This 'n That Thursdays: "Escape to the Country" BBC House-Hunting Show

From BBC One

One of our local PBS stations has recently started airing episodes of the BBC house-hunting show called  "Escape to the Country".  I have only seen two episodes so far, but I was hooked after the first one!  This series follows the adventures of house hunters in the UK hoping to move to the country as they check out three different rural properties, one of which is designated the "mystery property".  They are assisted in their search by a host who also provides more information about the specific locations chosen by the buyers.

Being a rural resident myself, with no desire to live in more densely populated areas, I enjoyed getting to see scenes of the British countryside featured in the two episodes I watched, which can be truly idyllic.  I think my favorite part of each episode was the segment where the host takes a look at a particular aspect of the featured region of rural England.  In the first episode I saw, the host visited a pig farm, while in the second he got to learn how to drive a horse-drawn carriage.  All of the properties showcased so far have been delightful, and I can't wait to see more!

Apparently this series has been around since 2002, but to my knowledge has not been shown where we live in Georgia until recently.  One review I read of the show calls it "TV's most calming house-hunting show" and lists six reasons why you should watch - I couldn't agree more with their assessment!  If your local PBS station is broadcasting this series, be sure to check it out.  You can also watch episodes on YouTube (check out the special two-episode edition below), on Netflix, or on BBC One.

                

Wish List Wednesdays: ModCloth Twist on Simple Cotton Oxford Top in Dogs

I am such a sucker for tops that feature fun animal prints, so it is no surprise that I am coveting the Twist on Simple Cotton Oxford Top in Dogs ($49) from ModCloth.  This 100% cotton long-sleeved top has a button closure at the sleeve cuff so that you can fold up and secure the sleeves to a three-quarter length.  The ivory-colored blouse has a black dog print which features Dalmatians among other breeds, which is always a plus to my Dalmatian-loving mind.  While I intend to limit my clothing purchases this year, I have decided that this shirt has made the cut for February's apparel budget!
             

Current Events: Congratulations, Alysa Liu!

Alysa Liu (from USA Today)

Let's take a break from Trumpish behavior today, shall we?  Instead I would like to offer heartfelt congratulations to 13-year-old Alysa Liu, the youngest U.S. Figure Skating champion in history!  You can watch her stunning performance on the YouTube video shown below:

Liu's beautiful routine really impressed the judges, and her two triple axels were a feat that no American woman had ever accomplished before.  At her young age, Liu is not old enough to qualify for senior international events until 2022, but this will give her plenty of time to mature and improve in time for the Olympics in Beijing that year.  Alysa Liu, you are someone in whom all Americans can take pride!

In case you were wondering, the music for Alysa Liu's winning routine was John Williams' "The Dance of the Witches" from the movie "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987), which you can hear in the YouTube video below:

                

Weekend Wardrobe: Accessories for Casual Winter Sweater-Inspired 4x4 Wardrobe

This week I am adding accessories to last week's casual winter sweater-inspired 4x4 wardrobe.  Once again, I found almost all of the items at the L.L. Bean website.  I consider this wardrobe to be suitable for a lifestyle that includes quite a bit of outdoor activity, so I kept most of the accessories very functional rather than ornamental.  The main function of this collection is to keep the wearer comfortable in the winter, so let's start with some outerwear.  These coats range from lightweight to cold-proof, since winter weather can be very unpredictable:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Coat in Dark Plum; L.L. Bean Women's Flannel-Lined Classic Utility Jacket in Raisin Brown; L.L. Bean Women's Easy-Care Mackintosh Coat in Tidal Sand (color no longer available); L.L Bean Women's 1912 Jean Jacket in Americana.

Now let's add some footwear, keeping the same unpredictability of the season in mind:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Mid Height Bogs B Puffy Boot in Grape; L.L. Bean Women's Superga 2795 Lined High-Top Sneakers in Beige; L.L. Bean Women's Nubuck Katahdin Waterproof Hiking Boots in Dark Stone/Plum Grape; L.L. Bean Women's Signature Handsewn Suede Loafers in Slate Blue.

To keep extremities warm, we now need to add hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves:

Clockwise from top left: L.L Bean Women's Chunky Knit Pom-Pom Hat in Deep Port (no longer available); L.L. Bean Women's Print Heritage Wool Nordic Pom Hat in Paperwhite (no longer available); L.L. Bean Women's Print Heritage Wool Nordic Mittens in Paperwhite (no longer available); L.L. Bean Women's Pistil Nectar Scarf in Oatmeal; L.L. Bean Women's Plaid Lightweight Wool-Blend Scarf in Carbon Navy; L.L. Bean Women's Primaloft Packaway Gloves in Dark Marine Blue (no longer available).

Finally, let's include some rugged bags to carry necessities, plus two pieces of practical jewelry that have unexpected functionality:

Clockwise from top left: Neckglasses "Susan" Reading Glasses in Gold; L.L. Bean New Meadows Canvas Tote in Khaki; My Hair Tie Bracelets "Lola" Bracelet in Gold; L.L. Bean New Meadows Canvas Wrist Pouch in Khaki; L.L. Bean Misses Regular Leather 3/4" Belt in Navy; L.L. Bean New Meadows Canvas Rucksack in Khaki.

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The practical and functional accessories are also attractive, and add some style to the basic wardrobe.  These items are reflective of the sorts of apparel and accessories that I am inclined to choose - I would be quite comfortable owning this casual collection.  As I was putting together this post I noticed that L.L. Bean has removed many of the winter accessories from their website.  I am interpreting this to mean that it is time to move on to thoughts of spring, which I will do starting with next week's wardrobe post!

                

Foodie Fridays: Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables

It is always fun to find a new side dish to try, so when I saw the recipe for Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables on the How Sweet Eats website I had to make it.  As usual, I modified the already easy recipe by making the ingredients list even simpler (I really am a lazy cook!).  I also employed my favorite technique for roasting vegetables, which brings out their caramelized flavor without charring or burning them.  This basically involves allowing the pan to sit in the oven after it is turned off and while it is cooling down.  The combination of chewy potato gnocchi with sweet caramelized vegetables is a winner, and is worthy of a place at any repast!

Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Vegetables

1 package (16 oz.) potato gnocchi
1 pint grape tomatoes
2 bell peppers (any color), cut into chunks
1 red onion, cut into chunks
1-2 T. olive oil
1-2 T. garlic-infused oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Spray a nonstick baking sheet or pan with cooking spray.  Add the gnocchi and vegetables.  Drizzle with the oils and sprinkle on the salt and Italian seasoning.  Toss well to combine (make sure everything, especially the gnocchi, is well coated with the oil and seasoning).

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, tossing once halfway through the cooking time.  When the tomatoes have burst and the peppers and onions are soft, turn off the oven, close the oven door, and let the pan sit in the oven for 5 minutes, then crack open the door a few inches and let the pan sit in the cooling oven for another 5-10 minutes. (I do this to allow the vegetables to brown a bit more and then get rid of excess moisture without burning everything.)

Remove the pan from the oven and serve, topped with shredded Parmesan and/or minced fresh herbs if desired .  Serves 4.
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Buy A Home In Sambuca di Sicilia for About a Dollar

Have you ever dreamed of owning an Italian villa in the picturesque countryside?  Well, your dream may not be as inaccessible as it sounds, provided you can meet the terms of sale on some properties in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy!  The population in this Italian village has been dwindling over the years, to the point that the local government is willing to sell potential buyers a home for one euro (just over a dollar) just to keep the town alive.

From The Irish Times

Not surprisingly, hover, there are certain conditions which must be met.  The two-story Moorish stone homes, which range in size from 430 to 1,610 square feet, are in dire need of renovation, so you must be willing to spend a minimum of about $17,100 to make your house livable again within three years after purchase.  A $5,700 deposit is also required, to be fully refunded when the renovations are complete, presumably to the satisfaction of the local government, which owns all of the houses.  Deals that seem too good to be true usually are, so I would make sure to get in writing exactly what these satisfactory renovations entail, and would also check in to any taxes, fees, penalties, etc., that may apply (for example, what happens if, for reasons beyond your control, the house renovations are not completed within the three-year limit?).  It would not be a waste of money to hire a lawyer to look into the details should you want to seriously consider this offer.

That said, if you are willing to take a gamble and have the time, money, and willingness to deal with a major building renovation, then this may just be the project for you!  Sambuca really does seem to be a lovely town, located on the island of Sicily and perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  Just remember that such an undertaking will not be easy.  Remember the travails of Frances Mayes in Under the Tuscan Sun, but also remember that, for her, in the end the frustrations where worth suffering, and such may be the case for you as well!

Personally, I would live anywhere that donkeys are welcome!
(from CNN)

               

Wish List Wednesdays: Norpro Heart-Shaped Pancake Pan

I am always on the lookout for something a little different for each holiday, and when I saw the Norpro Heart-Shaped Pancake Pan ($9.95) on the Everything Kitchens website, I knew that I had found my Valentine's Day idea.  This nonstick-coated pan with stay-cool handle will serve up perfect heart-shaped pancakes for a special Valentine's Day breakfast or brunch!  And wouldn't those pancakes look right at home on the Fiesta Dinnerware 9" Luncheon Plate (on sale for $21.99 each) shown below, also from the Everything Kitchens site (they have mugs and bowls with the same pattern as well)?  It's not too early to start thinking about a Valentine's Day celebration!

             

Current Events: "Hamberder King" Donnie Trump, the Poster Boy for a Fast Food Diet?

*Hamberders, anyone?  A fast food feast at the White House
(created using SuperLame! with image from Vox).

Seriously, is this any way to make America great again?

                

Weekend Wardrobe: Casual Winter Sweater-Inspired 4x4 Wardrobe

Orvis Women's Fair Isle Sweater Coat

When the weather turns cold and blustery, as it has here in Georgia recently, I really appreciate a wardrobe based on warm and cosy sweaters.  I loved the colors of the cardigan shown above, and decided to base a winter wardrobe on a few of its hues - a rich plum color, shades of indigo, and various gradations of tan:

This casual wardrobe consists of the sort of apparel I love to wear - comfortable pants, warm sweaters, and long-sleeved t-shirts to layer under the sweaters or wear on their own with the pants.  I found most of these items on the L.L. Bean website.  While I do not normally wear turtlenecks (I find myself constantly tugging at their necklines), I do think they go well with sweaters.  I just wish I could wear them without feeling as if I were being strangled!

The first set of four includes the inspiration sweater and features the plum color:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Pima Cotton Turtleneck in Royal Plum (color no longer available); Orvis Women's Fair Isle Sweater Coat; Woolrich Women's Laureldale Long Sleeve T-Shirt in Ecru; L.L. Bean Women's Slim-Leg True Shape Twill Pants in Raisin Brown.

The second set of four brings in the shades of indigo as well as a bit of tan:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Pima Cotton Turtleneck in Vintage Indigo; L.L. Bean Women's Marled Cotton Ragg Sweater in Oatmeal; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Stripe Cotton Interlock Turtleneck in Blue Heather; L.L. Bean Women's Relaxed Fit Comfort Waist Double L Jeans in Rinsed Wash.

More indigo and tan for the third set of four:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Crewneck Pima Cotton Tee in Vintage Indigo; L.L. Bean Women's Double L Mixed Cable Turtleneck Sweater in Stone; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Heritage Washed Denim Shirt in Light Indigo; L.L. Bean Women's Straight-Leg Casco Corduroy Pants in Deep Khaki.

And finally, the plum color and a little tan for the final set of four:

Clockwise from top left: Woolrich Women's Laureldale Turtleneck in Ecru; L.L. Bean Women's Classic Ragg Wool Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater in Deep Port; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Crewneck Pima Cotton Tee in Royal Plum; L.L. Bean Women's Straight-Leg Casco Corduroy Pants in Fig.

Here is the complete 4x4 basic winter wardrobe:

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I really like these colors together, and would seriously consider making them my signature colors if I were starting a new wardrobe from scratch.  I would even be inclined to own all of these items if the turtlenecks were not too tight (or perhaps I should be looking at cowl neck tops).  Next week I will be adding accessories to this wardrobe, with the goal of enhancing the cosiness factor.  Our weather has been relatively mild up until now, so the thought of bundling up against the cold in warm and cosy clothing has not yet lost its appeal!
               

Foodie Fridays: Grilled Cheddar, Turkey, and Green Chile Sandwich

Years ago, when we lived in the Colorado foothills, there was a little restaurant at the bottom of our road called Vern's Place.  We would stop there for lunch occasionally, and I always ordered the same meal, which was a grilled cheese sandwich filled with green chiles and your choice of turkey or beef (because of my red meat allergy I always got the turkey).  This sandwich was absolutely delicious!

Alas, fast forward to the present day, and apparently Vern's Place has become modernized.  I am sure it is still a great place for a meal, perhaps even better than it was when we lived there, but sadly my favorite sandwich is no longer on the menu (I wonder if it can be special ordered?).  So, in memory of that beloved sandwich, here is the recipe as I remember it.  I can't say if it is authentic, but it is close enough to bring back fond memories.  May you enjoy it as much as I did back in the day (and still do)!

Grilled Cheddar, Turkey, and Green Chile Sandwich

2 slices of your favorite sandwich bread (I used whole wheat)
softened butter or mayonnaise
2 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese
1 whole canned green chile, drained, cut in half, and patted dry
3 slices oven-roasted deli turkey

Spread one side of each bread slice with butter or mayonnaise.  Place one slice, buttered side down, in a skillet over medium heat.  Place one slice of cheese on top of the bread.  Add the chile halves.  Top with the turkey and then the remaining cheese.  Place the other bread slice, buttered side up, on top.  Grill 3-4 minutes per side.  Serve hot.  Serves 1.

Note: If you like spicier chiles and you can find them, freshly roasted New Mexican Hatch chiles are great on this sandwich.
             

This 'n That Thurdays: IndividualiTEA Photo Sharing Sweepstakes

If you are a tea lover like me, you may want to consider entering the IndividualiTEA Photo Sharing Sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 plus a year's supply of tea!  All you have to do is upload an image or video of your favorite tea - black, white, green, or oolong - with a short explanation of when, where, and how you enjoy your tea (you must have an active and non-private Twitter or Instagram account to enter).  You can read the official entry rules here.  Since I do not have either a Twitter or an Instagram account I sadly cannot enter the contest, but I can still upload tea images to my hear's content, and I may do so just to work on my photography skills.  The contest ends on January 31, 2019, so if you want to participate get started now!

One of my favorite ways to enjoy tea!

Wish List Wednesdays: Playful Pup Cookie Jar from Anthropologie

Since we will be moving in the near future, I really want to try not to buy too many new items before then, but it seems that Anthropologie does not plan to help me succeed!  Dalmatian fanatic that I am, how am I supposed to resist their sweet stoneware Playful Pup Cookie Jar ($88)?  And lest you think that only Dalmatian lovers are being tempted, there is also a French bulldog version that is equally adorable - just look at that jaunty beret!  (For those of you who love poodles, corgis, and/or dachshunds, check out the Dapper Dog Cookie Jars.)  I do believe that resistance is futile, and that another Dalmatian cookie jar is about to enter my life!

             

Current Events: Little Donnie Trump's Vanity Wall

Created using SuperLame! with images from Mashable, Washington
Examiner, and TransparentPNG.

Little Donnie Trump is truly obsessed with his border wall idea.  He has dug in like a blood-sucking tick with his demand for a bloated 5+ billion dollars to build this wall.  But make no mistake, the border wall has little to do with border security and everything to do with stoking his ego.  It is his vanity wall.  So here's an idea - instead of concrete or even steel, why not construct the wall from smoke and mirrors, which is a much more accurate representation of how Trump's wall will function anyway.
             

Weekend Wardrobe: What I Wore for Our 2019 New Mexico House Hunting Trip

New Mexico is colder and snowier than Georgia!
(image from City-Data Forum)

Packing for our most recent New Mexico trip was especially challenging for a couple of reasons.  First, the weather in New Mexico was about 50 degrees colder than our weather in Georgia!  We really had to scramble to find our warmest clothes, and then make sure not to dress too warmly for the trip to the Atlanta airport and back.  Second, the day we returned to Georgia we were scheduled to attend a mystery dinner theater.  We stayed in Atlanta from about noon (when we returned) to about ten PM, when the play ended.  That meant we had to dress before we left New Mexico (at 3 AM) for the dinner theater as we would not have a chance to change clothes!

Considering all of the different clothing requirements for this trip, I think I managed to do pretty well with my packing.  I did leave a pair of comfortable shoes in our car, which we left in the airport parking garage, so that I could finally change out of the boots I wore for the entire New Mexico trip.  Comfortable as they are, I knew I would get tired of wearing the same shoes for so many days, and the boots would be a little too warm for a day in Atlanta.

Here is what I wore for the flight from Atlanta to Albuquerque:

Clockwise from top left: Fair Indigo Tey-Art Niobara Intarsia Alpaca Fair Trade Cardigan (no longer available); Olivia + Joy Zap Zoom Tote in Black (no longer available); Turtle Fur Bang Band Chelonia 150 Classic Fleece Headband in Black (similar to mine); Columbia Lake 22 Hooded Jacket in Black (similar to mine); Southcombe Mabel Warm Lined Leather Gloves in Black (similar to mine); No Nonsense Women's Flat Knit Crew Socks in Black; Bombas Women's Merino Wool Calf Socks in Charcoal (I also packed a pair in Black); Skyway Tieton Carry-On Spinner Luggage in Blue Paisley; Sorel Women's Whitney Camp Boots in Black; L.L. Bean Women's Plain Front Comfort Waist Stretch Bayside Corduroys in Dusty Olive (similar to mine); Land's End Women's Relaxed V-Neck Supima Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt in Charcoal Heather (similar to mine).

The headband, gloves, and wool socks were packed in my tote bag to wear when we arrived in frigid New Mexico at almost 10 PM.  We had to drive north from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, and the temperature just kept dropping - I think the low that night was 8 degrees!  Luckily my quilted coat and especially my alpaca cardigan were warm enough.  I highly recommend an alpaca cardigan for anyone traveling from a warm to a cold climate or vice versa.  When it is buttoned it really holds in the warmth, but if the temperature starts to rise just unbutton the cardigan and all of that heat will escape so that you will not feel too hot.

These are the items that I packed:

Clockwise from top left: Great American Leatherworks Tuscany Scoop Stud Triple Entry Crossbody Bag in Black (similar to mine); Land's End Women's Crew Sweatshirt in Pewter Heather (similar to mine); Sterling Silver 20 Strand Liquid Silver Necklace (similar to mine); Hudson North V-Neck Fair Isle Sweater in Black (no longer available - similar to mine); Duluth Trading Company Women's Longtail T Long Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt in White (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Women's Favorite Fit Straight-Leg 1912 Jeans in Vintage Black (similar to mine); Chico's So Slimming Juliet Ankle Pants in Black; Land's End Women's Sweatpants in Pewter Heather (similar to mine); Coldwater Creek Tailored Denim Trousers (no longer available); Land's End Womens Relaxed V-Neck Supima Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt in Rich Red (color no longer available - similar to mine); Center: Coldwater Creek Long-Sleeve Ribbed Sweater in Robin's Egg (similar to mine).

I wore the sweatpants and sweatshirt for sleeping, and the extra warmth was definitely needed!  On our first day of house hunting I wore the red long-sleeved tee with the denim trousers plus my alpaca sweater, and on the second day I wore the black Fair Isle sweater with the white long-sleeved tee and black jeans.  For the return flight and later the mystery dinner theater I wore the ribbed light blue sweater, liquid silver necklace, and the knit pants (which are very comfortable and were perfect for that long day) plus the alpaca cardigan (I removed the latter when we arrived in much warmer Atlanta).  I did pack a couple of extra long-sleeved tees and another sweatshirt which I did not wear.  Other than that, I wore everything else I brought so I consider my travel wardrobe to have been just the right number of items.  I feel that if I cannot carry my own luggage on a trip then I am bringing too many clothes, and I am happy to say that I had no trouble toting my own bags around!

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Our big news is that we finally found our dream retirement house!  We are under contract and in the process of dealing with all of the paperwork (which seems to have multiplied exponentially from the last time we bought a house).  If all goes well we will close late in February, and then we will start making decisions on when we will sell our Georgia home and begin the moving process.  Life will be very complicated but exciting for us this year.  My blogging schedule will probably become rather erratic, but I will start posting more information about our new home as soon as it is ours, so stay tuned!
               

Foodie Fridays: Vanilla Chai Lemon Ricotta Muffins

Once again I just had to try a recipe from the Half-Baked Harvest website (one of my favorite food blogs), this time for the Vanilla Chai Lemon Ricotta Muffins.  These light and tasty muffins come together quickly and the unique combination of ingredients make them unlike any other muffins I have ever made.  I made only a few minor changes to the original recipe (used different flours, used different types of oil and honey, used a regular instead of a Meyer lemon, and used part skim rather than whole milk ricotta, based on what I had on hand).  Next time I will probably increase the spices, perhaps even doubling them, because I like lots of sweet spice flavor, and I would like to try the Meyer lemon or double the amount of regular lemon for a more intense citrus flavor, but these muffins were still good just the way I made them.  I do not usually butter muffins, but next time I may even try making the Lemon Poppyseed Butter recipe that was also included in the original post!

Vanilla Chai Lemon Ricotta Muffins

1 C. white flour
3/4 C. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 C. oil*
1/2 C. honey**
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 C. ricotta cheese (I used part skim)

Thoroughly combine the first nine (dry) ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.

Blend the oil, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl.  Beat in the eggs one at a time.  Stir in the lemon zest and juice.  Add the ricotta cheese and whisk until no large lumps remain.  Gently stir in the dry ingredients, then mix just until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated (do not over-beat).

Divide the batter evenly among 12 muffin tin cups lined with paper liners.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.  Serves 12.

*I used Bertolli Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil.
**I used Kroger Private Selection Vanilla & Nutmeg Infused Honey (which no longer seems to be available).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Agatha's - A Taste of Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

From TripAdvisor

If you ever find yourself in Atlanta and have transportation plus a free night, be sure to book a reservation at Agatha's - A Taste of Murder.  My husband and I received tickets as a Christmas gift to this comedy murder mystery dinner theater for this past Saturday, which is the day we returned from New Mexico.  The timing was a bit awkward, but we arranged to have our pet sitter stay a little longer and spent the whole day in Atlanta until the show began.

From TripAdvisor

We had heard of this dinner theater before and had been wanting to attend for a while, but until our friend sent us tickets we just never got around to it.  We are so glad we finally got the chance!  The venue décor is perfect, with a sort of Victorian vibe and photos of famous actors and actresses pretty much covering all of the wall space.  The food was tasty (the butternut squash soup was fantastic) and you will get a complimentary glass of wine (okay but not great quality, but it is free!).  The staff did a good job of welcoming us in and letting us know what to expect, because participation is part of the experience, with either a "starring" cameo role or as part of a chorus (there will be singing, so brush up on your singing voice!).

From Facebook

The best part, of course, is the murder mystery.  We got to see a hilarious play written by the creative director, who also portrays some of the characters.  The Christmas-themed play, called "It's Beginning to  Look a Lot Like Murder", is loosely based on the movie "Top Gun", and it was very well acted.  We had a lot of fun participating, and even more fun watching some of the other attendees tackle their cameo roles.  At one point I was laughing so hard tears streamed from my eyes!

Having gotten up at 3 AM to catch our very early morning flight out of Albuquerque, I wasn't sure we would be able to stay awake (especially my husband, who did all of the driving), but the play was so engaging we had no trouble and enjoyed ourselves immensely (lots of tea and coffee with dinner helped a lot too!).  We did spend a bit of time lost in Atlanta as we wandered around town for hours until Agatha's opened in the evening, and traffic on a Saturday is never pleasant, but the play amused, relaxed, and energized us enough for the long drive home that night.  We both highly recommend Agatha's - A Taste of Murder to anyone who enjoys participating in dinner theater play antics - be sure to arrive with a sense of humor!

From TripAdvisor

             

Wish List Wednesdays: Just Add Honey Tea Company Good Morning! Black Tea

Good Morning! Black Tea

2019 is off to an amazing start for us!  Our trip to New Mexico was successful beyond our wildest dreams (more on that in a later post), and upon our return we made some fantastic discoveries in Atlanta.  One of those discoveries was the Sweet Auburn Municipal Market, which we stumbled upon by accident.  I had never heard of it before but my husband had, and has always wanted to visit.  Started in 1918 as an open air market, the "Curb Market", as it is known to locals, is now indoors and consists of about 30 businesses, including the wonderful Just Add Honey Tea Company, which brings me to this post.  The shop specializes in blending their own unique teas.  They have black, green, white, and rooibos blends.  I prefer black teas, so I selected the Good Morning! black tea ($4.25 per ounce), which is a simple blend of black teas and cocoa nibs.  It is a robust blend with a strong flavor but only medium caffeine, so I find it perfect as a morning tea.  I just add a little light cream and am good to go!  Check out their online tea shop here, and give their teas a try - I already have my eye on a few more flavors that I want to purchase next!

             

Current Events: Little Donnie Trump Explains His Border Wall

Main image from FanSided; transparency from Viral Donald Trump.

". ..why will you say that I am mad? ...It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night... You fancy me mad.  Madmen know nothing.  But you should have seen me.  You should have seen how wisely I proceeded -- with what caution -- with what foresight -- with what dissimulation I went to work! ...would a madman have been so wise as this..." (Edgar Allen Poe, "The Tell-Tale Heart")
             

On the Homefront: Leaving Town Again!

From Plainview Daily Herald

Happy New Year, everyone!  My husband and I leave for New Mexico tomorrow to look at more houses, so there will be no blog posts after this one until we return.  We are hoping that we will not end up driving in snowy conditions similar to what the state experienced last week (see image above).  We may avoid the snow storms, but temperatures will be absolutely frigid.  I hope the cold does not scare my husband off from the idea of moving to New Mexico, but it is not a bad idea to see (and feel) the weather extremes in the state before we commit to a move.  Wish us luck, and see you when we return late on Saturday!

I will have to keep reminding my husband that snow in New Mexico
can be beautiful! (from Charles Mann Photography)