Saturday morning we were headed down to the spinning class and about 2 hours into the trip, Vince looked at me and said “You know . . we really do live in the middle of nowhere!” It’s 2 hours to Abilene, 2-1/2 hours to San Angelo or Austin, a little over 2-1/2 hours to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Two hours isn’t a long time but because of dogs and chickens, we have to be back not long after dark so two hours away means four hours on the road and not much time to do a whole lot of other stuff so we mostly just stay home.
We ended up on on I-35 for a short distance and Vince said “Do you know how long it’s been since I was on an interstate?” We started thinking about it and it’s been about 2 years. I get on the interstate to go to MO but Vince hasn’t been out of Brownwood except for a few trips to Abilene. We both laughed and said we need to get out more but after driving in city traffic, we decided we’re better off to stay in the country and do without all the amenities the cities have to offer.
IKEA
I have heard about IKEA all my life but had never been to one so we made a stop there. I told a friend on Facebook . . it’s a shopper’s dream and a non-shopper’s nightmare. Once you get in, you almost have to go all the way through it just to get out . . kinda like the old Spookhouse at Halloween when I was a kid. Vince could have spent the weekend in that store! Towards the end, I was saying “I think I’ve seen enough!” and finally I said “Vince, I AM READY TO GO!” Ahh . . just a little more and we’ll be done. Don’t you want to see everything? NO! But we did!
IKEA Meatballs
Maybe I expected too much but these babies needed some “Slap Ya Mama” seasoning. They were so bland but I can say I’ve had them . . and the mashed potatoes were good!
I did buy a few things and best off all, I found a new table . .which we didn’t get because we already had too much stuff in the car and I don’t think it will fit in the car anyway but Vince is going to measure and then we get to go back! You know how my house is so tiny and my table seats 4 and with 4 there, it’s crowded. I wanted a bigger table and he squawked but I found one at IKEA that isn’t much bigger than mine but instead of having leaves we have to keep up with and keep from getting scratched, one end is hinged and folds completely down. This means it would only seat 3 unless you opened it up but once open, it will easily seat 6. It’s cheap ($199) and unfinished pine . . which means Vince can finish it and than any boo-boos . . he can fix. We saw it and both said “That table would work for us!” It’s inexpensive enough that if we ever move and need a nicer table for the dining room, I wouldn’t mind using this for a craft table or something like that.
Thirsty Mule
Next stop was the Thirsty Mule Winery. I wish I enjoyed wine more but I don’t. Give me a Dr. Pepper any day and I’m happy. We did buy one bottle and it was a fun stop.
Hot
Mother Nature is definitely not in any rush to bring Fall temps to this area. It was pretty hot but I have great hope that cooler temps are just around the corner! I’m so ready for Fall. I’ve been trying to convince Vince that if we took a road trip to MO, we could see some Fall color but so far, I’m not having much luck. I think after the two weekend trips down near Austin, he’s ready to be home for a while and I can’t say that I blame him.
diana in RR, TX says
Never been a fan of Ikea or their food. Yes, we have bought things there but I try to avoid the place. And too many good places to eat right there outside and near by. Haven’t been to Bass Pro’s new store either just up from Ikea.
Diane in CA says
The trick to Ikea is find the short cut doors.. .. You could take a short cut to the restaurant..get a drink and sit and knit while Vince explores.. If you are going to just buy the table, walk in through the check out lines and right into the warehouse part.. or if you just want to do the lower level. there is a entrance door next to the Ball room.. save you some walking. And, yes, Ikea is 5 min from my house..
Gayle Bong says
Almost sounds like I could have written that post. Though I am only 1 hour from Milwaukee. Never been to IKEA didnt know they had food there. If it weren’t for quilting I probably wouldn’t leave too often.
Linda Smith says
Two hours here, two and one-half hours there…Tell Vince that is called “centrally located” by Texans.
glen in louisiana says
When we moved to Hammond in 1979, we bought a house under construction. After we moved in we found that with the kitchen table in place, we couldn’t open the back door! So we ended up buying a table similar to what you describe. It has two leaves, but both ends folded down. It went from 9 feet long to just under two feet wide. Just enough for the two of us.
Today i still use it as our main table! It is a beautiful solid oak and sits in my “way” larger Baton Rouge home with both its leaves and both ends up!
glen: thanks for that memory!
Julie says
I love all the fun and creative things you do! I would love to learn to spin.
Deb Miller says
I do like ikea. I like to go through and imagine how I could use things in my sewing room! The closest one to us is Mpls., 4-1/2 hours away.
We were in your neck of the woods 2 weeks ago. Probably just about passed by your house! Went to Rice to pick up our new Casita camper! But, it was nasty hot, and I couldn’t get out of that state fast enough! Sorry Texans, don’t want to tick anyone off, because I could imagine ya’ll wouldn’t do very well when it is -30 here either! (Northern MN.) The people were all very nice, and we had some great Mexican food, but it was hot, dry and flat, and boring for most of the drive! We went from Rice to Abilene to Colorado to visit the kids. A friend said he will take me there in the “right” time of year! (He lived there for 25 years, in Houston) I am just glad we didn’t come home with any of your 4″ grasshoppers or centipedes, or other large bugs! I would have had to fly out of there and let the hub drive home! And I hate flying! I always had respect for those who live there, but it has grown a lot!
Dar in MO says
Judy, I’m glad to hear of your first experience with Ikea. We now have our first one in MO here in St. Louis. Tomorrow is the grand opening day and people were lining up to be first inside for all kinds of fabulous free prizes — chairs, a couch or two, free meatballs for a year, etc. I plan to wait until all the hoopla dies down before venture there to check it out. They did send out a thick catalog to tempt us into visiting.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I remember when my stepson had a girlfriend who loved Ikea…they went up into Orange County to shop at one. Several years ago, one opened in San Diego, maybe 1/2 hour from home. I haven’t been there yet! I have read about how you have to go through everything, and have seen Ikea stores called relationship busters! Congratulations on getting through.
I was blog-hopping this morning when I saw a comment from southern Texas about the weather cooling off…to the 80s! That’s kind of how it is here, too. At least the nights are actually cool (not just tolerable). Ah, fall.