hope you all are well!

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hobbitbabe

I love hearing your updates. It sounds like a good place for you to make a good life!

I am well too - had a lovely roadtrip rendezvous with my former local-bff, and now I'm eating Hershey's caramel kisses while reading a book on my computer and knitting a sock.