Tag Archives: local businesses

Messy House, Many Adventures

I had an adventure filled day yesterday but foolishly did not take any pictures along the way.  Well, I will recount my activities and trust to my Media Library to provide some illustration.

I started with breakfast with friends at Top of the Morning Cafe in North Utica, NY.  I had never been there before and wish I had taken pictures.  However, the parking lot was quite icy so I did not want to pause and try to aim my camera at their sign.  It was a very good breakfast, though.  I am sure we will return.

Back home, I was planning the best way to go about cleaning my messy house when my sister Cheryl called and asked did I want to go out to lunch.  She needed to get a calendar as well.  I told her I knew a place where she could get a swell calendar free: Basloe Library in Herkimer had a stack of canal calendars.  I told her to take her time coming over, since I was still full from breakfast.

We went first to the library where Cheryl got the calendar and found a couple of books at the book sale.  From there we went to Little Falls and Athenix Books and Brews, where I found a book. I introduced Cheryl to the owner as my sister that did not write novels.  I don’t know if he recognized me as the person who said her sister wrote novels, but it amused me.

A very welcoming sign.

Next we walked up Main Street to Chickweed Boutique, where Cheryl found a couple of things she wanted.  I noticed that the sleigh out front was gone.  The owner told me it had been sold to a man with three kids, so it would get a lot of use.

The sleigh.

I told Cheryl about the sleigh that had been there in December, handmade and beautiful.  I would have loved to buy it myself!

By then I was hungry too, so we went back to Herkimer for lunch at Paradise Eatery.  I had gotten appetizers there but never lunch.  The waitress remembered me, which was flattering.  The food was yummy.  We will certainly go there again.  For one reason, I need to take a better picture.

From a post titled, “Bad Pictures, Good Eatery.”

It was a delightful day.  I was glad I had met my friends, and that Cheryl had called me.  My messy house was waiting for me when I got home.  Full disclosure:  I did not clean it today either.

 

Happy Blogiversary to Me

Under the heading Shows How Much I Pay Attention, WordPress just wished me a Happy Anniversary (or did they mean Blogiversary?).  I did not even remember that was coming up.  I have been blogging since 2011.  Fourteen years (took me a minute to do the math).  Full disclosure:  my lightheadedness continues, so I am not up to doing much of a blog post anyways.  I think a Throwback Thursday will just about fit the bill.

Look how cute he is (was).

From May 2011 to October 2016, my blog was unillustrated, because I did not know how to add pictures (what, unillustrated is not a word?  I’ll be damned).  One of the first posts I did with pictures featured my dear, since departed, husband Steve at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, NY.

A creepy shot from one of my favorite movies.

Once I learned how to add pictures I took, I soon learned how to download pictures from the internet, so I was able to indulge my love of movie monsters.

Yes, I am a drama queen.

And I was able to use my blog to tout my community theatre endeavors in Little Falls, Ilion, and Herkimer.

This was a great evening!

 

I also like to plug local businesses as well as the music and art scene.  The above picture is Oscar Stivalo and friends playing jazz music at the Renaissance Pub in Little Falls.  The Ren was hosting an exhibit of Stivalo’s paintings, and this was the opening.

And so my blog continues.  There are some new businesses in the area I need to check out and write about, as well as some favorites I want to revisit. As always, I thank you for staying tuned.

 

But for Some, Coffee IS Happiness

On the brighter side, I have not made an early morning blog post in a while, have I?  As usual, I am too lazy to go back and check.  Yesterday was a true blogger’s sick day, made hideous by a migraine.  I left work and sought my bed only to find sleep elusive and pain pervasive.  Eventually it went away, leaving me a limp, fairly brainless rag.  Perfect conditions for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post made on Friday morning.  Ooh, that’s right, it is Friday.  We like Friday.

Actually not yet, but I am on my way there, I hope.

In fact, I have not yet had my first cup of coffee, but I think the maker is done making its noises.  Ah, yes that first hot sip…

Random picture for you to enjoy while I sip.

That picture caught my eye because of the yellow flower, but now I see it also includes one of the fingerless gloves I purchased from Herkimer Handknits last summer at Brookwood Market. (what, “fingerless” and “Brookwood” are not words?  My Chromebook underlined them in red.  Also “Herkimer Handknits.  What’s that all about?).  The picture was taken at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  So now I have given small shout-outs to three local businesses.  Brookwood Market has not opened yet for the summer, but Fratello’s is, of course, year round, and you can find Herkimer Handknits on Facebook.

Where was I?  Nowhere in particular, I suppose, but did I not say this was a Non-Sequitur Thursday post? And I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my hot beverage, and I hope you found this at least mildly entertaining.

I comfort myself with the thought.

Even coffee cannot make everyone happy.  It can be a difficult world, but I feel it is worth the effort.

 

When Will I Return to Rome?

I had hopes of making my Throwback Thursday (or some other kind of post) Post on Thursday, but it was a true blogger’s sick day.  I left work with a migraine and spent the rest of the day having a headache.  Migraine sufferers know, sometimes that is all you can do.  But never mind my health woes.  It is early Friday morning (woohoo!) and a Throwback Thursday Post is just what I am in the mood for.  Media Library, here I come!

Isn’t she cute?

I thought I would throw back to previous Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Here is a place I would like to visit again: Franca’s Roma on West Dominick Street in Rome, NY.  They play jazz music!  They serve great wine and great food!  What more could Mohawk Valley Girl ask?

Did somebody say books?

Near Franca’s is Keaton and Lloyd Bookstore.  The Franklin Pangborn Parlor hosts readings and other such events.  Who doesn’t love an independent bookstore?  Oh, I suppose some people don’t, but I think they are wrong.

Books and Groucho Marx? Yes, please!

Here is another view of the bookstore.  In case you can’t read the quote, it is, “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.  Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

Regular readers know I live for the theatre.

I close my Roman memories (memories of roamin’ in Rome?  Nah, too cutesy) with an evocative if a little dark shot of the Capitol Theatre, also in the area.  It is a beautifully restored 1920’s theatre.  I myself performed on the stage and in the orchestra pit roughly a hundred years ago.  But we needn’t throw back that far for this post.

There are other delightful destinations on West Dominick Street in Rome.  I really must plan another trip there soon.

 

Look at Me, Having a Scattered Saturday!

Look at me, making my Saturday blog post on Saturday.  And I think I can do a Scattered Saturday Post.  I have not done one of those in a long time.  For one reason, I have not done enough to scatter around at all on recent Saturdays.  Let us see how well I can do today.

I slept in a little this morning and made my Lame Post Friday post when I got up.  After coffee, I went running.  I thought of doing a Saturday Running Commentary Post, noting my caution about ice under the snow and speculating on my thoughts of running the Boilermaker 15K in Utica this summer.

After doing the dishes (judge me if you are so inclined), showering, and calling my mother, I wrote a very few post cards. Regular readers know I write some every week.  I only covered my regulars this Saturday.  I went to the post office, where I ascertained that my post cards needed first class stamps not post card stamps, and purchased some of each.

After the post office I went to Ilion, NY, to the new premises of Melfe’s Shoes.  Imagine my chagrin when I found out they no longer do repairs!  However, I was able to purchase a new pair of running shoes.  Boilermaker 15K, here I come!

They have upped their clothing game!

Returning home,  I attempted to do something useful, with no notable success, and found out my friend Kim, my usual partner for Mohawk Valley Adventures, had a debilitating headache.  After some debate, I decided to go out for some lunch on my own.  Well, why not?

I went to the Tin Cup Tavern in Little Falls (actually I would call it between Herkimer and Little Falls,  but nobody asked me).  I had a delightful time and a delicious sandwich.  I asked the bartender,  Jenna, if I could take her picture for my blog post.

She graciously agreed.

On the way home, I stopped at Valley Wine and Liquor for a bottle of Great Western Brut, a flute of  which I am sipping as I type this (actually peck this in one letter at a time with the stylus).  My husband, Steve, and I have watched a couple movies.

It has been an enjoyable Saturday so far.  And I am feeling inordinately pleased with myself that I made my Saturday blog post on Saturday.  I think this calls for another glass of Brut.

 

At Least I Have Been Adventuring

I really, truly, totally meant to make my Saturday blog post on Saturday.   Then I thought for sure I would make it early Sunday morning.  Or maybe later Sunday morning after my run.  Predictably,  here I am Sunday evening,  hoping to make some semblance of a post.  No promises.

On the brighter side,  I am better off than I have been some weekends when I just quietly did not post at all Saturday or Sunday.  I have to congratulate myself on the small wins.  I can only hope that one day they will lead to larger wins.  Or maybe to getting anything done at all.  But let us not ask for miracles.

New digs for one of my favorite places!

Here is one of the pictures  I took Saturday in hopes of doing a Scattered Saturday Post.  It is Rose Quartz Stand, one of my favorite stores.  They recently moved next door, to the corner of Mohawk and South Main streets in Herkimer,  NY.  It is a larger space and very nice.  I must write a longer blog post about it.

The downstairs is open!

Another blog post I need to make is one about Mohawk Valley Community Market,  on North Main Street in Herkimer.   They recently expanded.

Look at all that fun stuff!

One more shout-out on this post-that-is-not-really-a-post:  A Little Touch of Country on South Washington Street in Herkimer.  What a lot of really nice stuff!

As you may guess, I did a bit of adventuring on Saturday.  Isn’t that often the way:  when you do a lot of stuff, you are too tired to make a blog post; when you are not too tired to make a blog post, it is because you have not been doing anything worth posting about.

However, I see I am approaching 300 words.  I call that good on what is often a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

 

Remember When I Used to Plug Local Businesses?

As the oomph to blog daily continues to elude me, I interrupt my non-blogging days for what I hope will be a decent Throwback Thursday Post. I only hope my Tablet and Media Library will cooperate.

Sing it, Phil!

This is throwing back only to last December, and to a time when I was making more posts about authentic Mohawk Valley Adventures. It is, in case you did not recognize it, local musician Phil Arcuri rocking out at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY. We do still occasionally indulge in our Wednesday Night Thing.

So pretty!

This picture was taken a little longer ago, but Houle Flower Farm in Little Falls, NY may be looking similar these days. I must take a drive out and check.

Good dawg!

Ooh, here’s another local business I might like to go to again, the Saalty Dawg Saloon in Ilion, NY.

Will I go to these places again soon? More importantly, will I begin blogging about them on a daily basis? Will I figure out the WordPress upgrade and finally start posting new pictures again? For the answers to these and other questions of varying interest and importance, stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl. That’s me still, I hope.

A Busy Saturday So Far

I pause in my activities to make a Scattered Saturday Post. Check it out: I am making a Saturday Post ON Saturday!

We got up stupidly early as usual (not as early as when I work, but still, you would think I could sleep in once in a while). I went for a short run, wrote a few post cards, called my Mom and Dad, all the usual stuff. Then Steve and I set out on a few minor adventures.

First we went to Collis Hardware in Herkimer, NY. We dropped off a basement window frame to have plexiglass put in it. I am embarrassed to tell you how long we have been putting this off, so I will keep that bit of information to myself.

They were very nice there.

Next we went a little ways up the street to Mohawk Valley Community Market. We spent some time looking at the various vendors.

Renewed and Rescued is the store that started the Market.

I asked if I could take a picture of the staff, because they looked so cute in their Halloween costumes.

They graciously posed.

After that we were feeling peckish so went to Honey Brook Bakery for a treat.

After a brief interlude at home, eating our treats, we drove to Ilion. First we went up Otsego Street so I could show Steve some of the great yard decorations I have been enjoying on my way home from work. Then we went to the Thrift Store in search of materials for our Halloween costumes.

Our last stop was at New 2 You Consignments, where I scored a baggy of bead necklaces. They may not be right for my Halloween costume, but then again, I may stretch a point.

We are now relaxing at home, but soon we will begin getting ready for a Halloween party at the Frankfort American Legion, featuring our favorite band The Posers. Yay!

Fun Day, Scattered Post

I pause in my Saturday evening television viewing to make a Scattered Saturday Post. I have had a fun day, with a few problems along the way. But let us not dwell on the latter but concentrate on the former.

In an unusual development, I did not go for a run. I wanted to recruit my energies, because I had a date with family members at Gold Rush Adventure Golf in Westmoreland, NY. I thought I might get a few household chores accomplished first.

Long story short (as if I ever do THAT!), I did not. But I had a yummy breakfast at Mona’s Diner in Mohawk.

We had a great time at the mini golf place. I took a lot of pictures, which I hope to share later. Then we went to North Star Orchards, just down the road. I took fewer photos there.

Pretty!

The above is the one shot I got. However, I did point out that I was more likely to purchase a bouquet from House’s Flower Farm in Little Falls. We also looked at a lot of beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees which you could plant in your yard. I really must up my home gardening game.

I hope to make better blog posts later about the fun parts of my day. For now, this will have to do. Happy Saturday, everyone!

Just to close with a happy photo.

Ten Years, Tired Post

Here I am on my ten year blogiversary (don’t know how It’s spelled) and about to make a pretty poor Slacker Saturday Post. I get so tired by thus time on a Saturday! I went for a long, hard (for me) run this morning, did some pretty strenuous yard work as well as a bit of housework, then I spent the afternoon adventuring with my friend Kim.

I took pictures of some of our adventures, meaning to make some good blog posts touting local businesses. I can still do that eventually.

You know I loves me some flowers!

We spent some time wandering around The Flower Barn in Ilion, NY. However, I could not bring myself to actually purchase anything. I was worried that I would not actually plant what I bought. After much debate and a couple of false starts, we had a nice lunch at The Saalty Dog in Frankfort.

Full disclosure: I did not see an actual dog.

Back home, I have done a little more laundry (need to do more, but I can’t always do the right thing) and a few other household chores. I feel I am making progress in that direction but do not rule out the possibility that I am kidding myself.

Am I kidding myself about this blogging business? I guess that depends on what I am telling myself. Right now I am telling myself: I post, people read, some people like it. Sounds good to me! Here’s to another ten years!