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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Weekend Fun

Since this is my last free weekend until mid-November, I thought I'd pack in as much fun as possible. It started out on Friday with a 15 mile bike ride with a friend. We rode around my area, passing cows and even a buffalo.
There's a zebra living with its horse buddies at a nearby farm, but they were too far away for a photo. 

Then Krista and I rounded up the table and chairs that we had just finished the day before and hauled them over to Ginger & Spice. Staged it with a big black glittery crow and some other black and white stuff and off we went. 

Got home, grabbed some wine, made some quick quesadillas, loaded my boat and gear into my truck and raced to the river for our monthly moonlight paddle up the Potomac. Here's Dick loading his boats onto the river. 

It was a beautiful day turning into a beautiful evening. I always love paddling under this bridge, especially towards the sunset. The Monocacy bridge is also the bridge we bike over on the C&O Canal. 

Nine of us paddled up river to an island where we brought out the wine and food. After about an hour and half, we loaded up and floated back. This is actually my favorite part. It is so magical being on the river in the dark, except for the moonlight. I can't believe I don't do it more often. Your senses are geared more to sounds and you hear such wonderful things, like owls and wood thrushes. 

Saturday was a totally different day. I worked at our space at the Blue Hearth for a couple hours in the morning, then went to a James Madison U football game with Seal & Mike in Harrisonbur. They have a suite at the top of the bleachers with a full bar and all you can eat southern type food. I ate and drank and drank and ate some more. Got home at midnight with a full belly but luckily no headache.

Sunday dawned crisp, clear and cool, a perfect day for a bike ride. Houston and I rode part of the 'covered bridge ride', starting north of Walkersville and paralleling the Catoctin mountain range. We saw beautiful barns, glimmering creeks, and plenty of corn fields. This is a very rural agricultural area and it was all fine and dandy except that it's manure spreading season. peeee...ewwwww.

 
Did find one of the covered bridges.

To top off the entire weekend, we were invited to a 'dirt to dinner' meal on our friend's farm. They haul chairs, tables, flowers, candles up through narrow pathways cut into the corn to the top of this hill. 

Surrounded by tall corn, drying in the wind, they've created a large round area of grass for flying kites and playing croquet. 

Competitive croquet, for sure. They've even made their own mallets out of their old ice hockey sticks and exotic wood. 
Dave is a woodworker and used leftover wood to make every stick a bit different.



There was even a spectator section.



We got down to eating as the sun was setting over Sugarloaf Mountain. Today is the fall equinox, where day and night are the same length and it's the first day of autumn. What better way to celebrate than being outdoors all day and sharing a meal in a field with family and friends? 

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Shindig, Part Two

Our adorable couple. I am so very happy for them. 

 Funny thing...I had a dress all picked out and got dressed while people were arriving. I called four women into my room to get their opinion on what I was wearing. I thought it was a bit 'bridey' but they all confirmed that it was off white and I looked great. So off I went to greet guests. My mom came running up and said "Deidre is wearing almost the exact same thing!" Awkward!!! Luckily I was by the back door to my bedroom and you never saw someone move so fast! 

My mom (Darlene), me (in something that looks nothing like Deidre's dress), 
Deidre's mom (Tanja) and Deidre

Darlene, Deidre, Tanja

I was so happy two of my brothers came for the shindig. My oldest brother, Doug and mom Darlene.


Krista and Darlene

Forrest and Michele

Forrest any my nieces, Shannon and Corey.

Georgia and Garrett

Georgia, Garrett and Gramma looking at photos

I think this is my favorite picture of the night. Deidre and her girlfriends jumping for joy.



Getting ready to cut the cake. Love the look of surprise on Deidre's face as our friend surprised us by playing his bagpipes.




Forrest's vintage bike made a great photo prop.



Michele and Forrest enjoying the 'ride'.


The photo 'booth' was very popular.


Aramin and my two brothers, Don and Doug

Don came from Phoenix and Doug from Kansas City. They were a great help on helping to get ready.

My niece, Corey

Deidre and friend (I think this is Brit)

Tanja and Deidre the day before the party



Duke and Sara

Forrest and Michele. Krista brought over so many great props, mink stoles, a fox (can't believe women seriously wore these!), hats, boas and wigs.


Houstons's brother, George and girlfriend, Carol


Forrest photo bombing Georgia and Garrett



The hosts, Houston and Dalis

Our neighbor Mike and his two brothers

Shannon and Corey

As the night came to an end, a small group of us sat and took the day in, thankful for clear weather (thunderstorms were forecast), for so many friends and family who came to celebrate and to wish the couple a great life together, with many, many years of happiness.

Goodnight and good wishes