OOO #45: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like

Not even sure what era they're referring to, pumpkins, and my smoothies

Outfits

Why do I feel like you’re dressed up like a man from the 1800s? This happened last year too.

Ohio

This upcoming weekend is the Circleville Pumpkin Show here in Ohio. My husband and I went last year and had a great time, in case you’re looking for plans for Saturday.

My husband and I took the drive straight down High Street to Circleville; I love that you can drive from Used Kids Records through the Short North, past the Butcher Shop and Law Bird all the way down to the festival. We first went to an organizer’s tent and learned about the history of the festival—dubbed the “Greatest Free Show on Earth”—and bought a commemorative ornament because… well… we are both suckers for Christmas ornaments AND local traditions (see the Swiss Festival). I bought a t-shirt featuring the festival’s mascot—Winky—and we walked around to see what was on display. There was a lot of pumpkin themed food (waffles, bubble tea etc), but also vendors, floats, and games. We both particularly liked a game in which you try to throw wooden rings onto canes, and successful tosses means you win that cane. It seemed like a long-standing tradition, which is nice.

There were, of course, a ton of gourds of all types that had been entered into the show, and we were both impressed by the 1800 lb pumpkin.

After we walked around the show, we visited local businesses. First we went into Christopher’s Boutique, which had a ton of great finds, and I brought home a jacket for myself and a few gifts for others. Then we visited the nation’s oldest family owned and operated confectionary—Wittich’s Candy Shop, which opened in 1840. I had a root beer float, which I had never had before! I loved visiting an old candy shop, and I would go to both businesses I mentioned again.

My husband and I loved visiting the Circleville Pumpkin Show last year, and we recommend it if you haven’t been (or been in a while)!

Other Things I Like

Each morning, I make myself a smoothie to go for breakfast. This has been my go-to breakfast since at least 2017, and it is perhaps the only way I can get a few servings of fruits and vegetables without really thinking about it. My kids always ask me what’s in it (nearly every ay), and in the last few years, I stuck to a pretty regimented recipe: banana, avocado, berries and other frozen fruit, yogurt, spinach, and water.

I got bored of it the last few months, so I started making a smoothie that aligns with my favorite taste: more than salty or sweet, I actually really like sour foods. The star of my new smoothie, which now is comprised of peaches, mangos, pineapples, strawberries, yogurt, and orange juice is passion fruit. I have mentioned my love for passionfruit before, and after discovering Pitaya Food’s passionfruit bags tucked in the corner of the frozen foods section, my smoothies have never made me happier. My only complaint: there are no passion fruit seeds, which I truly enjoy chomping on, whether from the fruit itself or in a Chobani yogurt (note: if you’re reading this, Market District Kroger, please start carrying the passion fruit Chobani. I miss it so much!!).

They also sell dragon fruit (which turns your smoothie a Barbie shade of pink) and jack fruit.

On a completely separate note, shout out to our Ninja Blender which has made a smoothie for both my husband and me daily for as long as we can remember and is still going strong.

That’s it! Have a great rest of your week!