Staycation, morning after, and theatre. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . a morning walk around Midtown where, tucked 

between the hi-rise buildings with offices and parking decks, are some

really neat, colorful spaces for exercising, relaxing, eating lunch, having a 

coffee etc.

Being Saturday morning it was quiet and peaceful. We've decided 

to try to pop over here early mornings more often to walk.

With several new buildings completed this year, many more shops are

 setting up for business on the street level - this one is new to me and

  already open. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . and this sign hopefully means we'll get a really good place to relax, 

in a wine bar/art gallery which is more to my liking than noisy sports bars,

 of which there are several nearby.

This area of our city has definitely changed over the past few years,

mostly for the good thankfully.

So we headed home from our night in Midtown then, last evening, 

thoroughly enjoyed a hilarious theatre production of 

'Don't Dress for Dinner' - I don't think I've ever laughed so much!

Photos via iPhone

A house is not a home……………………

………but hopefully someone can change that! 

You may recall, back in January, I shared the relocation 

story of what is believed to be the oldest residential 

home remaining in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Crabtree Jones House, circa 1795, was moved and you can 

see my previous posts about the plantation house HERE, and 

on the actual move day HERE. 

Last Thursday evening I had an opportunity to actually get inside the house during a North Carolina Preservation Open House/Fund Raiser. For a $10.00 donation you could do a self-tour of the property with a bottle of locally brewed cold beer in hand - I thought that odd, a small antique pewter mug of homemade wine would have been more appropriate - my personal dream. Anyway, as I don't drink beer hubby got two to enjoy on a damp Summer eve! There were several home rehab people scattered about the property who answered our questions. One gentleman, who has apparently brought life back to several historic properties over the years, wished he was younger, and I believe richer, so he could take on this challenge……I could see longing in his eyes.

The interior was quite fascinating but made me realize that rehabilitation is going to be a gigantic undertaking for anyone. I do hope that somebody will come along soon though, someone with a deep respect for history, a clear vision, and of course the funds that a job of this magnitude will require.

Here are a few pictures of the interior - I particularly loved the many fireplaces.

Any 'house whisperers' out there? 

Bread and sunshine for Saturday.........................

I love this little local bakery which opened late last year. The owners are a young couple with a golden retriever - the bakery's namesake of course. Yesterday we decided to heck with all the moving/hiding stuff in readiness for carpet installers tomorrow morning......we were heading out of the house for some much needed walking in the fresh air, locating fresh photo ops, and fresh from the oven artisan breads!

My breakfast this morning.  

The perfect food to start my day along with a mug of steaming coffee. I've been trying to stay away from bread the past few weeks and I miss it so, especially a slice of morning toast. This loaf was Yellow Dog's Fig & Walnut and is absolutely delicious....I admit to being guilty of crunching through not one but two slices!

Will have to try this granola next time.

Haven't given in to trying these sweet treats yet but 

hear they are amazingly yummy!

Yellow Dog's baguettes are fabulous, I know that for a fact!

I love to see new small businesses making a go of it........especially young couples putting their hearts and souls into something they love deeply. Running a bakery/coffee shop is no small feat - making wonderful bread and pastries takes time, a lot of time. Seeing the tables and chairs both inside and filled to capacity yesterday afternoon, and a line at the counter waiting to be served, was exciting. Knowing there are great people out there, willing to keep up the old ways of feeding us healthy options of the 'staff of life', is truly heart warming. 
Good luck and many thanks Tanya and Matt.

BTW - I did take lots of photos on our walk yesterday. It was warm, sunny, and a visit to the Arboretum, then a walk through downtown, had me snapping away and realizing Spring is definitely not far off. Will share some new scenes from around our city soon.