If you get bored in Harrisonburg, there’s about a 23% chance that you suck at life. There really is something for everyone in this town. On this particular evening, it was my friend’s birthday and we ventured to The Artful Dodger where we were certain we would be thoroughly entertained. And we were right. The Judy Chops played, girls ate fire, some guy danced around on broken glass, and we were oohed and ahhed for a solid hour. Sound like a good time? Good news: this show was only a teaser for a big Cabaret production they’re planning for April at Court Square Theater. Haaaay.
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Happy 6th Mirra Grace!
My niece is one of a kind. I need very few words to describe her…her personality screams from these photos. *down-to-earth-diva* I stopped by to deliver her birthday gift today and when I pulled in I noticed an old yellow chair by the blue garage door. Luckily, I had my camera in tow. *standard* I told her to go put on a dress so I could take her photo. She put on a dress alright…right on top of her pjs. Kids. Happy Birthday Mirra Grace! Keep that sassiness, wouldya?!
And just for giggles…here’s her 6th birthday thank you card we made last week!
Todd Paints
I’ve known Todd since middle school. Back when we were both skinny little twerps sitting silently on the school bus, staring out the window watching the cows go by. He’s been a great friend through the years and he’s just a darn good person. One evening I was in day three of self-imposed isolation…not because I’m a total freak, but because I had an insane amount of to-dos on my project list. Todd, probably feeling sorry for me, brought his work-his painting-to my house and set up camp in my kitchen. We both worked, in separate rooms, shouting the occasional obscenity and laughing. It was nice to have another living, breathing, adult in my presence for a bit. Not to mention he’s creative and extremely talented.

Bread with Mommy
Mommy makes the best bread. I asked her to come over one morning and teach me the ropes of her family envied recipe and technique. Her experienced hands showed that dough who’s boss! We made what we call “Three Generation Rolls” where she rolled a small ball of dough and then my daughter and I did the same. We put all three in one muffin pan and it was very obvious which one of the three my mother man-handled. It was grey and cold outside and warm and delicious inside. Hope your not wearing your new shirt ’cause this post is mouth-watering!
To Write Love On Her Arms
Music for a cause. This benefit concert for To Write Love on Her Arms was held at Clementine Cafe.
The Mark Bradley Band
Dinner Rush, Union Station
Cassie, the owner of Union Station, asked me to come in to snap a few photos of her and her hubby’s restaurant. I’ve done photo work with these two before (and here) so I was up for the challenge. I bopped on into Union Station at 6pm Friday evening, right smack in the middle of dinner rush. Cassie said, “Go on back in the kitchen, I warned everyone you were coming.” Maybe I should’ve been warned. If the kitchen were an animal it would be a fire breathing dragon! I feared for my life in the belly of that beast. *aaah!* As hectic as it seemed, it was a well-oiled machine. I later learned that their kitchen staff is the same kitchen staff they opened the doors with, three years ago! Shew.

St. Snow Day!
As I mentioned yesterday…it was snowing on St. Patrick’s Day. After the potluck, I headed back home with a car full of kids and friends. The light in the sky shifted when evening came and it looked like a fairy tale in my back yard. I tried to sweet talk the kids into going outside with me for a mini-shoot but they were too engulfed in a full on nerf war and wanted nothing to do with it…so Misti and Ben agreed to be my subjects because I would.not.stop bugging them about it. *cheese*
A Day to Celebrate
I woke up to grey skies and a chance of snow. Typical. Last week my son was wearing shorts to school…no big deal. That’s a typical March in Rockingham County for ya. I headed to church then joined some friends for a birthday celebration that just-so-happened to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Perfect. We all met at a local restaurant then headed over to our friend’s place for a delicious potluck. The snow covered the grass and the crockpot aroma filled the house. It’s ok to be jealous.
Madison County
Lee and I have been friends for…a very long time. He lives about 6 hours away now so when I got word that he and his fiancé were in for a visit, I hightailed it over the mountain to Madison County where his family lives. It was a beautiful storm-cloudy drive with a pot of home-cooked goodness waiting for me at the end. And no visit to MadCow is complete without a mother-son guitar-accordion harmony…on the front porch…in the pouring rain. Oh, life. 
Wiffle Ball at the Farm
So this is a little dated (2011)…but the light that evening was magical. And dang it, these photos beg to be shared. When I look at these images I am transported to summertime evenings with good people, good energy and lots of…bats. Ball bats. And what better way to celebrate a friend’s 32nd than with a wiffle ball tournament?




















































































































































