Chicken Sandwich Week

It has been such a hectic week! I was working with the Whatnot jewelry seller, who hosted two shows this week. She stopped by twice, Monday and Thursday, to pick up new pieces and bring back some of the pieces she either put up for sale and did not sell or she decided not to try and sell. It was not easy but I decided to show her Mother's collection of Native jewelry. Not all of Mother's pieces fit her niche but there were plenty that did. I had just about two gallon sized bags of mostly earrings alone. The seller likes to run occasional $1 auctions so I offered up the smaller earrings to start at $1 on the Saturday show. On the other end of the spectrum, on Thursday I decided to possibly let go of my big heart necklace, pictured above. This is not my photo, but the seller's photo from three years ago when I purchased it. I did have it shortened and had two pendants and two rings made from it for Mother and Rachel. I am not sure what happened to Mother's pendant but I have the ring. Tuesday's show was slower (and it was explained to me that this happens once in a while) but two of my items sold. I am super happy for any sales. The heart necklace was highlighted for the Saturday show and did find a new home. I was good with the necklace either selling or not, whatever was meant to be. It is so wonderful but not practical for my everyday life. However on Thursday I did request to see three necklaces and I loved all three! I do not have them with me but will share photos next time. One of them is a large Kingman turquoise dragonfly pendant with big 16mm saucer beads. The necklace has a turquoise clasp which can be worn in the front without the pendant so it has some versatility. It is big and weighs 35 grams more than the heart necklace so I will probably have to wear it around the house for short periods to break it in.

I purchased a Rolex watch from Wahl Jewelers in Des Plaines for my 50th birthday. It was my second Rolex, I had a two-tone watch in the '90s. I traded it in for my current one which is so me. It is all stainless steel, the face is a beautiful purple color and the bezel has random diamonds on it, kind of like a polka dot pattern. I almost did not buy it because it felt so heavy when I tried it on. The size is between women's and men's. But I was able to get used to it and now it is no problem to wear. I love it as much now as I did when I purchased it. I also have Mother's watch which she left to me. She purchased it at CD Peacock at Woodfield, it is all stainless steel with a white face and Roman numerals. Different stores have a different watch selection, she did not find one she liked as well at Wahl Jewelers or at one of the many fine jewelry stores in Arlington Heights. I had a link added at the Rolex store near me at Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale and I wear it as well. My 60th is coming up soon so I think the dragonfly necklace will be the gift to myself. I am not "balling" as much now as I was ten years ago but that is OK!

I got off the subject but Saturday's Whatnot show went great! Twenty-one items sold between Mother and me plus 14 pairs of the $1 start earrings. It more than paid for the jewelry and between this and previous sales I will be able to finally order the new window treatments for Prescott which should be the final project for the interior of the house. I received a message that the tile for the Arizona room will arrive next week. We are hoping that the plumbing will be fixed next Monday so we will be able to stay until Thursday. Friday is dog grooming day and Monday we have dental appointments. I cancelled my physical therapy appointment for next Tuesday just in case the plumbing job is successful and rescheduled it for September 8. I have been thinking about attending the Tucson Fall Gem Show which is going to take place September 3-6. Two of the three shows I always attend will be open, and I found out the bead show will be open as well. I checked the list of exhibitors and my favorites will be there, as well as some others I would like to see. There is an Airbnb which I have had on my wishlist for a couple of years but it is always booked. It is available now and with a summer discount so it would be only $660 for five nights. I need to figure out if the neighborhood is safe because although we have never had a problem Tucson can be sketchy.

Because of all the preparation for two jewelry meetings and a busy estate sale week, I was not able to post any new items. However, I did sell four items - this pair of amethyst earrings by Federico and this vintage watch with amazing turquoise tips on Etsy and I accepted Poshmark offers on two pieces I have had a long time - a pair of Federico earrings with green glass and a sterling cuff bracelet. As always, I am thrilled for any sales because it helps pay the bills!

The weather has been extremely hot in Scottsdale but we still managed to get out of the house a few times. Kuochun learned about a restaurant called The Melt, they started in California and now have two Arizona locations, in north Phoenix and downtown Tempe. Kuochun really wanted to try it so we went to the Phoenix location first. The menu item which caught his eye was the garlic parmesan fries. He still remembers our trip to San Francisco (I think it was 2008) when we went to a garlic-themed restaurant. He never forgot their fries! It is 25 minutes away but I was really impressed, it was so good! We each had a different grilled chicken sandwich and I had a small side of mac and cheese, while Kuochun had to get the fries. It was quite a decadent meal as we split a snickerdoodle shake as well. I was happy to learn later that there is nothing artificial in their food. Well I guess I praised them a little too much because Kuochun wanted to go again the next night! I said it is kind of far to go to the Phoenix location two nights in a row and that I was willing to try Tempe which is closer. Anything in downtown Tempe is bound to be populated with students because ASU is right there. When we arrived it was OK, but all of the tables were hightop except for one small section near the restrooms and between two garbage cans. I had half of a mac and cheese with grilled chicken and Kuochun opted for a steak sandwich and those fries again! I also selected a rice krispie bar. The food was very good once again (the rice krispie bar was the freshest I have ever had) but it was like party central, swarming with students by the time we left. I said to Kuochun, it is amazing to think that I am three times their age and you are almost four! It will be Phoenix for us from now on. Sue G, put this one on the list! There looked like great shopping around the Phoenix location as it is just adjacent to Paradise Valley, including a massive Whole Foods.

Saturday night we went to Albertsons, which is the closest grocery store to us and I noticed a new sandwich place in the shopping center called Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill. I looked it up and it had just opened Monday. NBA star James Harden is an owner and this is the first Arizona location. He is an ASU alum, why they chose the strip mall five minutes away from us is beyond me! We ended up giving it a try Sunday night. Once again, chicken sandwiches were the theme. Mine had lettuce, red onions, cranberries and candied pecans and Kuochun ordered a classic and a side order of waffle fries. The sandwich I received was different than the one pictured - the toppings were chopped up more finely which I preferred. It was very good but I thought pretty pricey at $11.79 for a 6-inch. However, it is great for us to have options when we are looking for a quick bite when most other restaurants are closed. It will now be time to balance it out and get back to healthy dinners next week!

That is all the news for the moment, see you next time!