weekend post: ‘happiness’

“The secret to getting what you want, is wanting what you’ve got.” 

Happiness is found in a long walk with dad after dinner.

Happiness is found in having the kitchen completely to myself, along with some Brad Paisley, a favorite apron, and a little blue dutch oven.

Happiness is a batch of sweet potato fries and a can of black beans that have been turned into some homemade black bean patties.

Happiness.

Happiness is found in having an entire day off from work, school, internship.

Happiness is found in that first sip of coffee. 

Happiness is found in a random phone call from a friend.  A sister.  Best friend.

Happiness is found in fresh summer squash, sauteed in balsamic vinegar with a bit of salt and pepper.  Sprinkled delicately with feta cheese.

Happiness.

Happiness is found in that energetic morning run.

Happiness is found in making an elderly woman smile at the mall, after commenting on how beautiful she looks in a sparkly blue dress.

Happiness is found in dining al fresco, taking in the last of the summer sun.

Happiness.

Happiness is having no homework to do.

Happiness is spending the night by a campfire in my pajamas with a Real Simple magazine.

Happiness.

Question: What made you happy today?

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living country

I am such a country girl.

After a busy week of internship duties, driving here-there-everywhere, and feeling ultimately sleep-deprived, tonight was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Icecream.  Old red barns.  Thousands of people laughing, talking, having a grand ol’ time.  Country music intermingling with oldies over the loud speakers.  A perfect night. 😀 

And everything is brought together into one big pocket known as Kimball’s Icecream.

If you’ve never been to Kimball’s, you simply must.  It’s worth the drive, for both the icecream and the entertainment.

Tonight they were hosting a car show.  People from all over—all different states and towns—drove their old cars in for people to look at. 

Note the volkswaggen bus in the back right…ahhh!!!  Too cute.

There was time for eating, browsing, laughing, chatting, sitting.

I found my dream car.  Obviously.  How cute is this little thing? 

Although I also would have been happy with this little orange British car.  Just sayin’.

Dad’s choice.  😀

Anyways, this is a food blog, so I only feel right sharing all the wonderful eats that are to be had at Kimballs.

Dad ordered a large plate of fried shrimp, scallops, clams, haddock and fries with a side of coleslaw.

He shared with the entire table, and I snagged a shrimp, a clam (because this is literally the only way I will ever eat a clam—sad, but true) and a piece of deliciously tender haddock.

Let’s be honest.  Everything tastes good when it’s fried.  But I’m actually super picky about fried food.  It can’t taste greasy, and the food inside the crispy coating should still taste fresh.  I hate it when you feel as if the food just wasn’t fresh any more, so they decided to fry it so that nobody would notice day-old food being reused.  Am I the only person who has ever considered this?

Anyways, this was perfect.  No sogginess.  Not over the top salty.  Not greasy.  Just melt in your mouth delicious. 

But I limited myself to just a few bites.  I wasn’t here for the “food,” per say. 

Kimballs is known for its icecream.  For their over the top portion sizes, for the creaminess of each bite and for the simple fact that they will never jip you on the fillings.

I ordered one of my favorite flavors: a “baby-sized” vanilla peanut butter cup. 

Delicious. 😀

It was such a fun filled day.  The only thing that could have improved it would have been if they had grounds for dancing.  Line dancing?  Swing dancing?

Nicole and I immediately fixed this by making up our own dance floor on the front lawn, doing the 50’s twist.  Because when you’re this happy and when there’s music going, it’s impossible not to dance.  Impossible!

Question: What is your favorite type of car, old or new?  My favorite oldie is the volkswaggen bus.