#1 Pint Night

The boy and I walked to Cogan's and treated ourselves with pints. Although our pints didn't fit into the Pint Night special, which our waitress neglected to tell us (1/2 off draft pints $5 or less or $4 for a PBR tallboy and a slice). Oh well, I can't complain.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. To learn more about it, click here.

#89: Go to a Park

Shakespeare meets Harry Potter? Sign me up! I was really looking forward to this FestEvents-sponsored fantasy at Town Point Park all week. Both Friday and Saturday the weather was absolutely beautiful, but we had other plans, therefore, decided Sunday was our day. We packed up some beverages, a blanket and headed to our little date night in the park.

It started to sprinkle a little, so we did a mead tasting (our first time trying it). Hill Top Winery from Northern Virginia was quite delightful. The Hunter's Moon (pumpkin) and Dragon's Breath (super spicy) were my favorite.

FestEvents did a great job with the "mirth and merriment" festivities before the show. Omar's catered theme-appropriate food, we tried the sea cake (crab cake) and a sausage on a stick - the name wasn't too clever there.

Unfortunately, the rain came in to ruin our little date. The show was postponed and instead of waiting and getting soaked we packed up and headed home. All the reviews and photos from the previous evenings looked fabulous, so I'm hoping there will be a round two of Shakespeare in the Park and many more events just like this!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about the project here.

Monday Muse

We made it to the Handsome biscuit and I promise it's well worth the 15-(or 30-) minute wait!

There's nothing like a weekend with my mom - especially when I have her all to myself. We shop, we talk, we cook together and laugh together, we journey to new stores and restaurants and veg out on the couch. She plays with my hair and in return I make her dinner and make her bed, haha. This weekend was no exception. We packed it full with food, drinks, activities and a first for both of us - a Color Me Rad 5k. 60 years old and she's still running and getting colored corn starch thrown in her face, can you say that about your Mom?

It's becoming a tradition to hit up Total Wine for a mix-and-match six pack. Shiner Boch has out it's Summertime "Ruby Redbird" and I think it's my new favorite!

My mom and I both tried the Hot Betty from the Handsome Biscuit. It was unique in that the greens tasted like they were sauteed in about 19 cloves of garlic and sesame oil. Hiding underneath the greens was a fried egg and loads of hot sauce, mashed between a sweet potato biscuit. My mouth is watering just thinking back on it. 

 

Next we ran out to EcoTrends in Virginia Beach for the grand re-opening. Lyman, the owner of EcoTrends is a merchant at the Town Fair (and all-around awesome gal), so we went to support the lovely shop. Plus, my mom got to meet John and see his Glass Gardens display.

Another first for (all of) us, Smartmouth Brewery! I've been talking about stopping here for weeks, and we finally made it. We each did a tasting, my favorite was the Double IPA. Hmmm, wouldn't it be cool to have this in your neighborhood?!

We could just stop at one brewery, so we headed over to O'Connor's on 25th Street. We weren't sure they would be open, but to our surprise we landed a picnic table spot right in front of the band. They have a great wide-open space with corn hole and lots of standing room, so we'll definitely be back this Summer.

Before

After

Sunday morning came with a harsh wind and brisk temps, but Melissa, my mom and I made our way to Virginia Beach to play in a bunch of colored corn starch. I'm so proud of my mom, she rocked that race like no one's business! And isn't she the cutest? Melissa, I'm also proud of you for your training dedication, will are definitely doing this next year - in a toga :)

Another wonderful weekend with my Momma, maybe one day the weekends won't end and you can come over every weekend!

Momentarily Obsessed With...

1) frank's red hot.  I feel like a pregnant woman because of the cravings I've been having for Frank's. I have never gone through so much hot sauce in my life! I seriously determine what I'm going to make for dinner based on if I can pour a little (or a lot) of Frank's on it. Honestly, I'm not ashamed. And, this might not be a momentary kind of thing...

2) hop notch IPA.  I've also been craving some tasty beers this month. I ran down to the Shady Grove just before sitting down to write this entry and picked up a six-pack of this IPA. It certainly packs a punch at 7.3% alcohol! The beverage is also pretty yummy. I'll try to keep to just one during this post :)

3) downton abbey. Thanks to my boss and a very convincing NPR article I started watching Downton Abbey last month. The first season started a tad slow, but by episode 3 I was hooked. The second season I was able to borrow from a friend (first season courtesy of Netflix), but I finally caved and bought the third season. I can't wait to find out how the wedding goes....! Eeek!

4) house key holder.  Probably be needing one of these very soon.... I've always had a thing for antique keys, and of course, nothing is better than that teal color!

5) leather wrap.  What a trendy way to carry all your electronic cords when traveling! Mine all end up in a zipper pouch and get into a tangled mess. I'm not sure when my next trip will be, but this will be on a must-have list.

Monday Musebles

Newest addition for the craft shop section at Better Block...Paper Parcels.
Packs of new, vintage papers including scrapbooking, doilies, envelopes, sheet music, flash
cards, stickers, button cards, graph paper and more.

Lately I feel like I've been running a race and I just can't keep up (i.e. this post coming to you today - instead of Monday)! My daily to-do list has been more like a novel and at the end of the day I'm struggling to cross anything off - and you know how bad that irritates me!

Left, display case/china cabinet for $70. Top right, hanging white shelf was only $14! Needed some work, but what a steal!
Bottom right, baby crib that hangs from the ceiling. I am dying to buy this for my mini bolts of fabric!

This past weekend I felt like I did a lot of nothing. A few projects got worked on, but none completely finished. I cleaned messes to make more, of a different variety. I went and saw some really lovely display pieces for the Better Block project, but didn't actually purchase anything. 

We're only naughty when it comes to running marathons ;)

But, by the time Sunday rolled around, I wasn't actually feeling too overwhelmed. A few of us girls went to cheer on a friend running the Shamrock Marathon.We didn't end up lasting too long...the weather was definitely not on our side. I'm still in awe about how someone could run for FIVE hours in those conditions. Or any conditions for that matter! Kudos to you Susie!

Fawn Street Studios. Loved this space...that spiral staircase with the skylights and disco ball?
Sounds like my kind of place to have a wedding!

Mike and I checked out the new Art Design Craft Norfolk show at the Fawn Street Studios. Then we headed over to Belmont for a beer and some BBQ (seriously delicious food here).

Passed on the green Bud Light for a new Third Shift. Pretty tasty.

No lies, I would drink this stuff if it were socially acceptable!

I spent the rest of the night with some Dexter (yeah, back on this train again) and measuring fabric for my mini bolts for the Better Block. As you can see, a lot of nonstop randomness going on around our house. I guess it's not a terrible thing...for now.

Left, mini bolts of fabric. Right, "spools" of lace for sale.

Farm Girls Pub & Grub

My mom signed us up for a beer tasting the first night I was back in Alliance. Honestly I stopped listening at "beer tasting in Alliance"!? This would definitely be a first for our little Home of the Carnation. Anyway, my mom goes on to tell me a bunch of women farmers got together and opened a restaurant downtown Alliance called the Farm Girls Pub & Grub. They use (as many) local ingredients as they can and support the local economy 300 percent. You can imagine my excitement to hear of such a progressive event (and venue) in Alliance. 

Friday night we headed down to what was last known as Anthony's Italian Restaurant (also, what my mom remembers as where she ate dinner after prom). The owners have refinished the hardwood floors and original bar. They added lots of hanging lights to brighten up the place, but kept the original hunter green booths and mirrors on the walls.

About 30 people were in attendance and we started about 7 p.m. We tried six different beers, two local (Blonde Bombshell from Indigo Imp and Frosted Frog Christmas Ale from Hoppin' Frog) and three national (Hibernation from Great Divide, Double Bastard Ale from Stone Brewery, Winter Storm from Heavy Seas and Breckenridge Christmas Ale). They also served local cheeses, pickled veggies, sausage and crackers. Our favorites were the Hibernation and Winter Storm, and the Blonde Bombshell was also pretty tasty but not something I'd usually drink.

 
We ordered a bit of food at the end of the night - which was delicious. I don't eat meat, but the chickpea, kale and chicken soup was among the best I've had. We had such a fun time and I can't wait to visit the Farm Girls Pub & Grub the next time I'm home!