NIXA JOURNAL: Goofin' Off and Eating

I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.

Rita Mae Brown, Mystery Writer

So that's what I'm doing. Elly and I went to the NLA Cafe for breakfast on Tuesday. She had an appointment in Nixa at 9:00, so it made sense. Last week we skipped lunch because it was so cold, and next week she and a friend are taking advantage of the Tuesday special at Dickey's BBQ to use their gift cards. We'll get back to our trek down Battlefield the week after.

Elly had breakfast.

But I was in the mood for comfort food. Their chicken-fried chicken can't hold a candle to Rosie Jo's, the gravy was full of sausage (yuck!), the green beans had bacon pieces (another yuck), and the mashed potatoes were instant so I opted for tater tots, which were cooked perfectly.

As my favorite thrift store in Nixa has senior day on Tuesday, I decided to check off one of my bucket list items and thrift a mug or teacup. They were having a great sale, and before I knew it, I'd loaded up this.

I did get my mug and it was only $1.

Also on my 2025 bucket list is "Work a puzzle" and most were 1,000 pieces and cost $4. Then I noticed this one, also $4. I could work a 500 piece and have nine more puzzles to pass along. They're in plastic bags, but there's a big sheet showing each photo with a number and a corresponding number on the plastic bags to match them up with the picture. $3.60 with discount.

I found this bag which is metallic gold to go with my gold sandals. Maybe I'll actually wear them next year. Gotta keep up with blingy friend Elly.

$1.80 with discount. It's actually quite nice.

Long scarves are my favorites.

The two on the left were new with the tags still attached. $13.50 each. No wonder they didn't sell and were donated.

In with the scarves, but actually a topper.

The ivory scarf had a Brookstone tag. The same scarves (used) are selling on Etsy for $14-$25. So soft and cuddly, I want to wear it around the house.

These are so long they could be used as stoles or table runners.

Even longer.

The blue one is new; Liz Claiborne - $20 marked down to $8.99. If it's new, how did it get did so wrinkled? Do you suppose it was made this way?

These two are so big, I think they might be to tie around your waist over your bathing suit OR just use them as tablecloths for a card table.

Tops: The purple one is Chico's, beige is the kind I buy from Kohl's, and the red one might be too big.

Pants: Ivory is Bon Worth (the old BW kind I used to buy), brown is Alfred Dunner, gray is White Stag, and aqua grubbies.

Grand total - Are you ready for this?

Drum roll, please.

$12.05

Big sale: 25 cents each for all scarves, books, clothes with blue barbs.

New recipe

ORANGE-APRICOT MUFFINS

1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sour cream
1 Tbs orange zest
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat oven to 400°F.

Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or put in paper liners.

Soak apricots in boiling water for 5 minutes.

Drain and blot with paper towels.

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream the sugar and butter.

Stir orange zest into sour cream and mix into sugar and butter.

Gradually stir in dry ingredients.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake 15-20 minutes.

I went back to the thrift store on Tuesday to pick up puzzles for Terri (she doesn't want them because they're 1,000 pieces, so guess I'll keep them), and I picked up a 300-piece puzzle which I worked in one evening. It's really pretty. Big pieces, so the puzzle is big. Easy to work with all the bird and butterfly clues.

Rita was supposed to meet me at Huey Magoo's on Friday, but she forgot. I love their chicken tenders and the ranch salad dressing is the best I've eaten. I got my food to go, so photos another time.

Saturday I met Fannie Mae and Mim at Big Momma's, and I had that wonderful salad they just call "chopped salad."

Fannie Mae had 1/2 a salad and 1/2 a sandwich.

And Mim had the same 1/2 sandwich, but no salad. Then we shared a large berry scone.

Indigo Sky Casino was having a kitchen gadget giveaway, so Bill, Will, and I went over to pick up our crepe makers. We stopped for breakfast at Gold Star Restaurant in Billings. Their food is a little pricey, but it's good, and the servings are big.

Bill had ham, eggs, fried potatoes, and pancakes. The ham was a really thick slice.