I apologize for the scarcity of post these days, but I am about to take over as the new President of the Wake Audubon Society and we are having some cash flow issues. I have been knee deep in writing a fundraising letter (oh, quit snickering, I have multiple editors on that project, thank you) and reading up on all sorts of interesting things like membership (how to expand) fundraising ideas (besides the letter) and getting ready for our annual board retreat (I sort of don’t like calling it a retreat because really, its just an all day meeting). After next weekend I promise, more posts!
Fall Garden Update October 19, 2008
I really like fall. I love the changing colors and the cooler weather, and of course the state fair (which is going on right now, and I plan to attend on Thursday!). Fall is also the season for planting perennials and trees and shrubs so I have been very busy. I bought a bunch of neat native perennials from the NC Botanical Garden annual plant sale including: Spreading Jacob’s Ladder, White wood Aster, King Solomon’s Seal (I already have one of these but its very small and needs company), and Pink Turtle head.
I am particularly excited because the west side of our house has been chronically overrun by an invasive called Periwinkle. Pretty, but bossy! Despite my best attempts to clean it up the fact that our neighbor had it everywhere in his yard made my annual periwinkle pullings totally moot. This summer our neighbor got all fancy and hired someone who cleaned all his periwinkle up, and I pulled mine up a month ago and so now there is not much left at all. So now I have a whole new side of the house to landscape. OK, I guess what I do is not really landscaping but more like: I put plants in and then stress over them, occasionally water them, and act neurotic until they bloom and then subsequently neglect them.
Of course, I also love fall food, and it goes without saying that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but there will be posts on that, I am sure, later.
Mixed Feelings About Coffeehouses October 9, 2008
I have issues. With coffeehouses. I used to love them as a place to get a beverage after work/in the evening/on a weekend with a pal instead of going to a bar (I know, I know, but seriously, I don’t want beer all the time! Just almost all the time) anyway, I don’t love them quite as much anymore. I have noticed in the last couple of years that if I attempt to go to a coffeehouse to do something social, its impossible! The place is packed with folks on laptops and headphones “working”. As a result, its very, very quiet and usually there is nowhere to sit. In addition you quickly find that your party is the only one talking, and there are enough quick glances over the top of laptops to know that many people are listening to your conversation. This is really uncomfortable! Last year, my parents came to visit, and we went to a favorite local hangout on a Saturday afternoon, and it was stone cold silent in that shop. And packed! We couldn’t go outside because it was raining, and we had to endure the stares as we chatted uncomfortably. Squeezed around a table for two.
I am not sure how to rectify this situation. I also do not know enough about coffee shop business to know if these all day worker folks are the bread a butter of the business or what. Perhaps they want them there. Maybe we can have a social night? Or an after work coffee happy hour where the folks with laptops have stop “working” and talk? Or at least we could have the weekends for hanging out?
This post was not written on a laptop at a coffeeshop, by the way.
The best Peanut Butter EVER! October 1, 2008
My boss and I work outdoors a lot, and over the years, we have consumed a lot of PB&J. A lot. And, we refuse to eat each other’s PB&J. He likes all natural Peanut Butter, while I like Peter Pan or whatever kind is on sale, and he likes this amazingly dry 10,000 grain bread from a local bakery while I like regular old white bread.
Well, I have finally found a peanut butter that we can both agree on.
On the way back from the beach we stopped at a store just East of Plymouth NC called Mackeys Ferry Peanuts to get souvenirs for our pet sitters/mail picker uppers/etc. They had the peanut butter, along with all the varieties of roasted peanuts, out for the tasting. The peanut butter blew me away! All it is: peanuts and molasses. Amazing. I bought some. My boss will love it, though honestly I am not sure at this point I will share it. Read on….
Now for the kicker. They also sell dark chocolate covered peanut clusters. Colleen bought some. As we hopped in the car and dove into our goodies she told us the lady behind the counter had suggested dipping these clusters in the peanut butter. So we did, right there in the parking lot. And then we both immediately went back into the store: me for the chocolate clusters, she for the peanut butter!
I already ordered some for my dad’s birthday, and some roasted nuts too…he loves those. The folks were really nice on the phone, wrangling with UPS and my parent’s small town address.
Link’s at the top! Go order some!
