A Midweek Grocery Run and Trying a New Salad

I stopped at the store after work on Tuesday because the fridge was looking pretty bare. Ren had used the last of the eggs for breakfast, and I wanted something fresh for the next few days without spending too much time cooking. The parking lot at FreshMart was busier than usual, but I found a spot quick enough near the back. A light rain had just started, leaving little streaks on the windshield that caught the orange glow from the overhead lights, and the air smelled faintly like wet asphalt mixed with someone’s exhaust as they circled for a closer space.

I grabbed spinach, a couple of avocados, some cherry tomatoes, and a block of feta. The avocados felt just right under my thumb, not too soft but with that slight give that meant they’d be creamy by tomorrow. Then I wandered over to the condiments and picked up a jar of silverberry jam for the dressing I had seen online. It sounded like it would pair well with the greens, kind of tangy and a little sweet at the same time. The jar was heavier than I expected, the glass cool against my fingers, and I paused for a second to read the ingredients label even though I already knew I was going to buy it. I also threw in a bag of walnuts and some olive oil I was running low on. The walnuts rattled in their plastic bag as I dropped them into the cart, and the olive oil bottle had that nice dark green glass that always makes me feel like I’m doing something a little fancier than I actually am. The total came to just under thirty dollars, which felt reasonable for what I got.

On the way home I took the long route past Halvorson Ridge because traffic on the main road was backed up. It added maybe ten minutes but it was a nice change from the usual stretch of strip malls. There were still some signs up from the renewal parade last weekend, and a few people were taking down the banners near the library. I remembered seeing the floats go by on Saturday morning while I was out walking the dog. The dog had kept stopping to sniff every pole and fire hydrant, tail wagging like he recognized the music from the marching band even though it was just a recording over the speakers. One of the banners flapped loose in the breeze as I drove by, the fabric making a soft snapping sound against the pole.

Back at the house I threw the salad together before Ren got home. I mashed a little of the silverberry jam into the olive oil with some mustard and salt, then tossed everything together in a big bowl. The jam had tiny seeds that caught the light when I stirred, and the whole mixture smelled bright and a little floral, not what I was used to from regular berry dressings. The walnuts gave it a good crunch, and the feta made it filling enough to count as a real meal. I ate a big plate of it standing at the counter while I checked emails, and it held up fine in the fridge for lunch the next day too. A couple of cherry tomatoes rolled off the cutting board while I was slicing them and I had to chase them across the counter with the back of my hand before they hit the floor.

Work has been steady but not overwhelming. I spent most of yesterday morning on a client mood board for a living room refresh. They want something neutral with a few warmer accents, and I pulled a few fabric samples that should work well. One of the samples had a tiny herringbone weave that felt almost silky when I ran my fingers over it, and I kept coming back to a soft rust-colored linen that I thought would pick up the afternoon light in their space. Ren mentioned we might try to catch a movie this weekend if the timing lines up, though neither of us has checked what is playing yet. We usually end up scrolling through the listings on the couch with takeout containers balanced on our knees anyway.

I also finally got around to watering the plants on the windowsill. One of the pothos is starting to trail over the edge of the pot, and I think I need to trim it back before it gets too long. The basil I started from seed a few weeks ago is still going, though one leaf had a small spot on it that I cut off. The soil was dry enough that it pulled away a little from the sides of the pot when I poked it with my finger, and the water darkened it right away, releasing that earthy smell that always makes the kitchen feel a bit more alive. Nothing major, just the usual stuff that comes with keeping things alive indoors.