Tag Archives: Mohawk Valley adventures

Do I Have a Shot at a King’s Sunset?

Posted on January 30, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post?  I think I can find three pictures on my phone that I have not used in a blog post.  I will be happy to make a Wednesday blog post on Wednesday.  It is still Wednesday, isn’t it?

It was pretty tasty.

When I was at the Herkimer Elks Club recently, a member offered to buy anybody who wanted one a shot of Frangelico.  Since I have been killing off Frangelica Inferno recently, I gratefully accepted his generous offer.  Imagine my delight when the shot glass actually said, “Frangelico.”  (I do not know why my Chromebook is underlining “Frangelico,” that is how the liqueur is spelled; I looked it up.)

Which King? Which Court? At least I did not park there.

This is the back of a building on Main Street in Herkimer, NY.  I believe it is behind Mohawk Valley Market.  I do not know what Kings Court used to be.  Do any of my readers?  Please comment if so.

This was the best of three pictures I took.

Here is a picture I took while walking home from the Elks Club one evening.  The colors were much more dramatic in real life.  Perhaps if I had a real camera instead of a cheap-ass cell phone  I could get a better shot.  At least you can see the branches on the tree pretty good, so I shall content myself with that.

I hope to have a couple of Mohawk Valley Adventures as the week winds down, but no promises.  The weather has been not conductive to travel.  Still I might be able to walk someplace that manages to stay open.  We shall see.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

 

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Must Stop at the Mustard Seed!

Posted on December 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I let today go by without leaving the house, thus losing another chance to Christmas shop.  However, I still have some pictures of previous Christmas shopping, so I can give a shout-out to another local business, which local readers still have a couple of days to go to.

This delightful lady will be there!

This is Juli Webster, proprietor of The Mustard Seed in Little Falls, NY.  See how Christmasy she looks!  The Mustard Seed has artisan herbal goods, scents, spice blends, gluten free foods, and more.  I spent a goodly amount of time there chatting with Juli and her mother.  I even wrote an article about the place for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  It is just the sort of distinctive local business they like to highlight.

Cool decor!

The bumble bee is prominent in the store and as part of the logo.  This is because of the story of the bumble bee:  it is not supposed to be able to fly, but the rules of aerodynamics or physics or something (I remember very little of my high school science).  BUT, nobody told the bumble it couldn’t fly, and so it does!  I had heard that about the bumble bee and always liked the story.  I find it inspirational, although people have, in fact, told me I cannot do certain things.  I’ll just pretend they didn’t.

Another bumble bee.

The store is only the Mustard Seed’s latest home.  It has been a staple at area craft and vendor fairs as well as having a store in the building that houses the Stone Mill Inn some years ago.

I highly recommend The Mustard Seed as a good place to shop, for Christmas or for yourself.  They are located at 407 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-0718.

 

 

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Tired Post, Late Shout-out

Posted on November 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Why am I always too tired to do my Tired Tuesday post on Tuesday?  Am I getting old or am I just unhealthy?  I know it is not that I am working too hard, alas.  But enough about me, how about a blog post?

Last week I finally drove to Dyn’s Cider Mill in Richfield Springs.  I was in search of popcorn.  They have the best popcorn!  Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber, I have read.  Of course, with the amount of butter and salt I put on it, I cannot consider it a health food.  Still, it goes great with the movies I like to watch.

I love this place!

It was a bright, sunny day, which can be a little difficult to drive in.  Luckily I have polarized prescription sunglasses, a relic of when I used to work in the eye care industry.  It would have been a prettier drive had I gone earlier in the fall, but I can’t do everything (or even many things) in a timely fashion.  I still enjoyed the scenery and kept an eye out for any remaining bits of color (while still paying attention to traffic and bends in the road, I promise!)

I purchased two bags of popcorn and a half dozen donuts.  I know, donuts are far from a health food.  But they were freshly made and yummy!  Now that I have eaten them and they are gone, perhaps I can refrain from buying more and can begin a more healthy eating style.  No promises.

Dyn’s Cider Mill is located at 7915 NY-28, Richfield Springs, NY, phone number 315-858-2078.  You can find out more on their Facebook page.

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Is It Saturday Already?

Posted on November 16, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

The late posts continue with a Late Lame Post Friday post.  At least I have coffee, if not much brain power or motivation.

Like I’ll ever be this skinny!

I did have a couple of Mohawk Valley adventures yesterday and remembered to take pictures.  Unfortunately the pictures are in my phone, which is across the room being charged.  I may bestir myself to get more coffee, but otherwise I am staying comfortably lounged on the couch.

My allergies are becoming quite tiresome lately.  I thought the frosts we had would help, but I reckoned without my indoor allergies.  I posted on Facebook that I am allergic to cleaning.  Some might argue that it is all the dust, but I stand by my statement.  Regular readers may recall that my house is in a terrible mess and has been for some years.  I continue to make progress in bits and pieces.  I even clear away some of the dust I stir up.

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, there could be no possible objection.

I was searching my Media Library for a picture of my messy house but got tired of it so decided to share an old favorite.  It is a publicity shot for Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, which was to have been a kind of a follow-up to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?  Unfortunately, Crawford dropped out (long story, but pretty interesting).  Olivia de Havilland stepped in, and the resulting movie is one of my favorites.  Unpopular opinion: I’ve  never been a fan of Baby Jane.

Well now I’ve rattled on for over 250 words.  I call that respectable.  I hope you all had a lovely Friday, and I hope your Saturday is equally as swell.

 

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Memories of Coffee and Steve

Posted on November 15, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess I am back to late blog posts as I site here early Friday morning to make a Throwback Thursday post.  I am up early, having gotten up just prior to five o’clock.  I like to be up early; I just don’t like to get up early.  Right now I am not even sure I like to be up early, but at least I have got coffee.  Thank God for coffee!

No fan needed today, though.

Ah, I knew I had a picture of the mug I am currently using.  I wonder if I can get to Dyn’s Cider Mill before they close for the season.  Perhaps a drive there today would be in order (preview of coming attractions?)

I rarely look this perky and cute, no matter the time of day.

I noticed this picture before I found the Dyn’s mug and thought, why not do a coffee mug throwback?  My late, dearly missed husband Steve and I collected many mugs in our years together.  I keep thinking I need to get rid of a few, but getting rid of things is not my strong suit.  Additionally, I use all my coffee mugs.  Many people have one favorite they use all the time, but Steven and I liked to use them all in turn, often depending on season or mood.

A favorite line from a favorite movie.

This was a present from Steve.  He always got me the best presents.  Well now I am throwing back to the great romance of my life.  Perhaps I should close with a picture of Steve.  If I had one of him with a coffee mug, how nice that would be!

 

Steven with wine is almost as good.

Looking through my Media Library for pictures has reminded me about a lot of good memories I have made on Mohawk Valley adventures.  I should do more Throwback Thursday posts.  And have more Mohawk Valley adventures.  But first, more coffee.

 

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Ten Finger Typing Again!

Posted on November 5, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

My Chromebook is charged again.  Phew!  I confess I am in a very wimpy state these days.  The slightest setback slays me.  However, I move forward as best as I can, sometimes one sloggy step at a time.  The Chromebook thinks “sloggy” is not a word, but I find it apt.

Previous loves.

I thought this illustration was appropriate to my title.  I do not really have much to say other than, Yay!  I got my Chromebook back!  I had thought yesterday to make a Running Commentary Post. I ran for 30 minutes, covering about two miles.  That was my longest run since this last time I re-started running.  I may actually be ready for the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY in December (preview of coming attractions).  I have no hopes of the Turkey Trot but no real desire to do it anyways.  I will be with family on Thanksgiving.

Coffee makes everything better!

Yes, I am still using Halloween mugs.  I find it difficult to let go of spooky season (oh, let’s be honest:  I never let go of spooky season!  I’ll probably watch a vampire movie later!).  However, as I am fond of pointing out, we can only move forward (even if it is one sloggy step at a time).  I intend to try for more Mohawk Valley Adventures in the coming days.  Maybe I’ll start this morning with breakfast out.  I realized early on in the blogging game:  it is always a good excuse to do something fun!

 

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Am I Becoming Tiresome?

Posted on October 16, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I sit here trying to make my Tired Tuesday blog post a day late (what else is new?) and I ain’t got much.  I guess I need to get out more. I got out of Herkimer, NY yesterday (where I live) and went as far as Utica.  I wished once again that I knew how to parallel park.  Fortunately, I do not wish that very often.  Then I found a parking lot with plenty of space only a short walk from my destination.  I don’t know why I share all this, except it is pretty much the only thing I did all day.

Today I hope to have a couple of Mohawk Valley Adventures, although it is not on my To Do List.  “Tuesday’s blog post” is on my To Do List, by the way.

Look at them all!

I threw in a picture, because I thought I was being boring.  This is Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, one of my favorite fall destinations.  I should go there soon and pick up more fall decor.  I could get a pumpkin, which I can later smash and leave in the yard for critters’ enjoyment.  That way I do not have to find a place to put Yet More Stuff in my house.

I am afraid I must admit (then again, being afraid is seasonal, is it not?)  that my depression is kicking my butt these days.  I know one cure, or at least help, is exercise.  I went running yesterday and mean to do that or at least walk today.  Another help is to Just Do Anything.  Seriously, I read it somewhere:  doing almost anything might relieve depression.  It might not, of course, but at least I will have gotten something done.

Lately when I have a conversation with someone, at some point I stop and say, “Talk about myself, talk about myself, talk about myself,” because that is what I seem to be doing.  And here I am doing the same thing in my blog.  Then again, it is a personal blog.  Does that make it OK?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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Evie at the Zoo

Posted on September 30, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I neglected to make a post about a recent visit to the Utica Zoo with some members of my family.  My sister Cheryl called and invited me to join them in celebrating my great-niece Evie’s birthday.  I was delighted to join them.  Unfortunately, most of the pictures I took of the animals did not come out very well.

I guess even the camel is a bit in shadow.

We had a nice time walking around the zoo.  I especially enjoy the paths up through greenery and around exhibits.

You can almost see some members of our group way up ahead.

We enjoyed things such as stumps you can stand on.

Evie strikes an intimidating pose.

Before I snapped the picture, Evie put her hands over her head and said in a deep voice, “I am the Dread Pirate Roberts!” Anybody who does not get that reference, I urge you to watch the movie The Princess Bride.

I walked around the post and took another shot, not back-lit.

Alas that I did not get any pictures of Sheppy, my great-nephew. Full disclosure:  I did get a picture of him and a few others impersonating owls on some posts provided for that purpose. My niece Kimi said I was not allowed to use that picture in the blog.  I wonder if she would have preferred I did not even mention it. If so, I hope she will forgive me.

I highly recommend the Utica Zoo as a nice place to spend a few hours, even if you do not have a dramatic great-niece to walk around with.

 

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Slacker, then Shout-out

Posted on September 28, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s that awkward moment when you realize this is your best chance to get your Saturday post on Saturday, yet you can think of nothing to write about nor have you any of your adventure books handy.  Adventure Books (yes, I like it better when I capitalize both.  I believe I have never used the phrase in the blog) are the cute little blank books I buy when I see them cheap.  I sometimes start to use them for a specific purpose, which usually peters out, and often end up carrying one or another with me when I go adventuring.  I realize I should use one, fill it, then move on to the next, but anybody who expects such organizational miracles from me is doomed to disappointment.

At wine tastings, the pourers are often surprised and delighted when I start taking tasting notes.  Taking random notes is also comforting when I am out alone or bored waiting someplace.  I try never to leave without a notebook or at least an adventure book.

OK, so I guess this post started as a Slacker Saturday then went to babbling on about my writing habits.  I’d better throw in a picture to make things look good.

A fun memory!

Here is an adventure I definitely took notes about:  a ride on Richfield Springs Scenic Railway.  This, of course, is my late lovely husband Steve.  So now I have also given a shout-out to an area attraction.  I wonder if I can link to their website so readers can check them out.

Looks like it worked!

 

 

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Good Wine, Late Post

Posted on September 25, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

This post is in my drafts twice.  Twice I started to write it then stopped, because I could not find the wine tasting notes I took while I sipped.  This morning (early Wednesday to make Tuesday’s post), I said, oh, just go ahead and write the post.  Before I typed that last sentence, I thought hmmm… and looked into the notebook at my side (I actually got up early to write something entirely different, which I did, using other notes in that notebook) (I add in the interests of accuracy). Guess what I found!

I just found out today was Red Wine Day, so I poured myself a glass (I wrote in the earlier draft;  it is not Red Wine Day and I am certainly not drinking wine at 4:34 in the morning).  What a perfect time to talk about my visit to the Wine Tasting Room at Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY (really, it is often a good time to talk about wine and delightful B&Bs).

I toasted the day.

Instead of tasting, I opted for a flight, which was four glasses, each more than a taste but less than a full glass.  I could have just gotten a glass of one wine, or even a whole bottle.  A whole bottle seemed a bit much.  I was walking not driving, but still.

OK, that was all I had in the draft.  Now, from the tasting notes…

Picture of the garden at Raindrops on Roses to depict passage of time while I get more coffee.

I found a shady spot in the garden in back of the house and commenced sipping and note taking, two of my favorite activities.  The breeze was delightful and the surroundings beautiful.  The Prospect Falls Gewurztraminer (I am better at pronouncing it than spelling it) was nice, with what I call a New Yorky taste, which is a quality I treasure in a wine. I felt like I could taste the skin of the grape, in a good way.  I pronounced it a fun wine.

Next I had the Montezuma Dry Riesling.  Very tasty, and dry enough for my tastes.  Prospect Falls Merlot was next, followed by the Roaring Falls Red of the same winery.  Alas, I did not enjoy the reds as much as the whites.  I am sure it was just me or the day, because I know I have purchased bottles of these same wines and enjoyed them very much.

It is a beautiful setting.

It was a lovely interlude on a Saturday afternoon.  Alas that it will soon be too cold to sit in the garden at Raindrops on Roses.  Still, I might get there for another glass or flight before the snow falls.  I will try to make the blog post about it sooner after the fact.

 

 

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