Escape from "Cabin Fever"

Dan and I have been snowed (or should I say iced ) in most of this week.  Our street is shady and there are still a lot of icy spots, and in particular there's an icy spot just where I back out of the driveway.  Brooks and his friend came over the other day and cleared our walkway as far as the car. So yesterday I ventured out!!!

We've given up our membership at Rex Wellness, and I've not yet signed up for membership at the Y, so I thought I would go over to Crabtree Mall and get some exercise.  As soon as I neared Crabtree on Glenwood Ave. I saw that almost half of Raleigh must have had the same idea as I.  The traffic was more congested than usual, and it took me at least 15 minutes driving around the parking lot to find a place to park.

Congested traffic on Glenwood near Crahtree Mall.

Inside, yep, it looked like half of Raleigh was there.  Nonetheless, I walked three times around the mall, taking pictures now and then.  I needed to shop for only one thing, a tube of Bobby Brown lipstick, Slopes, my favorite color.  Luckily I found it.

Lipsticks at Bobby Brown shop.

I passed by the Lindt's Candy Shop where they had their Easter candy on display, and next door Pottery Barn had some cute little silver bunnies for sale.

Easter candy at Lindt's.

Silver bunnies at Pottery Barn.

On around I passed by Janie and Jack  where I used to buy clothes for my "little" grands.  They have such cute things.  It made me wish for little ones again.

My favorite store for the little ones.

Aren't these little swim trucks adorable?

A kiosk was selling bamboo pillows and linens.  You never know where bamboo is going to turn up these days, but at least bamboo is an environmentally sound crop.

I was tempted.

The mannequins at XXI Forever were dressed in something like fashions from the 1970s.  I can imagine that Granddaughter Grace will be wanting some of these maxi skirts soon.  (I actual liked\ the 1970s fashion with culottes, maxis, peasant skirts and shawls, but I was young then.)

I can imagine granddaughter Grace in an outfit like this.

In addition to getting some much needed exercise after being cooped up indoors for several days, I managed to exert a bit of will power and walk right by the Godiva chocolate shop. (I'm cutting way back on sugar these days.)

Godiva Chocolate viewed through the window.  I did not dare go inside.  

Yes it was good to get out and about if even in a crowded mall.

Fudge Puppy at Build-a-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop in Crabtree Valley Mall.

I hadn't built a stuffed animal at Build-A-Bear since my grands were toddlers, so it was a lot of fun on Monday when I built a Fudge Pup to donate to the Chocolate Festival in Robbins this Saturday.  I chose a dark brown puppy named Fudge Pup.  Kris of Build-a-Bear stuffed him for me and we put in his heart.

Giving Fudge Pup a heart.

Then it was off to the dressing room where he was outfitted with a Chef's hat and coat and a pair of high top Converse shoes.

Chef's hat and coat.

Converse high top shoes for Fudge Pup.

 Then I filled out his birth certificate.

I'm making his birth certificate.

Birth Certificate, note he will be "born" on May 5, the day of the Festival.

All dressed and ready to go.

Fudge Pup's little "house"

Fudge Pup will be available in the Silent Auction at the Chocolate Festival on Saturday.  I hope some lucky kid  will make a good home for this little puppy. 

These Shoes Are Made for Walking---Or Not.

Colorful and made for walking.

Colorful and definitely NOT made for walking.

The other morning I needed something from Williams-Sonoma's so instead of going to the gym I headed to Crabtree Valley Mall and walked there before the stores opened.  When W-S opened at ten I had finished my walk and was ready to shop.

There were just a few, mostly elderly, folks walking there early in the morning.

Couple walking hand-in-hand.  Sweet.

Plenty of carts if you want to walk with a young child.

Passed by the bakery and then Godiva's Chocolate store.

Bakery---keep walking.

Godiva's---keep walking.

Passed the Build-a-Bear store.

I liked the sign in one of the store windows.

I'm still playing.

Tired of walking?  Have a rest.

Rest if needed.

 I finished my walk, W-S opened, I did my shopping and was back home by 10:30.

Williams-Sonoma one of my favorite shops at Crabtree Valley Mall.