winter blues but weekend fun

I'm finally at the point where I'm so sick of winter that I'm practically climbing the walls.

We're still having the bitter cold here ~ it's -9F here this morning. I was looking at some

of my Instagram photos from last spring where the trees were budding, Brian was grilling

outside, and the patio furniture was uncovered and actually being used. I am so longing 

for that again. And yesterday, my throat started getting sore and scratchy and I knew

what was coming. I immediately started taking Allibiotic (natural herbal supplement for

 immune system strength) and drinking herbal tea with fresh lemon and raw honey. Frankly,

I'm peeved at my body for being sick again since I normally take good care of myself: I

eat very healthy, I exercise, practice yoga, and take herbal supplements. I also wash my

hands immediately when I get home from being out in public. So, what gives? I was joking

with my mom this morning and told her I was going to start eating Hostess Ho Hos and 

Doritoes again. (Totally kidding - I stay away from stuff like that.)

 

We did get a chance to escape for awhile on Saturday. Brian had the day off (a rarity on

a weekend) and we first headed to a library book sale. This stack of books and CDs

are all Brian's except for the Apartment Therapy book, which has wonderful design ideas

for small spaces (not just apartments). I've always been a fan of their website. I'll eventually

read the "Dearie" book as I'm a Julia Child fan and have several other books by her and

about her.

 This stack of novels is mine. Before I bought them, I quickly scanned them on my phone

on the amazon app to look up the ratings and reviews. If a book has anything less than

4-5 stars, I don't buy it. We got all these books (and thetwo CDs) for $22 ~ less than the

 price of one hardcover book these days!

 Our tummies were then signaling it was time for lunch and we found this small, quiet

Argentinian place nearby.

 I had a cheese and scallion stuffed empanada with tomato bisque soup and a

lovely mixed greens salad with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. 

 Brian (the seafood lover) had a shrimp wrap, clam chowder soup, and salad.

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything at this place is homemade - even the

pasta. And so reasonably priced. Our lunch bill was less than what we would've paid

 at Panera! (And much tastier and not mass-manufactured food.)

After lunch, we went to Mariano's to pick up some groceries. It's definitely not one of those

grocery stores where you can run in and out. It has a cafe, a huge salad bar, impressive

wine and artisan cheese sections, and aisle upon aisle of every ethnic food you can think

of. This was a sampling of their olive oil selection. You can see all the different country's 

flags in the background. Maybe because I'm such a foodie, but I find it thrilling to walk up

and down all these aisles, looking at all the unfamiliar-to-me foods.

I'd never seen such a diverse selection of organic chocolates. How could you ever

choose? I'd like one of each, please.

I hope that your weekend was filled with some of the things that delight you, too.