July Self Portrait

July was a good month. It was good for the soul, for the heart and for clearing my mind.

I had some much-needed phone conversations with a good friend, who, for the first time in a long time seems so amazingly happy.

I took a day off from work to go hang out with my nephews. We played and ate lunch, changed diapers and even read stories.

I purged a lot of stuff I hadn't seen in years and was happy to give it a new home.

I spent an evening at The Plot with a buddy catching up and eating sandwiches. This making me believe more than ever in Norfolk and our growing Arts District.

We left our house for a trip to the farm for a weekend of fresh air, which was tremendously therapeutic.

I finally faced the fact that (neither of) my Grandma(s) would not be attending our wedding, and while it stung for a week, I finally found the inspiration in that repurposing one of their dresses would allow for both of them to still be with us that day.

I took pictures, I created, I cooked, I baked, I laid out in the sun. All of these little things that seem so everyday, I let myself take time with them. Take them in, enjoy them, and in return I feel more at peace.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 3

Perhaps one of my favorite parts about the weekend was seeing the main house, which is more than 250 years old. I have heard so many stories about this place in the three years I've known Ryan, and none of them did it justice. The original house has been added onto many times, but the short door frames, square nails and human-sized fireplaces still remain. I also love this Buddha that I met in the flower garden.

This kitchen is just fantastic. It's the best "country farm kitchen" Pinterest would turn up in a search, but I'm pretty sure neither homeowner knows what Pinterest is. On the left is the oldest Silver Maple Tree in all of Virginia. 

As I mentioned in the previous post, Ryan's parents own a winery that was on their property. This was the old wine cellar under the house that is just wide enough to roll a wine barrel through. No one has been down there for years, so now it looks like something out of a fairy tale. Or The Walking Dead. 

A Koi pond and portrait of Tom.

We got a lesson on how to grow shiitake mushrooms and a little reading nook.

Who needs to go to the Farmer's Market when you can go straight to the Farm? We walked away with several pounds of tomatoes, fresh basil, cabbage, peppers and cucumbers (#6).

  

What a great weekend with friends and lots of pretty photos to capture it all. Thanks Farmville, see you next July! #60: Photo Story, check and check.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 2

Saturday morning we took a drive (#58) to Charlottesville to visit five wineries and a brewery. We were on a mission and nothing was stopping us!

We had a gourmet picnic (#76) lunch at Trump Wineries, thanks to Jenn & Landon. Whole grain everything ciabatta bread with marinaded portabella mushrooms, Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and mustard...yumm!

The view at Trump was probably my favorite, plus it was the only one I hadn't been to before. We had quite the animated sommelier, who taught us quite a bit about the wines and the Trump family in general.

Ryan at James River Brewery, located in Scottsville, Virginia. Ryan was the best host, who played the Designated Driver all day and lead the adventure in an 18-seater bus! The quaint brewing company offered a small bar and lounge room with just enough room to fit in a keyboard and a guitar player. But the beer was tasty and the small-town crowd was super pleasant (#70: Visit a Brewery, off the list).

Virginia Wineworks/Michael Shaps

Tom O'Grady, our tour leader for the day. Tom had owned and operated a winery on his property for more than 20 years. If we had any questions regarding wine - or anything - Tom had the answers.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 1

This weekend we packed the Rabbit and headed to Farmville for a few days (#43: Freebie). Our friend Ryan's parents live on more than 40 acres of land, with a 13-acre lake and we spent the weekend enjoying every aspect of the property. I always forget how much I miss the country until I'm out there, breathing in the fresh air and not worrying about one thing besides having fun with my friends. 

This is truly the house that Craigslist built. Ryan's father, Tom, found most of the materials through the site, the kitchen cabinets for $200 and a lot of the wood was found on the property or through local means. The house we stayed in, The Pine Chalet, was built less than 5 years ago. The Oak Chalet, which his parents are currently vacationing to, is more than 30 years old. And, the main house is more than 250 years old. 

Fresh flowers from Brawny's (Ryan's mother's) flower garden. 

Each meal was hosted by a different couple staying the weekend, and let me tell you we ate like royalty. Pizza, omelets with fresh veggies from the garden, a Mexican feast, cinnamon roll breakfast casserole and more! We spent some time playing games & relaxing on the porch (#29), then Mike maintained the camp fire and we made smores (#22).

And who couldn't forget the "motorbikle" that kept the boys entertained all weekend while the girls were able to cook, chit-chat and drink wine!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#20: Guest Room Artwork

It's only taken us a year to get these up. But I love them. On the left, a hand-stitched textile Emily brought me from Panama. Centered, a vintage typeset drawer I bought at Barrett's Antique Mall last Winter. On the right, my most favorite photo I took in Thailand. All said and done....$35! Now I just need little trinkets to help fill the drawer. Donations accepted.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#68: Garage Sale

Mission Accomplished. Held my first garage sale in Virginia. I was able to clear out some unwanted stuff from the basement, organize a bunch of craft stuff and donate the rest to the DAV. Plus, made a few bucks in the process. I guess that means I can start collecting more trash :)

PS. The desk is still for sale is anyone is looking for a refinished vintage piece. The top is a chalkboard, which would be perfect for a little girl's room!!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#31: Banana Cake

I wasn't really thinking about the wedding diet I should be doing when I put all the delicious and fattening items on my 92 Days of Summer list. However, this one is well worth it...and maybe even a potential for a wedding dessert! The process was easy and I actually halved my recipe so I could use my mini bundt cake pans.

What you need:
for the cake
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 stick better, softened
1 egg
2 very ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

for the icing
1/2 stick butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
splash of milk

What you do:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease your pan with butter, then sprinkle with flour. Shake the pan until it's evenly coated.
2. In a mixing bowl, place butter, sugar, yogurt and the egg. Beat until creamy. Note, this mixture is very runny, but that's the way it's supposed to be!
3. Mash the bananas into the mixture. Add the vanilla and blend. The mixture will be a little lumpy.
4. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix on medium. Spread the batter in the pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Depending on what you bake, you may only need 20 minutes, so keep an eye on these babies.
5. Start the icing when you remove the cake from the oven. Melt the butter on medium heat until it starts to barely boil. Take away from the heat and add the powdered sugar, vanilla and splash of milk (only if you want it a little runnier). I waited about 30 seconds for the mixture to thicken, then poured over the cakes. Note, this made waaay too much icing for my needs, but I wanted more of a glaze than a full-on icing.
6. Serve warm or chill and eat later. Either way, it's yummy!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#55: The Beach

The Beach. How is it mid-July and we've been less than five times?

However, I did have my fill of ice cream for the Summer today.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#33: Eat Candy

Sometimes you just need to eat candy for lunch. And for the following week.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Backyard Get-Together

#65: sidewalk chalk 

It was the perfect reason to get together: Tara's 35th Birthday! We gathered up 20 friends who each brought a dish, including bacon ranch dip to chocolate chess pie (which will be at our wedding!), olive tapenade, spinach and artichoke dip, kale & Brussels sprouts salad and so much more. We even managed to start a fire (in our fire pit #50) with our soaked wood, which probably also smoked out our neighbors.

Of course I was feverishly shopping for some cheap patio furniture and since all of it is mostly gone for the season, we made due with a few folding tables and chairs. However, I'm already plotting what this backyard living room will look like this time next year...and it's amazing.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#85: Bastille Day

Bastille Days in Ghent, a first-time event was held last week on Colley Avenue in front of Blair Middle School. I had the privilege to be in the know about this event from the beginning because I was asked to design the posters!

Like any inaugural affair, there were some aspects that had to either be nixed or downsized, but in less than a few months this event was pulled together and a great success. I was so excited that my design was very well received and found its way all over Ghent. The Harbor Gallery is selling 12x18 versions, framed and unframed. The Alliance Francaise Norfolk was selling t-shirts and it made it's way into the "Passport" that attendees used to discover all the events and specials.

The two-day event included Can Can Dancers, wine & cheese tastings, French story hour, tricycle Tour de Ghent, waiter races, French themed movies at The Naro, antique markets, fresh flowers, a guillotine photo booth, music and so much more!

Community paint project. There were two easels set up with blank canvases that anyone walking by could paint on. Here, someone started an Eiffel Tower and these girls were adding their artistic touch. This is a great idea for an art pop up or a feature at an art show.

We tried the all natural crepe with brown sugar and butter...delicious. Monique's Crepes is a Richmond-based food truck and has lots of events on their upcoming schedule.

Bastille Days t-shirts! 

Table Seven's adorable setup! They had lots of French inspired gifts, books and candy, I loved the Eiffel Tower suckers. Hopefully next year, the market can include more vendors with an even more eclectic collection of French-inspired vendors and booths.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating.