Group Show @ Helios

Last Friday was the "opening" for our group show. One of the other artists took some pix so I am sharing. Lauren, Danny, and I dropped by and got to chit chat with my instructor and another painter I know. Even though it was gray and rainy and I was sick with a cold, it was still cool. Lauren told me she was proud of me for getting back into painting and how cool and happy she was for me to return to something I am so passionate about.

We also had a great conversation with my instructor who said unsolicited that I should take my painting seriously because I am "very talented." YAY! Always nice to be affirmed about your talents by someone you respect. My next goal is to find studio space to paint hopefully this fall which Danny is seems to be more determined to make happen then me. :)
I'm so glad God created me to love the arts and painting. It is such a blessing to my inner spirit. Sounds corny, but true. I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that in many ways, painting is a form of worshiping God for me.

First Anniversary

Yesterday Danny and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! Hard to believe just this time last year we were surrounded by so many friends and family all at once and how HOT it was!

We had dinner at the Carolina Inn which was where our wedding/reception was. Catrina-- if you're reading this, here was what we had for dinner:

Along with Biltmore Estate Champagne (Asheville, NC)

Me
Appetizers: Grilled White and Green Asparagus, Frisee, Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese, Shaved Radish, Latta Farm Sunny Side Egg, Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette

Entree: Hickory Nut Gap Farm Pork Chop, Collard Green Wonton, Toasted Sesame Rice, Snow Peas, Nappa Cabbage, Blood Orange Segments, Citrus Ponzu

Danny
Appetizers: Cornmeal Crusted Veal Sweet Breads, Spring Pea Puree, Oyster Mushrooms, Corn, Toasted Pecans, Apple Bacon, Chili Oil

Entree: Chili & Cumin Rubbed Bison Strip Steak, Crispy Oysters, New Potatoes, Vidalia Onions, Cremini Mushrooms, Dandelion Greens, Truffled Veal Jus

Dessert: Bread pudding with ice-cream and raspberries and they treated us to a chocolate brownie.

YUM!

As tradition of the Paper Anniversary, I gave Danny our wedding invite and rsvp card framed. He was more creative and did a fun scavenger hunt based on clues on six different cards. Each card had some sort of "paper" gift with it: notebook, paper roses pop-up, and books. His first card was a "regular" anniversary card but the design was in pink and brown -- just like our wedding. The remaining cards were reprints of Rothko (my favorite artist) and they were all filled with verses and loving words that give his vows a run for their money.

This first year really has been one long honeymoon. Say what you want about us being newlyweds but we have an AWESOME blessed fun loving marriage!!! All glory to God our Father for it!

To celebrate our anniversary, Lauren wore her bridesmaid dress to church :)

We are headed to Kitty Hawk for a whole week next Monday (my birthday FYI) and accidentally keep calling it our honeymoon. This year BamBam is joining us and still unsure if Beth is going to meet us for dinner!

I hate to sound like being happy is important, because as a Christian I know that is not what life is about. BUT can I just say, my husband makes me SO HAPPY!!

P.S. If you're interested in seeing a few pix in slideshow format of our wedding, CLICK HERE

UNC & the 'Apollo Theatre'

Last week Lauren attended a 2 day stay on the campus of UNC with their Project Uplift program for prospective 'minority' students. Its UNC's chance to court top minority students to consider UNC as their college choice. (In this family, we have no problem playing the minority and female cards when it comes to colleges paying attention to us.)

The morning I dropped Lauren off she didn't even want to get out of the car to go check-in she was so nervous.

"Get out of the car. You're practically an adult," I said lovingly. (No, really I WAS loving).

"Nooooo...... I don't want to. Can't I just live in my room the rest of my life?" She whined almost half serious.

So with a start like that I had anticipated that her experience might be only slightly positive at best. Turns out she had an amazing time and the dorms are "so NICE, like a hotel room almost!" Hmmmm, this is what a strong, successful sports program will buy you.

She loved the campus, the trees, the "amazing digital library studio" and "all the libraries!!" The food was not so great. And for someone who was thinking she wanted to go to a small college she said, "I am seriously being woooo-ed by this place."

The last night of the program there was an Apollo Theater program. If you don't know what the Apollo Theater amatuer night is all about .... SHAME on you. Anyway, Lauren tried out for it with her poetry slam "Beautiful" and got a slot to perform with 6 other students. Their talents varied from rapping, singing, playing the piano and stepping.

In the end no one was booed but the standing ovation and loudest cheers came for Lauren and she won! Talk about going out of your comfort zone! No money, no scholarship, but a nice Tarheel penant. Good job Lauren! And who doesn't look good in gorgeous Carolina blue....?