T's new job took him to Indy last night for a meeting with the new company today. K & I tagged along, and it was great fun & family time. We drove east--racing ahead of a huge thunderhead at dinner time, arriving at the Cracker Barrel in Springfield just as it hit. Drenched, we ran into the restrooms to try to dry off a bit--when the electricity went out. The staff lit the kerosene oil lamps on the tables and we ordered soup (while it was still hot), warm biscuits and ice teas. That (plus salads) were about the only things the staff could offer with no power. But it was fun. Reminded me of how it must've been--back in the day.Then we sat in traffic for about 40 minutes due to an accident, and didn't make it to Indy until around 9 p.m. -- just as the big storm hit there. We searched for the hotel exit in driving rain and lightening bolts that seemed right out of a Hollywood horror film. The hotel (Marriott North) was wonderful! We checked in--then went to Mark Pi's for a great late dinner. (Well, actually, if we count the Cracker Barrel soup--it was sort of a progressive dinner.)
I dropped T off at his meeting this morning, then K & I went shopping at a great nearby mall--where I discovered Anthropologie for the first time. (My sister has been telling me about this place for years!) I fell in love. Didn't want to leave! From the old wide plank pine floors to the to-die-for retro sweaters and my-kind-of-jewelry .... this place feels like home. I am so very inspired!! I bought some cream bowls (4 big and 4 small)--since I want to replace my current dishes with an all cream, white & ironstone collection. (I'm envisioning open shelving in my dream cottage). I also bought two cute little Mercury glass-like candle holders. A visit to Papyrus resulted in a fun "egg cage" container filled with tiny votives in mini terra cotta pots (70 percent off).
On the way home, we stopped at the Warm Glow Candle Outlet (really because we wanted a picture of the GINORMOUS candle), but I did buy some votives for my new holders. This was a really fun mid-week family adventure with my guys.
