Husk Tomatoes, Decorated Rocks, Niece Update, Local Vegan Soups

A friend/co-worker of mine brought in some Husk Tomatoes not too long ago and shared them with us.  They were pretty yummy!  Her father grew some of them this year!  Here's a stock photo of them.  They were almost like a berry (some people say they are like a Gooseberry) but they also had a hint of cantaloupe/cucumber likeness to them, too, on top of the sweet tomato, that is.

I've been having fun with the decorated rocks I have been telling you about lately.  I have been finding a lot of them as well as making some of my own.  Here are 5 that I decorated last week.  I've had some luck with Sharpies.  I took a few of them to a State Park over the weekend.  I forgot to take photos but will be blogging about it at some point.  It was a very nice fall weekend at a historic place that is for sure.  My parents and I took our Wildtree stuff and sold quiet a bit of it.  We were supposed to do the Busti Apple Festival this Sunday but I'm not sure if we have enough stock.  At the end of this year we will be ending our Wildtree run.  It's been a great 9 years but the company is making a lot of changes that aren't really what our area focuses on, unfortunately.

About a month ago my niece had her Christening.  My sisters' husband/family is Catholic.  My sister and I were raised in a Pentecostal Church (altho my parents were not Pentecostal - but that's a story for another day).  After we moved to PA my sister stopped going to church.  I continued and was even in IVCF while in college.  IV or IVCF is Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship.  It was open to everyone.

These days - I know what I believe and have strong beliefs but do not attend church regularly.  I will attend different churches for different reasons such as volunteering or to see a speaker or attend a celebration, occasion, etc.  I respect all other religions and feel my personal beliefs don't really match to any said place of worship.  I also think that it's a very personal choice - and eventho I appreciate hearing what other people believe - I don't want someone telling me what TO believe or telling me what I believe is wrong.


Plus with the way politics have been the last several years that has been a real tough one for me too.  It seems politics have entered the church and many churches are more political than about the fellowship and togetherness and equality.  I rather hang on to the values I grew up on in the church that I remember and take them on my journey from here on out.  To treat everyone equal, to be compassionate, help others when I can, and try and make the world a better place.

I'm sorry if that sounds like I'm against church - that couldn't be further from the truth - it's some of the people that confuse me - not the ideas and beliefs.  My thoughts and feelings on the subject are very complex and many don't understand them but I'm ok with that.  I feel it's what's on the INSIDE that counts.  My purpose is not to judge people - nor is it anyone's job to judge people - and I think that many have forgotten or disregarded that simple way of thinking.

Sorry for the rant here - my real purpose - was to post a photo of my sweet niece - but wanted to explain why she was in a dress 6 times the size of her.  Regardless - she is adorable and wonderful!

A while back I was telling you about a new place in town that was VERY vegan friendly.  It's called Total Evolution.  This week they started featuring soups.  3 of them - that they made themselves.  2 are vegan and the other one is meat and dairy free but contains honey.

I enjoyed both of them.  This first one is Butternut Squash and Rice and the other one below is Purple Potato and Leek.

This morning I had one of their Wild Cherry Cranberry Smoothies.  It was lovely.

They have a new and seasonal smoothie for the Halloween Season called the Frankie that I am going to have to try before too long.

I really need to get to a few local produce stands before the winter gets here.  I dread the winter months not only because of the snow and cold but because the produce is narrowed down to store bought which is usually drab and dreary.

And speaking of weather - I hope everyone is ok with all of the hurricanes and earthquakes that have been striking!  YIKES!  Please let me know in comments!  I want to hear from you!

I already have one more post on deck - hopefully I will be posting it tomorrow - it's something new-to-me that I have been eating that I am totally addicted to now.

I also have a few other grocery store finds I need to share with you so stay tuned!

I'm Alive - Life Has Gotten In The Way!

It's been over a week since my last post - I'm so out of it!  So very sorry!  I have been taking lots of pics and do have lots to share it's just a matter of putting it all in a post! 

I wanted to share this photo with you 'just because'.  I have been tinkering with various iPhone Apps for Photo/Editing and came across some filters for the back side of this Methodist Church that I walk by almost everyday on my way to or from work.    The sky is the filtered part that 'really got me' - I I love the color but I also love that the windows kind of match with the light.  My husband said it looks like it was on fire!  I just thought it was 'neat'.

June 1st was my husband and my wedding anniversary and we decided to take a day trip up to Western New York - various towns and suburbs - outside of Buffalo - where I was born and raised.  The last several years I have been showing him many places of interest and the older we get the more he likes to take a day and check it out!  This time we did a few things that I had not even done.  Including a trip to a place called Chester's Cajun Grill.  No - this is far from being a vegetarian restaurant but they were very nice and accommodating!  I had a HUGE salad with all sorts of raw veggies in it and corn chips as well as hot sauce, and stir fry veggies including various peppers, mushrooms, and onions.  It was quite impressive!  Of course, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, too!  It was a nice place!

For over 10 years now - it's been an ongoing joke that I have wanted a Ukelele and my husband said he would never by me one!  So every time we go to a music store I say "oh, look!  A Uke...but I will never HAVE one."  So that weekend he bought me one!  I'm still rather shocked!  It's fun!  I can play along with 4 songs so far!  "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, "What I Got" by Sublime, "Let It Be" by The Beatles, and "Sweet Home Alabama" Lynryd Skynryd.  I'm not a pro by any means but I want to at least play around with it and try and teach myself something with the help of YouTube, that is.  I'm sure I will post more about this in the near/future!

Speaking of music...I have been a little obsessed with Bobby McFerrin lately.  Sure, I have always had an appreciation for him!  But I've been watching every interview and concert I can find online with him in it.  He's extremely talented and gifted!  Truly a a living legend of vocal experts!

I have TONS of food related pictures to post as well as our recent Wildtree adventures and some other interesting tidbits.

But I also have some not-so-wonderful news and it's not that big of a deal to most but it is to me!

I went to the dentist last week for the sensitivity in my teeth and was in need for a very aggressive cleaning, apparently.  Well, they did find a surface cavity.  A very small one.  Actually, it was more of a pit, really.  Regardless this is like life or death for me as I have NEVER ever had a filling in my life!  I'm freaking out so much and I have 5 to 6 weeks before I have to go back.  That it's even causing me a problem but the rough cleaning in the front bottom teeth is what is causing me nervousness!  It's still VERY sensitive and I'm not happy about any of it!  BUT...on to more happy and exciting things tomorrow, eh!?  I have LOTS on tap to share with you but today's post is just a mishmash of mini pieces I wanted to share!  Hope you are all well!  Miss you!