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| Rogers, AR |
This last two days I've been on a go. My first road trip was to a small town Rogers in North-West Arkansas. The road took me through the breathtaking view of the Boston Mountains. Day was calm and sunny, but land was ready to burst in a full bloom.
Stirring the wheel, I remembered driving visitors around Seattle area and listening to their admiration and comments about Lake Washington and the gorgeous view of Olympic mountains ahead and Mt. Rainier on the left. I realized that when we lived there, we took surroundings for a granted: view was everywhere you look.
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| Mt.Rainier, WA. Photo courtesy of A.Mischenko |
As much as I try to find positive and beautiful things here in Arkansas, I have to admit, I miss Seattle to the ache in my chest. I would kiss every single drop of the rain when I go back (in 16 months, after my husband is done with his residency program. Actually, it's 493 days).
And even though Rogers is following Bellevue on the list of 100 best places to live in the US, I would still choose the rainiest part on the world.
Well, enough of nostalgia. And back on the road.
The reason of my trip to Rogers was to visit Williams Sonoma store.
I needed a shopping therapy...
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| Best store ever, I love just to go there! |
I've collected a few gift cards to Williams Sonoma store through the year, and I decided to turn it into another Le Creuset pot.
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| Shopping therapy... |
WS and Sur La Table often have an exclusive offer on Le Creuset at a very reasonable price. I've been on a watch for the special deal for one of my favorite pots for a few years, and my patience was paid off: I got 4.1l (a little over 4 qt) pot for $150 (in my gift cards), almost $100 in savings!
I had some cards left so I treated myself with some other kitchen gadgets to help me with my nostalgia.
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| Another gadgets... |
I have to admit, I am really addicted to the iron, not only at the gym, but in the kitchen too. Who is the cast iron addict? I am! I could never have enough cast iron pots, skillets, dutch ovens, etc. Especially as cute as the Le Creuset!
Do you have any kitchen addiction?
Do you believe in shopping therapy?
Until next time,
Cowboy Country Vegetarian
Looks like you had an amazing trip! I do believe strongly in the shopping therapy :)))girls best friend:))
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in it too much but it works for some reason. I don't like shopping... I had some gift card in my hands, I went in WS only, and left back: the whole shopping at that mall took me about 30 minutes...:)
DeleteGood choice Marina we love your new Le Creuset pot!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I need to cook something in it!
DeleteI hate to break this too... not to make u jealous am from seattle :).. & i so totally can relate to how u feel :D
ReplyDeleteIt's ok Rasi, I am powered by optimism, so I don't get into depression very easy. I have just one life, so I enjoy moments, and there's plenty of those no matter where I live. Thank you for your support!
DeleteI also have a blue Le Crouset, fantastic, and the stamp for biscuits.. in Japanese!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great road trip, enjoy your shopping now!
Ciao
Alessandra
Thank you Alessandra! Baking is an order now to test those cookie cutters!
DeleteSo cool! I got the message in a cookie cutter when I was planning our wedding, and we made them for the rehearsal dinner -- so cute! And I am jealous of your Le Creuset!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane! Well, don't be jealous: we don't have cable TV or any TV for that matter, we do't have home phone (only cellphones), we eat out on a very rare occasion, we don't buy processed food, and I hate shopping (paradox?!). That itself saves a lot of money per year that I sometimes can spend on cute things for me. Are you still jealous?! :)
DeleteGreat Le Creuset purchase there! I have a red one and I love it so much :D
ReplyDeleteI don't have red one (yet?!).
DeleteWhat a lovely trip....the mountain looks so sere....love those cookie cutters....they are absolutely adorable...shopping therapy? Are you kidding me, all the way :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Suchi! I thought that those cookie cutters are cute too, I love to personalize cookies for an occasion. We have a few birthdays coming up, so I will put it to work soon!
DeleteWhat a wonderful store to spend time in! My hubby is actually the one that loves kitchen stores and always finds gadgets and new things for cooking! We thought about retiring to Arkansas because that's where I was born and I still have lots of family there, but I'm glad we're in FL now! I hope you find things to love while you are there....the part of the state you live in is beautiful in the Spring and summer months! I'm having a giveaway this morning! Stop back by! Hugs! ♥
ReplyDeleteYes, Diane, this store (and Sur La Table) are two that I just can go in and look around without buying anything , and it gives me some ideas, inspires me with a new kitchen projects, etc. I don't even have to by anything! Look at me: I've collected those gift cards for more that a year before I spent it!
DeleteTwo years ago I visited Seattle for a day and thought it was wonderful. Visited the markets on the waterfront, ate at a little restaurant beside the water. It was raining when I got there and raining when I left. Was riding my motorcycle. Very beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteNICE cast iron pot. I used to make cornbread in an iron skillet. Had 5 sizes! My hands aren't as strong as they once were, so have switched to lighter cook wear.
I enjoy your posts. Blog on :D
Thank you Sheila. I do have about 5 cast iron skillets, Lodge brand, and I love it! I bake my bread in it, use it all the time. They are heavy, yes. We even had to buy a non-stick crape pan for our son when he wanted to learn how to make crapes.
DeleteShopping is definitely therapeutic! Getting the credit card bill on the other hand, not so much!
ReplyDeleteStellina, Thank you for visiting my space! What is credit card bill?!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of a visit to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, near Seattle, years ago when I was in the Army. We borrowed an RV from a US Army friend and set off to explore. As you say, some lovely scenery there. Very different to our Cotswolds, eh?
ReplyDeleteI loved your post on Cotswolds though.It is a beautiful place, and I hope to visit it some day.
DeleteI've never been to Rogers actually. I love the views in Seattle though. Mt. Ranier is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather. Yes, Seattle, and whole Washington state has some beautiful places. Although, I drove yesterday to another place here, and the view was breathtaking. Come back to see pictures!
DeleteI love that shop, I can spent almost everyday there, atleast window shopping ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on window shopping!
DeleteWhat an interesting post. I have never been to Seattle or neither Washington. It looks very interesting to visit and to shop! Thanks for sharing this. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteAlida, yes, Seattle has a lot to offer, especially it's beauty. Have a good weekend too!
DeleteI think shopping is the best therapy for nostalgia. I remember when I was studying in the US so far away from home, when I felt nostalgic and lonely I visited a shopping mall for shopping therapy lol. It costs you a little bit but it makes you feel better. I love cast iron and I want to buy a cast iron skillet once I find it in good price here. Thank you so much for your interest about my son. He is adjusting quite well at his new school. He says that children in his class are very kind and do not fight at all. Overall I think he is happier there! Take care and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that your son loves new school better. It's a relieve for him, and for you, I bet. My cast iron skillets a Lodge brand, they are black in color but cooking is a pleasure in it.
Deletelove that store too sorry you miss Seattle its hard when u leave a place u love
ReplyDeleteI try not to think about it, but sometimes the wave of emotions just hits me, and I need some "therapy" to deal with it. Thank you for your support!
DeleteWS sure is a great store. Love your message cookie cutter. Hoping one day to visit Washington State.
ReplyDeleteNorma, thank you. I thought that message cookie cutter is cute and fun to work with. And it will help me to overcome my fear of baking....:)
Deletethey have such lovely products I like everything at William and Sonoma but it is so expensive
ReplyDeletelovely post
Yes, they are expensive. That's why it is a treat when I am able to buy something there. Thanks for visiting me!
DeleteI am a total Le Creuset addict too- just the best. of course they've discontinued the color I was working on so now I have to branch out. Congrats- great new pot!
ReplyDeleteThank you! What color is that? My pots are different colors, I can't have everything one color, need a variety. :)
DeleteI have never been to Williams Sonoma. They aren't a staple in south Georgia.
ReplyDeleteI collect Fiestaware and gadgets. Have a super weekend, new friend!
Oh Yes, that lemongrass color in Fiestaware just puts a smile on my face each time I walk by it. Thanks you, have a good time too!
Deletewow..lovely post..;)
ReplyDeletelove d cookie cutter & le cruset..!
Tasty Appetite
You spent your gift cards well! Yes, I believe in shopping therpy...just ask my husband ;) Have a great weekend~
ReplyDeleteThank you Lizzy. On contrary, my husband doesn't believe in shopping therapy. He doesn't believe in credit cards either. So, we live on whet we earn... How boring, ha?!
DeleteSo fun stopping by and seeing the pics of your little trip. I so love the message in a cookie set. I did some on-line looking the other day but didn't take the splurge to order a set. Now I am regretting it :)
ReplyDeleteNice spending a few minutes visiting with you!
Kindly, Lorraine
I've been looking at this cookie cutter for over a year. When I got some money left on the gift card, I just decided it's time to get it. It is so nice to give someone a personalized cookie with a message. I am looking forward to have some fun with it! Thank you, Lorraine for visiting me!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! We have an incredibly beautiful country from one end to the other, the middle too! And oh, what a fun shopping extravaganza - I LOVE WS, too! I'm just addicted to kitchen stores in general, could snoop around for hours and not get tired!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, it is beautiful!
Deleteooooh, what a beautiful blue pot! Shopping therapy is cheaper than "real" therapy, and just as, if not more, effective, that's my theory, and I'm a psychology student, so it must be true ;)
ReplyDeleteOr, Dear Anna! You are so right! shopping therapy, and window shopping therapy is so much-much cheaper!
DeleteWhat a beautiful, colorful set of cast iron pots. I just love cooking with cast iron pots. I know people complain about how heavy they are, but they do a wonderful job of cooking. Who need a gym to lift weights when you can cook with these beautiful pots. Blessings my dear, Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteCatherine, that's exactly what I usually tell everyone about cast iron pots: it is part of my workout and a way of keeping my arms toned! :) Thank you!
DeleteYesterday I was thinking about cast iron pots, I don't have any and I know they are much better than any other kind. The weight intimidates me but I should really get one :-) I love Williams Sonoma ( yesterday I also found out they closed down the one at my favorite mall :(
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the store closing. I hate when it happens. Well, look at the bright side: there is always on-line store, and it's open 24/7, and you can shop in your pajamas, and you can just add to your basket anything you want (that's what I do) without clicking the "checkout" button. :) Fun!
DeleteI think my kitchen addiction is probably cookery books :)
ReplyDeleteDear Lindy, I am afraid even to start it: I am addicted to cookery books too (ask my husband what books I read every day!). Thanks for coming here today. Have a wonderful week!
DeleteI have many, many kitchen addictions, not the least of which is cookbooks! Sounds like you had a great time. Can't wait to see what you make in your new Le Creuset!
ReplyDelete