So if you’re reading my blog regularly, you know that I have been working on an Annie Sloan Paint Project.    I had every intention of getting it close to completion today, but I didn’t get that done.   Instead, Sue (a friend staying with me a couple of weeks) and I started down the road, and I wasn’t really sure where we were headed.  Home Craft Days at Mountain Empire?  Gate City?

As we headed out of Mendota, we passed this…the Mendota Baptist Church.

This is the church of my childhood, and many of our social activities revolved around the church.   My mother, Vivian Barker, was president of the “Training Union.” I have no idea what a Training Union actually did but we were there on Sunday evenings for the Training Union. Mrs. Virginia Shankle was the pianist in the morning, and Jack Nickels was the pianist during the evening. Jack played “by ear” and Mom said that he played fast and made her want to dance.    Can you imagine dancing at a church in Mendota in the early 1960’s?  Shameless.

Back to present day!

Sue and I  parked in front of the church and entered my friend Katie’s store (which is only open when she wants to open it!)  She and her daughter, Dawn, were getting things together for a booth at  Home Craft Days. I knew they were busy, yet I also knew they wouldn’t mind if I slipped in. We are lifetime friends. I’ve known Katie all my life, and I’ve known Dawn all her life.  She’s a grown woman now, but I held her when she was  just days old.  Here’s the inside of the store…

When I look at that table, I imagine a time when Katie retires that we might share tea there.   Maybe our sisters will join us?  Wouldn’t that be nice?

Look what I found….

I bought it!

We headed off to Gate City!   This means we’ll be traveling into Scott County, Virginia, on the A. P. Carter Highway.

I know what you’re thinking…God’s Country.  You could be right!

Gate City is the county seat for Scott County, and it’s an authentic downtown. In larger cities, town centers are built in weeks, but in Gate City, the town center is real.    This picture was taken on the main street which is called Jackson Street.    

There seems to be a spirit of renewal. I think loft apartments would be great in Gate City, and there may already be a few. Oh look! My True Love (Lowe’s) has been here! Sigh.  Wonder what this will be?  Do you know?

 We decided to eat at the Family Bakery.

In September, Mike and I attended our friends’ daughter’s wedding. The Family Bakery catered the reception meal, and it was delicious.  They took special efforts to ensure everything was perfect.  For instance, the corn pudding was from corn cut off the cob the night before.  It would have been so much easier to use frozen corn, but they opted to use fresh.  I had seconds! 

The daily menu, however, is lighter than the catering menu. Sue and I split a Reuben sandwich and tomato bisque soup. I had a red velvet cupcake. This is a great place to get that red velvet fix without eating a whole cake!

There is wi-fi and a place to sit and surf the internet. I like Panera and Starbucks, but this is definitely better.  There are reminders of faith and family on the walls and comfortable seating.  

Cute fall decor and and I could not resist buying a dishtowel.

Here’s another…

Thank you for reading RiverCliff Cottage and traveling down to Gate City with Sue and me. Why don’t you comment about it? I’d love to hear from you!!