Two weeks ago, I finally did it. I left the house to do something other than buying groceries or picking up books from the library. Yeehaw!
The first fun afternoon happened to be on my release day. My new book, UNITED BY THE TWINS, released on February 20, 2024, and I always take the day off to celebrate. This time I decided to drive out to the country to visit a cute boutique/tea shop that had been on my list of places to check out for over a year. It didn’t disappoint.
The little boutique resides in an outbuilding on a farm miles away from the nearest town. I loved driving past the fallow farm fields to get there. Winter can be dreary, for sure, but I find beauty in the season, too. When I arrived, I entered a warm, cozy, well-lit space. Upbeat music from the 40s played through the speakers, and every step revealed a different display of super cute items. Here’s a snapshot of the interior.
As you can see, the shop had an assortment of lovely items. From purses and decor, to honey and tea, it had all the cute things I tend to adore. I ended up purchasing a precious little lamp with three birds on the base. My husband and I have several bird feeders in our backyard, and I enjoy watching them.
The second fun afternoon was in a vastly different area than the first. My husband and I went downtown Toledo to browse a reclaimed home furnishings store. Basically, a large, old building had been converted into a secondhand store for home items such as old knobs, doors, hinges, chandeliers, even colored toilets/sinks/tubs from decades ago.
We were amazed at how intricate many of the items were. Engraved hinges, wooden bureaus with inlaid designs, elegant lighting. It made us both appreciate the craftsmanship of yesteryear.
Below is just one of the massive sections.
We had a great time wandering through the space, and we even met a friend–the kitty, Amy. I would have gladly taken that little cutie home!
The photos don’t do either place justice. The first shop felt like walking into a warm hug. Very cozy and contained. The second was more like strolling into an adventure–you weren’t sure where the sprawling space would take you.
I’m thankful to have visited both. And now, back to my usual outings. Kroger and the library, here I come!
Have you visited a new place recently? What did you think of it?
Have a wonderful day!
Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. Her essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books and long walks outdoors in Ohio where she resides with her husband.
I been visiting new restaurants and consignment stores with my daughter. We explore someplace every week. It’s a lot of fun.
That sounds amazing! I love thrifting, and when I can go with one of my kids, it’s even better!
I work, pick up groceries, and go home! I am a homebody!
Same here!!
I pretty much stay home but I am planning to visit Shiloh National Park with my husband next week.
Ooh, what a fun visit! Take lots of pictures!
I have not had the chance lately, but Spring can make things happen!
Yes, better weather makes me want to leave the house!
I don’t get out much any more so I haven’t found any place new.
I hope you can get a new book–that way you can go somewhere new without leaving your home!
Howdy Jill! I love places like you visited! When my husband and I moved near High Springs, FL, I was excited to visit all the antique stores. Now, they are pretty much obsolete! So sad. It is nice to visit new places! Thank you for your post and pictures! I enjoyed the stroll!
What a bummer about the antique stores. They are fun to browse!
I have not visited a new place recently, but I would love to visit that one.
I think you’d enjoy it!
We were in Texas preaching at a church and had a couple of days before our next meeting. We (my husband and I) visited the Houston Space Center, which was amazing. Then we drove over to Galveston and walked along the boardwalk and visited a shop on the beach. I collect Christmas tree ornaments on our travels and I like tee shirts, so I got a new one of each.
I would love to visit Galveston! What a nice adventure!!
What great places, Jill! I love the idea of a boutique shop/tea house. I’m not a big shopper, but I love tea and atmospheric places, so I bet I would love it! When my daughter and I went to Victoria, BC several years ago, one of the tour guides at a historic home we visited recommeded a little, out of the way tea shop where we could get tea and scones for a fraction of the price of high tea at one of the fancy hotels. Best advice ever! It was a little challenging to find, but once we did, we had a lovely time in a quiet nook with simple, delicious fare that made for the perfect midday snack. I’d go back there in a heartbeat.
You would LOVE the little shop I visited! They do monthly tea tastings, too! It’s a bit of a drive for me, or I would attend. Your trip with your daughter sounds amazing!
I haven’t been to a new place recently.
I’m a homebody–it takes a lot of effort for me to get out!
I visited a used bookstore in a town near me. It’s set up in an old elementary school. It was freezing in there but they have lots of books and I’ll definitely go back but on a warmer day. They have a dollar flash sale the first Friday/Saturday of the month and then they are open the third Friday/Saturday of the month. Next time i will take a list. They are sorted by author in alphabetical (not quite) order.
Ooh, I’m dangerous in a used book store! Too bad it’s so cold in there, though. Have fun next time you go!
I haven’t visited any new places lately. I don’t go many places other than the grocery store, church, and a few other stores, but my visits aren’t too frequent. I much prefer being home!
I can relate, Trudy! That’s pretty much my routine, too!
Jill, love your post! It made me want to be there. I can spend hours and hours looking at things and finding treasures. There’s a wonderful crafty place here that has a little tea room tucked into the back where I often meet friends. It has the best atmosphere and there are always treasures to be found. I usually spend too much. Ha! Great to have you here.
Thank you, Linda! Your crafty place sounds so delightful! I’d love to visit it!
Not recently, but I did go to Biloxi Mississippi last October and it was quite an experience.
What a fun trip! I’m glad you were able to go!
Basically, anything that is new to me is a treat. We have new Buc-Cees being built near us and I look forward to that trip someday soon. I enjoy these types of stores, but not my husband. He would wonder through museums such as race cars, of over battle fields to his hearts content (way more than I like). To each his own. I would love to see these stores, both of them. They bring back the old days as I am 79 so they would hold lots of memories.
My daughter was just talking about Buc-cees! I’d love to visit one! Yeah, your hubby sounds like my dad, uncles, husband… 🙂
I haven’t been to a new place recently, but I have tried some new to me authors! Does that count?
Yes, it counts, Ami!! I’ve been reading different authors too–I love it!
I love finding great clean authors!
I visited a new restaurant with my kids and their families for my birthday.
How nice! I hope you had a very happy birthday!
Awesome pictures.
Thank you! I had fun!
I’m a homebody, but when it comes to my grandchildren I go to their HS events. I have been going to their Band functions and their Tennis Tournaments, so much fun. Sometimes I go to my husband gigs , he is a musician now that he has been retired.
I’m sure your grandkids love that you support them, too! That’s really sweet!
I enjoyed hearing what you do on a book launch day! We’re at home trying to read the book while you’re out and about. 🙂
As far as new things, I take long Amtrak trips on a regular basis and even though I’ve taken certain routes quite a few times, I always see something new. It’s enriched my life. I get their smallest room and relax and watch the countryside while listening to audiobooks. I try to get a book that sort of relates to the area I’m traveling in.
I imagine long Amtrak rides are an adventure into themselves! How fun!! I love that you do that!
I haven’t been out and about in a long time. We may get a chance the rest of this week. We are making a quick 5 day trip for the funeral of a friend. Not the happiest of reasons, but it will take us into new territory and we will need to take breaks when the driving. Some of our best side trip stops have been antique shops, “junk” stores, or big shops like the second one you visited. Many of our good antiques were found in such stores and just needed some TLC to bring them back to life. We certainly don’t need anything more for our home. We are actually trying to get rid of stuff. It is still fun to look.
Congratulations on the release of UNITED BY THE TWINS. Don’t wait so long to take another break to explore new places.
I’m so sorry about the funeral. I do hope you’re able to take a side trip–they’re always fun!
I’m hoping to have a new place to visit – our local friends of the library group lost their home when the school district switched to electric busses and decided they needed the space they’d been renting the friends for something to do with the busses. Until a new space is found, the friends have to scale down their activities (there’s next to no room for storage of books or anything else).
I’m sorry about your library group. That’s a big bummer. 🙁
I have not been to a new place lately. I will be going to Gathering Volumes in Perrysburg, Ohio next week for an author signing. Both places look like they would be fabulous to explore. I have not been to either place. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.
Debbie, Gathering Volumes is a great little store! The owner is super friendly, and I know you’re going to love it! If you’re looking for a fun coffee shop, try The Flying Joe in Levis Commons (Perrysburg, too).
I haven’t been anywhere new yet but I Love reading your post and seeing the amazing pictures I love visiting new places but I also love staying in Can’t wait for Spring to get here Have a Blessed Week Jill!