No real long ride this weekend. Saturday was a warm day, but lots of wind and severe storms predicted. You all know how much I like riding in the wind… So, we decided to do a little road trip shopping! This was after we did some walking/jogging intervals to get in some exercise.
Trader Joe’s opened a location down in Albany, so instead of having to drive a few hours and states away, it is only 40 miles now!
We decided to go for lunch and to hit a couple other places. First up – lunch in Colonie. This diner looked cute.
It was really very clean and fun.
The service was friendly. John said that my 3 favorite words applied here. Breakfast All Day. 
I had to ask about this.
I think Carbmeat is an oxymoron, don’t you? It was the imitation crab meat, so I didn’t get that omelette. But, I guess if you spell it carbmeat, that is to indicate it is fake rather than real crab meat?
I chose the cheese omelet!
Gotta love it. It’s pretty hard to mess up an omelette. I ate all of this, too.
Then we stopped by Kohl’s so John could use a gift card. Then it was to Christmas Tree Shops.
Do any of you shop here? It’s not a Christmas store at all, but sort of like a Big Lots or of that type. Lots and lots of stuff!
I had an eye on the furniture because I need a cabinet/dresser for the bathroom which is slated for a remodel next year. Didn’t find what I wanted, though.
We ended up getting just a couple things. My favorite Constant Comment tea in a big bin, which was on sale – yay! It’s almost the tea time of year.
This store was really crowded, too. Ugh.
We needed some sustenance to keep going and headed to Professor Java’s!
This place was so cool.
The kind of coffee shop I love, plus they roast their own beans!
We had most excellent lattes and John got a slice of chocolate bundt cake that was soooooo – good. You know I had some bites.
There were brownies the size of bricks as well that looked so good. I wish this place wasn’t 40 miles from where we live. Actually, probably a good idea that it isn’t close to home with those brownies!
Then it was off to our main destination!
This picture is from our road trip to TJ’s back in January. It was pouring by this time and I was not able to get a photo 😀
Some of the haul?
Figs! I have never been able to find fresh figs anywhere around here and danced when I saw these.
This somehow ended up in the cart as well.
This looks like nut butter, but it is not nut butter in any shape or form. It’s cookie butter and kind of good, I have to say… One of those “what was I thinking having this in the house???” purchases.
Also a couple of my favorite TJ snacks, but I cannot open both of these at the same time, especially considering my 1500 calorie budget 😀
Plus an assortment of fruit, my cheap almond butter and various other things. It was a fun road trip day, but I don’t like the crowds. Ugh.
There was a beautiful sunset that night as well after the rain passed.
Sunday was much nicer after the front moved through and it was 48 degrees when we biked to breakfast! 😯 😯 I had to wear finger gloves under my bike gloves. We did get in 20 miles today, so that’s something.
Sunday is also football day – and you know I am ready for tonight!!
Go Broncos! And let’s hope I am on my way to 16-0 with football picks this year 😀
I’m sad that your Trader Joe’s is still 40 miles away. I am absolutely LOVING having one here. Also, I’d never heard of the Christmas Tree Shop – looked like a neat place. And I am so with you on the crowds – don’t like crowds AT ALL!
I love Christmas Tree Shops. We have one near home and I find all sorts of neat things there. Awesome that Trader Joe’s built closer to you. Love that store, too!
I found figs here but they were 5 for $4 which I thought was crazy!
Wait…how do you feel about crowds? 😉 LOL, I’m the same way!
What a fun road trip. Never heard of the Christmas Tree Shops, but TJ’s – oh heck yes. I think they are coming to Texas, but of course not anywhere near us.
Good luck with your football picks this season!
We don’t have a TJ’s super close either, but I’ll be making a trip next month! Can’t wait! I often pick up items in the store and put them back on the shelf because I realize that having them in the house will mean I will eat it and won’t be able to control myself! MOST of the time I am strong and put it back…! haha
WOW – I am sooooo jealous a TJs opened closer to you! It’s still 2+ hours away and just not worth a trip with gas prices as high as they are. I’m excited for football season too although my team lost week 1. Hopefully things go better for your horses!
That coffee shop screams you!! Glad you had a great weekend! The boys are beating me already on my picks this week – but our Bears won!
We don’t have Christmas Tree Shops here, but I think I’d like them. I’ll keep my eyes open on my travels. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
Your photos from TJs show why I don’t shop there very often, even when I’m in a town with one nearby. I end up buying more products than anything else. And not the good kind of products either. 🙂 I’m curious to know what you think of the cookie butter. I’ve heard it’s scrumptious!
That diner is so cute and sparkly! And I LOVE Professor Java’s. And yes, I saw that cookie butter at TJ’s and it definitely comes under the ‘what was I thinking’ category. My Justin’s Cocoa Almond Butter is MUCH healthier LOL.
That sunset is gorgeous. And once again you, me and Shelley are alike–hate crowds!!
What a fun trip, you have such nice diners and coffee shops in the USA. I love looking at the photos of them.
The reason I never go shopping but buy most of my stuff online is because I don’t like crowds either. R. is the same, he doesn’t like it either.
Ahh, Cookie Butter…that alone is worth the drive to TJ’s! 😉 Sounds like a fun trip for a rainy day, and you got some good stuff. When I saw “carbmeat omelette”, I immediately thought maybe they were making a joke on people who don’t eat carbs. I don’t think I’m fully awake yet…
Christmas Tree Shops are the best. There’s a handful of them in and around the area I’m from, one being about 10 minutes from my sister’s house. When I visit, we go late in the evening, the 90 minutes before they close and it’s always so fun to shop when no one else around!
Looks like you had a great road trip to TJ’s 🙂 Yea don’t think I could have any of your goodies in the house I’m not to good with portion control 🙂 But everything sure looked yummy. One of my TOPS ladies has a fig tree so a few weeks ago I got to sample some fresh ones, she roasted half and the other half fresh, boy were the roasted ones yummy, she let me take the leftovers home 🙂
We got a Christmas Tree Shop right up the street a few years ago and I have to stop myself from going there weekly. Too many doo-dads that tempt the heck out of me.
I know you’re happy about the Broncos but they busted my win this week. Boo! We had picked the same teams for the Monday night games so everything (for me) was riding on Denver losing. Sigh.
Never heard of the Christmas tree shop. It looks like a lot of fun 😉
YAY Broncos! And now we have Payton who did his thing last night. Double YAY!
I love the Christmas Tree Shops, but I don’t get there too often. That’s a good thing, I guess. I see that you bought the sesame honey cashews at TJ’s. You know they are my favorites! Also, I saw that same beautiful sunset on Saturday evening. The blue-pink combination was amazing!
We’re kindred spirts Lori. I dance for fresh figs too!! 🙂 I dance at Trader Joe’s in general too. Ours is a good hour and across the US/Canadian border away. Have a great Monday. (look forward to hearing about that cookie butter)
LOVE TJs!!! I am always tempted to buy the cinnamon/sugar almonds but I pass! 🙂 I would eat then all in one serving!
That coffee shop looked so cool along with the dessert!!! Any good cookies?? You know me!
Glad you have a TJs closer now! I have 2 relatives that work for them!
What a fabulous day! I love little diners like that. How nice to have TJs so close. You got some great stuff too. I always end up buying way more than what I have on my list when I shop there.