T Stands for Mystic

A couple of weeks ago, Red and I hit the road for a favorite outing. When our girlies were little, we used to take them along. Now, the trip to Mystic is our annual getaway. We missed the trip the past couple of years because Red had moved to New Mexico. With moving back to Massachusettes, and work schedules, this was the first time we could go.

It was raining and we drove through a downpour.

We know we're close when we pass Foxwoods Casino. I've never been to the casino, though on a return trip home, Red got turned around by the GPS and we ended up driving through tribal lands.

The weather cleared as we got to our destination. 

Olde Mystick Village is a tourist destination. It's a collection of shops from gardening to Wiccan. Some of the shops carry expensive jewelry, clothing, knick-knacks. Red was thinking of getting a new sweatshirt, but $50 was too much. If you're looking for an unusual gift this is the place where you might find the gift for someone who has everything.

Cardinal and bird figurines in the garden shop.

The ducks were busy rooting for goodies in the grass.

This fellow had a beautiful blue stripe on his wing.

I wasn't able to take lots of pictures inside the shops. I got some frowny looks from the proprietors. I think they thought I was casing their joint. The bath and body shop advertised a good place to take a selfie. We did, but not sure Red would want me to upload our photo on the Internet.

We pass Franklin's General Store a few times as we meander along. It's usually the last stop we make to purchase fudge. They have delicious fudge in lots of varieties. They also hand out fudge samples. So we stopped in for an appetizer before heading to lunch.

We usually stop to grab a bite to eat at a sandwich shop called the Ten Clams, but Ten Clams moved out. We ended up at Mango's Wood-Fired Pizza Co.

I had a meatball sub (grinder/hero/hoagie), a Coke, and we shared a bag of rosemary and olive oil potato chips.

The duck pond was busy.

The cooking store we always visit opened up a second shop that sold table linens, china, and other items for entertaining. I loved the blue and white tablecloth and the Willow ware teapots and teabag holders.

The Scandinavian shop is another favorite of ours. They have some beautiful and hysterially funny greeting cards.

Red bought this tee-shirt to salute her Viking roots. I thought I had taken a picture of the front which was a horde of Vikings.

Holly bushes reminding us Winter is Coming.

Gorgeous and unusual items in this jewelry and gift shop. Out of my price range.

After a fun day out time to head home. This time driving by the casino on the highway and not through the tribal lands.

My purchases. Jars of flavored honey. The honey shop had 3 dozen varieties and allowed tasting. I tasted every single one. So hard to decide, but I selected lavender, cinnamon, and coconut. Got the same for my cousin, except instead of coconut, I got her blackberry. The gift box came with a wooden, honey wand.  At the cook shop, I picked up new, blue turning spatulas. At the linens and entertaining shop, I got the Blue Willow, tea bag holders. I also found adorable, kitty wine glass markers with an Ink kitty in the package. At Franklin's I bought a block ( 1/2 lb.) of Snickers fudge (caramel and peanuts) and a block of Mystic Fudge (dark and light chocolate marbled together). For Himself, a jug of real maple syrup.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.