Shopping: A Blast or Dreaded? … by Delsora Lowe

I’ll start off by saying, in general, I do not enjoy shopping. As a teen, I loved wondering stores with my friends to dream about new outfits. I had a clothing allowance, so I had to be frugal. That meant sewing many of my outfits. But truthfully, I can’t remember a most hated experience while shopping. Unless you want to count the day I was pickpocketed, as a teen, while shopping for fabric to make an outfit. I still had fun, since I loved envisioning new outfits and matching a pattern to new fabrics. And, I didn’t realize someone had stolen from me until I got home. As an adult, I avoid at all costs shopping just for fun. And now when I shop, lesson learned: I clutch my purse tight in front of me.

Having said that, I do love shopping for anything to do with food. This is where I differ from most people I know, who HATE grocery shopping. Maybe loving to shop for food is because I used to work food service, where besides hostessing and waitressing, I also cooked in restaurants, in a fraternity, and as a caterer. Shopping for food means that I am bringing to life my creative recipe ideas.

Some of my favorite scenes in a Hallmark-type movie are watching a couple wander and meet at a farmer’s market. Or bumping into each other in the produce aisle reaching for the same, small cabbage that will feed one instead of a huge family. Or their hands touching over the last bunch of asparagus. But I digress, as my imagination of romantic food-related encounters crowd my mind.

My local Farmer's Market on a grassy mall in the middle of downtown

As I was saying, going to the grocery store is an adventure. My list consists of meat, seafood, veggies, bread, fruit, etc. And by that, I mean I literally write those words on my list. Because I never know what seasonal vegetable may inspire a recipe idea. Or which items at the seafood or meat counter may catch my eye and inspire dinner for that night, or lunch for tomorrow.

Love the variety of vegetables, jams, bread, meats, seafood at my local farmers market.

For that very reason, I also love going to the farmer’s market. I usually go on the early side and spend time gazing at the colorful displays of ripe red tomatoes, or dark leafy bunches of kale. I conjure up a recipe using green tomatoes, besides the usual fried green (which are delicious.) I perfuse the variety of lettuce or potato or colorful vegetables, some I have never tried before. I usually ask the farmer ideas on use, and then research the vegetable for more ideas, once I arrive home.

I feel about farmer’s markets as others feel about yard sales—discovering a prize to add to my cooking repertoire. Also, people tend to talk to each other at a food market, versus in other shopping arenas.

“The melons are so juicy this time of year.”

“Don’t those scallops look delicious, and on sale too!”

“How do you usually cook that cut of meat?” Or “I love that cut of meat. I have a great recipe for…”

“Have you tried this new flavor of the goat’s milk yogurt? It’s my new favorite.”

I love going to the farmer’s market in the fall, when the crowds of tourists have headed home, and the newly arrived students who walk from the college blocks away are discovering the magic of a farmer’s market. Bunches of fall flowers are for sale. Jellies and jams from the summer bounty of berries and fruits appear. This time of year, just as early spring does, affords me the opportunity to chat with the farmers without holding up the line. Ask questions about their product. Learn tidbits about farming. And enjoy the crisp fall air—my favorite season of the year.

Do you love or hate shopping for food? And why? There are no wrong answers. And I won’t judge if you hate the kind of shopping I love!

Check out a Fall Wedding: The Love Left Behind

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~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024.

 

Social Media Links:

Author website: www.delsoralowe.com

Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photos and Clip Art:

Yard Sale: Free Garage Sale Images, Download Free Garage Sale Images png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (cli: part-library.com) 
Fall and Farmers Market: photos by blog author  
Fabric Shopping: Free Fabric Cliparts, Download Free Fabric Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)

When superheroes get hungry...

A superhero has to eat, right? They’d have a difficult time fighting the forces of evil on an empty stomach.

The folks at list25.com compiled a list of the top – you guessed it – 25 superheroes of all time. I’ve never heard of some, like Black Bolt. I paired a few with whom I am familiar with what I'll pretend is their favourite snack.

Coming in at #24 is Wolverine. Say that name and I picture Hugh Jackman. Since he’s Australian, I imagine his preferred nosh would be a few Tim Tams - a chocolate cream filling between two chocolate cookies covered in chocolate.

Aquaman, at #20, controls the force of the earth’s oceans and every living thing in them. So would he eat fish - his friends and co-workers? Probably not. I’ll give him a nice juicy steak, hand-cut fries, and a large, frosty beer.

At #17 is Wonder Woman. I don’t care how strong she is, she’s a woman and she needs chocolate after a long day of fighting crime. I bet she’d love a slice of the chocolate-hazelnut tart I baked last week. Or maybe Wolverine would share his Tim Tams.

Flash sits at #12. This man is all about speed so you might think he would appreciate fast food. Not so. He prefers slow-braised stew, slow bbq’d ribs, and slow simmered bolognaise.

Last, but not least, Superman holds the #6 position. This man of steel might be all business while wearing the tights and cape, but when he’s in disguise as a reporter, he eats like a reporter – fast and on the go. I bet his favourite sandwich is a corned beef brisket on rye, and he keeps his travel mug (reusable to protect the environment, of course) topped up with a dark roast coffee.

Now, if I were a superhero, one of my superpowers would be flight. I’d swoop and soar up with the eagles – keeping my mouth shut, otherwise I’d be spitting out bugs. After defeating a villain or two, I’d settle in my nest and enjoy hot spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, the multi-grain variety, and a slightly chilled glass of lager.

What superpower would you have? And what would be your snack food of choice?

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and two spoiled cats.

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page

Crazy Ates

By: Marcia King-Gamble

 www.lovemarcia.com 

So I thought I would put a different spin on this month’s topic Crazy 8’s, and talk about some of the craziest things I’ve eaten while traveling.  Hence, Crazy Ates! Most of you who have been following me on this blog, know that I’m crazy about world traveling; the more exotic the country the better. Nothing gets my adrenaline pumping more than a trip to some foreign part of the world.  If you are going to venture afar, you should be eating like the natives do.

Ready?

The below picture is from my most recent adventure, arriving into the airport at St. Vincent (the mainland.)  Note the 'prop plane.' We're off the beaten path, folks.

This trip took place less than two weeks ago.  Unfortunately, it was a sad occasion. My dear uncle had passed away, and because of his prominence, a state funeral was his send off. I had not been back in fourteen years, and for another sad occasion; to bring my mother’s body home. It had been her desire to be buried in the family plot, in her native land and my birth place, St. Vincent, in the Southern Caribbean.

Foodie that I am, despite the sad occasion, I  looked forward to eating well. I grew up on foods like crab and callaloo, bakes (known as Johnny Cakes to some,) codfish and dumplings. Then there were delicacies like fried breadfruit with jack fish, and loads of fresh fruit with no preservatives.  Fruits like golden apple, plumrose, Bequia plums and soursop.  Because of this, most people are healthier than the proverbial ox, and not at all weight challenged. Walking is not considered an exercise here, it’s something that people living on small Caribbean islands do, whether they have a car or not. Roads are often narrow and winding, so why take out your car when you can get a breath of fresh air and your neighbor is a stone's throw away?  

While on the mainland of St. Vincent I consumed my share of callaloo soup (tastes like spinach,)  see picture below. This time there was chicken added to it and not the customary crab or pig’s tail. Bakes were served with freshly caught fish, and on the island of Bequia (the Grenadines,)   the owner of one restaurant, an enterprising young woman, decided I couldn’t leave without gifting me papaya (locals call it paw-paw) and a bag  of freshly picked Bequia plums.

The markets on St. Vincent offer up sapodillas, and newly hatched chickens for sale. As a special treat, when visiting an old friend’s home, I enjoyed a healthy serving of Pelau and buljol (codfish stew.)     See below.

In terms of more crazy ates, last October I had the pleasure of visiting Malawi, a city in Southeast Africa. I sampled Nsima, a staple made of ground corn, served with side dishes of meat, beans and vegetables. The country is also known for its fish or usipa which reminds you of sardines. Yum!

In my travels, I have eaten delicacies such as roasted iguana (which tastes just like chicken,) frogs legs that really are delicious, and turtle eggs, more flavorful than that provided by any chicken. Some might consider my choices crazy,  but I  believe when visiting a country, visitors should do as the natives do, and turtles are not considered an endangered species in these countries.

Another funny  discovery I made, was  KFC and McDonalds; food chains that I  normally would not patronize there or here, considering them such an American thing. But on the urging of a friend, I tried KFC on the island of St. Vincent.  Wow! What an experience. The unique Caribbean spices  made KFC  tastier than the norm. In fact, I went back in search of more, even putting up with lines that wound around the block. I'd had a similar experience at McDonalds in Frankfurt, Germany with burgers that tasted like they came from an gourmet chef.

All this to say,  when visiting foreign countries, don't miss out on an unbeatable culinary experience.  Step out of your cultural, comfort zone,  and experience the region's food. A crazy ate, is a dining experience  you're guaranteed to remember for the rest of your life.  And just might be food for the soul.

About Marcia King-Gamble

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family.

Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook:http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS

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