Today was so delightful. Since I had gotten to bed relatively early last night (went out and saw Benjamin Button but was still in bed by 11), I woke up on my own around 7:30am. Since I’d been going without coffee all week, I decided to treat myself to a pot of french roast for my Saturday morning. Yum. Coffee tastes that much better when it’s been a week since you’ve had it.

The whole morning I worked around the house getting stuff done. I…

Around noon, I decided to head out to do some shopping without any real direction. I knew I wanted to buy a Dutch Oven to try this bread recipe, and I wanted to check out some of the 2nd hand stores around town. Ended up stopping at Salvation Army and the Goodwill store. At Goodwill, I picked up a bread machine for $3, and a rice cooker for $4. Hopefully they both work, but I figure it was worth the risk either way.

I also stopped at a local strip mall to check out the stores that were there. First place I peeked into was Don’s Humidor and Coffee Beans. True to its name, it sells cigars and coffee. However, they also had a selection of loose leaf teas so I picked up some flavored black tea and look forward to trying it. The shop was darling and the folks in it were really friendly. Also in that strip mall, was a used book store (I bought Hard Laughter, by Anne Lamott), a cute little gifty shop called the Paper Bear, and a local sandwich shop called Schmaltz’s.

Oh man… I think I may have found my favorite local sandwich! I was surprised that it came warm, as I wasn’t sure what I was ordering when I ordered a “Small Schmaltz”, but it was delightfully toasted, on great wheat bread and spread with garlic butter. Oh, yum. I will be back. Best $4.35 I’ve spent on food in Waco.

I also stopped at Joann’s where I bought some yarn on super sale that I believe will become a baby sweater/jacket and some baskets for organizing junk in my bedroom.

Okay… I’m sure you’ve stopped reading by now, but I do want you to know that I DID get a Dutch Oven. I got this one! It’s a Cuisinart 7 qt enameled cast iron covered casserole. It didn’t say “Dutch Oven” on the packaging, but I’m pretty sure this will do the job. And… contrary to the $129.99 listed on that website, I bought it for $59 at Marshalls, which means it was my birthday gift from my parents. Yay!

The bread is currently rising… I’m hoping to be able to have some tomorrow night at dinner.

Midway though my shopping extravaganza I met up with a friend, and we hit a bunch of stores out at the Central Texas Marketplace(basically a huge selection of big box stores). I got a bunch of other stuff I’ve been needing like hot pads, notecards, scented candles, and also a few things that just caught my eye like a pair of earrings, a headband scarf, and a cute little leaf shaped candy dish.

On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store to get yeast and some salad makings for tomorrow lunch and arrived back home around 7pm. Yikes.

So, it’s been a great day. I wish I could have shared it with you… because even great days are better when there are more people I love around me.

Tomorrow morning I’m going to church…. even if I don’t feel like it. Feel free to hold me accountable.

G’night!