Tuesday, June 7, 2011

24

I turned 24 on Sunday. It feels no different than 23 but boy did I have a fun birthday weekend.

I started off the weekend by picking these lovely flowers that are growing all over the place lately


On Saturday, I woke up to a birthday cake! Despite my urges to scarf it all down asap, I exhibited some self-control and saved it for after dinner. Then Thomas had to work but I was able to tag along. Our mission was to sign up street performers (or "buskers" as they call it up here) for a contest to find the best downtown busker. Winner gets to perform at an event in the park downtown and gets some $$$. Thomas had to video one song per busker to post on the radio website for online voting. They all thought I was part of the project so I snapped away without any worries. These three folks make up part of "Big Nasty." My vote goes to them hands down. This isn't our video, but check em out.






This is Drayton. He travels around and lives out of his guitar case.


This is Abby. She plays spoons like a maniac. It's pretty mind-blowing.


I really liked her tattoo. She also used that chapstick to grease up her fingers and knuckles for the spoon playing.


I can't remember his name but he was super nice. Who would have thought you find a didgeridoo player on the streets of Asheville!


One member of Nomadic Minstrels. He's playing the hammer dulcimer. Not that I knew what that was until I asked. I think he builds his own. Pretty interesting sound.


Caught my eye.

After the busker hunt, we grabbed some Thai food and headed to a serious game of roller derby. Roller derby half time shows are pretty amazing. Last game had elementary school break dancers. This game had a fire show complete with crazy LED light dinosaurs, flaming toy cars, fire whips that make humongous fireballs when cracked, and flaming jump ropes and hula hoops. I definitely regret not bringing my camera. After the game, it was finally time for some cake!


Thomas got me the bestest cake of all! A GARDEN cake which he was apparently jipped on the decorations but it was super cute! Oh, and it was strawberry cake. Amazing.

Poof enjoyed a slice as well.

After the early festivities, the rest of the weekend consisted of me laying in the backyard trying to even out the WORST farmers tan EVER and Tom "practicing" his croquet skills. If you've ever played croquet with this guy, you know he DOES NOT need any practice. He's also a pro at rubbing his mad skills in your face!


It's love.

Dreaming...






Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Busy Bees

Our good friends Chase and Ramona joined us for a fun filled Memorial day weekend. We hiked, went downtown, played some games (arcade games, trivial pursuit, apples to apples, and croquet), baked some sweets, and bbqd. The boys were initially deeply concerned about germs and rust on the tiny old bbq in the basement closet, Ramona and I talked them into cleaning it and having an impromptu all-American holiday bbq. So we put on our Sunday's best and ran off to Wal-Mart to buy our supplies. Here's the two of them pretending to be manly. Tacky lawn chairs, beer, firing up a grill followed by blank stares and "...now what?"


We grilled up some garlic buttered corn

had some hot dogs

and some yummy veggies

During the middle of an intense croquet game, a kamikaze bug decided to commit suicide in my eye. This might have been the most painful and startling thing I've ever experienced. After 5+ minutes of me screaming at Thomas to get it out and forcing myself to cry in hopes the tears would wash it out...I ended up having to run inside to a mirror. At this point I no longer felt it and we saw nothing so Thomas concluded it was out. But I wouldn't settle until I saw it out. I pulled down my bottom eyelid and sure enough there was the dead bug. Bigger than I thought. This led to more screaming and another couple of minutes trying to scrape it out. Here's the perpetrator. The picture doesn't do the bug size justice.
Not exactly sure what this is about

Ramona really loves Poof

Karate spoon chopping Thomas for being a creepy paparazzi

This is what heaven looks like to me



Saturday we went on a hike to the Laurel River. This is the "beach" we frequent...

This is the same beach during high tide. Who knew rivers changed this drastically!

Poof was quite happy to be back outside hiking and splashing around in rivers

Perfectly balancing tree. Looks like asparagus to me.

Some spring flowers




And I'll leave you all with this fabulous picture I took of Mr. Calder