WHAT STARTED OUT AS A NORMAL SATURDAY

turned into so much more.

Because I promoted Small Business Saturday on this blog, I decided to spend the day living what I believe...small business makes communities more interesting and unique and are deserving of support. 

Once I got my ass moving which seems to take longer these days, I headed to Walnut Street Café for my Saturday iced coffee.  Man, the place was packed so I needed an alternative plan. 

Friday I drove by Pho Minh Ky on Union St.  I've had Pho but I wanted some really delicious unbelievable Pho.  Pho Minh Ky was on my mind all night.  Side note...if I get something in my head that is important or if it is something I want to do, it stays there until it is satisfied.   Think Paris!

11:00...I decided it was time to try Pho.  No one was there when I arrived but it quickly filled out with quite the diverse crowd.  The staff was great.  The Pho Ga was so so delicious.  The large is gigantic for $7.95.  There was plenty left over.  I can only imagine what the extra-large looks like. 

I walked by Treasures Too and peeked in...lots of interesting items but nothing for me. 

Back to Walnut Street for an iced coffee. 

Next stop was Eva's Organic Butcher Shop in Middleton. - http://www.evasfarm.com/

Today I am preparing a Thanksgiving at home and needed some additional items.

Eva's is owned by Roberto and Barrianne Alonzo.  Roberto was born and raised in Argentina.  His family were commercial butchers from whom he learned his trade.

The quality of their meat is top notch and locally sourced.  I have been going to their Middleton shop since just about when they opened.  It is still good but it doesn't have the same feel as it did before they open their shops in Beverly and Marblehead. 

For dessert, who could resist Jeni's ice cream. 

Pamplemousse in Reading carries her products.  Here we go...Middleton to Reading.

Jeni started a small business in Ohio which has grown into a national business.  Her ice cream is unique (can you say goat cheese and fig ice cream - my favorite), uses well sourced ingredients and is delicious.  Downside is that it is very expensive so I only buy it on special occasions.  Today, I didn't buy any.  Pamplemousse had one of my favorite chocolate wines for dessert...Trentadue Chocolate Amore.  SOLD!  They also had a specific wine for a special Christmas present. 

The best surprise of the day...was the music of Ian Maksim at the White Horse Coffee House.  Ian was born and raised in Russia...St. Petersburg to be exact. 

I have no words for how incredible his concert was.  The show was an add on at a very small venue.  The evening concert was sold out so a 4:00 show was added...lucky for me.

He style is very unique.  He started out with some classical music (Bach) progressed to some Russian, French, Balkan and Irish tunes.  Not only did he play the cello but he sang.  He sang in Russian, French and English.  The Russian ballads were beautifully haunting.  He performed some original music and music of Sting and BB King.  The clip below does not even begin to capture how amazing his music is.

When Ian performs in a community, he hires a local musician.  Last night Fabio Pirozzolo, originally from Italy, accompanied on percussion.  He also sang 3 southern Italian ballads and chants.  The songs were from 3 different cities and sung in the local dialect.  I fell in love with his music.

A clip of Fabio follows:





Ian and Fabio had never performed together prior to Saturday night.  It seemed like they had been together forever.

I went to the White Horse Coffee House hoping for a fun evening of music.  It ended up being an amazing experience that blew me away.  Who knew a cellist could be this talented and perform such a wide range of music?

Oh and the White House staff recommended a spectacular French wine.  The plan had been to go to April's after the show but a couple of glasses of wine and an appetizer did the trick. 

How lucky is it to live in a community where you can get Vietnamese Pho, go to an Argentinian butcher and then hear musicians from Russia and Italy.  Learning about and exploring different cultures makes a life worth living. 

http://www.ianmaksin.com/

http://fabiopirozzolo.com/videos

SATURDAY MORNING

I've not been posting much but I have been trying to make sure I've been working out as best I can.  I've been staying away from the bar but I have been doing a number of kettlebell workouts (among other things).  I am slowly starting to feel better.  My routine included more rest than usual and lower weight while maintaining a level of fitness. 

Having a goal...my very own chin up challenge...has made it easier.  I take my bands down to Gowdy and amuse the neighbors.  What I've started to do on either Saturday or Sunday is to take my bells with me and do a work out outside.  Saturday morning was brutally hot...lots of sweating.  Here is what I did...

Stretching and therapeutic exercises...those hips need to be stretched out.

Chin ups...3 sets of 5 with 3 bands.  Next week I plan to progress to just two bands. 

Warm up of snatches.

Then 3 rounds of the following with two 12 KG bells...

3 double cleans
1 double press
10 double swings
3 body weight squats (weights still do not feel right.)

Between each round, I did overhead carries. 

The next time I do this complex, the plan is to do as many rounds as possible in 10 to 15 minutes and to skip the carries. 
Then 3 rounds of the following on each side...

1 - one handed swing
1-  press
1- snatch

3 - one handed swings
3 - presses
3- snatches

5 - one handed swings
5- presses
5 snatches

I did farmers carries between each round.

I need to thank Pat Flynn for his simple, easy and effective workouts.  I always need to make modifications because of my knees, hips or feet but they always work and always leave me in a puddle of sweat. 

His website is http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/
Check out this video:



And to those who hang at Gowdy Park...could you please clean up after yourself?

And where should you go after a sweaty workout?

Toasted almond ice coffee.

Need I say more?

If anyone wants to joint me at Gowdy for a work out, give me a shout out!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

 

I love small businesses.  I love local businesses.  I love businesses that are selling a product while at the same time trying to be socially responsible. 

Today I want to share a few of my favorite things.  Some are new and some have been part of my life for awhile.

Necklaces

Someone I know had LOVE in their mother's handwriting tattooed on their arm.  I loved it.  It is just such a heartfelt reminder.  Problem for me was that I was not getting a tattoo ever, for any reason.

Fast forward to January...I wanted to get my sister some extra special for her 50th birthday, in December.  In true Pendexter fashion, I did not start thinking about it until January 2015.

I just happened to find Brittney Leigh Jewelry on facebook.  Her specialty is taking handwritten words and creating beautiful pieces of jewelry.  Perfect!!!! 

I had Brittney create a lasting memory for me and my sister.  

From this....

She created this...



And it was perfect.

From her website:
Brittany Leigh Jewelry is about celebrating LOVE. Through personalized, handmade pieces, Brittany creates an emotional connection between jewelry and wearer. The people, moments, and places that make life most wonderful are the inspiration behind every design. Finely crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, your customized Brittany Leigh Jewelry will reflect your favorite memories for many years to come.

http://www.brittanyleighjewelry.com/


Bombas - Bee Better

These socks rock.  They rock not just because they are comfortable and colorful.  (Check out the pictures.  Orange one is on my foot)  The socks and the company rocks because for every pair purchased, they donate a pair to a homeless shelter.  How great is that.  Right now the site says 278,978 socks have been donated.   

From their blog:  We've partnered with Hannah's Socks, a non-profit whose sole mission is to get socks to those in need. They have a goal to distribute 225,000 socks this year, and we're here to help.

Want to know why they chose the bee as their symbol.  Check out their site

http://www.bombas.com

Live Well 360 Core Gym Bag

https://livewell360.com/

I head out to the gym early in the morning.  I am usually out by 5:00 am.  I need to be organized.  I need a bag with compartments.  I need a bag that is sturdy and holds up well.  I need a bag with great straps.  The Live Well 360 Core Gym Bag is that bag.   I will never ever need another bag. 

My favorite story about this bag is that when I first bought it got caught on a metal piece in the locker at the Y.  I heard what sound like a tear.  I swore and looked at the bag.  Not a single tear or pull was seen.  The bag is a little expensive but the quality is top notch. 

They just showcased a TOTE bag and very, very soon I think they will be selling a back pack.  I will be in on the back pack.  A sturdy back pack with many compartments are what I need for a long hike. 

This is the story of their business:

You've heard the saying, 'Necessity is the mother of invention'? Well, it's true.
Along our road to health and fitness, one thing kept falling short-our fitness bag. And since we demand the best of ourselves, everyday-one more mile, one more rep-why would we expect anything less from our most important fitness partner?
So, we tried every fitness bag that we could get our hands on, determined to find one that delivered. But, nothing fit the bill. This one was too bulky, that one had no pockets, this one looked cheap, that one was too small...
Was it too much to ask that a fitness bag not fall apart, rip, or fray?
That it keep our clean clothes away from the soles of our dirty shoes?
That our jewelry or watch not be relegated to the abyss that is the bottom of the bag?
That we get more than two pockets for our phone/keys/wallet/jewelry?
We didn't think so. We needed a bag that could keep up with us. And since we couldn't find one, we made our own. A whole line, in fact.

Living Proof Gear

Simply, I love the messages and the quality of these shirts.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LivingProofGear

Walnut Street Café, Lynn, MA

Forget Dunkin Donuts.  Forget Starbucks.  What is better than a local coffee shop that has been in business for over 16 years where they always remember your order, know your name and front you some money when you left your wallet on the couch at home?  That is Walnut Street Café.

They have simple, good, inexpensive food items.  Looking for some music, poetry, a Pain Night, or comedy?  Want to have a beer or wine while enjoying the entertainment?  Walnut Street Café's got you covered.  Check it out if you are in the area.