Lovely day with my husband yesterday. It was beautifully sunny and in the mid-sixties. We went to brunch at a favorite local restaurant and then proceeded to drive around randomly, adopting our “road trip” attitude. I still think about our trip across the country last year and I miss it; the adventure, being open to new experiences, stopping when someplace or thing looks interesting. We decided during that trip that adventuring with that attitude attracts wonderful experiences and people.
We had a taste of that yesterday. I felt my shoulders drop. So did Don.
We discovered a wonderful family run farm market, greenhouse, and wholesale vegetable farm called Davenport Farms.
Favorite thing of the day: this vintage cooler with that fabulous Art Deco font. Still in use after all these years. I love it.
We found some lovely pots and I bought a flat of pansies and some lavender.
I also found these, which made me gasp!
I haven’t thought about these in probably 40 years! I used to suck on these all the time. I love root beer and the flavor of Reed’s Root Beer is intense and long-lasting. It was like reuniting with an old friend! Obviously, I bought them and Don and I proceeded to drive with the windows down, sucking on root beer candies. Heaven. (I did some research – they were made in Chicago.)
We also had some great conversations with the staff. I’ll be going back for sure.
Also saw this in front of a local restaurant:
We tried it out, of course. Sadly, it isn’t for sale. Sigh.
We came home, unloaded the car, took it easy and then made dinner, topped off by watching The Post. Excellent movie and never more relevant than today.
And now I have to get ready to drop him off at the bus station.
I’m just happier when I’m with him. That’s a fact.
Meanwhile, not much is blooming here in the early spring, but the first batch of daffs are gorgeous.
And the lilac buds are getting fatter.
I’ll close with a remembrance of my dear mom who died four years ago today. I love you, Mom. I miss you every day.
Happy Tuesday.
Glad you had such a lovely day with Don. I don’t like candy, but I do remember those Reeds candies. There is a place a couple of miles down the road from us that has all those old-time candies (as well as homemade fudge and the most delicious ice cream). Big hugs to you as you honor your beloved mother.
i don’t understand the words “i don’t like candy” … ha!
kathy in iowa
I don’t eat much candy, but Reed’s? Yep. I’m in!
Thank you, Melanie!
so glad for you and don to have such a lovely day together (of course)! love finds like that market with the vintage cooler and treats, the glider … and especially your road-trip attitude.
while i think your porch looks great as is, i know that feeling of finding something you want and not (yet) being able to get it so i hope you soon find a glider like that cool old green one that is for sale, in your price and your favorite color and you get it!
i agree … “the post” is a great movie and sadly pertinent for our times.
hugs and prayers as you recognize this bittersweet day and remember your mother.
kathy in iowa
Oh, I don’t have room for another piece of furniture on the porch. I’d have to get rid of something first!
Thank you, Kathy!
Reed’s! I remember buying them at the school candy shop after lunch. I loved them, too!
As I told you on Instagram, that glider matches the chairs on our FL deck. We have a glider, too, but it’s not the same pattern (which is fine by me). But the best thing about the one you found is the size. I’ve never seen a loveseat like that. And now I’m reminded that our big, heavy sofa-size one must soon be lugged inside for the summer. Ugh.
Glad you had a fun day with Don.
When do you head back up north, Shanna?
Couple of weeks. We must be there for Margaritaville on the twelfth!
Ah!
What a wonderful day. I too love adventuring and feel a much needed road trip in my future. I love the fun of just taking off and going where the road leads. My cousin leaves for home today and Mom has a Dr’s appt. So a busy day but hopefully the rain will slow down!! Hugs!
I love that, too. Alas, we can only grab a day here and there to do it, but I really loved our day yesterday.
Rain on tap for us tomorrow.
Dear Claudia,
Thinking of you…I know how much a mother can be missed.
As I was reading your post, my Mom came to mind – she loved root beer and would have loved those candies. I miss her every day.
I understand. Thank you, Tisha.
The first time I had Reed’s Root Beer candies was 4 years old! We were driving my grandma back to Michigan after she had visited us in Texas. I loved those candies! Now I need to find them! That root beer flavor was heaven!
What a wonderful day you two had! So glad Don got to come home for a visit!
Have a day filled with sunshine and Spring weather!
They are so good, Debbie! Thank you.
Another beautiful post. Some of your posts just speak to me personally and this is one of them. I guess it is because I feel that way about my husband and road trips and antique stores and flowers and brunch. I can feel your words. Thank you, Claudia.
Thank you, Brooke. I’m glad it resonated with you.
Sounds like you two had a loverly day. I think that those kind of adventures are the best…just set off in the car…and drive. My mom’s been gone a little over a year…and a day hasn’t gone by, that I haven’t thought about her. Hugs! ;)
The missing never stops, Donna. I understand. Thank you.
We love to do adventure rides like that. At each stop sign we take turns and say left or right or straight ~ and we end up on such fun little trips doing that. So glad you were both able to catch your breath and spend the day together. LOVE Reed’s! Oh, I do so remember those root beer candies.
A lovely day here again. I am not taking for granted even one second of it. I hope you have a very good Tuesday.
I’m not either. After such a long, long winter, I appreciate every sign of Spring.
this is a wonderful post. Reed is my maiden name. i remember when i discovered them as a little girl once… “we make CANDY???” lolol.
they are delicious. it’s good to know they can still be found. and i still LOVE A&W root beer in that ICY mug!
and i miss my darling little mother to this very day. we were best friends. there were no difficult teenage years. maybe instinctively i knew i would lose her to cancer when i was 26. i often wonder about that. because we literally skipped the angst that some mothers/daughters go through and i’m go glad for that.
i’m so happy you and Don had a beautiful and relaxing weekend!
Of course you thought your family made that candy! I’m sorry you lost your mother at such a young age, Tammy. My mom and I always had a great time together and I most remember the laughter we shared. Thank you.
O GOSH! All of my six elementary school years,every Wednesday after school, we were helped across State St. by a wonderful ole retired man, name of Ed* Fairborn. Our Church was just across the street and down 1/2 block,where we had weekday youth group. (Primary).
every single time he crossed us he gave us each a Reeds Root Beer Candy.
The Nostalgia just flooded my head to toe. Thank You Claudia! Also for the vintage cooler how Fab. can it get? I sure would love to visit there. Maybe next time I’m Back East?
The next time I come out that way from “Salt Lake City”for fun (not illness in my family)
I’m planning to fly into New York City, Then catch the Amtrak to Amherst.it will be quicker than trying to fly close enough for my boy to come and pick me up. without half a dozen stop overs!Thanks for listening?or reading? anyway I just Love this comfy Place with all you gal friends and( guys?2) Great group of people! -Judy A- *Not his real name.*
What a nice memory Judy A…those are the kind of people who touch our lives while we are growing up and we never forget their kindness…and all it took was a smile and a root beer candy…There is nothing hard about spreading kindness…and it gives such rewards…to be remembered by a child their whole life long is a very special thing!
It is a great group – you’re right. I’m glad you have a great memory about Reed’s candy!
I loved The Post – agonized along with her as she made some really tough – and poignant!! decisions. Boy is this movie ever timely, huh?
I love root beer too – A & W my favorite – especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a frosty mug.
Unbelievably timely! I love A & W root beer and a root beer float is the best!
Huge hug for you, Claudia, as you honor your Mom’s day of passing. I hope every moment of today holds happy memories for you.
You’ve done it again…comments erupt about root beer! I find it especially poignant, as Reed’s root beer candy was one of my late husband’s favorite. I didn’t remember until I saw your photo. He also got me to love A&W root beer. I used to detest the taste, but he served it to me icy cold one hot summer day, and now root beer is my go-to summer soda. It isn’t half bad with a scoop of vanilla I e cream either! When I drink it, I remember him, and how much I miss him….
Root beer floats (that’s what we called them) are the best. Your husband had good taste! I know you miss him, Wendy. I hope the memories spared by this post are happy ones.
Oh, yes, we call them root beer floats too. There’s an ice cream shop in town that used to make root beer ice cream…not root beer-flavored, but a ribbon of concentrated root beer running through vanilla ice cream. They’d only make it for a month or so in summer and my husband always bugged them to make it more often! I do have happy memories of our life together. I selfishly wished we had more time.
Of course you do. And there’s nothing selfish about it. xoxo
Gosh, Claudia. Has it been 4 years already for your Mom? Seems like much less than that. Big ole virtual squeeze headed your way. PS – love that photo in the farm market. I’m gonna be saving that one. Love how the shelves above the refrigerated case are slightly sagging with the weight of the groceries stacked up there. I have a HUGE soft spot for farm market & roadside stands. Everything is fresh & local & oftentimes – homemade. I always buy much more than I ever intended at places like that. Reminds me of when I was a kid too, and there were jillions of Mom-and-Pop stores around. Hardly a franchise in sight. Now that’s almost all we see – yuck. My Dad used to say that consumers always make out better when the owner is “on premises.” And the older I get, the more I can see how right he was. Glad you & Don had such a nice time together. Will you go into New York next time? Spring in NYC must be glorious! I’ve only been there Summer & Fall – very eager to try Spring [and Christmas of course]. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Yes, anything mom and pop or family owned is so refreshing these days. I like to support them. Our local nursery, where I get most of my plants, is also family owned.
I was going to go into the city next time, but Don mentioned that he’d like to come home again. So we’ll see. I think getting back home for a couple of days helps to ground him after a crazy week of shows.
I’m glad Don was able to come home for a visit, even just a short one. Great adventuring! That market looks amazing. We have a favorite one here we love to go too. Feels so vintage and organic with wood floors, and fruit in baskets. So fresh, so inviting.
So jealous you have blooming already! We’re off for a walk after dinner tonight to see if we can find any buds. Hoping for pussy willows for my classes.
Enjoy Don!
X Chy
Only a bit of blooming. Most everything else is far from blooming. Hope you find some buds!
We actually found some this time …. small but they are there. I smiled all the way back to the house!
X Chy
Good!
That is a perfect day for me Claudia…those type of stores are a treasure to find…I love that sign by the restaurant glider…and the Reed’s Root Beer candies…I also remember how yummy they are…now I will be looking for some of these myself…Of course you are happier when you are with him…it’s the way it should be…your friends here can all see the difference that being with Don makes for you…and that makes us feel happier!
Ah, thank you, Nancy. I feel more grounded when we’re together. He feels the same.
You guys had such a fun day! Last summer my husband and I took a brief “no agenda” road trip through the central part of our state and you’ve inspired me to say that we must do it again. May you find comfort in happy memories of your mother.
I think trips like that are so wonderful, Kay! Thank you.
I think you can buy those Reeds candies from Vermontcountrystore.com. I get their catalog and have drooled over their candies etc but have not indulged –yet! I have bought other stuff from them and would love to indulge more.
I saw that earlier today. But since I can get it locally…I’ll get them there! Go for it – order them from the catalog!
My husband and I are about to make a day trip, too, but we know where we’re going: Paint Rock, Texas to see the pictographs. We have to make an appointment with the 90-something landowner on whose land the pictographs are. The only non-agenda item is where we’re going to eat, something that takes great trust in the universe when you’re a strict vegan traveling across our chicken-fried-steak-and-barbecue state. Hugs for you with your memories of your mother. I’ve been thinking of my own this week. She died 43 years ago on her 45th birthday of the breast cancer that ran through her extended family and got me, too, but Mom’s experience had forewarned me so that I caught it very early. Yesterday, after a year’s work to gather all the DNA kits of my relatives, I recreated Mom’s DNA profile or about 63% of it. I don’t know whether it’s creepy, but it certainly makes me feel happy when I see DNA matches to her, as if I’m reuniting her with her family, and one of her matches is helping me break through a brick wall.
to linda p …
i am sorry that your mother passed on at such an early age. may you be blessed in your battle (breaking down that brick wall). may you find all the pieces and peace you need.
and i understand that matter of trust when searching for vegan food on the road! that’s why we always take some food and a cooler from home if going someplace new. best wishes!
kathy in iowa
Yes, finding vegan food can be tricky!
I’m so sorry you lost your mother when she was so young.
So happy for you and Don. You had such a great day together. Those root bear candies made me yearn for them. I love anything root beer. That market looks so inviting.
Marilyn
Me too. I love root beer!
Wow! you certainly hit the jackpot discovering that market!
I loved those candies, and do you remember they made cinnamon ones, too!
Yes, they had them there, as well. And I love cinnamon, so I’ll have to get those next time!
So glad you had such a nice weekend with Don, Claudia, and great weather, too. It’s been very nice here, all weekend really, and in in OR as well where we spent the weekend at one of our favorite spots on the Coast. Moms are so special, aren’t they? Big hugs as you cherish the memories!
Thank you so much, Judy!