The Day-ul-tuh

I don't know how he feels about this, but after an incredibly thoughtful 24 hour anniversary adventure my sweet hubby has forever established himself as the trip planner of our family. I am a hard one to surprise because I am extremely nosy, but he managed to really stump me on this one. I knew we were going somewhere that only required a few hours in the car, but other than that it was all a mystery. As we left Memphis, Price finally told me that we would be spending our weekend exploring the heart of Mississippi.

We began our adventure in Clarksdale. I have been wanting to dine at Morgan Freeman's restaurant Madidi for years now, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I had Australian Seabass with a black bean salsa, and Price had good ole fried quail with collards and sweet potatoes. Madidi sure knows how to dress up good Southern food. If only Mr. Freeman had been dining with us...

After Madidi, we walked down the street to the Ground Zero blues club, also owned by Mr. Freeman. The club was hosting Clarksdale's first annual "The Most Southern Weekend on Earth" which featured a number of different blues artists. It was a really cool venue. Wish we could have seen the band. I think all of Clarksdale must have made it out for this one. Sadly, the Shack Up Inn (an old farm turned hotel pictured below) was booked for the weekend, but we are totally going to stay there next time.

The next morning we explored a sleepy Cleveland, Mississippi. We were asked in the local Hallmark (the only store opened at 10) if we were with the Teach for America group. Yes, but no. Apparently, the Mississippi Delta corps is attending their institute in Cleveland. The locals seem to really be enjoying the influx of young
folk.

The highlight of the trip, for me, was our visit to the McCarty studio in Marigold. As a lover of art and a lover of the South, I have a huge appreciation for these beautiful pottery pieces. I have been wanting to make the trip for a while now to see the studio, but wasn't really counting on Price being the one to initiate this! He is just full of surprises. He even acted interested when I was contemplating which of two nearly identical flower vases had the prettiest glaze. As much as I enjoyed looking at the pottery, I think we both loved the tour through Lee and Pup McCarty's gardens the most.


We were fortunate enough to be shown the gardens (which are soon to be featured in the Smithsonian magazine) by Lee McCarty himself. He was a precious little man, who clearly has a passion for art and quite a green thumb. Price and I picked out a beautiful pitcher and a vase, both of which I will always cherish with fond memories of the trip.

We had a fantastic lunch at The Gallery in Marigold, also owned by the McCarty's. Not only did I love how every plate, cup, salt and pepper shaker, was McCarty, but the food was delicious. You have two choices, the cold plate or the hot plate. I got cold, Price got hot. Mine consisted of vegetable soup, chicken salad, a tomato casserole, green beans, and cornbread. Yum.

After our fun in Marigold we messed around in Clarksdale a little longer, picked up some tamales on the tamale trail, and headed back home.

(Price and his tamales)
To make the trip even more perfect than it already was, Price kindly pulled over in Nesbitt and picked some blueberries with me at my favorite blueberry farm. I think I might turn into a blueberry if I don't stop.

I feel so lucky to have married this precious boy a year ago, and can't wait for many more fun adventures together.