Still really snowy and icy on Pickle Road.
Of course, Evan needed hearing aid batteries — apparently he’s been just taking them from the spot where we store them without telling us. When he announced that he needed new batteries and we went to get them, of course they were long gone.
I could strangle him. 
No boundaries whatsoever — no matter what the consequences. I should have let him go deaf for the day. But into the car Jeff and I went to get him batteries. Bad son! Good dads! No respect! Teenagers! Ugh!
This is our neighborhood, we followed the plow onto Old Farmer’s Road. When we got to our local, Long Valley Pharmacy, the whole strip mall was closed because of the weather. So we had to drive to Chester, NJ (the next town) to the Rite Aid there.
On the way home, we stopped at Alsteade’s Farm to see what they had.
Look what greeted us at the door! There were about 3-4 peacocks in all. Really pretty birds. I wish I could have some on Pickle Road but if the raccoons didn’t get them, then the fox would. I’ve lost too many cooped chickens to gamble with a peacock!
Here is the inside of the farm stand. It was such a breath of fresh air after being locked in the house because of the weather.
The first smell that hits you when you walk in the door is hot apple cider and cider doughnuts!
They have their own orchards for apple picking during the fall. 
Some local honey!
Local, and not so local, syrup.
There is a little attached greenhouse. It smelled like spring.
Jeff bought some seeds for the garden. Planting season isn’t really that far away. 
I love the smell of beeswax candles.
We bought a homemade Peach/Raspberry pie for dessert! Yummy! 
I was introduced to the Creative Whack Pack about 16 years ago, by Lisa Nee, a programming exec at Lifetime Television. She swore by them. When I saw them in a local Borders the other day, I picked up a pack. They are terrific for creative types like us. When you get stuck or depressed or confused, you pull a card and it will guide you right out of your dry spell and creative slump.
I got this “new” old book the other day. I swear that I’m going to start designing rugs and counted cross stitch again!
Later, Pickles! xoxom
