When I Grow Up I'm Going to......Live in a CCRC???

The Cedars of Chapel Hill (Photo from their website.)

Sometimes in my mind I think about what I'm going to do when I "grow up", and then I remember "been there, done that".  It's a bit sobering to be thinking about moving to a retirement community, but Dan and I have begun exploring possibilities regarding where we might spend our retirement years.  We are fortunate in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina that there are a number of CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Community) to consider.  Continuing Care Retirement Communities generally combine at least three levels of care — independent living, assisted living and nursing care in a single setting.

We have a number of friends and acquaintances who have already moved into a CCRC.  Most of them are living independently in cottages, and some of the "cottages" are as big as our house.  As the need arises residents move into assisted living and eventually nursing care if need be.

Dan and I have visited three retirement communities in the area.  We recently had lunch at and toured The Cedars in Chapel Hill.  I've always thought it would be nice to live in Chapel Hill, but I was thinking more like one of those older houses on Franklin Street. 

Croasdaile cottage (Photo from their website.)

Some of Dan's colleagues have moved to Croasdaile Village in Durham, and we visited a couple there a week or so ago.

This week we visited  Glenaire in nearby Cary.  I have a couple of friends living there. 

Cottage at Glenaire (Photo from their wehsite.)

There are several more places we plan to visit.  We are fortunate to have all of our children living in or near the Triangle.  Dave and Mary live the farthest, but that's only a little over an hour's drive to Moore County.  Some of our friends have moved away from here to be near their children in retirement. 

In any case, whatever our decision, all of the places we are considering have a two or three year waiting list, so we won't be moving right away.  We have time to become adjusted to the idea.

Applewood Inn, Lexington, Virginia

Applewood Inn (Photo from their website.)

A few weeks ago, Marcia and I spent a couple of days in Virginia at the Applewood Inn .  Our main goal was to go llama trekking, but the beautiful scenery and the gracious hospitality of owners Chris and Linda Best were actually the highlight of the trip.  I've convinced Dan that he and I should go just for a quiet weekend (I might hike with the llamas again though).

Pretty bottles in the kitchen window.

More pretty bottles in the window of porch.

If you are looking for a nice getaway you will not be disappointed with the Applewood Inn.

Quilters Room.

Wonderful and healthy fruit cup for breakfast.

Linda's tulips.

I love this unusual color of the quince.

Lovely garden with a huge willow tree in the background.

Chaos, the llama for our trek.

Here's what my friend Marcia said about the Inn 

"Lexington VA is a beautiful mountain town, home to Washington and Lee U. and various historical attractions. The Applewood Inn is nestled among a scenic natural wonderland, almost surreally beautiful, amplified by redbuds at their delicious peak, tenderly cultivated gardens. It's about 4 hours from Raleigh; I'd recommend a 2-day stay, if possible, to enjoy lunch and dinner meals in Lexington. Take kids/grandkids and friendly pets along. This was a truly unforgettable birthday celebration thanks to long-time friend Pat Palmer. I'm so glad she decided to put llama trekking on her bucket list"

Meatloaf Pan "As Seen on TV"

Meatloaf pan with insert "as seen on TV".

This is the first time I've bought an "As Seen on TV" product.  But I'm very pleased with this pan.  It has an insert that allows the grease to collect in the bottom of the pan, and the meatloaf doesn't sit in the greasy drippings.  The insert lifts right out and the meatloaf slides right off as the commercial indicated.

Greasy drippings left behind.

Insert lifts out leaving greasy drippings behind.

For this meatloaf I used a recipe from one of the favorite blogs that I follow Judy's Kitchen. The meatloaf was deliciously moist, sliced nicely, and the leftovers were great for sandwiches.  Check out Judy's recipe.

Judy's meatloaf.

Don't Have a Trader Joe's? You Need to Move

In a review of Trader Joe's Grocery Store that I read recently someone said, "If you don't have a Trader Joe's, then you need to move."  I like Trader Joe's so much that I think I agree with this.  I noticed in the recent Consumer Reports issue that reviewed grocery stores Trader Joe's gets a very high rating.

Here are some of my favorite things from Trader Joe's:

Mandarin Orange Chicken (Voted the most favorite item by customers last year.)

Their produce is always fresh.

Sparkling clementine drink.

Sparkling lemonade.

The bon bons are delicious.

This makes great muffins. Available around Thanksgiving.

Best Greek Yogurt I've eaten.

We're glad we don't have to move.  Trader Joe's is quite near here.

Clyde Jones and His Critters

Each year in Bynum, a quiet little village in Chatham County, NC Clydefest honors the local folk artist, Clyde Jones, with a one day festival which is especially entertaining for children and those young at heart.  The Festival serves as a fundraiser for the Chatham County Arts Council too. Clyde is famous for the wood critters he fashions with his chain saw.  Saturday, friend Helen and I went over to enjoy the festivities.

If I can ride a Vespa in Italy, then I can ride a critter in Bynum.

I can still hula hoop a little.  Helen and I each bought a hoop to take home to use for exercise.  : )

Lots of activities for the children and for the young at heart.  And of course FOOD.  I had a barbecue sandwich, and I simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to have some Maple View Farms ice cream.

Children enjoying the drums.

Caramel Crunch Maple View Ice Cream.

Clyde won't sell his critters, but he donates them to various charities or gives them to friends.  I have always wanted one of his crocodiles/alligators.  There was a drawing for one at the Fest, but guess I didn't win.  They haven't emailed me.

One of Clyde's alligators.

Helen and I were not able to stay around for the afternoon performance where Clyde would be making a critter, so as we were leaving we drove around the little village and over by his house.  Every house in the village has a Clyde Critter in the yard, and Clyde's yard has a menagerie of critters.  Clyde welcomed all who stopped by and invited us to come into the yard and take photos.

Clyde Critter in neighborhood yard.

Clyde's yard.

Clyde sitting on his porch eating a barbecue and welcoming visitors.