Dudes: Asheville, NC

Posted on June 15, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, NC, People, Spring, Uncategorized

I’m gonna make this simple because quite frankly, I’m tired of explaining it. *not really, I love it* My long time bestie, Lee, popped the question to his girlfriend. And she said yes! *and she’s a looker!* He asked me and Laura to be grooms(wo)men. And we said yes. Laura put together a weekend to gather and celebrate Lee’s bachelorhood where there were 13 people under one roof: 2 girls and 11 guys. It seemed like a perfect storm in the making but we were all quite responsible and had one heck of a good time! I only stayed two of the three days (day two photos coming soon) but it didn’t take long for me to pick up on some pretty important Laws of the Man:

#1: Paper plates are versatile. “Veggie Trays….” are questionable.

#2: 3 days is a long time. Buy in bulk.

#3: Billy. …that’s all. Just Billy.

#4: Ray reads. Let him. He has the ability to kill.

#5: Don’t guess names. It creates new nicknames. Sorry RayJay.

#6: Laura wears many hats.

#7: Appreciate a good cigar.

#7.5: Or, like me, just learn how to hold it and pretend.

#8: Food is key.

#9: ~~Food~~ Meat is key.

#10: Dan is the grill master. Be patient, it’s worth the wait.

#11: If you talk while eating you are merely waisting time. Besides, no one is listening anyway.

#12: The more ridiculous the tshirt, the better.

#13: Weird things happen after 10 pm.

#14: Man hugs are perfectly acceptable before bed.

Thanks for a great weekend fellers! And Laura.

Copyright © 2013 · Photos by Brandy Somers. All Rights Reserved · friendlycitylens.com & brandysomersphotography.com. This material may not be copied, downloaded, altered, cropped, reproduced, or printed without express written consent. Thank you for respecting my creative property.

RVA by day…

Posted on June 6, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Food, Richmond, Spring, Uncategorized

I have this condition where if I have a minute of free time, I want to cram every ounce of fun into it. #cantstopwontstop anyone? The day after Sarah and Jason’s Richmond wedding, I had little on the agenda except to make it home by 5ish. That never happens. I let myself be a feather in the wind and before I knew it, I was sound asleep in my bed with a brain full of new memories. I’ll let the pictures guide you through this cloudy-turned-sunny Sunday but keep in mind…this all happened in a matter of about seven and a half hours.

Enjoying amenities at the Crowne Plaza in Richmond and feeling a little Hockney-esque.
During one of my visits with Sarah, she and I ran a loop from her apartment to Belle Isle. It’s one of my favorite memories with her so I wanted to take Ben here to see this gem in the middle of the city.
FCLIMG_5063 Next stop was Millie’s Diner. If you’ve been there, you’re probably drooling right now. If not, you should really make a point to hit this place up the next time you’re in Richmond. We were greeted by a man that said if we didn’t drink a bloody mary we weren’t welcome to stay. And I believed him. …two please. FCLIMG_5081

Ben got a case of Millie-gut….

food-drunk: /foôd•drəNGk/ adj. 1) so.deliriously.full. And happy.

Little bit of sightseeing…

We were lured by the sounds of music and clatter to the Richmond Farmer’s Market Cinco de Mayo Festival.

After more walking and exploring we hit the road, headed home and allowed ourselves to get sidetracked by Pippin Hill. Good decision.

A quick taste test and home we go…

Clementine is the New Black

Posted on May 21, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Harrisonburg City, Kids, Music, Spring, Uncategorized

When I heard Frank Black (Black Francis) of the friggin’ Pixies for cryin’ out loud(!) was coming to Clementine, I thought it was a hoax. Well by God, it was truth. And I was there. And so were my kids. And we didn’t even care he had a side boob. Have a looksie at my creeper session with Mr. Black.

…pictures of people taking pictures…

…way passed bedtime…

The autograph was totally worth the yawns.

Remembering Mothers

Posted on May 10, 2013 by bsome under Casual, Kids, Spring, Uncategorized

Last week was “Think Pink Week” at the kids school. On Friday they hosted an outdoor yard party complete with a bouncy house, corn hole tournaments, hot dogs, and sunshine. The kids ran and played and screamed for no apparent reason like kids do. Ear-piercing and heartwarming. They would check in with me to get a drink or ask for money or maybe even give me a sweaty-puppy-dog hug. Ella asked if she could buy a pink balloon from the table where their principal stood. When we walked over, Ella was instructed to write the name(s) of anyone she might know that has battled breast cancer. The response came too easy for her. Age 8. Breast cancer events such as these are especially meaningful to me and my family. At this tender young age, my children have experienced the loss of two very close family members to the disease and a former secretary at their school. It is very real to them…and more terrifying than any monster under the bed. I am so so thankful for my mother, today and everyday but this time of year comes with reminders. Reminders to love and be thankful and enjoy your days and hug a mama for Pete’s sake. Happy Mother’s Day to these wonderful women:

Peggy Caulder Somers (Grandma Peggy)

Debra Lutz Custer (Aunt Debbie)

Secretary Karen Kay Puckett

…and all the survivors and victims close to your heart…

Ella and her pink balloon…inscribed with the names of her Gramma Peggy & Aunt Debbie.

Hands

Posted on April 28, 2013 by bsome under People, Spring, Uncategorized

When I was little, I remember noticing the veins in my Nanny’s hands. I remember knowing how hard she worked with those hands. How gentle she loved. How strong and tender and experienced they were. I noticed the same thing about my mom as she washed dishes one evening and the sun shined on mountains of veins. It’s a beautiful thing, turning all the gears in your life. I like my veiny hands.
Hands

18 hours at Smith Mountain Lake

Posted on April 16, 2013 by bsome under Casual, People, Spring, Uncategorized

Being fashionably late is kinda Spring’s thing this year. I can’t complain. It really couldn’t have made more of a grand appearance than this passed weekend. Smith Mountain Lake was the spot for the wedding of lovebirds Rahul and Jennifer. The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway was amazing. Here are a few shots from my fine time with some fine folks.

Oh hay Spring!

What a good looking family.

Happy 7th birthday!

Hey handsome!

Men in suits cleaning up baby vomit.

I’m not really sure what’s happening here.

Bye Bye Beautiful Winter

Posted on April 10, 2013 by bsome under Harrisonburg City, Uncategorized, Winter

Everybody loves to hate on the weather. I mean, ok, I might’ve rolled my eyes at that last snow fall. C’mon April! You’re not even funny anymore. But really, when it comes down to it – I love every season. When my kids were toddlers I would hide bags full of their toys and after about a month or so, I’d swap them out and hide another couple bags. When they got their bag of old toys back they were so stoked to have new toys. Every. Single. Time. That’s what the seasons do for me. Like a big kid. It comes and goes away and comes back and I love it all over again! I love the smells and the new colors and getting out my new-again old clothes and layering and shedding and camping and wood chips and snowfall and the FOOD. Warm soups, crockpots, sweet potatoes, ice tea, sandwiches, burnt marshmallows, corn on the cob, Kline’s ice cream. *shew* These pictures make me wish I owned a snuggie. I shot them with numbed-by-the-cold fingers in February and they are as quiet and cold as the day I took them. Oh, Harrisonburg.

Easter Funday

Posted on April 1, 2013 by bsome under Easter, Food, Kids, People, Spring, Uncategorized

It’s really too bad laughter doesn’t burn more than 1.3 calories per minute because I would feel a lot better about all the food I ate today. With my family, you just never know what will happen next. They are fun, loving and down right entertaining. Here’s a glimpse at our Easter Sunday Funday.

Hell-o spring.

There’s no question that my PawPaw is legit.

Oh yes.

After we ate, we did our annual Easter egg hunt. The adults always try to be extra clever in the hiding spots. See for yourself. Ha!

…in a broom…

…under this handle…

…tucked in the rocks…

…in Luke’s shirt…

…in Aunt Brenda’s hair roller…?

Ready. Set. Go!

Mirra found Brenda’s right away!

Ella found one in Brook’s cup!

Score!

…making sure they found all of them…

Eggcellent rewards.

I wanna play!

Once the kids collected their rewards, they hid eggs from the adults…

Get in line.

Be nice kids!

George, doing things his way.

This is serious business.

…a little friendly competition…

Lastly, a little prank that didn’t go quite as planned. 🙂

Note: airborne plastic egg

…then she threw a real egg…

…and it bounced off his arm, and onto her car…

…but it was still hilarious…

Cabaret with The Judy Chops

Posted on March 25, 2013 by bsome under Cabaret, Music, People, Uncategorized

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.

Happy 6th Mirra Grace!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by bsome under Kids, People, Uncategorized

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?!