Strawberry Fields... Forever

Sometimes the sweetest times come when you least expect them. In the midst of a crazy schedule, the Lord can give you a detour that makes everything worth it. We often don't listen to that voice telling us to slow down and smell the proverbial roses, and in doing so we miss out on little moments the Lord intended to give us rest and peace.

We fill our every waking moment with music, talking, talk radio etc.... when do we ever just sit and listen to that still voice in the silence? As a culture we've drowned it out.

Yesterday I ignored the flashing schedule in my mind and didn't protest when Strom took a detour in our busy day. We ended up in a strawberry field. Just the two of us and a yellow bucket. Somewhere in the rows of awfully little berries, I found some peace to continue on.

I am grateful that I didn't get my way and press on with our busy schedule... for it gave us this sweet moment.

A Birthday Celebration

There comes a day when birthdays cease to include countdown to party time. While I have personally experienced the death of the countdown, it would be a lie to say I don't enjoy birthdays! I mean come on, who doesn't love ice cream cake and a little love and attention?? ;)

This year was a first for me - my first birthday without my family around. It was all on Strom to make my birthday memorable! And he didn't disappoint. I think I might appoint him lead party planner for all future celebratory occasions - he hit this one out of the park! It meant so much to see all the time and work he put into making my birthday special. (I love you, Babe!)

After attending the commissioning ceremony for a dear friend of ours (more to come on that soon!), we hopped in the car and took off for Charlottesville. What awaited us there was pretty much the most beautiful vineyard you could imagine. I hope you enjoy a peek into my day as much as I enjoyed living it! 

First stop, the amazing Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard!

Pippin Hill is gorgeous, y'all!! F'real!!

It's like Restoration Hardware on overdrive!

And then it was off to downtown Charlottesville for a little perusing, iced coffees and in all honesty, a few smelly hippies here and there...

And topped off with an awesome dinner at The Local! (It was insanely delicious, btw! Anyone looking for a good atmospheric restaurant in Charlottesville should check it out!). 

And because I love to brag about my sweet hubby, he surprised me with the loveliest lilies I have ever seen! He's kind of wonderful! :)

Here's to hoping this year doesn't fly by as fast as all the others!!

Happy Wednesday to ya!

Cherry Blossoms... & Hunger Games

It was like a scene straight out of Anne of Green Gables. Or a vision in Narnia. Perhaps I was daydreaming in Pride & Prejudice land... whichever it was most like, it was simply beautiful. Sitting on a hillside, a good book in my hands, spring breezes flowing through the trees, petals softly fluttering to the ground... It was a perfect afternoon. A scene almost straight out of a movie. I would look up from the pages of my book every few moments and just smile. Smile for the weather (Virginia is seriously amazing!), smile for the aromas (between the smells of spring and the local bakery up over the hill, my sense of smell was on overdrive!) and smile for God's beautiful care in His creation. Every spring, the earth comes alive. Without hesitation. His handiwork is seen in every blossom and in every birds' song. 

Speaking of Hunger Games! Who saw it this weekend?? I was the girl who started book one two days before the movie premiered. Yup. That was me. I had two afternoons to get the thing done and I made it happen! I may or may not have read the last 1.5 pages literally IN my theater seat, but I finished it in time! I never do anything (at least I strive great lengths to) that hordes of people flock to; if something is popular, chances are I run the other way. I felt nothing one way or the other over Hunger Games, but my family flew through the series over the last few months (even my hubby!). So, I finally caved when I realized Strom would see the movie with or without me. 

So, to whoever saw it, what did you think? I now wish I read the books sooner, because I was able to point out every single missed detail, it having been so fresh in my mind... But I enjoyed it!! (And honestly, it's 2.5 hours, how much more detail does a movie even have time for?) It follows the book as close as I have ever seen a movie do. The characters are all well represented, and the action well-done. The relational intricacies and emotional elements aren't fully conveyed (yet another time issue, I'm sure!) but overall, it was great and extremely enjoyable! My word of advice is to definitely read the books first. You get so much more out of the movie knowing the extra details and thoughts of Katniss Everdeen, the lead character (the book is written in first person, so all the narrative is missing). I'm not one that likes movie spoilers, but in this case the books are a plus beforehand! And that's my two cents! 

Markets, Monuments & Museums...Day Two in D.C.

Day two in Washington D.C. was far more relaxing, and thankfully, it was a bit cooler! After a city run and a breakfast of coffee, juice and fruit in the hotel, we donned our walking shoes (and left our purses in the car this time! Thank heavens for husbands willing to trade off a heavy backpack all day!) and hit the streets of D.C.! 

A trip to Eastern Market, all the war memorials and several major monuments, a snack in the park, the Holocaust Museum and a quick trip to Georgetown for a bite to eat (no photos from there, sadly!) made day two the overall favorite of everyone in the group! Just seeing all these photos again makes me want to go back and enjoy it all over again!  

 How adorable is this place?

 The photo on the right was a complete accident (I hit the shutter as I lowered my camera!) But just looking at the texture of the gravel makes me feel like I'm walking on the Mall! 

 A delightful afternoon snack of cheese and crackers!! This may have been my favorite moment of the whole trip! 

 Overheated and tired, I mentioned in passing how much I would love a lemonade and the next thing I knew, Strom had run off and returned from a snack shop with a cup of delicious lemonade for me! That's my hubby! :)

 Thomas Jefferson said that if you wish to preserve history, forget books, write your words in stone. Greatness is written on this wall. Evidence of a man of God and integrity. 

From flowers to the reality of evil... If you're ever in D.C., the Holocaust Museum is by far the best done museum I have ever been to (and trust me, I have been to many - I was homeschooled, that's what we did for fun!). It so so worth the time and experience. 

Halfway through the week! 

Happy Wednesday!