A Sturdy Solution ...

image: martha stewart

[love] camping

It's Blowing Rock and the chance of it raining is always possible.  So we packed up and headed out to the Julian Price Park's Campground with the family.  That sounds so easy, "we packed up and headed out".  It wasn't that easy, in fact it was hard.  But we made it and after a lunch and catching up at The Woodlands, we found the sweetest little spot ever! 

It was a perfect fit for the tent and "kitchen" easy up.  It was fairly level and no neighbors!  It also had these cool little trails back behind it through the rhododendrons that the kids loved.  It wasn't even that far from the bathhouse. 

We got camp set up, a fire started and hot dogs were perfect for supper.  No rain.  We were good to go and even the girls cooperated and went to bed wonderfully in the tent.  The next morning wasn't as promising.  Breakfast was crazy good, but isn't it always when you are outside?  The fire got warmed back up and we decided to wait for the sun to come out.  The sun didn't come out.  The boys went fishing, the girls and I played at the campsite, but the sun never came out.  Then the rain started.  The kids were great, but we knew that it wouldn't be long before the limited amount of dry area wouldn't entertain them any longer.  So we called it.  We packed it all up, in the rain and headed back home. 

In the end, the right decision was made, but it was sad nonetheless.  Price Campground is just one of those places that you always want to stay one more night.  Maybe we can squeeze another trip in before it just gets too cold.

tomatoes

It's August in the South.  If you aren't eating homegrown tomatoes, why eat them at all?  These little beauties are growing in the kids play yard.

This wonderful assortment is from the Hickory Farmers Market which I'm totally addicted to and can't stand the idea of not having access to all those wonderful veggies come fall.

Now to figure out if I'm ever going to get more complicated than putting a slice of tomato between two slices of white bread with some Duke's mayonnaise.

Crabby ...

One year old and already crabby?  No way, he's the happiest little boy you've ever seen so a red, white a blue birthday will be perfect.  A few ideas via Etsy.  

first row: crab plush; c is for crab; crabby leash (for the pup)

second row: sailboat painting; clay crabs; candy wrapper; letterpress invite

third row: crab applique; cloth set; cupcake liners

fourth row: punch outs; matchboxes; bracelet (for mommy)

[love] a crafty turned healthy adventure

Big Crafty....  ohhh myyyyyy ....  and in Asheville?  I couldn't resist.  The crafts were almost as amazing as the people who made them and I LOVED meeting the artisans that I've watched (okay, maybe stalked is a better word) on Etsy for so long.  I even recognized some the artists from the Charlotte Etsy Fair I visited last summer.  It was so awesome that it needs it's very own post so onto the kiddos.

The ONE problem with the Big Crafty, 1000 degrees at noon with three VERY sweaty kids right around nap time.  The answer, The Health Adventure, a very cool (both figuratively and literally) "family health and science attraction" located on Pack's Square in Asheville.  The same location as Big Crafty!  Being an avid visitor to the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, how could we just walk past without at least checking it out. 

It's awesome and the staff is so super nice. Even on a day when you couldn't walk outside their doors thanks to all the craftmania.  We let the girls out of the stroller and just let Jack loose.  Kate and Maddie loved the play area.

They had an amazing time in just the first room and after a few minutes of ultra cool ac, I was back off to browse the crafts while Dad watched the kids.

We met back upstairs in the "Wizard of Oz" exhibit.  Jack worked on Tornado Alley while the girls visited some munchkins for tea.

So, if you are ever in Asheville and need a wonderful and educational break, this is the place.  I was just a bit jealous at not getting to explore The Health Adventure the whole time, but I know we will be going back!

[celebrate] burlap and the beach

Here are a couple final photos of the Rehearsal Dinner for Brandon and Wendy. 

Not bad for a much older church fellowship hall.

Images: Josh Jessmer

[love] the lake

Papaw got an RV.  Mamaw doesn't care to ride in it.  Mamaw likes to park it and leave it.  Papaw doesn't like not having a car.  The answer, Lake Lookout and a little campground with no more than 15 other campers, mostly fifth wheels and our new summer vacation spot via the grandparents.  I think they had the idea they were going to "escape" us kids for a bit and yet I think the opposite has happened and they would have it no other way. 

images: playpending

[celebrate] tonight is the night

So between a lovely vacation in Asheville and getting ready for the rehearsal dinner, blogging has suffered.  Back to it with a little glimpse of Brandon and Wendy's Rehearsal Dinner.  The Big Day is tomorrow, so I hope they are having a wonderful time tonight and get to enjoy their friends and families as much as the barbecue. 

brandon and wendy ...

Brandon and Wendy are a beautiful couple who are finally getting married NEXT WEEK!  I've been working on some ideas for their rehearsal dinner.  Since it's Brandon's show we decided on burlap and the beach.  We begin assembly tomorrow and hopefully our ideas will turn out as pretty as the ones below.

images: Style Me Pretty, Pottery Barn and Coastal Living

[read] sunny inspiration

I was sucked into craft books again.  Add a weakness for books to a love of crafts and I'm so done.  All but one are solid, and the one that's not was free, so there you go.  Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnager is one of the prettiest books I've read or even seen in a long time.  Although the style is something that I could never pull off, I've found one project that may have me busy for a while.

So hopefully I will have some crafty posts to add in very soon and at the same time get a head start on Christmas for all the girlies in my life!