Booktenders is a funky bookshop in Barboursville that also boasts a coffee and drink counter. Cappuccinos, lattes, etc., are all available - though vanilla is the only flavor option.



I did a iced latte with vanilla, which was simple. I do love having a coffee option in the middle of a bookstore because it gives all the cozy ~vibes~. While more options would be nice, this was just fine.



Grade: B

I recently headed out to Gritt's Farm to check out their tulip festival. It was so lovely to see fields of tulips and pick out a bouquet to take home.



But, there are also tons of food options here, too.



I'll start off by saying I visited most of the food options on this visit, but I did not get to try the food truck, Sugar Shack, Snack Stand or Box Truck BBQ. Adding those to my list for next time.



First up in the food barn is Teagan's Treats, a sweets shop.



They were featuring "The Farmer Float," which is a mug layered with creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream and strawberry cider slush and topped with a strawberry cake donut.



Next up is Creta Dough Co., which has pepperoni rolls, salad and pizza.



How they are able to get a crust like this on the pizza - I have no idea. But I want more.



Flying Goat Grill has chicken tenders, pulled pork sandwiches and kids' meals.



This pulled pork sandwich is unique - it has a mustard based sauce and hunks of pork.



Last but not least - Nellie's Kitchen, which has baked goods.



I've been to this shop before, and it's always tasty.



On this day, I took a package of cake donuts - both strawberry and blueberry - home with me.



Have you been?

Here's my latest column for the newspaper:

Spring paints a landscape of blooming tulips, chirping birds and light rain showers across West Virginia.

It also ushers in a season of new life and rebirth, celebrated as part of the Christian holiday of Easter. And Easter means “Church Lady Eggs” in much of Appalachia.

Sure, there are plenty of types of eggs due to their symbolism during this time of year: Cadbury Creme Eggs, Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs, and Whoppers Robin Eggs Malted Milk Balls.

But Church Lady Eggs hit different.

They are sweetened peanut butter mounds formed into the shape of an egg and dipped in milk chocolate — often handmade by women from a local church and sold to raise funds for the congregation.

The tradition likely developed in Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish communities in the mid-to-late 1900s when churches began crafting and selling the creamy confections to both boost attendance and revenue.

From there, the tradition grew in popularity — to neighboring places of worship and regional nonprofits. Today, the eggs can be found across religious denominations and beyond state lines.

New flavors have developed over time from just peanut butter to cookies & cream, caramel, maple nut, coconut and more.

Chocolate companies have also taken to producing their own versions, like Sarris Candies in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania who makes my personal favorite: the Peanut Butter Meltaway Egg.

The tradition spans the Appalachian region and thrives in smaller communities. It’s lovingly regarded as a favorite pastime around Easter for many and is the highlight of the season for others.

Local food traditions, like church ladies making peanut butter eggs, are crucial to the region because they showcase the region's cultural heritage, fostering a strong sense of identity and community. These traditions bring people together through shared experiences of cooking, eating, and celebrating.

"When Guy was growing up, his family would stop at Granzella’s Deli on road trips for the best muffuletta ever. Stop in and try one of their 30 different sandwiches," reads the restaurant description on foodnetwork.com.



In January 1976, Jim and Beverly Granzella opened Granzella's Deli. Through hard work seven days a week, years of increasing popularity, and the help of the Granzella children, Granzella's expanded into a full-service delicatessen and ultimately a restaurant, according to the website.



Today, Granzella's Deli offers a wide selection of prime lunch meats, domestic and imported cheeses, a wide selection of olives and specialty items, a massive selection of 150 brands of imported and micro- brewed beers, assorted coffee drinks, fresh-baked pies, and Italian gelato made with real Italian gelato base.



And for the restaurant portion: Granzella's breakfast specialties include items off the griddle, omelets, country fried steaks, and much more! Granzella's also has an extensive lunch and dinner menu, with items that will satisfy the hungriest at an affordable, family-friendly price. Items include a long list of appetizers, specialty soups and salads, sandwiches, pastas, charbroiled specialties, prime rub, pizza and more.



I started my meal with a bowl of minestrone, which was a huge portion, and I love the generosity with the pasta noodles. That's always my favorite part.



I had to try the New Orleans Muffuletta sandwich with genoa salami, mortadella, provolone cheese, and their famous muffuletta olive salad served on a sourdough roll.



This was really quite good, without the overwhelming size that the original muffaletta brings. It's the best part of an Italian sandwich with the punchiness of that additional olive salad.



I also finished with some gelato, which was sweet and satisfying. Creamy and indulgent.



Plus, there is a huge shop that includes some of the ingredients from the menu and much more.



Have you been?



Grade: A

Made at the Cottage is a cool little shop in Elkview that welcomed coffee shop Bee Box Coffee recently.



The coffee shop has a number of flavor combinations, which is really fun. Whether that is lavender, vanilla, and honey or maple and hickory smoke. I love the Almost Heaven, which is praline and caramel. Bonus points would have been given if I could get it frozen and blended. I ordered a delicious brown sugar boba, which was nicely balanced with sweetness - not too much. I love a chewy tapioca boba.



Grade: A