5-7-17 Wild Love Bake House, Mid Mod and TU garden---Oh my!

Time to try out another new-to-us restaurant for breakfast.  But first---a ride up to where the kids almost bought a piece of land and had a house built.  The land to the left is that lot.  A lot more remote then where they are now.  Nice views, but probably longer commutes.

Then we were off to the city to try out another new breakfast spot, Wild Love Bake House---sort of like a Starbucks.  Lots of teas and homemade pastries---and students sitting around using the free wi-fi.  I got a tea with steamed milk  and this strawberry rhubarb pastry.  Ken had a biscuit egg sandwich and chocolate milk.  The kids had a biscuit sandwich, a croissant and some other pastry with their tea and coffee.  I thought it was a little pricey at $45, but the kids treated us and it was yummy. 

The outside of the bake house---to the far right---as we were walking to an old garage turned mid century modern store---Mid Mod.

They had a lot of interesting stuff in Mid Mod.

Poor picture of the lamp, but it was cute---looked like a rose.

lots of interesting lighting.

Cute little serving dishes.

Reminds me of the items Angie likes to buy and sell.

another light

Then we headed towards TU by way of downtown Knoxville.

Knoxville is a neat little city.

Not large, easy to get around, and lots of things to do there.

They even have an interesting looking Federal Courthouse---where Tim works.

More of downtown

they even have a really nice riverfront.  There's even paddle boarding and kayaking in this river; as well as lots of nice restaurants.

TU is also downtown.  They were having a hosta sale today that the kids wanted to check out.  I love going there because of the free botanical garden the university has.

Finally got to a garden where there were a lot of irises.

Another of my favorite types of flowers.

even came across this little guy singing away.  My best guess would be this is a young Louisiana Waterthrush?

The garden was already very lush.

With lots of unique flowers.

and greens.

Great place for wedding photos.

There's even a cute little waterfall

Looks like they were taking down from a wedding.

Lots of roses in bloom already, too.

I love that they painted the pergola and fence purple---a great complimentary color to green.

more of the purple planter garden.

Poppies

a reminder of Florida---Great Blue Heron.

more roses.

neat planters.

rusted old truck yard decor.

Another little birdie again---looks like a more normal colored Louisiana Waterthrush.

more irises

This little guy was all by himself.  I wonder if he's fledged or if something happened to it's mother?

One of the many sculptures in the garden.

another sculpture.

more beautiful irises.

This area was under construction last time we were here---a children's garden.

a couple more odd sculptures

This guy was moved since we were last here.

entering the children's garden

back to the rose garden

back to the waterfall

back to the purple garden---caught up with the kids here. 

These guys were tiny, and really cute.

love these Dr. Seuss thing a ma bobs

a hosta garden.

Faith

magnolia?

the kind of flowers we grow back home.

These looked like they were waxy.

back to the iris garden

lots of seating areas

????

Tim conquering the garden for his team

heading back to the parking lot

more irises

???

Love this planter.

There were several metal water troughs near the parking lot with lilies and koi in them.

Back at Tim and Faith's house, we sat on their deck and enjoyed the beautiful day---with a beer and snacks.  This guy even decided to join us.  According to Tim and Faith, it's a juvenile lady bug.

They took us out to dinner for my birthday----Lakeside Tavern.  Love this place.  Turned out to be a good thing we went there---I lost my wallet and someone turned it in.  They apparently found it in the parking lot.  Nice to know there are still honest people out there!

I was hoping to see a great sunset from the restaurant, but it was pretty much a dud.  Haven't been to lucky in the sunset department lately.

This was the first time we've gone to Tim and Faith's to pet sit (since they lived in Mo.).  It was fun exploring the area---going to a cheap movie; eating out in a new area; visiting with them for a couple days after they returned.  It was another fun trip.  Now to get ready for our trip to South Florida!