Long Fall Break Weekend

This weekend was a four-day fall break weekend, which was super enjoyable.  We only get Thursday and Friday off for fall break here in Utah, but that's OK because we get a longer summer vacation than some states that get an entire week off in the fall.  Here is what our long weekend was like. 

Charly always does our weekly grocery shopping early Thursday mornings.  This week I went with him.  Because we were early, we encountered lots of empty aisles so we were finished fairly quickly.  I was surprised at how low our final food bill was.  Charly is a careful shopper  (we both are actually) and we plan most of meals around sale items and manager's specials, so we have been able to keep our food bill manageable, even with inflation. 

After shopping and lunch, we went for an abbreviated walk. It was an absolutely lovely fall day. When we had gone only a mile, we got a call from our contractor and we need to meet with him, so I finished my daily workout time later on the equipment in my basement. 

Later, we spent some time over at our house, painting our gazebo/covered porth area.  This was my little area to paint.  We worked for almost two hours Thursday afternoon.

Saturday morning, Charly and I went for a morning walk.   We then headed down to Utah County to spend the day. 

There was a new-to-us Asian place we wanted to try for lunch.  I got Mongolian Beef and Charly got General Tso Chicken.  The food was delicious. We now have a new favorite Asian place. 

After lunch, we went back to Pioneer Book, the used bookstore we went to last week. They were having a sale - 40% off all their fiction - so we just had to check that out.  

After Pioneer Book, we went to a couple of thrift stores, including this one that was new-to-us and huge.  

Charly found several books he wanted and I found these three.  I am trying to complete a whole set of C.J. Box books. Box is an excellent mystery author whose books are set in and around the Western U.S. - places I am at least somewhat familiar with.   

Thursday evening we got a text from Josh asking us to send him something he needed.  Charly and I talked about it and decided that we would just drive up to Idaho on Saturday to take Josh what he needed.  It's only about a three hour drive, and we are always up for a little road trip. 

We saw some gorgeous fall colors as we drove through Idaho, which is a beautiful state. 

We had a leisurely drive, took some back roads and stopped at a few places along the way.  We met Josh at his apartment when we got to Rexburg late Saturday afternoon.  (Josh had told us not to get to Rexburg too early in the afternoon because he had a date and would not be able to meet us. That was just fine with us.  😉). 

After picking up Josh, our next stop was our favorite restaurant in town,  Righteous Slice Pizza.  The pizza there is so good!

After dinner, we took Josh to do some grocery shopping.  

Finally, we dropped Josh off at his apartment and Charly and I went back to the motel where we were staying.  We had a very nice visit, even though it wasn't long. Josh really likes going to school at BYU Idaho.  He is working hard, enjoying his classes, and making some friends.  He has some good professors and is learning a lot.  It's always good to see Josh and find out what is going on with him.  He keeps in touch every week, but is busy with work and school, and his texts are pretty light on details. 😉  We found out a lot more during a short visit over dinner, including more about all the dating he has been doing.  No girlfriend yet, but I think that is just a matter of time.  😊

After spending the night in Rexburg, we left a little after 7 a.m. to come home.  We had a nice drive and saw more lovely fall colors on the way home, although the leaves are starting to fall.  Soon there will just be a lot of bare trees.  We had a good drive and arrived home in Utah shortly after noon on Sunday. 

We listened to this audiobook, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg,  in the car on the way home.  What an interesting book!  I am learning a lot listening to it.  The drive wasn't long enough to finish the book, so we will probably finish listening to it when we walk this week. 

I am also listening to this audiobook, Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst.  I am listening to this one on my own, while I fold laundry and do other chores.  I'm not finished with it yet, but so far, it is excellent! 

I'm also reading these books in traditional paper and ink format - Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan and The Bodies in the Library by Marty Wingate. 

Sunday dinner at our house was easy and delicious Beef Stroganoff with Thai salad.  

After dinner, Charly and I took a walk around our neighborhood. These trees we passed are stunning in their fall colors, but temperatures are cooling around here and I know it is just a matter of time before we have a hard freeze and these lovely golden leaves will be a memory until next year. 

Weekend Gratitude:

• Having a four day fall break weekend.
• Getting to see Josh.
• Traveling to and from Idaho safely.
• Making some good memories with Charly.
• Receiving a nice phone call from our daughter Tiffany while we were on our way up to see Josh. 

That's all for this weekend.  Have a wonderful week. 

Until Next Time, 

😊Deb💖