not potluck, that's for sure

July 20

Lewis Ginter

In the morning I finished that giant assignment, in the afternoon I went to the dive shop, and in the evening I went to see Emmylou Harris. If only all long days ended with something so pleasant.

July 21

I-95 N

This took me ages to figure out what it was because it's so ridiculously awful (and hardly excusable). Driving home from potluck, I spotted the fireworks, realized I had nothing to show for the day, snapped my little camera, and shrugged my shoulders with an "oh well".

July 22

Front yard

It's been blazing hot here as it has been most places. Wearing clothes sometimes seems like torture, but I brought this dress I got at a thrift store way back when from my closet in Little Rock, where it was serving me absolutely no good. I just like the shoulder ties. They make me feel like a kid.

July 23

Henrico County Dump

Cleaning up the backyard in preparation for the tree cutting. Holy cow there was so much rubble.

July 24

Kitchen counter

Cherries and nectarines all ready to go into their cobbler dish and be baked to deliciousness.

July 25

Dining room table

A night of dominoes and homemade grilled veggie grilled pizza.

July 26

Cinebistro

Seeing HP in style. That's a beer mug on the tray my dinner will soon be served to me on.

July 27

Staples Mill and Broad

Driving home from potluck, I realized I had nothing to show for the day, snapped my little camera, and shrugged my shoulders with an "oh well". Sound familiar? I don't know why I keep letting perfectly great opportunities with friends pass me by in the snapshot category. I'm going to consider myself too caught up in the moment of fun to realize.

July 28

Backyard

The day before the tree comes down. You can see it in the back by the wood pile with a faint neon orange X on it.

July 29

Backyard

There's a little man (well, he looks little) at the top of the de-branched tree. It looks way taller when it doesn't have all those limbs to bulk it up.

July 30

Otter Creek

Fresh tomatoes in the window at the river.

July 31

On the river

Elisabeth and I took a break from the work and went for a lovely kayak ride. Then she took this action shot of me.

From Richmond to Little Rock and back again

June 30

Acacia Restaurant

A bad picture for a wonderful dinner. Our friend, Blair, prepared our food extra special and delicious.

July 1

Rose Garden

It really is just a picturesque place.

July 2

Gelati Celesti bench

Running errands are best when followed up with gelato.

July 3

Lake Anna

With Anna and Steven, a pre-Fourth of July celebration.

July 4

Gas station across the street from Loretta Lynn's Kitchen, Tennessee

mysterious disappearance from the camera. We had a Fourth of July picnic in the back of the truck while en route to Little Rock.

July 5

River Trail, North Little Rock

Bike ride with Dad and Andy in the southern summer heat.

July 6

Chinese Peace Garden (okay, so I can't really remember what it was called)

The intricate gate that marks the entrance. Only the doors don't open so you just have to walk around it.

July 7

Greers Ferry

Nothing like a sunset swim after dinner.

July 8

Dining Room

One piece of the t-shirt factory that was my parent's house that night.

July 9

Allsopp Park

That's what the shirts were for. Family Reunion Picnic Extravaganza. Thank you Grandma and (late) Grandpa for having so many 9s.

July 10

The Hilton Ballroom

Family Reunion Dinner Extravaganza complete with talent show. And cork trick, taught by my dad, learned by Vanessa, Andy, and Leland.

July 11

Missy's couch.

Let me introduce you to one of the newest Rollie Pollies, MAPpy, as I so fondly call Margaret Alice Parrish.

July 12

Minister's Treehouse, Crossville, TN

This goes done as a must-see Roadside Attraction! The biggest treehouse ever with a giant chair swing to boot!

July 13

Overlook off I-81 (or 64E. Man my memory is poor.)

Stopped for a driver switch and a cooler snack grab.

July 14 - 20

Desk

This is the daily progression of an assignment I just completed (times two because the strip is so small). Yeah, I didn't leave room for much else other than working for seven days straight.

These were my breaks though. Grocery store for items to make the work more bearable, Sister's to water her plants and steal her vegetables, Lewis Ginter to buy a ticket to EmmyLou Harris with a walk by the turtle pond on the way home.

So that was just about a month. Barely a moment to stop, really. Let me say a few things in conclusion. When I spend a chunk of time in Little Rock, I can't help but feel like one of the luckiest girls alive. My family is giant and their love is just as big. I love getting to spend time with my cousins, aunts, and uncles and I wish it could happen more often. But we make up for the scarcity of those moments when we do get together.

Here's more photos of Little Rock, the lake, the reunion, and the treehouse. If you'd like.

flowers, food, and knitting: i swear i'm not that old

June 19

Carytown parking lot

Gone for a Mexican dinner with Abe. Here's where we parked the car.

June 20

kitchen counter

Pining after the beach by pretending I am this little girl swimming in seltzer water. Bubbles and all.

June 21

kitchen counter, again

After talking about baking for hours on the drive from Dauphin Island to Little Rock with Mom, I had my itch. These are chocolate chip made with yogurt instead of egg. Super soft and fluffy!

June 22

Ha, kitchen counter, again again!

How I love some fresh pens. Thanks to Gulia for my super mail surprise!

June 23

office ottoman

Funny leery kitty. I think I'm going to name him Mr. Monocle. He looks like he should have one.

June 24

Brown's Island

As the train goes by, Sharon Jones and her Dap Kings sing on.

June 25

Sister's backyard

Beautiful hydrangeas. She also had tomatoes and okra and peppers and eggplant!

June 26

Just guess where I took this photo.

I like to separate my ingredients into bowls. It's organized and colorful.

June 27

living room couch

This project has been about three years in the making. I just keep not doing it. Any ideas on what it will be?

June 28

mixing bowl...on the kitchen counter.

A magnificently smooth meringue.

June 29

front sidewalk

For this frozen raspberry pie. (Yes, I took it outside to take it's picture.)

the island remains the greatest

June 11

Old Williamsburg Road

Our luggage for the beach (plus the Rainbow) fill Robert Earl's bed.

June 12

Island Breeze

Getting ready for the 2011 Family Christmas Photo. Steven and Dad went golfing and won a lot of beer/alcohol sponsored clothing, so naturally we donned it. I chose this one because of the goofy faces on all of them.

June 13

kitchen table

Not a great photo, but a great deal. That is a little piece of bacon (about the size of a quarter) on my once just egg and cheese sandwich. I took the bite willingly and I kind of liked it. Not a convert yet, but I'm also not denying the urge if I have it. But I haven't had another urge since.

June 14

beach

We might not have been able to see the eclipse, but there was a great full moon.

June 15

Fort Morgan Ferry

The guy on the left (our right) has his head upside down and backward.

June 16

beach

This is what I want to do whenever I get near the water also.

June 17

Island Rainbow. Duh.

I couldn't not pay homage to the best snow cones EVER.

June 18

So I drove with Mom back to Little Rock before flying to Richmond because that's how much I enjoy car rides. I had to go along with a stop at the Ameristar casino in Vicksburg though. Kitty Glitter, among others, did not give me any money.

The only problem with something like this is having to choose just one photo to represent an entire great day. Because days at the beach tend to be entire great days. My family is pretty cool and pretty fun and that makes me pretty lucky.

If you don't want just the limited selection, go to the rest here.

pretty normal every days

June 6

Foushee and Broad

Drive by photo-shooting at Tarrants

June 7

Robert Earl, the truck

The hint of a fire fighter stash showing through the dusk.

June 8

Belvidere and Leigh

I got curious when I heard voices coming from the bushes and this guy must have sensed it. He obliged then asked for some smokes.

June 9

couch in the office

This means we're watching a movie and eating ice cream!

June 10

Rose Garden

The barely noticeable purple tips are so beautiful.

going back makes me feel like i never left

June 1

MacArthur and Greycourt

I decided to leave my neighborhood for a Thursday morning walk before work. I mostly liked the periwinkle colored waves painted onto the sea green shed.

June 2

Apex bus stop.

The white truck in the background is the local NBC news truck. I guess they wanted to see how many people were crazy enough to take the Chinatown bus.

June 3

The Penny Farthing

Seriously you just never know. For instance, people who walk around with rats on their shoulder and then eat avocados and ask to borrow the salt of your neighbors table.

June 4

I've lost my ability to remember street names in Brooklyn. Maybe Flatbush...

Walking home after a day in the park with friends. Sigh, I loved it.

June 5

Madison Square Park

When you decide to get Shake Shack amazing things happen. Like seeing this giant sculpture that looked flat and 3-D at the same time. Total mind blow.

These pictures, the ones taken in New York specifically, are only the tip of fun and weird things.

More bulk is here.