Tag Archives: local businesses

Mid-Adventure Scattered Saturday Post

Posted on May 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Just time to make a Scattered Saturday post before I am off on more adventures!  I slept in till a leisurely 6:30 a.m. and had an equally leisurely morning.  My one bit of ambition was to write a few post cards and walk to the post office and mail them.  As usual, I walked a long way home to get more exercise.  It was a nice walk, and I considered making a Pedestrian Post to get my blog done earlier in the day.  Unfortunately, I had waited too long for the walk and did not have time.

Steven’s and my good friend, Tracy, arrived around Steven’s lunch time.  After I got him back to work (I dropped him off, because we intend to pick him up later), Tracy and I visited for a while then took off on some Mohawk Valley Adventures!

We started at Valley Wine and Liquor’s, for a tasting of wines from Thousand Islands Winery, which incidentally, is near where Tracy lives.  We had a nice chat with the young man pouring as well as sipping a little wine.  I was delighted to hear that the liquor store will begin carrying my favorite Thousand Island wine, Cabernet Sauvignon,  next week.  I was also interested to hear the winery is coming out with a dry red blend soon.  I’ll be looking for that!

Next, Tracy and I went to Little Falls, where we made several stops:  Prima Donna’s Boutique, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, Rochette, Little Falls Antique Center, and Huckleberry Letterpress.  We had lots of nice chats and saw lots of nice merchandise.  I found myself mysteriously not in a mood to buy anything, but Tracy made a few purchases.

Back in Herkimer, we were feeling peckish so went to PK’s Pub, where we both had yummy salads.  Tracy had a slice of homemade Peanut Butter Pie for dessert, but I managed to behave myself.  For now.  No promises for later.

Keeping one eye on the time and the other on my word count, I think I must end this post now.  We have further adventures to enjoy!  I hope everybody’s Saturday is going as well.

 

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I Scatter It Good!

Posted on April 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is the moment of my Saturday when I pause in my gyrations for a Scattered Saturday post before returning to the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking, TV-watching, husband hanging out with portion of my evening.  And I have scattered it pretty good today!

I did not leave the house till shortly after 10 a.m., when Steven headed out to work. I went to a rummage sale at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Ilion, NY.  It was $1 for three bags day.  Woo-hoo!  I only got two bags worth of stuff but felt I had gotten way more than $1 worth of goods.  Back home, I wrote one more post card (I had written four earlier) and walked to the post office.  I took the long way home, making for a half hour walk.  Remember, if you are too busy to exercise, you are too busy!

After contacting my friend, Kim, via Facebook, and making plans for her to come over, I spent almost a half hour frantically cleaning my living room and bathroom.  There is nothing like somebody coming over to motivate one for housework.  Did I make much progress?  Well, let’s just say that, luckily, Kim is not one to judge.  It was about 12:30 when she came over, which we deemed a good time for a mimosa.  For one reason, I had a bottle of Prosecco which I purchased yesterday when we went to the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Our first stop was at an estate sale I had noticed while on my walk.  The main thing I like about estate sales is walking through somebody’s house.  This was a really nice house!  Other than that, I find a lot of the stuff is priced higher than I want to spend and some of it is downright depressing.  For example, family photos.  Didn’t these people leave behind any family or friends who would want these pictures?  Perhaps I am over sensitive about these things.

Next we headed to Ilion to search for costumes for Spring Into Murder (you know, the murder mystery we are doing next Saturday at Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion?  Perhaps I will write a blog post about it tomorrow).  First Kim pointed out a shirt she said would be perfect for me for any time.  After trying it on, I had to agree.  She found a gown we liked for her character for the mystery, then I found a shirt I liked for mine (I already have the purple pants).  Then it was on to New 2 Your Consignments, where we almost always have good luck.  And there were the perfect shoes for my character!  I also found a black tux shirt with rhinestones that I totally fell in love with.  Kim found  bunch of stuff as well.

By now we had worked up quite an appetite so went next door to Franco’s Pizza.  I had never been there before.  What a cool place!  Good food and retro ’50’s decor!  I’ll have to write a full blog post about it.  I even took some leftovers home which will be great for my lunch on Monday. Back home, we had another mimosa before Kim headed out.  What a great day!  I even had time for a nap before I had to start supper for Steven.

I have some great plans for tomorrow, too, including rehearsal for Spring Into Murder and Adventures in Housecleaning.  No, the second one is not another play, it is me cleaning my house. I thought if I put it in all caps I could generate a little enthusiasm in myself. I’ll report if it worked when I make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I hope your  weekend is turning out as fun as mine.

 

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Chardonnay on Lame Post Friday

Posted on March 31, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, today is Lame Post Friday, and I am going to make a fast post, because my husband, Steven, has not been on the computer since this morning.  I can’t hog the laptop, after all.  So here is a quick shout-out to a few Herkimer, NY, businesses that made our Friday evening a little bit better.

First I went to Hot Spot Salon and Spa to get a hair cut.  I did not know quite what I wanted, but I wanted it to look good and I didn’t want to do to much myself to make it so.  Clair helped me out as always, and I left looking pretty damn good.

I went to Asteroga Ale House, where I got a glass of Chadornnay, sat down, and wrote on the next murder mystery till my husband, Steven, showed up.  I enjoyed sitting there amidst the Friday Happy Hour crowd, but after Steven showed up and had a glass of Chardonnay himself, I wanted some food and I didn’t feel like cooking.  Accordingly, we went to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, where we had some food and, yes, another glass of Chardonnay.

This is looking like a Scattered Friday post, which lacks the alliteration of a Scattered Saturday.   Well, I can’t help that.  For one reason, I am home how and Steven has poured me yet another glass of Chardonnay.  I have to watch Snapped.  It is Friday, after all.  Happy weekend, everybody.

 

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It’s a Lame Story

Posted on January 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So there I was, sitting at work, determined not to indulge in Lame Post Friday. I’ve had a week of stupid posts!  I was going to have a Mohawk Valley adventure and do a REAL post!  There were all kinds of things I could do.

For example, I could make my annual trip to Melfe’s Shoe Service for my work shoes.  That would be right on the way home.  Or I could go the other way but still in Ilion, and have a cup of Moose River Coffee.  Mmmm… hot coffee would set me up for the evening.  Or, right next to Moose River Coffee is Beer Belly Bob’s.  I could go with a different beverage, although I would have to go home to drink it.  If I wanted to drive a little further, I could go to Original Herkimer Cheese and get some Chudder (tastes like cheddar, spreads like butter).  Yum!  I could also see if the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm is still open.  It is under new ownership.

Perhaps I could go home first and change my clothes.  Then I could take a drive to Little Falls.  I have been wanting to go to Huckleberry Letterpress again.  I could probably write about them for Mohawk Valley Living magazine (I think my deadline is soon).  There are several other shopping destinations in Little Falls:  Prima Donna’s Boutique, Rochette, the Selective Eye at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, Little Falls Antique Center and the Shops at 25 West.  Hmm… maybe I was getting a little too ambitious.

I was still undecided as I left my place of employment.  To make a long story short (I know: too late), I went home and posted the following on Facebook:

So I sit at work thinking, “It’s going to be even colder tomorrow. I should do my shit today and stay home tomorrow.” Then I leave work, and it’s face-hurting cold and the roads suck, and I think, “What have I got to do that is so goddam important, anyways?”

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Setting an Example on Scattered Saturday

Posted on December 17, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause amidst my Saturday gyrations for a Scattered Saturday post.  It’s going to be a quick one, too, because I am frying sausage and it does not do to neglect these things.

My wonderful husband, Steven, had a rare day off, so we wanted to spend at least some time having a few minor Mohawk Valley adventures.  Accordingly, we got an early start and headed to Utica to the So Sweet Candy Cafe for their open house.  Heading back to Ilion, we went to Honey Brook Hobbies, Ilion Wine and Spirits, and Original Herkimer Cheese.  I can do blog posts about all these things, and I hope to in the coming days.

Before and after our adventures, I wrote out a few more Christmas cards.  Alas, I was not in time to get them to the post office before it closed.  It was, in fact, a little cold to walk to the post office, much less go running.  I daresay I should not have let that stop me had I been on my own for the day.  Perhaps a walk to the post office tomorrow, or even later today and look at other people’s Christmas lights.

And what about a run, you may ask.  Well may you ask! I confess, after the Reindeer Run 5K, I once again fell off the running wagon.  I did not mean to, but, well, these things happen.  Now I begin to repeat to myself the mantra: If you are too busy to exercise, you are too busy.  Substitute “lazy” for “busy,” though. Sorry folks, but there it is.  I set a bad example.

But here I am approaching 300 words.  Doesn’t that set a good example for making a blog post every day?  Oh well, given the general quality of my posts, perhaps not.  Then again, some people find them amusing. For those who do not, there are other blogs to read.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

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Plans for Sunday on Slacker Saturday

Posted on October 29, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

A delightful array.

I thought I’d lead with a nice Halloweeny photo.  This is another Slacker Saturday post.  I’m using stuff from my Media Library, but with perhaps a little more method to my madness than previous such posts (has there been more than one?  I’m too lazy to check).

I’m starting this on my Tablet,  because Steven is on the laptop. I just really really want to  get my blog post done and get on to the Halloween movie watching portion of the evening.  The photo above was taken at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit last year.  We have not made it back there this year.  However,  Steven is actually off work tomorrow.

Aaaahhh… back on the laptop, typing with all ten fingers, as God intended.  Now I can get this post done!  As I was saying, with Steven off work tomorrow, we actually have a whole day together!  Yay!  Naturally, we think to make some plans.  A visit to Pumpkin Junction, perhaps to purchase a pumpkin?  It’s not too late to make a Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween!  And roast the seeds, of course.  Yum!

I would naturally take another picture of two of Steven.

 

I wonder if these fellows will be there again?

But Pumpkin Junction is not our only possibility for tomorrow.  We could also visit the So Sweet Candy Cafe,  in Utica, which decorates delightfully for the season.

He’s a dapper fellow, is he not?

Full disclosure:  there is every chance that tomorrow we will merely get comfortable and watch Halloween movies.  Whatever we do, I will probably write a blog post about it.  As always, I hope you’ll tune in.

 

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Speaking of Blog Posts

Posted on October 12, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I ponder another post before scooting off to rehearsal for A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, the murder mystery we are doing this Saturday for the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I shall not add more information about that, though, because I believe they are sold out (Yay!).  That morning (Oct. 14, by the way), I am registered to run in the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K.  I bet there are spaces available for that fun event, so come join me if you’re into it.

It is what to do in between the two events that concerns me.  I have so many choices!

Earlier this week, I wrote about The Old Barn Marketplace in Little Falls, a very fun place to browse.  Well, this Saturday they are having a Grand Opening and Fall Festival.  There will be food, music, raffles and more, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Ingham Mills Farm will be onsite with their alpacas.  I love alpacas!  They are so soft and beautiful.

And speaking of Grand Openings, there is also one at Prima Donna’s Boutique, a new business I have yet to write about but mean to soon.  It is a gift shop with jewelry, art, vintage clothing and more.  I stopped in last Saturday and was charmed.  Their Grand Opening starts at 10:30 a.m.  The boutique is located at 411 Canal Place, Little Fall.

And speaking of Canal Place, while I’m in Little Falls, I could stop by Rochette, a curated hive (I got that phrase from their business card) located where The Mustard Seed used to be at 410 Canal Place.  That is another place I need to write more about.  So many blog posts!  So little brain!

So I guess this post is more of a Preview of Coming Attractions than anything else.  However, for Wuss-out Wednesday, we’ll call it a win.

 

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Somewhat Skimpy Scattered Saturday

Posted on June 11, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had meant to re-institute Saturday Running Commentary, but I didn’t get right on it soon after my run.  Then I did a bunch of other stuff, so I think a Scattered Saturday post is in order.  As always, I reserve the right to write about any and all of the activities mentioned at greater length subsequently.

So, the first thing I did was, I drank coffee.  Just in the interests of accuracy.  However, I managed to get into running clothes and out the door shortly after 7 a.m.  I took a long run, an hour and fourteen minutes.  I will OWN that Boilermaker!  At least, I will run it and finish it on my feet.  We’ll call that a win.

Back home and showered (which I am sure everyone who encountered me today appreciated), I wrote post cards.  I also go on the computer but just couldn’t settle down to making my blog post.  I was feeling icky, tired, and not inclined to do anything.  We can’t have that!  I could walk to the post office, which I usually do when I write post cards.  Then I thought how I wanted to write about Moose River Coffee Shop in Ilion, NY, for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Writing in cafes is an excellent thing to do.  Also, when one has been having trouble writing, as I have, changing one’s surroundings can help.

Accordingly, I decided to get drive to Ilion, stopping first at Herkimer Post office.  It took some dithering to come to this decision (I’ve been in that sort of mood lately), but at last I had made my plan.  Then I could not find my notebook.  What the hell?!  Finally I said to myself, “Just pick up a notebook.  Any notebook, as long as there are blank pages in it.”  Avoiding the TV Journal and my Running Journal, I found a notebook.  Fine.

When I walked into the coffee shop, I was immediately greeted.  One of my favorite families was there, enjoying coffee and each other’s company.  They invited me to join them.  I got my coffee and did, mentioning that I had originally come in there to write.

“We’ll be quiet and let you write,” one of the daughters said.  I said I would rather visit.  We had a lovely visit, and I got a little writing done after they left.  Not a lot, I confess.  I started a letter to a friend.  However, since I described my surroundings in the letter, I felt it was a rehearsal for my magazine article.  Incidentally, that is REALLY good coffee at Moose River.

Next I headed to the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm.  I purchased tomatoes and Gouda cheese, and chatted with folk artist Jim Parker and the lady that sells eggs (I don’t know her name; how remiss of me not to ask).  Then I went home and did laundry.

My other activities today included a trip to T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables, a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquors, and sitting on my deck with a friend.  Now I am trying to get my blog post done so I can relax myself some more and wait for my loving husband, Steven, to return from work.  I guess I’ve kind of skimped on my latter activities today, but you’ll have that on Scattered Saturday.  I hope to give proper shout-outs to the businesses mentioned, and a couple others I’ve patronized in recent days, in upcoming blog posts.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Lame Me! I Guess.

Posted on April 22, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have mentioned this before but I repeat it now for reasons which will become obvious:  in one of the Georgette Heyer Regency Romances I adore, the heroine, during a time of great stress and exertion, has a glass of wine with dinner and feels “fresh as a nosegay.”  I feel sure it will be obvious to even new readers that I am currently sipping a glass of wine in hopes of experiencing a similar rejuvenation.  It seems to be working, which I can only suppose is placebo effect, which I do not scorn.

I got the bottle at Ilion Wine and Spirits.  I had stopped in to The Medicine Shoppe to pick up a prescription, and the two businesses are located very close to each other.  Additionally, I wanted to support Ilion Wine and Spirits, because they are a supporter of Ilion Little Theatre AND they are a sponsor of Who Shot JS? the murder mystery benefit for Herkimer County Historical Society.

This was not my only stop before going home.  I also had to go get certain feminine supplies, a couple of props for the murder mystery, and milk.  I thought with all this running around, it would be OK to not go running.

And then I went running.  Yay, me!  I guess.  It was not a great run or even a particularly good run, but it was a run.  On my cool-down walk, I met up with the doggy Mama of a couple of neighborhood dogs, and we walked a block or so together.  I had not talked to her in a while, so I told her about the sad passing of Spunky.  She shared with me the equally sad news that Nicky, another of my doggy friends, had died over the winter.  I was devastated.  I love Nicky!  I pretty sure I have mentioned stopping to pet him while running.

So now I am trying to finish my Friday Lame Post before Steven gets home.  Thank goodness for Lame Post Friday when I am so tired!  The nosegay effect only lasted for the first couple of paragraphs.  No matter.  I am over 350 words and my self-imposed word-count for a respectable post is 200.  Once again, Yay me!  I guess.

 

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Let’s Just Say I Drove a Lot

Posted on February 12, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is quite late to make my Scattered Saturday post.  In fact, it is Sunday morning.  Don’t judge.  Oh, no, I guess I don’t want to tell people what to do.  Judge me if you must, but I’m not doing prison time for it.  Where was I?  Ah yes, Scattered Saturday.

I’m still so tired from it, I don’t think I can give a coherent blow-by-blow of all where I went and what I did.  Mostly where I went, actually, because I spent a lot of time driving around the greater Utica area.  I went through Whitestown, Whitesboro, New York Mills, New Hartford and Yorkville.  I saw the sign for Clinton but did not venture that far.  I also think I missed Washington Mills.  Note to self:  find out exactly where Washington Mills is.

That brings up a kind of a silly story.  My friend, Diane, and I were in the late, greatly missed Albany Street Cafe (Asteroga Ale House is there now, a perfectly nice place, but I really enjoyed Albany Street Cafe).  We were sitting at the bar, chatting with the bartender.  He told us his name was Clinton.  The next time we were there, Diane called him Kirkland.  He corrected her. I said, “I knew you had the same name as a town around here, but all I could think of was Washington Mills.”   As we all know, that is the kind of foolish joke I make.

Anyways, my travels Saturday were in search of costume pieces for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which I believe I have mentioned before. I had the best luck at Party City.  I don’t usually plug chain stores, but what a fun place!  I found a feather boa, a garter, fake cigarettes and a holder!  I’m going to look cool!  I had a nice time looking around Queen’s Closet in Yorkville, as well as a nice conversation with the lady there, but I ultimately did not purchase anything.  The highlight of my morning was breakfast at Raspberry’s in New Hartford.  Oh, and back in Herkimer, I hit the Indoor Garage Sale at Trinity Lutheran Church on the corner of Henry and German streets, where I got Steve a small token for Valentine’s Day.

I will not offer any excuse for making my Saturday post on Sunday, because excuses are tiresome.  However, I hope my readers will forgive me and join me later today, when I expect it will be a true Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  As for me, I shall have some coffee now.  Can you believe I got out of bed and made a blog post without it?  Doesn’t that make this practically the same thing as posting it on Saturday?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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