Playing Tourist in Lancaster

Once upon a time Vicky, Heather, and I decided we wanted to play tourists in Lancaster. Since Vicky's calendar books months in advance, way back in the winter, we picked a Saturday in May to block for touring. Sadly, Heather wound up having a schedule conflict and couldn't join, but Vicky and I decided to proceed with our tourist date anyway.

Of course we started the morning at the Lancaster's Central Market-- which was established in 1730!

We bought veggies, flowers, and lunch.

Vicky in her shopping element; she shops at Central Market once or twice a week.
Notice her shopping basket from Zambia and shopping bag handmade by Betsy. :)

This one is for Aunt Carolyn.

We stopped at an oil and vinegar shoppe and did lots of tasting. 

Oh my! I'm pretty sure I could become a vinegar-tasting-connoisseur. 

I had no idea there were sooooo many different kinds of balsamic vinegar. I didn't even know there were white balsamic vinegars. That store is filled with a vast world of flavor combinations. wow!

Maybe when I retire from being an accountant I can take up some type of tasting analysis job. 

We stumbled upon the Lancaster Pickle Company, which is definitely worth a tourist stop.

Fresh pickles, homemade there in the store. Unique flavor combinations-- including horseradish, taco, and lemon pepper. Vicky and I gave the taco pickles a thumbs down, but all the other flavors we tried were great.

pickle-tasting

The weather was pretty crumby, but we managed with our umbrellas and rain jackets, and spending most of our time inside instead of outside. However, we were still able to enjoy a little picnic lunch midday.

stopping for a salad refuel

Ever been to a Spice and Tea Exchange?
They're great!

And then there was the baby shoppe...

It was a big choice to decide which one of these fluffy little guys would be coming home with me.
Any guesses who won out?

Lancaster is known for its row of galleries, and we had a great time exploring and enjoying local, original paintings.

To wrap up our fun tourist day, we stopped at a second-hand clothes shop, and then at a greenhouse where Vicky picked up some annuals to pot on her patio.

We had a wonderful day together; I highly recommend practicing local tourism.

note: Thanks to Vicky for some of the photos in this post.

One of Many Reasons

Enjoying incredible flowering trees 

is just one of the many reasons to love walking to work every day.

furnished

With the recent additions of some wall art and two small tables, our apartment finally feels fully furnished.

Tuesday Break and the Turkey Hill Cow

Tuesday is one of the best days of the work week, because at 10am, we have an optional mid-morning treat break in the conference room. The officemates and I rotate who brings "break," and you never know what you'll find when you walk over to the food table Tuesday morning. Once we had gummy salad-- yes, that would be a bowl full of all sorts of gummy candies mixed together! Recently we had shrimp with tomato and cilantro sauce. Not long ago it was homemade artisan bread with strawberry jam (of course homemade as well). Two of my all-time favorites the past 3.5 years are Gerry's wife's three layer German chocolate cake (too bad Gerry retired...), and the build-your-own-parfait day with yoghurt, fruit, and granola.

Anyway.

Recently it was my turn to take break. I had fun arranging colors and also trying to keep the snack somewhat healthy.

Several of my coworkers went crazy over these {super easy} homemade granola bars.

While on work-ish topics: recently a giant Turkey Hill cow was parked outside our office (for some special event in the area). A few of the coworks and I blew over for a quick selfie with the cow...

We're quite the groupie: