Last week I went to a food co-op in Lawrence, KS. I picked up some groceries and one thing I got was some skyr – my favorite type of yogurt. This brand – Icelandic Provisions – I was unfamiliar with but the selection of flavors was diverse. I had four different flavors that were unique. All were delicious.

Today I went back for more. Some stores have it but with a limited selection of flavors. I am all about berries and cherries so those went into my bag. I like peach as well. The co-op had a good selection but I want to try the pineapple one and they don’t have it.

The consistency is what makes the skyr. First time I had it was at the Keflavik airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. I needed a snack and I liked it. I’ve had other brands of skyr, and I like them, but this is the best one I’ve had. It’s thicker than Greek-style and is almost like cheesecake but not as “custardy”.

I also picked up a wedge of smoked real Gouda from The Netherlands. This stuff is so creamy and delicious. I had some with a croissant and prosciutto for a light dinner and it’s one of my favorite things to eat – so simple, easy and delicious.

Have you seen the fast food ad for the peanut butter bacon burgers? before you pop-poo the thought, I have put Jif creamy Natural on an Impossible Burger and it works. Now I didn’t have a pile of toppings on it (what toppings DO go with peanut butter?), but it actually tastes good. Besides. Thai food has peanut/peanut butter in many dishes and that tastes great.

I tried something new a few days ago. I bought some packages of jackfruit. One was plain, the one I tried was barbecue.

Jackfruit is a large spiny fruit that can be sweet or savory. I’ll let you click on the link to read more about it and its health benefits. It looks like a durian but is not the same thing,

I like to try plant-based foods and some are good, some not. You knew this was plant-based with the first bite, but the sauce was horrendous and ruined the experience. I may try the plain and use taco spice on it to see how it is. Honestly, I am not hopeful but we’ll see. Definitely wouldn’t buy the barbecue again.

—————

The snow melted and then there was rain…yesterday I figured I’d check the basement for water. Rats! A little bit but not much. Still, any water is too much so it’s pretty frustrating. I had to do something else to stop the water so I started by going outside. And in the rain.

The yard has standing water everywhere and I ended up digging some trenches to get the water farther away from the house. The closest area had quite a lot of water and that was the first to get drained. I went in the front yard and dug another to get it away from the house.

Then I scrounged up some pipe to put a temporary extension on the sump pump drain in front. I got it extended so it could drain the water as far as possible from the house. I’ll get a more permanent fix installed when the weather is better but it’ll be fine for now.

Today I discovered an electrical issue with where the pump was plugged in. I dealt with that and everything is now functioning properly (he said…AGAIN). I’ll be working on a permanent fix for that as well.

—————

It’s hard to believe, but five years ago this week I was stumbling around Amsterdam for the first time, arriving on my first trip to Europe. It was amazing in many ways and was life-changing for me. I can’t wait to go back again.

The longer days are really becoming more noticeable and Spring is just a few months away. I imagine that soon Dave, Lori and I will be discussing our first trip out together for 2024. They got their trailer after I got mine so I have had a few more trips under my belt…but the new hasn’t worn off of mine yet! Doesn’t keep us from hanging out in them parked in the driveway.

Hopefully, with a potential record international travel season it will means fewer people on the roads. That could help with fuel prices too.

I’m ready to get out walking and hiking in some mountains and forests. It’s been too long. That’s high on my priority list this year. I was walking back to the pond before the snow and rain but it’s too muddy now. It’s good for health as well.

—————

That’s it for this post. See you soon!

Shawn