The Summer List 2014

Have you made out your Summer 2014 "to do" list yet?  I made out ours and then I pulled out the calendar and started making plans to turn the list into reality.  The oldest child will be away for a month attending a special program...he is excited to go...I am not as excited for him to leave.  But it will be a good experience for him so I'm going to deal with it.  The only problem is he is going to miss out on some fun stuff! 

Some how I think he is going to survive this better than I will.

Last week I was pretty MIA because every single night we were either at practice for a dance recital or at the actual recital.  But it is OVER and everyone came away from it still intact.

And to add to the excitement we finally were able to complete the Tough Mudder.  This one was a little more tough but we managed and even think we'll sign up to do it again if it's in the general area. 

As far as that summer list goes....we have zip lining, concerts, biking, hiking, beaching, camping, wine drinking, beer tasting, take the kids to the park....we tried to cover all the bases!  I have a good amount already booked and tickets bought.  Just another normal summer for the Bryants. 

What is on your summer list?

 

Lewis Ginter

When I think of Richmond, our state Capital, a few images always pop into my head.  The Diamond, Maymont, Monument Ave. and Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  For year though I only thought about the place....but I have never visited.  It was on my "one day" list.  Then last year I made my first visit....I blogged about it here.  I fell in love on that visit. In December the entire family visited while the gardens were decked out in Christmas lights.  It was pretty awesome. 

  

Mark being the wonderful husband he is...heard me say mention HOW GREAT A MEMBERSHIP WOULD BE FOR MY BIRTHDAY....haha....I am great a dropping very direct hints :-)  So for my birthday we got a family membership and can visit all the time.



That sweet little girl would be my Emma



 

 

There is something new everytime I go.  The plants are always changing and there is always something in bloom. 

This weekend we have a school banquet to go to and then were going to what seems like a really fun event.  The Spring Jubilee at Rassawek Vineyard.  What do you have planned fun for the weekend?

Is it Friday Yet

Is it Friday yet?  Am I the only one day dreaming about what the weekend holds?  Am I the only one that thinks back to the last weekend and can't wait to do it all over again?

Sometime we actually stay home on a weekend so there isn't a grand adventure to share...but there are still great things we get to do right here at home.  Saturday I introduced Mark to a new coffee spot in Old Town Petersburg.  I think I have him hooked ;-)

And there is always something to do....like change out the Seasonal Tree.  Father's Day is coming up so I tricked the tree out with "Dad Ornaments"....that means the tree has some fishing, beer, wine, tractor, blue, manly stuff on it.

I didn't do anything with these roses over the weekend except trim a few back...but they are too pretty not to share.

Other than the usual running around we pretty much have been keeping at home.  The next couple weeks are busy with school banquets, work commitments, a coupld of races (one being the dreaded Tough Mudder) and one dance recital that is taking up an entire week.  So yeah home is where it's at these days.

Day dreaming of this!

Annefield Vineyard





Ever heard of Saxe Virginia?  Me either.  At least not until Mark and I visited in May.  We were staying at Staunton River State Park and touring some of the nearby attractions.  One of our stops was at Annefield Vineyards  in Charlotte County.  Just getting to this winery was an adventure for us.  I usually use Google Maps when I need directions.  BUT in this section of Virginia (Southern Virginia-about 30 miles from Buggs Island) there is no cell service with Verizon.  So that left me with a paper map put out by the Virginiawine.org.  And that map was.....well very basic.  It could get you to the general area but that is about it.  We covered some beautiful country, we followed signs for the winery, and we hoped like no body's business that we were headed in the right direction. 

When we saw the winery sign we both cheered.

When we saw the actual house we both drooled.

Gorgeous!  The pictures did not do it justice.  And to look at there website and see how it looked when they found the home....the transformation is incredible. 

You can check out their wine list on their website.  The wines were wonderful but only three made it home with us.  There was a winery cat and a couple of dogs-GIANT dogs.  All sweet and friendly.  Emma tried to talk them into coming home with us.  There was only room for the wine so the animals stayed behind. The winery was busy getting ready for an outdoor event that evening and we didn't want to get in the way.  So we didn't walk around the grounds outside.  The big front porch did have some guests enjoying what they had purchased and I have to admit it looked tempting to join them....but we had other adventures awaiting us.  I did ask for directions before leaving to get us to our next stop and the hostess was kind enough to tell me how to get to a couple places we might be interested in.  I always tell people that I do love my wine....but more than that I love visiting the wineries and vineyards and this visit was a prime example why.   

Beautiful country, stunning homes, and wonderful people--and yes wine!

       

The Planter Project

When I moved in with Mark he had a washer and dryer that were hidden behind a set of bi fold doors that had seen better days.  About a year later those doors were sitting outside behind our shed waiting to be my next craft project.  This past weekend I finally got around to that project. 

I bought two cans of spray paint-$7, a flower planter $11, and a few plants $10.  The rest of the supplies I already had....the doors, a wire brush, 5 2x4 blocks, and potting soil. 

I used the wire brush to clean off the old dust, dirt and the chipping paint.  The planter was going outside so it didn't have to be perfect.  I just wanted it free from leaves and grass that had accumulated over the years.

Then I put a couple coats of paint on the doors.  Like my color choice?  Did you think I would get a different color? 

Then we leaned the doors up next to the fence and screwed the basket right onto the doors.

The 2x4 blocks were to keep the doors from being right up next to the fence.  We screwed the blocks into the fence and then screwed the door to the blocks.

Then....I added my soil and flowers.

 The entire thing probably took an hour.  And the cool part....I still have another set of doors!  I have another idea for those ;-)  What would YOU do with an old set of doors?