I ♥ downtown!!

I have always enjoyed going downtown for my fave coffee shop, The Mudhouse.  Now we have a cupcake shop and Bistro Market.  :-)

A few years ago, a petition was put up to get a Trader Joe's in downtown.  I signed it as I thought it would be a good thing to have downtown.  We have never had a Trader Joe's and I was curious about what they had.  When I went to St. Louis earlier this year, I visited one.  It was a grocery store with more whole foods.  I try to eat more whole foods so I can see that I would like one in my town.  I guess the petition fell through.



Just last Friday, a grocery store chain opened up a Bistro Market in the downtown area.  I have been excited about this!  They have fresh fish which has never been frozen.  That made me think how does it get to the midwest without going bad?  I am sure they have other ways of keeping fish fresh as it is being transported.  They have more whole foods & have local farmers produce.  Bulk grains, cereals.  I even noticed you can make fresh cashew, almond or peanut butter!  I haven't tried that yet but want to soon!  Then they have have a hot food bar and a salad bar open with an eatery area.  They also have a gelato bar!  I haven't tried gelato yet but I plan too soon!  They even have a Starbucks inside but I prefer The Mudhouse!  I visited the first time today and got me a few groceries.  It has been packed since it opened!  I hope that it continues to be popular!





It was a year ago when I was in St. Louis that I wanted to visit a cupcake shop.  We didn't have any in my area at the time and wanted to experience it!  I searched the internet and found one.  I didn't go as I was going to visit on my way back home which was a Sunday.  I found out they are closed on Sundays. In July, I was at a sub shop downtown and I noticed nearby was a cupcake shop getting ready to open up in a couple of weeks downtown!  It happens to be a branch of the one I wanted to visit in St. Louis!  It is called The Cup.  I was excited and finally made it tonight.  I decided to get the Italian Creme cupcake and it was yummy!!!  I found out that Monday they are going to have a Triple Key Lime cupcake so I have to go back!!





Then someone on the sidewalk did some chalk art!  I had never seen this before and they did a good job!!



That was my excitement tonight!  :-)

What a summer!

I am so behind in keeping my blog up-to-date that I am not sure where to start!

I have had an emotional summer.  In June, my Grandma passed away.  She had been ill for awhile and was under hospice care.  Even with her being ill, she was doing alright till she had difficulty breathing and was gone.  This all happened the day before my birthday.  I have to say, that has been the worst birthday of my life and I sure hope nothing else will top that.  I was on vacation from work so had extra time off.  I was glad to have extra time off from work and spend time with family.

In the last couple of weeks, a co-worker that I have worked with for about 3 years is moving to another state.  It makes me sad she is leaving.  I will miss her!!  We had a lot in common and enjoyed working with her.    We had her going away party at a Mexican restaurant.  It was a fun but sad evening at the same time.  I might have to make a road trip someday to visit her!

I have had some fun days with my nieces!  I always enjoy those.  I haven't gotten to spend as much time with them as I had hoped because of my work schedule & their schedule!  We are all getting together this weekend to grill pizza!  We did that last year and it was fun!  Grilled pizza is sooo yummy!  Then we are going to tie dye.  I have had a white apron that I have never done anything with.  So, I am going to see what I can do with it.  I might have to see if I can find some white T-shirts at Wal-mart.

I will have to slowly update of significant things over the last few months and mix in current events.  I have a list of blog ideas that I made earlier this year and have been adding to it tonight.  I hope to get back in the swing of blogging again!  Till then, enjoy a little video of my pug dreaming!