I'm a walking TSA nightmare!

Upon my arrival home from North Carolina,

I opened my bag to find this lovely little note to inform

me that TSA had raided my bag.

Golly, I couldn't imagine what might have triggered that bag search.

(on a side note can we briefly think about the amounts of dirty underwear 

those poor people have to rummage through each day....yuck!)

On this summer vacation to the lake I promised 

myself (and the hubs) that I wouldn't spend money on souvenirs,

even though some of my favorite things come from up there!

Like my body oils from BeeGlobal and my tea mugs from Yellow Branch.

As a matter of fact we didn't even go to either of these places this year.

Which was probably best for my pocket book.

Instead I filled my camera with about a million amazing photographs,

and went the free-gan route and collected things from around the lake to take home.

Although I did have to shell out a small amount of dough for a pound of Appalachian honey! 

Yum.

Here is what I came home with.

So what could have possibly set of TSA to search my bag?

I don't know? 

 There is the giant honey jar.

Or maybe it was the ziplock baggy full of moss (that I am sure looked like something else),

or maybe it was the fact that I just walked through security with an 

arm full of drift wood, completely ignoring the giant sign that read

NO CLUB LIKE ITEMS.

Regardless, all my treasures made it home safely.

And all of my undies were in my suitcase right where I left them.

Happy travels and sorry Knoxville TSA for being a walking nightmare!

The Fungus Among Us.

Well it rained non-stop while we were in 

North Carolina.

All of my normal beautiful and sunny mountain surrounding

were replaced by soggy, muddy, grey days.

But I wasn't going to let a little rain ruin my vacation.

Instead I took a huge interest in all the sprouting mushrooms.

It became a theme of my photo missions.

I was blown away by the colors and shapes that all the fungus made.

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1.  i have really been missing the cool air and beauty of north carolina. my dad called me this week to inform me that dates were set for a family reunion this summer. it's far off, but it really gives me something to get super excited about! north carolina here i come (in august).
2. we had been going through a few weeks of extreme poor behavior from the boy. not sure if it's because he's not in daycare anymore or maybe it's the behavior sticker chart that we are using, but he's has been an angel lately. when he's good, he is just awesome to be around. he's funny and silly and polite and super smart. i just can't believe how fast it's all going by. he's getting so big and independent.
3. speaking of how big he's getting....i was reading him one of his favorite books (lady and the tramp) the other day, and he surprised me by "reading" it to me. so i went with it. we took turns reading it to each other. i'd start the sentence and he'd finish it (word for word). i know that he's not actually reading the words on the pages, but repeating words he's memorized...but that's how it all starts right.
4. i have had some amazing luck with my thrifty finds lately! i am really excited to share some awesome news with you guys soon! i'll give you a clue...turquoise violets is expanding!
5. are you guys addicted to pinterest yet? i am. i so am. it's so inspiring and awesome to see all these images in one place. but i'll tell you what's really awesome....when complete strangers start pinning images from your blog onto pinterest.  the succulent wall garden DIY that i did a few months ago seems to be gaining some serious pinterest popularity. i think that i need to do another succulent project soon!
6. there has been some seriously good food coming from my kitchen this week. but i can't stop thinking about those banana bread bites. i am pretty sure that i ate my weight in chocolate and bananas this week. any suggestions for the next baking project?
7. the hubs and i finally did it. we got a years pass to the zoo. are zoo is awesome. not too big, not too small. it is mostly shaded which is great for the summer, and there is a giant water fountain for the kiddos to play in. so excited to spend the year at the zoo!
8. the hubs and i had an amazing craft night the other night. i may have tricked him into it, but it sure was fun.
9. have you seen the movie "warrior"? holy smokes....if you haven't your really should. it's a fictional story about two brothers who are mma fighters. such a great story, amazing soundtrack, and half of the movie is fighting. so good.
10. had a great play date with the boys best little boy buddy the other day at gumbo limbo. this place is amazing. acres of natural florida wildlife, a serious observation tower, FAU's marine mammal research facility, and a sweet butterfly garden all in one place. if you are ever in the area i suggest you check it out.

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. once or twice a year i make it out to my parent lake house on lake santeetlah. it is my heaven on earth. i think deep down inside (as much as i love living on the beach) that i was meant to be pickin' a banjo in the back woods of north carolina. spending the week up there was so rejuvenating (even if i was sick half the trip).

2. haley and paige drove up with my cousin to surprise my dad and spend some time with us at the lake. it was the best surprise! my dad was blown away. i had such an amazing time with them! the two of them are growing up to be such amazing women and i am so proud to be their big sister!

3. one of my favorite things about spending time in NC is checking out the local artist. we usually head into asheville and hit up some galleries, but this time we stayed very local. yellow branch farm and pottery as well as bee global will always be on my "must go to" list when i am up there.

4. the boy was so amazing on the plane. i was worried about the flight home since we didn't even take off until about 9pm. he fell asleep before we even left the ground and slept until every last person was off the plane. what a champ.

5. as i mentioned i got sick on vacation...bummer. but i must say, that if you are going to get sick you should do it when we are with 15 of your closest family members. i had so much help with the boy. it was the biggest weight off my shoulders to have all the help. thanks everyone!

6. as much fun as i had in north carolina this past week the highlight had to be getting home to see the hubs! unfortunately he couldn't make the trip, but we sure missed him! it is so good to be back in his arms.

7. nyquil - even though it makes me do funny things in my sleep.

8. sharing in the excitement with my two favorite people from ouraugust. not only is it their month (both of them celebrating birthdays in august), but these two little lovers just got engaged! jump on over and share the love with them! i know that they will have a long life together full of laughter and joy. best wishes!

9. the boy did his first zip line at his friend olive's birthday party. barrel o'monkeys is an awesome family run kids gym in delray beach. the boy and i have been before, but he was too scared to do the zip line before....but today was a new day! thanks to a little persuasion from mommy (i told him it was like a super hero....how could he say no?) and the instructor letting me take him on the ride....he did it!

10. i have not legitimately cooked dinner since i have been home from my trip (baked chicken and mac and cheese doesn't count). between me and the boy being sick and the lack of food in the house it just hasn't happened. all the pizza and take out is taking it's toll but sometime it's nice to have someone else make dinner. as i am writing this now the hubs in on his way home from picking up dinner at chili's. yum.

some inspiring textures and colors

bee global

on our western north carolina artisan adventure we stopped in to the bee global gallery. what an amazing and refreshing experience. from the second i stepped out of the car i knew that this place was going to be special. the contemporary building is beautifully and organic placed among hills and fields of wild flowers. there is a calming "buzz" almost like a hum all over the gardens and in the gallery.

the gallery and the gardens are full of the perfect mix of old and new. i found out that the bee keeper wife is also an avid bottle collector which made me adore them even more! the smells from the candles (and hives) that fill your nose inside the gallery are fresh and natural and not at all overwhelming or perfumy. all of the beautiful lanterns are made with flowers from the garden.

i fell in love with these giant hanging hive sculptures. and bonus, they are repurposed from plastic bags. i love recycled/repurposed art. they were so awesome.

yellow branch pottery

if you are ever passing through stecoah, nc make sure that you stop at yellow branch pottery and cheese farm. you will be greeted at the door of the gallery by karen mickler. she was kind enough to let me explore through her work space and snap some photos. i love finding the beauty in other artist creative processes. her gallery was just amazing...and i can't wait to use my new coffee mug.

then we wandered up to the farm where you can normally find bruce making the most delicious cheese. we missed him unfortunately, but we did spend some time with some adorable little calfs.

the lake life

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. cool weather in august. its so funny listening to everyone complain about how hot it is up here in the mountains, meanwhile i am searching for a sweater. the weather is absolutely beautiful up here.

2. working out with my step mom...she's the best motivator.

3. sunset cruises.

4. watching the boy fearlessly swan dive/belly flop into the lake from the dock and the boat. this kid is lake boy to the core.

5. stoney hollow farm. i am so sad that they are selling the farm. i am afraid that whom ever buys it won't be able to live up to it. this farm is a you pick/ self service farm. you literally leave your money wrapped up in the freezer. got to love the honor system.

6. the boys first jet ski ride....even if he didn't love it....it was "too loud"

7. having an abundance of help with the boy. between my dad, step mom, and all my sisters it's been really nice to not have to be constantly worried about the boy.

8. the look on my dad's face when two of my sisters showed up at the lake to surprise him. priceless.

9. the boys new love for kayak rides.

10. being surrounded with so much love, family, and laughter.

28 minus 20 equals 12?

my baby sister isn't much of a baby anymore. as a matter of fact she's growing up quite quickly. last night we had a pretty confusing conversation about her actual age. we have always been 20 years apart....things like that just don't change, but in my head i was convinced that she was in her tweens. but the math just wasn't adding up. i know that i am not in my 30's (yet). as we were cruising the lake on the jet ski i kept counting....28 minus 20 equals 8....but you are at least 12...huh? she finally settled it for me....she's really only 8. i guess i get it, my entire childhood everyone always thought that i was older too.

back to the jet ski....she was driving. my sister, my baby sister is absolutely fearless compared to my grandma jet ski driving. she goes fast....way faster than i would ever dare. she knows all the fun maneuvers and loves nothing more that jumping the wakes. i am not sure which she gets a bigger kick out of though, the rush of the ride or the fact that her oldest sister is hanging on for dear life and squealing with joy.

stoney hollow farm

today we took a trip up to stoney hollow farm. i could wander the grounds of this farm all day. the boy put it best when he said: "i love this big back yard". we played with the donkeys, ate berries right off the bush, and saw some of the pretties tomatoes.

leaving on a jet plane...

today the boy and i are making the adventurous flight to knoxville and then across the tail of the dragon then up to the top of thunderbird mountain. we can't wait to be with my parents and family!

Free music - Leaving On A Jet Plane

10 things i couldn't live without this week:

1. oh man, i am just in love with my new red floral skirt that i found at family vintage. and i am kinda in love with family vintage it self...just found out they will be having another yard sale coming up in september! can't wait.

2. ballet just keeps getting better and better....or maybe it's me that's getting better at ballet. i am not sure how i went for some many years without structured dancing in my life. don't get me wrong....i shake my booty all the time, but the discipline and control that ballet takes is a different story.

3. i can see changes happening in my body. besides the weight loss, i physically look stronger. i am long and lean, and i feel more poised and far more flexible. it's kind of an amazing thing.

4. all this talk about how fantastic i look and feel made me hungry for some deadly gooey chocolate cookies! check out these delicious gluten free lava cookies.

5. i finally got my na fianna cd in the mail. me and the boy can't stop listening/dancing/singing to it. i won a contest a while ago (yes can you believe it....i never win anything) that they were holding to help promote their american/canadian tour. na fianna is a great traditional folk and ballad band from ireland...and you know how i am a sucker for irish music. make sure you check out their album and show some support to the band!

6. i finished my pencil skirt the other day and got to take it out for girls night test drive. it's kind of amazing. and there is something about that skirts color pallet with turquoise shoes that makes me feel complete.

7. i bought my plane tickets for north carolina. the boy and i can't wait to be there! the trip went from being and nice quite family vacation to what sounds like a giant reunion-ish family party. can't wait to see everyone. i have plans to take lots of pictures and maybe spend some time getting lost in the woods.

8. the hubs and i went on a great date night, it's not something that we do often, but when we do it's always amazing. we ate dinner at a place downtown that we always over look...god knows why because it might be the best restaurant we have down there. then we cruised over to our local pub for some drinks with some friends. we ended the night down by the water watching shooting stars.

9. i finally started working on a restoration project that i have been sitting on for a while. my great grandmother gave me a necklace that my father helped make when he was a kid. i have had the necklace for a while and have worn it in the past, but due to the necklaces delicate condition it's been out of the rotation for a quite some time. so i took it apart and started to put it back together again....with a little re-fashioning. can't wait until it's done so i can share it with you!

10. we took the boy for his first movie theater experience. it was awesome! he was so excited when we got there, the look on his face was priceless as he took it all in. we got our popcorn and candy and settled in to our seats to watch the smurfs 3D. not only did he love the movie, but he was so good. he sat in my lap (mostly because his seat kept folding up on him - which was hilarious) with one had in the popcorn and his little 3D glasses on. as soon as we left he wanted to go back.

Rope Swings

I just settled down after my 4 day whirl wind vacation to the lake. This morning I was so sad to be leaving all of my family to come home to this quiet empty house. I thought that this was going to feel so lonely. Is it bad that I am totally loving it? Alone. Quite.