As we headed into Alabama on Thursday, Meredith needed a bathroom break, so I pulled off at the first rest stop, which was also a state welcome center. It was near Huntsville, which is where they manufactured the Saturn rockets, so happily, the rest stop had a Saturn III (I think) rocket on display. Needless to say, I was happy about this rest stop.

We got to Kelly and Paul’s about 6:00. We were greeted by Kelly and Paul and the World’s Cutest Niece. It was good to get here, and the welcome was very warm, although WCN was a bit shy. We brought our stuff in while WCN watched from the safety of Mom’s arms. Mer and I then brought in our present for WCN – a fancy rocking horse that we got at the CVCA auction for WCN. She was still a little shy, but seemed to like “horsey.” She still has not ridden it, but pets it and gives it kisses. Did I mention she was the World’s Cutest Niece?

Kelly said we were going to go out for supper, and we could go for barbecue, or we could go to a local Arts Night, which happens on the first Thursday of every month. Since it only happens once a month, I jumped at the chance to go to the Arts Night to hear some music. The fact that Arts Night is put on by Mary’s Cakes, a bakery, had nothing to do with it….

The bakery is a short ride (15 minutes) from the house, and we were one of the first ones there. The weather was threatening, so it was a smaller crowd, but that was okay for us. I think it topped out at about 30 people or so, and the atmosphere was very relaxed, with people wandering around, chatting, and even dancing (mostly with the abundant numbers of toddlers).

The band had a good sound – it was blues with guitar, sax, drums, and an Englishman (the English play blues?) on keyboards. The leader, a woman, was very interactive with the crowd – chatting with us, encouraging people to dance, and even wandering into the crowd (she had a wireless electric guitar). They were fun.

Supper from the bakery was pretty much limited to sandwiches, but that was fine. The real fun was in the bakery. Mer and I got chocolate-covered brownies (very nice concept!) that had a hidden bonus of mousse inside – chocolate brownies topped with chocolate mousse covered in chocolate. Mmmmmm. As if that were not enough, one of the bakery employees had a birthday, so they gave away free cake. There were two cakes, one white and one chocolate. Each had four separate tiers, and each tier was a different flavor of filling. Cake and brownies and music and family, in a relaxed atmosphere outside. Very nice.

We took a brief wander in an antique store to look at the antique prints and maps, and then we went home. It was a nice evening.