T Stands for Some of Last Week's Highlights

 Hello and happy Tuesday.  It is once again time for T over at  Bleubeard andElizabeth's blog.  It's a rather long post today also. Just warning you. Smile.

This past week I have been puttering about, walking, making art, reading, binge watching (or more correctly rewatching after 30+ years) Twin Peaks on Netflix, and took a day trip to visit my mom. I mentioned it was my mom's 91st birthday last week, but I also wanted to get in a visit in case Covid gets bad enough they have to stop visits again at her assisted living.  Things are getting worse in this area after a fairly low level of spread this past summer.  It is quite worrisome.

When I visited Mom, I went through a Chick-fil-A drive through for lunch on my way home. I am impressed how they handle contact, and their sandwiches are pretty good fast food. I had my chicken sandwich and a diet coke, which is my T day drink. My dog Pete also came for a ride, and I did share a bite or 2 of my sandwich with him. 

Here's my drink.

When I ordered they asked if I wanted to try one of their brownies. Brownies? I didn't know they served brownies. Something new.

 

 I didn't need the calories, but it was a chocolate brownie. Plus I did have a over a 2 hour drive home. It was a pretty good driving treat. Pete didn't get any brownie though, no matter how much he would have enjoyed that treat.

(And if you were wondering why my other dog Maddie wasn't with me it was because she was at daycare for the day, playing with her dog friends. We send her once or twice a week as she loves to go, and it keeps us active in case we ever get another pup. Even though with me no longer working, we don't really need to send her. The 2 women who run doggie daycare will take a new dog from already participating families, but are full and are not taking new dogs otherwise. And if you wondered about Pete, he used to go but got kicked out. Pete just wasn't comfortable there among all the other  dogs they take a day.)

I didn't need the brownie calories because Trader Joe's fall pumpkin shortbread cookies have arrived, and we have a box (or 2) at home.  These are a favorite with me, and pure trouble when they are out.

And they are also a favorite of the dogs too.

Sorry Maddie, but the box is empty. You and Pete ate too many. Ha-ha.

 I'm also taking my sourdough playing to a new level. I've moved onto trying rye bread.

 

 I ordered a bag of rye flour from King Arthur Flour and made my first loaf.

It tasted fantastic, but  flattened out a bit after I lifted off the cover off of my shaped rising. I don't know if I didn't develop the gluten enough to hold its height or if it is is supposed to do this. Next time I might try shaping and baking it in a ceramic baking bowl.

And seeing the leaves were so beautiful, I went for a bit of a drive after grocery shopping one afternoon. The grocery store is in the  town next to mine, so I circled around the back roads to drive home. All the other views are in my town of New Durham.

My first stop was Merrymeeting Lake. 

Then I followed the Merrymeeting River for a bit.

I got off this road and took a cut across to the road that runs up behind the one where my house is. I've lived in town for over 30 years and yet had never driven all the way up this road. I discovered a few cool old homes and also 2 more lakes. I knew these lakes were in town, but I can't say I ever visited them before.

This first one is Chalk Pond.

And the second larger one was Marches Pond. 

Marches Pond even had a boat ramp. I know where I want to go kayaking next spring or summer.

Even better is that it wasn't more than a 10 minute drive home, although not in a direction I would normally go as right beyond these lakes the road just ends.

That's been my exciting week. Hope yours was well and you are staying safe.

Thanks for visiting.

And Happy T Day too!