i like food

To anyone who knows me, it should come as no surprise that I like food. Food is good and eating is fun. Handmade food is preferred. I lived this entire past winter on frozen pizzas and soup so, I'm not opposed to processed food. But hey, if you got a bakery within walking distance, walk to it and buy their stuff and eat it.

This is some of what the inside of Stone Hearth Bakery looks like. They're situated at 138 N. East Street in Frederick at the corner of 2nd. Fine fellows one and all. I went in the other day to perform my own personal cookie taste test. Mostly, I just needed a cookie because I was bummed ~ so I turned that into my quest for the perfect cookie. Plus, I needed a loaf of bread.

The bread was picked out and sliced for me. Then I proceeded to point to delicious things while the kind fellow dropped them in a bag. Three cookies and one coconut scone in addition to the bread came to $9.50. It was at this point that the baker guy realized that his credit card machine was on the fritz. I had no cash. Presently, another baker guy emerged from the back room and said, "It's okay, she's a regular. Just jot down her name and she can pay tomorrow." I've been there a total of four times. By the way, I did not buy the cake below. I merely fell in love with it. I'll be back for it on my birthday.

squiggly line

Went for a walk in the woods but I took no pictures of me so I can't prove I was there actually.

big foot

Time for another shadow picture of me on play equipment. I found two things: a bakery and a small farmer's market. Both are on East street and 2nd or thereabouts. The market materializes like Brigadoon on Thursdays at 3 pm and then fades back into the mist a short while later. The bakery bakes stuff but I have not been in there yet to see what exactly. The guy who owns it (the baker, I'm guessing) is said to be a heroic holdout to the forces of evil that endeavor to gentrify Shab Row. I guess it used to be quirky and welcoming and is now all hoity toity with it's high rents and kicking out of the common people. Then again, some folks say it used to be dirty and dangerous but, that was before my time. Said baker certainly benefits from the increased foot traffic so, who the hell knows. I'll go for a loaf of bread later and report back with my findings. Have a sunny Sunday!

spin saturday

It's time to wash a bunch of blankets and towels and bulky stuff so one of those big-ish front loaders is the way to go. Getting this stuff down the street may be tricky. Perhumps multiple trips are called for. My neighbor has a wheelbarrow. That just might work. Then there's the issue of quarters. Tomorrow is Saturday and the PNC is closed and I'm all outta ones. Time to raid the ashtray-parking-meter-fund that resides in my car. Happy Weekend to you. Wish you were here.

adventures in cooking

So, I'm a pretty okay cook when so inspired, though I lack certain utensils and equipment. One saucepan serves as tea kettle, soup maker, wok, leftover reheater, and egg boiler. Today I found out that it is also a fabulous omelet maker. Enjoy your lunch!

positively 4th street

The stretch of west 4th between Market and Bentz is nothing if not quirky. It's happily shabby and does not think too much of itself as it just is what it is: a transitional strip between commerce and wealth. It's no east 3rd or west 2nd where life begins and ends with this month's Architectural Digest but it does have it's own quiet charm. I'm lucky to be here.

This has nothing to do with sidewalk happenings but, this morning I stood on my cafe chair and cut off the tail end of my neighbor's hanging plant. It's a philodendron of some sort that's gone long and leggy and dangles from the balcony above. He'll never know the difference. My stolen cutting is presently growing roots in a jar in my kitchen. A couple of days ago I was stuck in car repair hell and ventured over to Home Depot's garden center to wait it out where I was overcome with the desire for an additional houseplant. Plants, like air and water, should really be free ~ and I am a girl with a scissor collection.

Have a grand day! Wish you were here.

go dog go

The car debacle is now behind me. Two nifty new tires, brakey brakes, and the little red light is now off. I was not out of there in 15 minutes but I was able to accomplish much photo tweaking for subsequent posts, so ha! It's now the middle of the day on Wednesday which is the middle of the week and practically Friday. Can laundry day be far behind? Since my day is pretty well shot, I'm off to take arty pictures of my street that I've been planning in the back of my mind but not executing due to ensuing battles with Michelin men. Having vanquished those bastards I'll grab my camera and go dog go.

adventure no. 4 ~ ice cream instead

Car shenanigans continue as parts fail to arrive so I opted for an ice cream cone. I've had a hankerin' for ice cream ever since Sunday when I saw scads of people walking about with drippy cones. There's this mom-and-pop type place on Market called Pizza & Pretzel Creations that serves up scoops twice as big as Ben & Jerry for about half the price, so I headed there. They also make killer pizza according to the guy upstairs, but that's a taste test for another day. After satisfying my soul with chocolate swirl, many pictures were taken for uploading and sharing purposes. I'm pretty sure my next adventure of the day will involve napping.

adventure no. 3 ~ finding stuff

So, Frederick Memorial Hospital is on the corner of Trail and 7th. If I break my arm or get shot, I only need to drag myself three blocks and collapse on the lawn. They've got a little tree lined park there with covered picnic benches and barbecue grills. Least of my concern when suffering gunshot wounds, but there you have it. Down the road a piece is the Safeway. To get there from my place it's just a leisurely bike ride through Hood's campus and out the entrance by the pool on to Magnolia. Plenty of shopping is to be had right there at the corner of Magnolia and 7th. Anyhoo, going north on the bike will continue as there's much to explore and find and see. Now I gotta go see a man about a car...

adventure no. 2 ~ bike north

Here is my plucky bike given to me by my big brother Chris. This is my bike on it's way out the front door. See you when I see you.

adventure no. 1 ~ beach breakfast

Today will feature a string of small adventures to balance out the last few days and the baloney contained therein. First order of business is breakfast ~ always an adventure when enjoyed on the beach. This is not an actual beach, I realize, but a beach in the mind: brick sand, sea of grass lapping at my toes, etc. And it's another day of gorgeous weather. I hope it's as nice where you are as it is where I am.

stuff to do

Now that I look at it from up on the balcony, it occurs to me that this backyard would be perfect for bocce ball. The grass might need to be trimmed first and I'd need to acquire a bocce set up but, hey, other than that it's perfect!

shed shadow

I've decided to get rid of my couch. It rarely gets sat upon and it's taking up space that can otherwise be occupied by a work surface of some sort. Plus, the upholstery fabric of it is like nails on the blackboard of my brain so I cover it's hideousness with a blanket. Out it goes. This picture has nothing to do with the couch. In fact, you can't even see the shed from the couch. Happy Monday!

when the lights go down in the city

Early evening in lucky town affords many a fine picture snapping opportunity. The majority of facades are downright sculptural and brightly painted to boot. There is a certain point at which golden light filters through the trees and is nothing short of magical. These are pictures that I took upon my arrival in lucky town last year. My block, though lovely, is less grand and better described as quirky. It deserves it's own post. As do the small mosaic tiles embedded in the brick path down by the creek. Be that as it may, I wish you a super trooper day wherever it is you're spending it! When the lights go down in your city, fire up a sparkler and write the word "lucky" in the night sky.

change in the weather

It seemed like we were getting nothing but rain a while back. Days were pretty darn consistently overcast and cold and it was super annoying. The weather gods have re-evaluated their plan apparently as the clouds have parted and the sun is now officially out. Bikes can be ridden and hikes can be had. Yay, lucky town! Yesterday, I found an actual grocery store that can be biked to by me. There are a handful of markets downtown that are fine in a pinch but too expensive to live off of. Sure, I can drive way the hell but I just don't WANT to. If I gotta drive, there darn well better be a view like this when I get there.