While I was there (right in the middle of downtown), I stopped in at a few of our local stores that I ***really*** like.

One is called Tastefully Delicious (Tastefully Delicious) and they have all kinds of yummy specialty items, most of which are made here in Kentucky. I got a new variety of Elmwood Inn loose tea - a frost variety made from tea leaves harvested immediately after the first light frost of the year - and can't wait to try it! Also John's favorite bourbon habanero hot sauce that I can't find anywhere else.

It's good to have them back in business. The awful wind storm (basically an inland hurricane with several seen but never officially confirmed small tornadoes) that hit here last year did a number on their building. Blew the front wall out & lifted part of the roof. They were closed for over a year waiting for insurance to hash it all out before they could get repairs made and reopen.

Then I walked a few doors down to Southern Olive (Southern Olive - Kentucky) and sampled a few of their delicious olive oils & balsamic vinegars. We got several the first weekend they were open & I added two new olive oils (garlic and ginger & black garlic) to our pantry at home. John wants sourdough breads (the starter will be ready to use tomorrow so you know what I'll be doing - or at least trying to do) and both of those will be amazing for dippling. Plus the garlic & black ginger paired with a lemon balsamic is delicious on tossed salads!!!

Once they get more of a customer base established, they're supposed to start having cooking classes. I'm looking forward to that because balsamic vinegars are something I have basically NO experience with. Fingers crossed that they start soon!