Traveling Tuesdays: Farmers Markets are Filled with Family Fun

I received no compensation for this post. I just love farmers markets, especially well-organized events that go out of their way to make it a special time for individuals and families.

Farmers Market in Portland OR

Farmers  markets are part of ancient Egyptian history. Farmers would grow crops along the Nile and bring fresh produce to nearby towns to sell. Now the event takes place around the world. Some sell foods exclusively or include assorted goods. 

Dane County Farmers Market, Madison WI

Markets in the US consist of tents and tables lined on either side of the street or in a market square.  Some areas sponsor indoor farmers markets to provide shelter from very hot or very rainy weather. 

Stroud Gloucestershire England Farmers Market

 

The farmers market in Fallon, NV is a friendly, family event held at 925 W Williams Ave every Tuesday afternoon between 5 and 8 pm from June through August. Local and organic produce is offered. Some booths feature local crafts, while others serve up delicious food and cold beverages. Entertainment varies, but is always well-received.  Face-painting for the kids is a popular draw. 

Talbot Farmers Market

Fallon is known for its delicious cantaloupe. Zucchini squash, deep green cucumbers, and other fresh, locally-grown veggies are an impressive site. Nectarines, grapes, and plums are among the fruit grown throughout Nevada and California and brought to Fallon for the summer Tuesday sales. 

Ramah New Mexico Farmers Market

Is there a local farmers market in your area? What is your favorite item?

Minions Stole my Heart

 

Minions! They're everywhere, and almost everyone loves them. I've gotten a kick out of seeing them in the Despicable Me movies. Small wonder they are kid favorites for stuffed animals and toys.

The crowd at the theater laughed when the previews for Minions (really, why call it anything else - the title says it all!) aired on the big screen. It just looked like a hilarious movie to see - and it was.

Kevin, Bob, and Stuart might be small, but they pack a powerful punch in their leading roles. Animated features just get better and better every year, and this film should result in a Part II very soon.

Imagine my surprise today when I went to the store and one of the clerks was setting up a display of 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that smelled like - what else - BANANA! I really chuckle at the antics of Stuart and since it was on sale $1 off the regular price, I bought it to give as a gift. The sign on the back reads Despicable Me. 

I received no compensation for talking nice about the Minions movie or the body wash.I just wanted to share the picture of the container in case you have a Minions fan in the family that would enjoy a cute Stuart the Minion back to school or any reason gift.

Are there any movies you look forward to seeing during the rest of the year?

Thankful Thursdays: Hard Work and Success

 Preparing my "Things to Do" list for August made my shoulders slump a little. My daughter and I just started a home improvement project in the front entry to the house. Our target finish date is September 1, 2015.  It's good to know that hard work and lots of experience leads to success most of the time. Otherwise, I'd be tearing my hair out!

Old farmhouses are a challenge to fix up. After 3 layers of indoor/outdoor carpet (various shades and textures) was ripped out of the 9-ft x 20-ft entryway and laundry room, we reached the final layer of green covering. It had been glued down. It took a lot of scraping and elbow grease to strip it off.

Hubby and I went back to college during one of the economic crashes when jobs disappeared like ice cream on a hot day. We renovated old houses in exchange for free rent and utilities. We both had a lot of on-the-job training to fall back on  and learned even more over the years.

The adventure never ended. It seemed like we always found a fixer-upper to buy and improve. My sense of humor has hung around at what I hope is my final home (even though it's not a showcase, I like it here).

The self-stick tile floor is almost completed. One incredible pattern would have cost $600 or more. This is what we ended up getting for less than $60; the design is similar to the first choice. I love finding bargains at Home Depot and other home, ranch, and hardware supply stores.

The difference is amazing. It's still a happy shock to open the door from the kitchen to the entryway and see how the sunshine from the windows hits the floor and reflects upwards.

I was going to wait until it was all done to show it off. The rain, wind, and clouds this summer are gloomy. I wanted to share my joy about this project and how grateful I am to still be able to tackle and complete "beautification."

We did manage to get one beautiful sunset this month. It looks like the rain is going to hang around over the weekend. Outdoor task time will be an easy swap so we can work inside and get closer to completing the job.

What projects do you have started or planned for 2015?

Traveling Tuesdays: Thomas the Train and Virginia City

Virginia City - then and now

 Virginia City is one of Nevada’s best-known historical sites, thanks to Bonanza, the Ponderosa Ranch, and the long-running series about the Cartwright Family. The last week of October, as well as November 1, 2015, Thomas the Tank Engine is arriving for a working vacation!

St Mary's Catholic Church Virginia City

It’s a Day Out with Thomas as the Virginia and Truckee Railroad celebrates the special, kid-friendly event. Rides are available October 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and November 1.


The mountains and rugged scenery provide a wonderful opportunity to view the Wild West that has yet to be tamed. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Reno to Virginia City. There are lots of things to do for every age. 



 

Miniature Garden Railway Display in NY

Thomas the Train attire on the Ballarine Peninsula Railway 

A Day with Thomas - Kent and East Sussex

Thomas is popular everywhere!

The train ride will last approximately 25 minutes. The railway controller, Sir Topham Hatt, will be available to meet the children. Storytelling and putt putt golf are also on the list of activities.

Virginia City circa 1937. The Wild West lives!

Reserve your spot by calling 866-468-7630 or purchase tickets online. Unsold tickets will be available for purchase at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot in Virginia City. 

Treat your kids (and yourself) to a Day Out with Thomas. The event is available throughout the year in various states, including Iowa, Texas, and California. We're looking forward to the drive to Virginia City and experiencing the adventure.

Saying Goodbye to Rowdy Roddy Piper

Pssst! Don’t tell my family! I still like to watch professional wrestling. We used to gather in the front room to watch the WWF on TV. We’d buy tickets early to any wrestling event in the area. Hubs and I would watch the high school and college matches that had little of the flair shown in the pro matches, but taught the young athletes the flexibility and skill needed to pin an opponent.

I cried a bit yesterday to find out Rowdy Roddy Piper passed away at 61 years of age. It was so much fun to watch him approach the ring wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand several times and speaking with him before he started marching towards the center of the arena.

Piper’s real name was Roderick George Toombs. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the young Canadian started his pro wrestling career in his teens, including wrestling in the National Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation. His impact on the sport led to a 2005 induction in the WWE Hall of Fame.

WWF owner Vince McMahon gave him the opportunity for a fan favorite interview segment appropriately named Piper’s Pit. The result was usually some sort of squall between Piper and another figure in wrestling, including McMahon, Jimmy Snuka, and the legendary Bruno Sammartino.

Following the theme of her hit song, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Cyndi Lauper became a popular ringside enthusiast. A feud between Hulk Hogan and Piper gained heat when Piper kicked Cyndi in the head and attacked Captain Lou Albano! Hogan demanded a match to settle the score, leading to the first WrestleMania.

WWE Veterans during Raw 1000 with Piper in his kilt

Rowdy Roddy Piper, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

 His flamboyant personality and ability to rally people to or against his cause brought Piper fame as an actor, guest host, and main attraction. I knew it would be a good match when pro wrestlers like Bret Harte, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Snuka, and Sgt.Slaughter were on the card.





  
I think Vince McMahon’s tribute to Piper’s legacy is an appropriate ending to this man’s life: “Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world.”
Thanks for the memories, Rowdy!