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Favorite Summertime Foods

Favorite Summertime Foods

Grilling Out

I love corn on the cob and potatoes with oil, olive, and seasonings wrapped in aluminum foil on the grill. I like black Angus grass-fed burgers, grilled chicken, fish, Iowa pork chops, hot dogs with no nitrates, and salmon cooked on a grill. I season everything I put on the grill and place aluminum foil on the grill for easier cleanup. I have a grill with lava rocks and a propane burner on the side that comes in handy to warm up things or boil some extra vegetables with. I prefer to grill on a day with a gentle breeze and when bugs are not flying around. I have meat-flipping tools and all of the other necessary grill tools. I have a plate for the uncooked meat and a clean plate for the cooked meat. The grilled or boiled vegetables have bowls of their own; I love grilling out on warm days as you do not have to heat your kitchen. Years ago, people had outdoor kitchens for the summer months, which made perfect sense as their houses stayed cooler. I hope you have a fun and fabulous summer grilling out in the great outdoors, enjoying your grilled steaks, and more.

Ice Cream

We all enjoy a big dish or large cone of ice cream on the dog days of summer. I love twist cones and raspberry yogurt cones. I love a black cherry yogurt ice cream that comes in a big container. The yogurt ice creams do not have as many calories as regular ice cream does. I love homemade peach or pumpkin ice cream. Ice cream continually cools one down and puts one in a reasonable mind on those hot summer days. Ice cream bars are an excellent way to have a fantastic snack on the go. I found one that has root beer and natural cream in it. I love chocolate-wrapped ice cream and one that has caramel in the middle of it. I like shakes, malts, banana splits, and sundaes. I hope you have many beautiful cones or dishes of ice cream this summer.

Various Foods That Are Summertime Favorites Of Mine

I love homemade potato salad. I remember my Mothers potato salad, and no one can top that potato salad. I love deviled eggs as I consider them a delicacy. Angle food cake is my favorite, and I eat a lot of it in the summer. A strawberry shortcake is always a winner, especially if made with fresh strawberries. I love banana cream pie; it has an excellent flavor and remarkable consistency. I love cold coffee drinks such as iced coffee and frappes. I like peach mango smoothies and Gatorade. I enjoy deli tuna sandwiches and cold turkey sandwiches. I love fresh pears, garden vegetables, rhubarb, apple crisps, and cream cheese mints. I want foods that are quick and easy to make in the summertime. I hope you enjoy your favorite summertime foods.

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My Favorite Places For Coffee And Food

My Favorite Places For Coffee And Food

Rustic Brew is Located In Hampton, Iowa

Rustic Brew has a mild blend of delightful coffee with no strong aftertaste. I love all of their various coffee drinks and brews. The atmosphere in the restaurant is charming and appealing. I love their lunch specials and all of their excellent homemade soups. They have homemade chicken soup of various kinds, tomatoes, and many others. I love their extra-large chocolate cookies with huge melted pieces of chocolate in the cookies. I love their large Rueben sandwiches as they are very generous with their meat.

Bean And Bistro is Located In Northwood, Iowa

I love all of her extra-large cinnamon rolls at Bean And Bistro. I especially love the cream cheese cinnamon roll. She makes the best everything hashbrowns I have ever had. I have eaten her breakfast sandwiches which taste delicious. I love her paninis and wraps. She always has lunch specials, and you can order cinnamon rolls in advance since they sell out soon in the morning.

Three On The Tree is Located In Mason City, Iowa

I love her homemade Wisc. Cheese soup at Three on the Tree. They also sell corn chowder and chicken wild rice soup. They have quiche, cheesecake, bread pudding, and biker bars with oats and grains. I love their lattes and cold coffee drinks. They sell scones and other treats. They used to sell Dodge vehicles in the building, and she has a picture of people waiting for service and an old lite-up garage sign.

Scooters Located In Clear Lake, Iowa

When I want a quick coffee drink or treat, I drive to the Scooters pickup window. I love their lattes and their cold coffee drinks. I love their peach mango smoothies. Scooter’s coffee is mild, with no strong aftertaste. They are quick and efficient with your coffee orders.

Starbucks is Located In Mason City, Iowa

Starbucks Carmel macchiatos are a favorite of mine. I love the various sandwiches from Starbucks and their quick bread. I love the turkey jerky they sell in their restaurant, which has no nitrates. I love their dragon berry cold drink and their peach smoothies. Starbucks always seems to have healthy snacks and food.

Country Cupboard is Located In Osage, Iowa

I love their lattes with added flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, and more at Country Cupboard. They have a good selection of large homemade muffins to choose from. They have a fantastic atmosphere, and their restaurant is spotless. They have homemade cinnamon rolls, which sell out in a hurry.

Block 10, Located In Sheffield, Iowa

They have an incredible wrap filled with turkey and cut-up avocados at Block 10. I love their homemade soups. I have had their loaded potato soup and bisque tomato soup. They have daily lunch specials. I love the old fire truck in part of the restaurant. They also have a Sundae bar which I will try out as the weather gets warmer. I love their chocolate eclairs that are filled with Belgium cream. They have a lovely gift shop upstairs.

Black Sheep Coffee Baa is Located In Greene, Iowa

She has excellent coffee drinks with a pleasant and inviting atmosphere at Black Sheep Coffee Baa. I have had her wraps and excellent homemade soups. I love the almond letters that she bakes. She bakes cookies, bread, muffins, and much more. I love her old stove and other items in her coffee shop and bakery. I always bring home at least six almond letters that I put in my freezer and eat at a later date.

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First Class Service

First Class Service

We Want First-Class Service From A Business

When I purchase an appliance from a store, I expect them to service and take care of my product after the sale. If you buy a device from a discount warehouse, you are on your own after the sale. Be careful as to where your device is genuinely made. I purchased a stove proudly made in the USA, only to discover later that all the parts are made in China. I had to wait three months for my details to come. I hated being without my oven for three whole months. My refrigerator gave out in December, and I have still not received my new refrigerator because of Covid 19. My refrigerator did finally come on the last day of August.

The appliance stores cannot get in most new appliances or parts to fix them. The stores are trying their best, so be extra patient with them. Someone, I know, a man that purchased a used car, and they told them to get it serviced someplace else because they were busy. Suppose they said they would lose all of my business for good. Years ago, my Father purchased a truck from a dealer, and the serviceman said here is the wrench. Fix it yourself. We never bought another vehicle there. Businesses must remember that the customer is always right and try to make the customer happy and satisfied at the time of the sale and after the sale with top-quality service. Having unhappy customers can close the doors of a business in a hurry, as word of mouth travels quickly, and many people read social media platforms. If we cannot eat the food served in a restaurant for some reason, we want a refund or a different meal. If a business does not take care of its customers very soon, they have no customers to take care of. Treat your customers like family; they will tell everyone they know to come to your place of business.

Traveling And Accommodations

When we travel, we want to fly on a plane with clean trays, which are not noisy. When we hire a taxi, we want a courteous driver that knows his way around the city and the countryside. If we take a bus tour, we want a bus driver that is very knowledgeable about the historic areas of the town and mentions all the places of importance to us. One tour group had a bus driver who drank on the job and was very obnoxious. I was glad we did not have him. We felt very sorry for his tour group since he did not tell them anything meaningful about the area. I want a hotel room that is extra clean with fresh, clean linens and towels. We once stayed at a cottage with worn-out yellow sheets and towels that were like sandpaper. Her cat slipped through the door and was wet on the floor. She did clean that up, luckily. The townspeople highly recommended her place. I would never stay there again, no matter what. Look at your hotel rooms before paying for them, if possible.

Treat Your Customers Like Royalty

Provide top-notch quality service to all of your customers regularly. First-class service should be given. A happy customer is a customer for life who will bring more lifetime customers to your door for years. Enjoy and take pride in your First Class Service quality business for many years, and you will get rave reviews.

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Categories
Difficult Cats

Shopping In Sheffield, Iowa

Peachy Keehn Boutique

I was very impressed when I walked in the door at Peachy Keehn Boutique. Her Boutique is gorgeous and nicely arranged. I was greeted by the owner when I walked in. I noticed a nice thick flannel shirt and tried on several of them until I found the one that best fit. I have worn the shirt several times; it is lovely and cozy. Most stores have thin flannel shirts that do not keep you warm. Peachy Keehn Boutique buys top-quality merchandise for sale at affordable prices. She had shoes, jewelry, scarves, jeans, and much more for sale in her store. Her Boutique has excellent lighting, and there is something that everyone would like to own and wear in her Boutique. I will be a regular customer at her lovely Boutique.

Forever Yours

It is a flower and gift shop. I have purchased many things from Forever Yours over the years. I like their coffee packets and chai tea packets. They are delicious and make for a nice drink to warm you up or give you an extra energy boost in your day. I purchased a lovely woodpecker bird that I have sitting on top of my desk. The store’s owner is amiable; if you want something she does not have, she will order it for you if possible. She sells lovely garden stones with sayings on them. Her flower arrangements are beautiful. She has a lot of Christmas items for sale in her store and many other terrific gift items.

Block 10

I love having coffee and lunch at Block 10. I generally bring home a Belgium Cream filled donut covered with chocolate to eat at another time. I love to eat a turkey wrap that they have with avocados and cheese in the center of it. I had potato soup the other day, just like Grandma’s homemade potato soup. I buy their dill-flavored mustard, soup mixes, and there pretzels. I have enjoyed eating away at a big block of their fudge. They have a gift store, clothing, antiques, baking dishes, and much more upstairs above their restaurant.

Antique Store

The antique store is the cleanest antique store I have ever been in. I purchased a toy from my past there. It was a small handheld hand mixer made of metal, and the whisk still worked perfectly. If you want or collect antiques, this is the perfect store. They have every antique imaginable in their fine antique store. They have lovely antique furniture and so much more.

Other Stores

I like to look around in the pharmacy. I purchased an ink pen and a comb, and various gift items. There are so many excellent and outstanding stores to shop in. Spend an afternoon shopping in Sheffield, Iowa. I love small-town shopping; it is delightful, and all the store people made it extra special.

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Categories
How To Turn A Bad Thing Into A Good Thing

How To Turn A Bad Thing Into A Good Thing

A Bad School Day

Suppose the class bully made fun of you today and made you feel lousy; help out your other classmates that he is bullying. If two or three of you ban together, he will most likely stop bullying all of you since most bullies are scared-eyed cats. Do not let a bully someone. If you see an injustice happening to someone, stop it as soon as possible. If you got a bad grade on your test today, study harder and realize it is a subject that demands more of your attention to get the quality you want to receive. If a student or teacher mistreats you, get help from a higher official.

Sickness And Bad Health

Always remember there is someone in much worse shape than you. Learn how you can help others that are going through what you are going through. Find a new job or hobby that will help benefit your health and also help others. Always think positive thoughts and never throw in the towel. If you give up on yourself, others will give up on you, also. You are your own best cheerleader, so let those hidden talents come shining through and put sunshine into the lives of others. God is your ultimate cheerleader, so let him guide your life in a direction that will help you and God’s other children. God put you on earth to accomplish a goal, so do not have a pity party and accomplish nothing day after day. God wants his children to be active and productive, and by just helping out one other person today, you can fulfill that goal.

Travel Delays

No one likes delays but think of what you can see that is new in the area where you are delayed. Suppose they have a museum. Please take a tour of it. Go on a sightseeing tour of the town. Eat at a new restaurant in the city where you are. Talk to some locals and ask them for ideas about what you should see in the area. Get on your smartphone and see if they have anything that piqued your interest. They may have a store in the town with something you can add to your collection or an excellent shopping area.

Bad Purchases

If you purchased something that fell apart right away after the warranty was up, be grateful that it lasted till the contract was up. Buying a car or large ticket item that is a lemon is a bad experience. Try to get rid of the wrong car and trade it up for a better model, even if it is older than the car you are trading in. My first car was a lemon, and I changed for a better car with more mileage for only $700.00, and then I had a dependable car. Sometimes it is better to try fixing the item than trade for something different if you consider shipping, taxes, etc. Never repurchase the same brand if you have had trouble with that brand in the past. There will always be better purchases that will be dependable for you, and you will have fond memories of them in your lifetime.

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Categories
Mishaps That Can Happen On Your Vacation

Mishaps That Can Happen On Your Vacation

Lost Luggage

On one of my trips, a couple lost their luggage. Their luggage had fallen off of a transport wagon. It took until about the end of our trip for their luggage to catch up with them. Our travel company paid for some of their clothing. One time two women traveling together lost all of their luggage completely. They had brand-name clothing replaced with clothes and bags from Walmart. They were not very happy. I had a new suitcase that was utterly destroyed by my airline. To my dissatisfaction, they finally replaced my briefcase with a less expensive one.

A Mans Suit Was Completely Ruined In A Restaurant

They had complementary drinks one evening, and the man ordered a beer. The waitress poured the cold beer into a glass she had just gotten out of the dishwasher. The glass exploded all over him as the man picked up the mirror to drink his beer. The restaurant did not believe the man until I said I had witnessed the whole event. The poor man only got 25.00 from the restaurant and had to wash out his suit by hand that evening. He had to let it dry out of the bus window the following day.

The Case Of The Ruined Pizza

A couple had ordered a pizza, and pigeons did their business on it when the waitress placed their pizza on the table. The couple asked the waitress for a new pizza, and the owner came out and said it was an act of God. The couple had no lunch at all to eat that day. Their evening meal was beautiful.

Getting Locked In The Bathroom

I got locked in a bathroom three times. The first time my friend told the woman who had a business that locked me in her bathroom to let me out, she did in her own sweet time. I almost missed my bus. The lock would not release the second time, so I kicked the door open. The third time it was a self-cleaning stall. The water commenced to fly around the booth, and I had to keep moving to get out of its way. My friend finally found a matron that let me out.

Having Things Stolen From You While You Are In The Shower

A couple told me that while her husband was in the shower and she was asleep,e stole his Rolex off the nightstand. A woman had her diamond earrings stolen while she was taking a shower. Put your valuables in a safe while you take a shower.

Take Your Purse With You When You Eat At A Buffet

A woman left her purse under her chair while she went through the buffet line. She discovered that when she was ready to leave, her wallet was stolen along with everything she had in it, including her passport. She was waylaid in that country for eight days before our tour guide could even get her home.

Never Let Any Valuables Out Of your Sight

Be cautiously waiting in lines for pickpockets to be out there. Never wear a Fannie pack as they can be unhooked easily by people, Do not let strangers near your luggage. Backpacks are unsafe in large groups as people can unzip them easily and steal your camera, etc. Watch your items go through the cameras to be inspected at the airport, as one man had his camera stolen from his tray. Be on guard for smooth operators. I hope you do not have any mishaps on your vacation.

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Some Of My Favorite Things To Do On A Vacation

Some Of My Favorite Things To Do On A Vacation

Seeing The Local Attractions

If the area is noted for an art museum or musical, I will try to see or attend those events. I have gone to operas, musicals, concerts, plays, and more. I had a tour of an underground hospital. The hospital was dark and dank; they said many soldiers did not survive under those conditions. I love looking at art from the Masters. I loved looking at all of the art at the Louvre in France. I went to a museum in Williamsburg, Virginia, that had an old wooden carousel; I was very impressed with the artistry of the hand-carved animals on the carousel. I liked looking at the soldier’s suits of Armour in the Tower of London.

Historical Homes

I love looking at historical homes and learning about the families that once occupied them. It seems that every family has some horrible tragedy in their family. Some have lost a very young child, or a son has died in a horrific battle. Some of the homes have had central air before their time. They let the ice in the ice house or basement radiate through the home with pipes that cool down the entire home. I love the pride in artistry in the older homes. The older homes have open staircases, pocket doors, a library room, and a dining room with a wood plate rack. The ornate and carved wood throughout the home gives it its own beauty. I am always delighted when I see an old ornate building that is kept up. I try to discover the history of old buildings and what type of businesses they have housed.

Shopping For One Of Kind Items

I like to collect crosses. I look in store windows and see if they have a cross that catches my eye. If I see one, I negotiate with them and then purchase the cross. I have found crosses in antique, jewelry, and sometimes second-hand stores. I like to collect small items as they are easy to transport with you on vacation. Sometimes I will buy a small pocket knife. Having a small pocket knife in your purse is nice to open something stubborn. I have purchased cloth calendars that make perfect dish towels for drying your dishes later. I have purchased several bookmarks from the different countries I have visited.

Eating The Foods Of  Of  The Area

I love to sample the different foods the other countries are known for. I love the Baklava in Greece. We found a little side street cafe where two older men ran, and their Baklava was the best Baklava I have ever eaten. I had Hungarian goulash while I was in Prague, and I was very impressed with it. I love the Cornish Pasties in the UK. The miners would have them for lunch. A pastie has steak, eggs, potatoes, and a sealed pie crust covering it. I ate a lot of pastries in the UK. I have tried the famous foods of all the countries I have visited and have never been disappointed except once. Trying different foods is one of my favorite things while on vacation. I hope you discover many favorite things to do while on vacation.

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Take Time To Talk To People

Take Time To Talk To People

Call Someone And Visit With Them Today

Talking to someone who cares about you can calm and relax you. You can discuss your day’s activities with someone and ask them how their day went. You can always talk about the weather or newsworthy items. What one person might not remember, the other person may place in great detail, and you can compare notes on recent events. Talking to friends lets them know you love them and are concerned for their well-being. Remember to always speak to your elders respectfully and listen to what they say, as you will learn a great deal from them.

 

Put Your Computer Away for One Day

Go outdoors for a walk with friends or family and enjoy each other’s company. You will soon see what you have missed by having your eyes and mind set on computer games, social media, and so much more. Get out and enjoy nature and indeed visit with someone. Conversation with people seems to be a lost art. I have a friend who went to a family gathering, and her nephew and niece would not even talk to her when he asked them about things they enjoy doing. They walked off with their smartphones in hand, and she never saw them the rest of the day. That is very disrespectful behavior. Parents should tell their kids to put their smartphones away, visit with their family at family gatherings, and respond to anyone they know that talks to them.

Talking And Laughter Are The Best Medicine

When you visit with someone, you can get them to laugh and put them in a better frame of mind. By having a one-on-one conversation, you can see the other person’s facial expressions and not much, just from facial words about their feelings. Tune into other people by asking them about their family life and what they do for a living. The conversation does matter a great deal. One conversation can sink a ship or let it sail around the world. Without discussion, we would not have laws, learn from our elders, or learn from those that came before us. Books would not be published if you never reached out to publishers and made the corrections they told you to make to publish your book.

Start A Conversation With A Stranger

I have visited with people that set next to me on an airline flight. They have told me about the business that they are in and all about their family members. I have told people in conversation with them that I write about travel, cats, and inspirations with Laura, and we have exchanged business cards with each other. I follow some of them on my Facebook account, and they have followed me back. Talk to and connect with people, and see how much you have in common with them. You will make long-lasting friendships with some people you meet on life’s Hi-Way. God bless you as you talk to people and learn from them and help each other by talking with them and helping them solve some of life’s bumps in the road.

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The Ways Of The World

The Ways Of The World

Good And Bad

There will always be good and bad people in the World until the end of time. Some people will say the World is a terrible place. The truth is that a few wrong people seem to set the standard for people’s thinking. Try to think of all the good and positive things that happen in the World because of good people. News tends to focus on the wrong, and the good people are not mentioned much. People destroy the World with greed and disrespect for nature and what it has to offer us. Luckily we have people that try to save endangered species and are also helping with the drastic climate changes that tend to produce more devastation than ever on our planet earth. Climate change has more storms, and deforestation affects our rich oxygen supply, drastically affecting the next generation. Are car emissions affecting the ice caps that keep melting away, affecting the habitat for Polar Bears, and so much more?

Traveling In The World

When you are traveling and need help, someone will point you in the right direction. I have had excellent luck asking a young person where a particular attraction is. Most young people in foreign countries can speak English fluently. People, on the whole, are beneficial and friendly. I love meeting and talking to people in foreign countries. I like learning about the vast history of the country they grew up in, and I love sharing their stories with you. I visited a farming community still with milk cows and sheep in the field. I could hear the cows ringing the cow bells around their necks as they gathered in the barn in the early morning. The cows walked into their milking stalls, and the farmer milked them by hand. The sheep were baaing away in the pasture. I noticed some free-range chickens and a farm cat in their yard. I patted the sheep and the cat on the head. I fed a sheep a piece of divinity candy which it seemed to enjoy very much.

 

The World And What It Beholds Is A Very Precious Gift

God has given us a beautiful and bountiful World to live in. We must maintain the treasures in the World, or we will not be able to live on planet earth anymore. We cannot keep robbing resources from our planet without replacing them. If we cut down more trees, we can adapt our ad to global warming. Fracking can put dangerous chemicals in our water supply. God made us the stewards of the land, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea. Our job is not to pollute and destroy our planet so that nothing can live on it. We have to protect our precious planet for future generations, or we w, will destroy humanity and all of the inhabitants living in the World. God blesses us with the knowledge and the love of the planet to keep us living on a clean and healthy planet for many years.

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My Secret To A Happy Life

My Secret To A Happy Life

The secret to a happy life is to be fulfilled in what you do and pursue in life. Keep busy and active, surround yourself with people, and stay close to your family connections. Pursue activities that stimulate you and that enhance the lives of others. Make a list of what you wish to accomplish every day, and you will get a lot done if you are determined to complete everything you have written on your list.

I love to travel and see the different architecture that the area has. I am glad I have had the opportunity to walk down the same streets my ancestors walked down in the old country. I saw the place where my Great Grandfather lived until he came to America. He was not the eldest son, so he moved to America to make a  life for himself. He came to America with his wife, and they had children in America. He purchased farmland and built a house; I still live on the same building site. America is truly a land of opportunity.

I love living in the country. I love the wide open spaces and the smell of freshly worked land. I love to watch the baby farm animals grow. I have been around cats all of my life. Cats are wonderful companions that make life more enjoyable. I enjoyed being around cattle, pigs, and chickens. I would feed the pigs and gather the chicken eggs years ago. I would follow my Grandfather and Father around the farm and watch them repair cars, lawnmowers, and farm equipment. I loved visiting the multiple ‘neighbors’ farms and watching repairs being made. I enjoy watching the crops grow, and the combines gather up the harvest for the year. I love the quietness and peacefulness that the country has to offer. Neighbors still help one another when someone passes away. They help support the family by assisting them in harvesting the crop.

I am thrilled to have had outstanding and excellent parents. My parents always supported me in my en-devours and my accomplishments. Good parents, friends, relatives, and supportive people will make you truly happy, and you will live the life you always dreamed of living. I love writing and sharing my adventures and experiences with you through blogging. I loved helping my parents paint and make repairs to the rental homes that we had. I continued with the rental business until I retired. A purposeful life full of friends and God’s blessings are there for all who pursue its comforts. I hope you are having a happy life and living your dreams.

 

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