Edna had pies she had made for Esther who owns the Granery.
So that was our first stop. I didn't go out there last year and Esther (in the picture) had not seen me before without red hair, she didn't recognise me. The Granery is an old farm house with a (yes) Granery that Esther sells hand made things and local treasures. It's always interesting and Is a place I love. It is also a working Cherry Farm. The garage has been converted to an Antique shop and I often find some lovely linens there. I didn't look too close today, I didn't have money to spend. I also resisted the flowers.
After we dropped off the pies we went to Elk Rapids, but on the way we saw a small farm Market. We stopped.
I bought some of these
....and some of these.
For a small market there was some good stuff. I also bought some Pasties. Beef Pasties. Edna had a cooling bag so they got home unthawed woo hoo.
I would have loved to have bought some plants, herbs and so on but I didn't have enough cash. That is Edna(above) admiring them. They have some Bay trees. Small ones, I have never seen those before. I recognized them from the leaves.
So after we enjoyed that little market we went downtown Elk Rapids for a look. There was a man in the park walking a Golden Retiever, It layed down and refused to budge. When we passed them again it was still laying down and he was talking to it. Did I say it was hot today? I dont think that Retriever was going to cooperate unless he took it down to the river for a swim maybe.
Well we went on to Alden. That is another small town. I use the term town loosely. They are villages really. All done out in summer finery. Our area is a tourist attraction, these small town rely on summer visitors and so they spruce up and look their best.
Both of us wanted to go to The Mill House in Alden. Its a place to get kitchen stuff and they have their own brands of herbs and spices. I may only go out once a year, more if lucky.
The Mill House has an interesting garden. There was a man sitting in one of the garden chairs next to a skeleton, He said "this guy was waiting for his wife, did you see her in there?" I said "No, but it looks like you bored him to death"
Mill House gardens
We had lunch, we walked past the place once and the smell of fish and chips brought us back, it was lunch time. There are cute shops in Alden and small restaraunts.
Every corner of this little town is decorated with flowers. The shops have benches or seats outside and the men were taking advantage of them while waiting for the ladies.
Other years there has been a butterfly garden outside one small eatery. It was not there this year, maybe the harsh winter was the reason. I missed it. I have wanted to go to one shop in particular to get some small pretty glass dishes, they are for rings or pills or whatever. I got 3 and Edna got a couple too. So pretty. I think I was a magpie in a former life. I love glitter and glass.
I liked this idea, the planter that is........not a new idea but it looks fresh. It was outside the place we had lunch.
Well that was pretty much our day, we did stop at Renee's quilt shop on the way home. Again I didn't buy anything. I have been sooooo good today. Renee is a lady who used to teach at the first quilt shop I went to and took lessons. She now has her own place and its beautiful. She is a lovely lady and she and her husband have made a fine store. It had got too hot for the both of us so it was home for the rest of the day.
Sharing with Ivy and Elephants
