So many things are going on and I feel like is time for another coffee date. What do you think? I love these chats as I can let you know about random things that go through my mind. And I also love to hear about what is going on with you. So lets dive in.
If you and I had coffee…
…I tell you about my gathering adventures. LatelyI picked a lot of rose hip. I wanted to dry some for tea – even though I am not a fan of reship tea it is having lots of vitamin c and that can’t be wrong in a blend for winter. And I had the idea of making rose hip jam. Well, I ended up getting about 500 g and then I realized they all needed to be deseeded. The seeds have tiny little hairs that can irritate your gums and lungs and do itch awfully. Well, let’s just say after many hours of doing it, I may not do it every year. But I made amazing snack balls and they are worth the labor.
I also went out one day during lunch and picked a small bucket of black berries. They were really tiny and the bushed had more withered ones that good ones but I filled it up. I first wanted to dry them too for tea but then decided to make them into black berry vinegar and a wintery blackberry liquor. They are looking good and the color is amazing.
And then the other day I decided to end work at 5 pm and go out into the woods to hunt for mushrooms for my dinner. I came back with enough of them for my meal after two hours. Those hours were wonderful. Only the birds in the forest, many spiders and tiny lizards. I called my dad to make sure all the mushrooms I gathered were what I thought they were and he confirmed. So I made my meal and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, my body decided that it was not eatable. For some reason one sort of mushrooms didn’t agree with me even though they count has high class eatable mushrooms. I ended up discarding the meal throughout the night. I called the emergency poison hotline to make sure I did everything right and they confirmed my suspicion that this one mushroom could trigger such. a strong reaction in certain people. After getting its all out of my system it’s just a matter of time. So all of Friday I was more or less in bed sipping fennel tea and water and snacking on salted cucumbers and trying to get better. The verdict: I am done with mushrooms for this season. I am done with that particular mushroom for life. And I am rather baffled this happened to me as I really did know what I was doing. It’s is a bit humbling.
If you and I had coffee…
…I share with you that I am looking to buy a new bike. It’s been on my list for years. With all the moves and such it always was pushed to the. back. But now living in a more remote place the bike becomes the most important means of transport. Time to invest in a bike that doesn’t fall apart and makes me feel unsafe every bump I am hitting. So today we went to the bike store. I found one that was rather close to what I liked but didn’t check of all the things I need. Ton the way out I asked about bike helmets. Another purchase I keep pushing to the back even though it’s such an easy safety measure. After trying on almost every available helmet I decided to just get one. It’s a purchase you can’t really do online. It is not the most flattering helmet But it’s a helmet. and it’s comfortable. Already a win. And then they even had a 20% sale. Yeah me.
If you and I had coffee…
…I proudly tell you that I reached day 90 in continuously practicing my Spanish on Duolingo. I am still eons away of being holding a conversation but I am getting there. One day at a time. One session a day. My goal to read a children’s book this year is still on my list but I can’t seem to figure out which will be fitting for my level. Guess I am in the toddler stage?! Any recommendations?
If you and I had coffee…
…I talk about how I look forward to October. My current work project ends by end of September which will free up more time in my day. Or at least I won’t have any scheduled meetings I have to attend and that allows me to craft my day more to my liking. I still need to do stuff for my other clients, find new projects, do administrative work and such. But I also can schedule a lunch with friends in the city which I couldn’t as easily now that we are living further outside the city center. I also will go to the spa with my sister and spend a weekend with my dad. So many cools things have been lined up. Can you tell I am excited?
If you and I had coffee…
…I share the joyous news that we booked a vacation in October. The first time out of country since February 2020. I am so looking forward to it and truly hope we are not getting sick again. Unfortunately it is only a week. We planned on going two weeks but the husbands schedule is again getting in our way. I guess we really need to plan vacations with more time ahead. How far in advance do you plan vacations and book them? We always set out early in the year to plan and schedule and then we never follow through. I guess that is the burden of two self-employed business owners.
If you and I had coffee…
…I tell you that were supposed to meet friends for a bbq today but unfortunately they had to cancel. Their kids are having some cold symptoms and we rather all be safe than sorry. I have heard and read online from many people that they caught covid lately. I am not eager to join the ranks as I still have managed to avoid it. So this Saturday is freed up. First we had a nice breakfast and then we went into town for some errands and some time together. There hasn’t been much quality time lately.
If you and I had coffee…
…I let you know that I already think about this years NaBloPoMo. I’m sure there are a few of us doing it again. I have some ideas already I want to write about. And since October looks to have a bit more free time I may even manage to start on some of the posts that require more writing than recording or retelling.
So much for my coffee date. It is time for me to start the day – the church bells chime twelve as I type this.
What would you tell me over coffee? Will you be joining NaBloPoMo? Have you been picking any berries this summer? Do you own a bike and if so what is the most important feature for you?
16 comments
I’m glad you recovered well after eating the mushrooms that didn’t agree with you. The big news story round here has been the death of three people and a long intensive care stay for the fourth who had lunch at one of there daughter-in-law’s. It looks like she served them death cap mushrooms. THe police are investigating because the daughter-in-law and her daughter didn’t get sick and she was not very forthcoming on what actually went down.
I have get a bike on my list too. I’m looking forward to being able to extend my range without driving.
Oh wow that is a scary story. I would never expect to be posited by my family. And then with mushrooms. I have to google what kind of mushroom it is.
Yes having a bike is a great way to get around to either leave the car be or not having one.
I have really taken on reading children’s books in Spanish to supplement my own Duolingo. I started by just going to the Spanish picture book area at the library. For a newbie, I think Sandra Boynton and Mo Willems books are great. Then, as you get more advanced, you can move up in difficulty. I am enjoying a series called Bitmax & Co. right now (I’m about 1250 days in Duolingo).
Oh thank you so much for the recommendations. The library here doesn’t have many Spanish books – or none at all – as Spanish is not as common as in the US. We have more French or Russian or Polish books i guess. But maybe I find some with the names you mentioned. I am working on my Spanish on and of and am currently at section 3, lesson 7.
Over 1000 days is amazing. Have you been practicing daily for the past 3 years. That is really determined.
I am so impressed by your gathering adventures. I wouldn’t even know where to go to find wild berries or mushrooms (and mushrooms would kinda scare me – I am glad you recovered from this episode).
I am excited for your vacation. Where are you going? I haven’t planned a proper vacation in years (if you don’t count the travel that I did with my family last year) and have only traveled to Germany in recent years. I’d really like to travel with Jon again – we haven’t been on a “real vacation” in forever.
My gathering adventures are a lifelong learning I guess. I’ve been gathering since I can remember with my grandparents: mushrooms, herbs, blueberries. Also with my das lots of mushrooms. But I really started getting I to it on my own with the Covid pandemic when I started reading and learning more.
We’ll be going to Mallorca. Never been there so it’s something I look forward to.
I hope you get the chance to travel with Jon again. Vacation is a different thing of spending time together.
I just started Duolingo, too! I’m in the 40s on my days, but I’ve been enjoying the practice. I feel like I want to get flash cards or something to practice the words I keep forgetting.
I’m excited for NaBloPoMo again. This will be my third year doing it. Yay!
Oh yes, the vocabulary would be good to know. I am struggling with similar verbs the most.
Yeah for NaBloPo – this will be fun. I don’t know how often I’ve done it. More than three though.
I do own a bike and having bicycle fenders and a rear bike rack are critical for me. I have had several car issues happen in the summers where I am out a vehicle for the entire summer. And though I do not mind riding in the rain, I wholeheartedly mind mud being flung up my back. And the rack is for transporting my bag, lunch, whatever else, plus the pannier system I have attaches to that. Is this happening this year (NaBloPoMo)? I went to their page and its only updated through 2022. I am due the 2nd week in November so I didn’t anticipate that but I am really happy to see you and a few others do the coffee dates. Does anyone in particular host a link up?
Yes, the tea bike rack is critical for me too. The bikes I looked at didn’t have that anymore. Who needs a city bike if you don’t have a chance to haul things? Don’t get it.
NaBloPoMo will happen this year for sure. The official site doesn’t host it anymore but my blog friend San has been doing for decades and has managed to gather a small group of blog friends who are doing it. She will update the site End of October I am sure. Best you follow her to stay up to date. It would be fun having new people in the group.
https://theinbetweenismine.com/nablopomo/
I am Russian and we pick mushrooms. But you have to be SO careful! That is my fear that somehow I will pick a poisonous mushroom. Glad you are feeling better.
I will absolutely be joining NaBloPoMo! Never done it but I started my blog back in March so this will be my first time.
I will tell you that I booked a trip to paris for the first week of April in 2024, with the kids. And I will tell you that I still don’t have any idea as for summer 2024. I am leaning toward Thailand because my dad can come from Russia no problem so he can meet us there. I would love to see him but going into Russia right now makes me fearsome.
Yes I grew up picking mushrooms and that is probably why it really threw me off that I didn’t stomach them.
Paris sounds nice and definitely something to look forward to. I’ve never been to Asia and while I would like to see it I don’t think it will be any time soon. But it is “in the middle” when your dad could join us. I wouldn’t be going to Russia either right now. It is sad that one person can taint so many things. Russia must be a beautiful country with exciting history but I don’ think it will be on my travel list for anytime soon.
I am looking forward for you to join us in NaBloPoMo. It is so much fun. But it’s a lot of work. Not only writing but all the reading too.
I’m on Duolingo too, learning Italian. I love the idea of reading a children’s book but I think I’d be at the toddler stage too! That so lovely you’re able to forage your own food, but a shame about those mushrooms. I hope you enjoy your free time once your current work project finishes up!
Oh how fun that you work on your Italian. I always wanted to learn that language but now that my husbands family speaks Spanish priority has shifted. It is still a beautiful language.
Yes it would have been a better experience if the mushrooms actually agreed with me.
Thank you for stopping by.
Oh, my goodness, Tobia, I am so glad you are okay after the mushroom incident! I would have dragged you off to the ER, no questions asked. :)
Thank you Anne. I would have gone if I was really unsure but I knew all were edible so I was annoyed but not really scared. But I agree better safe than sorry.