have you been to old salem?

i went saturday, with friends, for the first time in years.  we dropped in at the holiday fair, then wandered the peaceful streets, wondering as we went that we were just steps away from winston's downtown.

it was a glorious i-can't-believe-it's november kind of day-- bright and sunny and warm.  the indian summer has melded seamlessly into a beautiful fall, extending the glorious days of fiery leaves.

we peeked into a few shops along the street, stopping every few steps to take pictures of this tree, that house...

and then we ended at the bakery.  mmm, yum.

i picked up a loaf of freshly baked bread, and i've been snacking on it the past few days.  it is delicious. (and almost gone!  maybe i'll head back over soon for another loaf.)
...
 one more for good measure:

 i love these colors ... and look at the green that's still on this tree!

for your entertainment

i went to see this movie last night at aperture.  it's kind of a funny story- definitely.  in a realistic, spot-on, non-clichéd kind of way.  two thumbs up.  plus, it's got zach galifianakis, emma roberts, lauren graham, jim gaffigan ... yeah.  go see it. 

this song has become a staple of the school-morning routine.  "my song!  put it loud?"  yes, we listen to it almost daily, i mean, sing it at the top of our lungs.  this morning, twice.  who needs coffee when you've got celine? 

"art for arts sake"*

the *AFAS group is rockin' the block (6th and trade) with the arts on sunday festival; it's going on downtown every sunday all month long.

a few weeks ago, a friend and i decided to check it out. 

blues filled the air as festival-goers browsed the wares and danced in the street.  sights, smells, sounds layered together, filling up the atmosphere with a rich, palpable energy.

i was fascinated by these guitars ... 

... and i was mesmerized by the hoola hoops.

i don't think i've ever seen so many-- they were everywhere!

 i loved the way the bright patterns whirled and twirled in the air, completing the carefree, colorful afternoon.

brrr ...

hat?  check.  jeans?  check.  uggs?  check, check.  

looks like fall has officially arrived. 

according to three-year-olds

"when noah was on the ark, he was safe, because who was taking care of him?"

"his wife." 

september, lately

week one: the night streets came alive for the first fridays gallery hop downtown.  we wandered down trade and fourth, mesmerized sightseers in our own world, and ended the night with a drink at tate's.

weekend two: a quick jaunt to birmingham, filled with art and walks, family and friends.

and in between ... 

sweet sweet virginia

last weekend, i was back in virginia, enjoying time with the fam.  our adventures included a trip up to the creek on the blue ridge parkway, where we picnicked and splashed around like old times.

first day of school

i can't believe we're here again already, and i'm definitely not ready for pool season to end. the good news?  

football is just around the corner.  and i am very excited about that. 

adventures in august

thunderstorms punctuating the weeks and briefly clearing the muggy air, 

my transplanting to a new house and a new side of town,

old and new friends and live music in the streets,

homegrown basil topping fresh tomato salad ...

the great tennessee road trip

a few weeks ago, i traversed over 600 miles along i-40, all the way to memphis, tn, and then stopped for a visit in nashville on the way back (sadly, no photographic evidence of that). the trip was a great blend of being touristy and being with friends.  while in memphis, we hit the rock'n'soul museum and the dixon gallery and gardens.  below, some shots from the scene: 

love and logic

her: if i ate a poison apple, i'd be sick
me: yeees, that's probably true  

her: like gisele was sick 

me: well, you don't have to worry about that
her: gisele was sick when she ate the poison apple that the witch gave her
me: yes ... 
[pause, thinking this one through]
me: okay, but where was gisele from? and the witch and the poison apples? andalasia, right?
her: yes
me: and do we live in andalasia?
her: no
me: see? nothing to worry about 

on a rainy saturday

my favorite shoes are back!

happy july