baby talk

On Saturday morning, my parents & I left early for Richmond. I had a Teacher Assistant training at a Montessori school, which was conveniently located about 2 miles from my sister, Holly & brother-in-law, Josh's home. So while I was learning more about the Montessori method (& loving it even more), my parents were helping with the nursery & moving furniture. After my training, we drove out to look at & ended up buying a changing table that my sister found on Craig's list. Here's a sneak peek of the nursery. (Stay tuned for a new crafting post, as ideas for a "Peyton" tapestry are brewing).

We stayed the night & my dad (being the man he is) had some fun with the baby's shoes.
My sister looks beautiful & it's amazing to me to watch her belly grow & to discuss the baby's arrival. I'm so excited to be an aunt!

We all went out for breakfast Sunday morning, then my mom & I helped Holly register at Babies R Us. That took quite awhile, as you can imagine. ;)

ready for summer recycled skirt

Some friends of ours gave us a bag of clothes they no longer wanted (thanks Chris & Sara), which we LOVE to receive. Going through the pile, along came these colorful, worn-in shorts.

Without even asking him, I knew Terry wouldn't wear them. I was right & they've been sitting in our "take to thrift store" stack. My eye caught them this week, however & I thought Hey I like them, why not make them into a skirt. And so I did.
First, I cut the hem up the middle of the legs & sewed it together. For a smaller gal, that would have been it.. ready to wear.

But for this plus-size lady, panels were needed along the sides. Deciding on purple, I found a couple different fabrics. I measured them out, cut it up, & added them on. And that's that.

Bring on summertime!

beer & sausage festival

This weekend was a busy one for our small county. It was the annual Tour de Chesapeake-(Bikes, Bands, & the Bay). Bicyclists from all over camp & bike around our little gem on the bay. I believe bike routes are anywhere from 20-80 miles. To provide entertainment for our visitors, local groups & restaurants will host a variety of events throughout the weekend.
For the past three years, we have taken advantage of the Rotary Club's Beer & Sausage festival. With four tasting tables from 6 Virginia microbreweries, it's always given us a fun time! And last year to make it even better, they added Mercy Creek, who were back this year as well.

Usually, the festival will take place behind the public library, but due to the weather they decided to move it into our art school at the last minute. I was kinda bummed, but was happy to learn we could still be outside.

The two bites of the hand-crafted Virginia (lamb) sausage I got were really good! Boy, those things went super fast. Folks seemed like vultures just waiting & watching to scoop them up.

Quite a few of our friends made it this year. The big joke among us was the 2 ounce cups they provide for the tastings. However, one can go back to the tables as often as desired. ;)

hallieford beach

Growing up, my parents never took us Hallieford beach. We always stuck to the ones closer to home. However, in the past couple years I've been going quite often to meet up with friends and to take "my" kids. The beach is set along the Piankatank River and looks out onto the bay and Gwynn's Island. It's a very short walk down to the small beach from the parking lot. With the water being shallow, it makes for a great spot to take children. You can wade out quite far most days.

On Tuesday, I found out that Montessori wouldn't be needing me this week due to parent/teacher conferences. And to be quite honest, I didn't mind that much since my friend, Margaret, is here for a visit. So yesterday, we all met up at Hallieford beach. It was a bit cool out, but the sun helped keep us warm.

The girls stayed in the water most of the time, but did get out long enough to make us "birthday cakes".

It was a great spring day! How have you been enjoying this time of year?

may madness

This month is pretty busy for us, with every weekend being full of some sort of activity. Weekdays have been filling up, too. Here's a recap of the past 10 days.
Carolina Chocolate Drops at the National in Richmond

Hannah on Bethel beach. Some of us gathered there for a beer tasting with our friend, Chris's new homebrew, which was really good!

Girls' night with Gwen & Erica

Sam turned 2!

Catching Melinda and the Benders at White Dog Inn

Mother's Day with my beautiful mother & expecting sister ;)

Out for some Mexican to celebrate my friend, Doug's birthday

I feel so blessed!

happy 80th g-mom!

Yesterday, we threw an 80th birthday party for my dear grandmomma (G-mom). I have always been close with my mom's mother, even living with her in my early 20s for awhile. Growing up, all of us grandchildren spent a great deal of time at our grandparents' home. G-mom gave us all nicknames (mine was Happy Face) & told us each secretly that we were her favorite.

Her party was a huge success. Family from Pennsylvannia came down & it was wonderful to spend time and meet with relatives that most of us hadn't seen in over 25 years. G-mom saw old friends, reminiscing with pictures & sharing stories. Her great grandchildren sang "Happy Birthday" to her beaming face. My grandmomma is loved by many & has given so much in her life. She deserved this day and I was so happy to be a part of it.