December Theme Day: Shop Windows - Why Stop at One?

When this particular Theme day appeared, 

the first shop I thought of was The Flying Cupcake.

I headed there to buy a couple of their treats

and then realized I was standing in the midst of

an entire block of shops, bars, and

restaurants that deserve attention.

From the inside of TFC, one can look outside

to see other sources for gifts and goodies

right across the street.

One of the most popular is Three Dog Bakery, 

that makes treats for the fur people

with whom we share our homes and lives.

Today's special was tempting,

even to me. Snickerdoodles are my

favorite cookie treat.

Back across the street, there is the Small Mall,

a narrow storefront that offers holiday and seasonal decor

in its entry way, tempting shoppers to explore what

turns out to be three floors of vintage furniture,

contemporary crafts and artwork. 

There are also offerings of mid-century

pieces for the home, as well as numerous items

to entertain the diverse tastes of one's 

families and friends.

(I found hand-knitted caps and mittens

that are both unique and cozy.)

Last but not least, I stopped in at

Mass Avenue Toys. They have stuff for the

smaller folks in our lives, more unique

and less commercial than the usual items purveyed

by the bigger stores. One can find gifts

that aren't too expensive, on up to what

seems to me to be rather pricey.

I like it there because they have toys to

encourage a child's intellect and creativity.

It's where I'll go to find some little 

things for my grandnieces and nephews

this Christmas.

To see how other members of 

the City Daily Photo community

have interpreted the theme, just click on 

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to the right of this post.

Theme Day: Take Away @ The Flying Cupcake

Too many choices! Too many flavors!

I'll never work my way through all The Flying Cupcake 

has to offer. But I do like Happy Birthday to Me (Vanilla),

Red Velvet Elvis, Bananas Foster, KooKoo Krazy

for Coconut, and the little wedding cakes

that have a tiny sugar bridal couple atop each

(I like crunching down on the little couple).  

I visited after swimming earlier in the evening 

and went in to get a shot of the decor and, needless to say, 

some cupcakes. It was just about 15 minutes 'til closing 

and the selections had been picked over,

but there were still plenty indulgences awaiting 

just beyond the "shabby chic" decor.

As if four stores weren't temptation enough,

the bakery has two trucks, called Petunia and Penelope, 

who will come to your business, event, or party

to spread a little more of the pretty, cakey delights

throughout the Indy Area.

The Flying Cupcake isn't just a "take away" business,

it's one that brings the sweetness to your door.

This blog is a member of the City Daily Photo portal, 

whose members try to post images of their home city each day.

To see how others of the CDP crowd chose to depict

today's theme, "Take Away", just click on the

link above, or on the CDP badge in the right hand

column of this blog post.

Talking Bricks

A couple weeks ago, I took myself on an odyssey to get a treat

from The Flying Cupcake shop on Massachusetts Avenue.

I didn't walk a straight line up the street to  the bakery, 

but one more like the flight path of a monarch butterfly as I

took the opportunity to explore a few of the alleyways.

I enjoy looking at old brick, seeing the oxidation and wear

time has made on the structures. In fact, I feel as though I can

even smell the bricks; on sunny days it seems as though

the bricks are telling me their stories in the clay-ey

aromas radiating from their surfaces.

Crystals and Harley

Wednesday was an odyssey. After lunching with friends, 

I went in search of a coconut cupcake.

I headed east towards Massachusetts Avenue

and The Flying Cupcake, a sliver of an old

storefront barely big enough for a display case, a few small

tables, a refrigerator, and an astounding array

of flavored, colored, and prettily decorated delights.

The Flying Cupcake is one of several small shops around Indy, 

supplied by the main store and bakery just north of the downtown area.

I've also encountered Petunia, the bakery's rolling store, that offers

the yummy cakes to customers unable to get to a store.

The atmosphere of the little storefront on Massachusetts Avenue

is friendly, it's shabby-chic interior bearing no trace

of a corporate game plan lurking amid the frosted treats.

Yay, for that. 

I'd waited a month, through snow and wind chill

to indulge my longing for "Coo-coo Coconut."

I left with a pretty pink box containing the coconut cake,

plus one each of "Here Comes the Bride" with a tiny sugar

bride and groom on top, and a chocolate one

called "Peppermint Twist."

Could I make them last with a treat every other day? 

The odyssey carried on. I'd walked about a mile to get to the store, 

then walked back towards the downtown area to go to the camera store, 

well over a mile away. Then I wandered some more, stopping 

and starting, my little treasures in my tote, while I took

a batch of pictures. Just before I got the bus for home, 

I stopped at a shop to warm up with a nice hot latte -

and the little sugar bridal couple disappeared, savored slowly

bite by bite, while I waited for the bus.

One two down, one two to go.

Rainy

I've been wanting a cupcake since the beginning of the year,

but, for one reason or another, had to wait until today

to get my treat. I went downtown, then walked a mile or so

to the Flying Cupcake on Massachusetts Avenue.

Rainy as it was, I found pictures that needed to be taken

so enjoyed the stroll along the storefronts that line

the street - boutiques, pubs, art galleries, a bakery for 

dog treats as well as a couple for human goodies.

I chose the designated "birthday cupcake,"

yellow vanilla cake with buttercream frosting and - 

need I say it - Sprinkles! Wrapped in tissue and 

placed in its very own pink box, I put the

treat in my tote, then returned downtown.

I went to the coffee shop to enjoy

a latte and the cupcake, savoring every bit

while I watched passersby in the rain. 

Returning home, the weather brightened for a bit, 

then dark clouds came into the area. This evening,

much of the state is under a series of severe thunderstorm warnings, as well as tornado watches and warnings. 

Given the warmer than usual winter we enjoyed, 

it's inevitable that the warm fronts and cooler temps 

brought by the rain would cause a trepidation of 

storms when they meet.