A new experience

There are quite a few restaurants in our area and even though we’ve lived here for a year (almost) we’ve never gone to The Plaid Turnip until today. I love the name of the restaurant and thought I took a snap of their sign but I had the video feature turned on by accident.

The decor enchanted me from the get go! It was smaller inside than I had imagined but it was laid out very nicely. We were seated next to the big window at the front of the building. I love lots of light so that made me happy. Then we perused the menu which had a lot of interesting food choices. I decided on a cold plate with chicken salad, coleslaw and potato salad. Ray got a burger and fries. The prices were very reasonable too.

I’m picky with potato salad and I can say it was ok. That and the chicken salad needed more spices, even just basic salt but the coleslaw was good and Ray liked his food. We will give them another try.

Photos taken with my cell phone, Samsung Stratosphere:

Historic downtown Suffolk

I had a wonderful morning yesterday shooting a different section of Suffolk.  I love old buildings and it’s not just the fronts of the buildings that are interesting to me as you will see.  Textures of brick, sheet metal and interesting shaped windows, some boarded up, well it’s obvious that I love old buildings.  Makes me think of this oldie:

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go downtown
When you’ve got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown

(sung by Petula Clark composed by Tony Hatch)

This building(s) has been converted to lofts with high end finishes. I wish there was a model open so I could have gone in.

Staggered roof lines make an interesting composition but look at the details! So beautiful.

Cracks don’t seem to detract but enhance the beauty. Hmm, wrinkles.

I’m always surprised to see a small tree growing from a rooftop.

I wish that neon sign was on! Great textures.

I felt like I was back in time except the vehicles were modern day. See the telephone sign? There wasn’t one there.

I loved the back of this building…more to come of this one!

So much to love here…

 

Rusty utility boxes and window bars, pipes snaking across the backs and old faded paint…good times!

Downtown Doors

This morning was a perfect kind of day to go out with the Canon!  65 Degrees and early morning sunshine made for interesting shadows.  I toured a block of historic downtown Suffolk that I hadn’t explored before.  I hope you will enjoy these today as much as I did:

Life in a quiet town

Yesterday I suggested to Ray that we go to The Baron’s Pub in downtown Suffolk.  I was in the mood for somebody else’s food than my own.  We rushed to get ready before the churches let loose their crowds and we were the first in the place!

Here are some photos taken with my smartphone while we were out.

Vacant sidewalk

The pub didn’t open until noon. We waited a few minutes.

Ray looking at baseball stuff in a carpet store?!

Baseball stuff

There’s some life downtown

Our reflection

Blue skies but very chilly day and windy!

I had mentioned to him that I wanted to photograph our food but when it came I never thought about it.  I was hungry!  I had a delicious cajun spiced grilled chicken salad and Ray had a club sandwich with fries – yummy!

The Blur…capturing movement

My go to stress/anxiety/boredom relief – I took the big camera downtown.  These pictures capture movement.  Camera set to Tv (shutter speed 1/20th of a second).  Notice that you can still read the signage on the buildings across the street.  Fun!

They light up our life

Two of these things are not like the others {wink} but I couldn’t resist adding them to the mix.  These are more interesting shots taken in Downtown Suffolk, a few last fall and just recently.

Downtown Shopping

I have only lived in Suffolk, Virginia since late July but I have fallen in love with downtown.  North Main Street has just the right amount of historic feel and homey charm.  How nice to be greeted by strangers as I walked along the street!  I was on a mission to go into Uniquely Leo’s which is an eclectic boutique with items as individual as the owner’s style in décor.  Just a few weeks ago I stood at this shop’s door and read that the owner had closed the shop for good.  Fortunately she re-opened and there were several shoppers who told her how happy they were about that.

I picked up an ornament and a bracelet – shamelessly shopping for me!  Then I went to the shop next door which was just as fascinating – pottery, rustic and unique artwork, homemade soaps and lots of knick knacks.  I bought two more ornaments for the tree.

It’s important to support these small shops and I wish I had gone to both of them first for my Christmas shopping!  Hopefully I can do that next year.

Uniquely Leo’s

Shooting Star Gallery – lovelies

Shooting Star Gallery – pottery

Cordially Invited – party supplies – FESTIVE