Two Sleepy People. That’s the name of a wonderful old standard by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser. That’s also the name of Don and Claudia at the moment. Both of us are more than a bit sleep deprived and it continues into today. Yesterday, I was determined to do something, despite exhaustion, so we got in the car and drove to a neighboring town that has a Food Co-op that I had just learned about via Instagram. We’ve lived here nearly 11 years and for some reason it wasn’t on my radar.
Isn’t this the neatest little store you ever did see? It’s packed with fresh vegetables and healthy food. I stopped counting at 8 different kinds of potatoes. We were gobsmacked by the variety there.
I think we’ll probably join the co-op because we miss belonging to a co-op. We used to belong to one when we were living in San Diego. We’re certainly going to be shopping there on a regular basis.
What’s not to love? We drive through a countryside full of charming and funky homes, farms, winding roads, with mountains in the distance and we end up here.
On the way back home, we stopped for fresh sweet corn at our local farm stand. It’s truly the best corn I’ve ever had and I’ve lived a lot of places! We came home, had a yummy dinner and watched…you guessed it…another episode of Inspector Morse.
Try to contain your excitement.
In the mail yesterday: the newest Squint Box.
The theme this month is A Mini Affair.
A Victoria’s Secret bag, a piece of Chocolate Opera Cake made by miniaturist Pei Li, a mini package, and an Italian Pasta Plate.
Wait! Do I see something in that Victoria’s Secret bag?
Goodness me! Some frilly little unmentionables!
This monthly Squint Box shipment is always a delight.
T-minus 2 days and counting until I can purchase Louise Penny’s newest, A Great Reckoning. Yes, I know I can pre-order, but that’s not as fun! With a new book by one of my very favorite authors, I like to take part in my New Book Ritual: a drive to the bookstore, then a quick search for it on display, where I pick my very own copy, pay for it, and escort it back to the cottage.
Happy Sunday.
Is Caroline okay with you posting photos of her unmentionables? How fun is finding a Squint Box in the mail? (!)
Ssssh! Don’t tell her, Shanna! (I love this monthly Squint Box thing!)
those unmentionables are to much, so so cute! Lucky Caroline!
Much nicer than anything I have, Doris!
I love the funky colours on the co-op building. The new minis are delightful! Now that we’ve had our three months of warm weather (the leaves are turning and it has rained all weekend), it’s time to contemplate some mini projects for those upcoming “inside” days.
Yes, I have to get back to my project, but I haven’t been inspired to do much lately. When the weather starts to cool, I think I’ll be back at it, Barbara.
What a fun find, the food co-op! I’m resting today. After all the hassle of finding new eyeglass frames and ordering lenses I’ve got a big ole headache! Love the little mini’s, what a fun thing in the mail each month.
hugs!!!
Linda
They are awfully fun, Linda!
Love that funky co-op, Claudia! The fresh fruits and veggies are wonderful this time of year!! I want to take a drive there – we are down in southern Dutchess….I also want to stop in Rosendale….I too am awaiting Lousise Penny’s new book…. I just started her last and it’s so good!! Loved this post, Claudia! Have a good Sunday!!
You, too, Francine! Rosendale and High Falls are right next to each other, so you can visit both towns on the same day.
Your drive to the co-op and back sounds delightful. Love the name too…are there falls nearby? Look at those tiny unmentionables! Hope Caroline appreciates the gift! ;)
Yes, there are falls nearby, Donnamae. I haven’t told Caroline about the unmentionables yet. I’m not sure whether she should have them or not – she’s been a bit testy lately.
Hopefully, once Caroline has finished that plate of pasta and had that Delicious looking chocolate desert, she will still be able to fit into those Adorable Victoria Secret undies! ;P
I might split that dessert with her, Elizabeth! (Just being a good friend…)
Hope you have thousands of delicious nutritious meals from food bought at the Co-op, Claudia! Oh-la-la….that is a sexy lingerie set for Caroline!
Very sexy! Certainly not like the Hanes underwear in my dresser drawers!
Haha, Claudia…Whatever is at Costco for me! I don’t want to pay the VS prices.
Me either!
Hi Claudia, I thought you might like to hear about my dealings with John Thaw. Quite a few years ago (I dread to think how many years ago) he was filming an episode of Sherlock Holmes (not the current Sherlock…I doubt if Benedict whatshisface was even born then, anyway the programme was being shot on the Norfolk Broads, where I live, and took place on a Norfolk wherry. I was working as a journalist at the time, and my boss was very keen for me to get an interview with Mr. Thaw. I phoned the Carlton Hotel in Gt Yarmouth where he was staying, and spoke to his manager (a very formidable lady) ‘Mr. thaw does not give interviews’ she informed me, ‘WE do not like the press’. As far as I was concerned that was it, but my boss was having none of it. ‘ Get Carter’ he yelled, (a reference to a popular TV series,) so, quaking a bit, but determined to do my job, I dragged my photographer with me to the Carlton. We just wandered in, and there was Mr. Thaw, sitting in a comfy looking chair, an enormous cobweb hanging above his head, and an equally enormous glass of scotch in his hand. I told him I would really like to talk to him for a few minutes, but his manager arrived shouting and swearing, wanting me to be thrown out. But Mr. Thaw, being quite mellowed by the Scotch, sent her away and said he would be delighted to speak to me. (I was still at my ‘desirable female’ stage of life). He called for more drinks and we spent a very affable couple of hours talking. It was more of a cosy chat than an interview, especially as our glasses were being refilled on a regular basis. He was charming, relaxed and not a little flirtatious, which of course, I loved. (Well, we can all be a little starstruck, can’t we?) Anyway, getting close to lunch time,( yes, it had been early morning boozing), he asked me if I knew any good local antique shops, as whenever he went on location he bought his wife a toasting fork. (apparently she collected them). so I told him my favourite shop, I took my leave (with a big hug) and left. Then I had a great idea. I got my photographer to drive me to the shop (he hadn’t been drinking) and there I perused their collection of toasting forks, and lo and behold I found one with a Norfolk wherry on the handle. I had it gift wrapped, then rushed back to the hotel. I arrived as Mr. Thaw was starting lunch, so I just put down the package and said ‘thank you’ before his manager exploded. Anyway, I thought that was that. But the next day I received an enormous bouquet with the message (To my favourite journalist. You can interview me anytime you want) and my boss received a letter saying how nice I had been and I was the first journalist that had not only not tried to shaft him, but had done something nice for him. I never saw him again, but I often wonder if his widow still has the toasting fork and knows the story behind it. I bet they had a good laugh about the starstruck reporter. My only complaint is that my boss wouldn’t let me claim for it on expenses and it wasn’t cheap! lol . (It’s still a fond memory though)
Oh, lovely! What a wonderful story, Lesley, and I’m so glad you shared it with us! I’m going to read your comment to Don as soon as he gets back home. Lucky you! It sounds like you handled it beautifully and who wouldn’t want to flirt a bit with John Thaw? (Gone much too soon!)
Love this!
Totally echo Claudia here. What a TERRIFIC story! I read along with great interest – and LOVED IT. And it’s even true!! Lesley, you did everything right in your session with Mr Thaw. Maybe if more of the media did as you did, those in the public eye would be a little friendlier to the press overall. And you now have one heckuva story to tell – forever. That’s so great. PS – I gotta ask. Do you think the same “vibe” would have been there without the Scotch? 🇺🇸🇬🇧
He was a drinker for sure in real life, Janet.
What a wonderful actor he was. Perfect for Morse.
Leslie’s story about John Thaw was lovely. I collect brass toasting forks too. My three children have a collection too because I have to share. Love the idea of a co-op for vegetables, I could very happy just eating vegetables, but husband eats meat. I read last few chapters of The nature of the Beast just to get my mind ready for Tuesday’s delivery. I get CD and book too, but I always read first than listen. I do miss Ralph Cosham though…
I don’t listen to audio books so I never heard Ralph Cosham – I heard he was wonderful, and I have acting friends who knew and worked with him in the Washington DC area. Enjoy, enjoy, Mary!
I think I MAY have officially seen it all now – bitty lingerie! There are actually people out there making bitty undies – I love it. The teeny food items, and kitchen equipment, and tech products etc were all fun enough – those mini LPs you got for Don’s studio were a hoot. But the undies are out-of-the-park adorable! I suppose there are people out there who make bitty toothbrushes, soap, art supplies, pencils, perfume bottles, combs, too huh? Can’t wait to see what might be next. If anyone had told me a couple of years ago that I’d be enjoying watching someone ELSE “play dollhouse” I’d have thought they were loopy. But please don’t stop! 👙
Oh, there’s all sorts of mini stuff out there – you have no idea! Most everything has a mini version as well.
I don’t have a bookstore, co-op or Farmer’s Market near me. And I live in Southern California where you’d think, at least due to agriculture, you’d have that stuff at the ready. I feel deprived; seriously! I’m just in a bad, bad location.
My Squint Box had less attractive unmentionables; blah beige; I like yours better!
They’re not blah beige, Vicki, they’re ‘nude!’
I should be careful with my words. Wouldn’t want to offend the nice Mr. Scala (creator) who so beautifully packages the monthly box with such delightful minis (which I’m enjoying immensely).
Saw a book for sale in a mail order catalog: WOMEN WHO READ ARE DANGEROUS by Stefan Bollmann. “Once upon a time, women were discouraged from reading by men, who feared their doing so would breed rebellion and dissatisfaction in the female heart.” (So said the review. This is apparently a ‘celebration’ of women indeed reading…shown in various paintings & photos along with brief essays. Sounds like a good one to buy!)
xo
Those tiny undies are just adorable Claudia…sometimes I wish I were Miss Caroline..sigh..
Me too. She has a bigger house than I do. And a fireplace. And an office/studio all to herself!
I bet Caroline ordered those and is just a bit taken aback when she saw you sharing them with all of us. Oh, my!!!!
Both of my kids belong to the (large) Food Co-op in Madison. They do love it. Hope you had a great day. Loved the story that Lesley shared!!
Isn’t that the best story?
I love this Squint Box surprise! I don’t have such a diversity of potatoes but still have a decent fresh vegetables.