Coasting

Weeee I got to see the sea last weekend! Emily was nice enough to invite a bunch of the DDD gals to her beach house, so we had a lovely beach weekend.  A lot of people were busy, so it was just me, Emily, Erin, and Maggie, but we had such fun!  For a relaxing girl's weekend, it was not without its excitement.

I had an easy drive down Friday night, and just barely missed the sunset, but Emily was kind enough to grab a photo of the amazing sunset on the water.  It was just her and Erin down there on Friday so we just had a couple drinks outside while we watched the sun set and the lighting bugs wake up.

Saturday we were a little lazy, just slow to get out of bed, eat, get dressed for the water.  And we got caught up watching Sex & the City - so addictive!!

For the next part of the weekend, we've got to do a little flashback.  So you remember last month we went to Boone and floated down the river?  Well in about hour 4 of 6, we stopped floating to jump off a rope swing into the river.  While we were stopped, somehow I dropped my phone out of my hand and into the New River (I have a waterproof case on the phone, so that's why my phone was out in the river to begin with, because I wanted to take pictures and knew if it got a little wet, it wouldn't be a big deal).  Anyway, so I dropped the phone in the river and freaked out because while I knew the phone, in theory, was waterproof, that's not really something you want to test.  So I looked around the spot I dropped my phone for about 5 minutes, and didn't find it, only to have one of Kyle's friends find it five feet downstream because of the force of the river.  That was extremely lucky on my part.  Now flashforward, back to the beach.

We decided to paddle the kayak out to the sandbar in front of Emily's house and obvious I didn't learn my lesson the previous time, because I brought my phone again "because it is waterproof." So we played on the sandbar for a while and then decided to go home.  Erin and I were in the kayak, and Emily was on an inner tube and singing songs, so Eric said "Marion watch this!" (famous last words, right?) and then she turned around to splash Emily with the kayak paddle and instead flipped the kayak over.  Luckily the phone was in my hand and didn't get too wet.  We were only a few feet from the dock when it happened, so we just had to swim over to get out, but the tide was coming in so the current was really strong and we kept floating away from the dock.  I was sort of laying halfway on top of the kayak and it was hard to swim that way so I got back in the water to try to swim better towards the dock and had to readjust and put my phone down on the kayak for literally one second and ploop! Into the sound it went.  You knew that's where this story was going right?  My panic level this time the phone went into the water was nearly at a hyperventilation level.  We started diving down into the water and we felt it a couple of times but were never able to grab it before the current floated us away.   Finally, Emily was tall enough to walk on the bottom with her head barely above water and she found it with her feet, Erin dived and got it, and they both saved the day and the weekend!  It was truly amazing AND the phone inside was as dry as a bone.  Lifeproof phone case review - well worth the $80!  They should hire me as a salesperson.

After all that excitement we had a well-deserved drink, and some snacks, and then went back out on the dock to hang out and talk until Maggie arrived.  We chilled on the dock for most of the afternoon, playing in the water and talking.  In the late afternoon we all took a shower and a quick nap before heading to Beaufort for dinner at Spouter's.  The food there is okay, better than a lot of restaurants down there, but it always make me think of my grandmother, Mary Dudley, who loved to go there and eat the soft shelled crab.  Dinner was lovely, and then we went to the Dockhouse to have a couple of drinks and listen to the music.  It was a little weird for me listening to the music, because normally I'm down on a sailboat, trying to sleep, and the music keeps me up.  So it was just amusing to me that I actually enjoyed the music for once.  I also felt bad because we realized the BARTA fishing tournament was that weekend, which is always the same weekend as the Beaufort Road Race, so I was pretty confident my dad was also in Beaufort and had raced that morning, and I'd missed it (I was right).    We stayed out a long while, until the music stopped, and then headed back home.

Erin left early the next morning, while Emily, Maggie, and I played on the sandbar again, floated around the sound/intercoastal waterway, and laid on the dock until it was time to go home.  It was such a fun weekend!  Thank you Emily for inviting all of us down there to play!!

New Adventures

I crossed an item off the bucket list this past weekend (although it was a little low on the list) - I rode on the cross country part of the Carolina Horse Park.  It was a blast!  I haven't had that much fun riding in a really long time.  It adds even more fuel to the fire to make me think I need to take up eventing whenever in my life I end up with another horse. I rode Dutch and we cantered in the fields, splashed through the water complex, and even jumped the "green as grass" jumps (literally 1 foot tall).  He had fun and I did too.  Even jumping the baby stuff was fun to me since I really never get to jump anymore.  And I love Dutch.  He was a big, brave boy and I was very proud of him!  The next one is the second weekend in August and I am already counting down the days until I can go again!

Also!  I rode Momma O's new horse, Stash, for the first time - what a dreamboat (and a cutie!)

In other news, Kyle and I went out on a limb and tried a new food this week - stuffed squid!  Frozen squid is super cheap, and very versatile, so it was a great success!  We made a variation of Anne Burrell's recipe HERE - we didn't make the sauce, but rather put it on quinoa/rice mix, with a lemon/mint/Greek yogurt sauce.   I think next time I would like to try it with a marinara, but it was great this time!

Nashvegas Fourth of July

The Pearson boys went back to visit MAAAAAAA for the Fourth of July in Nashville and Merg tagged along like their little tipsy, sleepy sidekick.

We got to Nashvegas Thursday evening and sat out on the deck to catch up with Cindy, and of course I just had to drink the beer with the highest alcohol content first.  That, combined with not drinking very frequently, and traveling had me tucked into bed by 11pm.  Its a real shame, some of Cindy's friends came over, who were very nice, and I wish I could've hung out longer - oops!

Fourth of July wahhoooo AMERICA!
Of course Kyle and Matt had to watch the France/Germany World Cup game so we hustled out the door in the morning (being on Central Time is weird) to watch the game at 11 am local time.  We went to M.L. Rose, a neat sports bar near where Cindy lives.  The beer and burger selection was top notch (as was the company). I really wanted France to win because 1) I love France 2) France has a nasty habit of losing to Germany and 3) I had France for our office World Cup pool.  Despite all my reasons why France *should* win, alas, they lost.  We went and drove around all of Nashville after the game, which I love.  Nashville has all these cool neighborhood pockets that are so unique from one another.  We ended up in East Nashville for Jeni's ice cream (aka frozen crack) because I heard about it from Kelsey, a girl I work with, who went to one of the original Jeni's up in Ohio.  I got Riesling poached pear, wildberry lavender, and then goat cheese and cherries as my three flavors - out.of.this.world.  I'm not even a huge ice cream person either and I thought they were amazing!  After Jeni's - nap time.  Eating ice cream and being a tourist makes me a sleepy bear.  To round out the day we tried to go to this place, Pinewood Social, for drinks and dinner, buuuut we didn't realize how close it was to downtown where they do their fireworks (#2 in the nation for Fourth of July fireworks, fun fact) and it was MADNESS.  Way worse than New Year's Eve, which is potentially my least favorite holiday.  So, note to self - do not ever try to see fireworks in Nashville ever again.

Family

NOM

Nashville skyline reflection at sunset

Sunday was a bit of a lazy day, we went shopping for some good bourbon we can't get in North Carolina, ate lunch in this cool district of Nashville called the Gulch, and hung out.  Oh and everyone but me got matching tattoos of the equality symbol on their wrist.  Mike and Laura, Cindy's tattoo artists and friends were such nice people!  I wish we could've hung out with them longer!  We were vegetables at night and just laid out and watched The Heat.

Reppin that KOVAL for Louise!

Sunday was lake day!! Hooray!  I love boats and water without sharks!  I was a brave little baby and even drove Cindy's friend Brent's jetski - woooo 10 miles an hour!  We had a grand time booty bobbin' in the lake, hanging out, and Matt and I enjoyed a cigar (although I think I prefer Gerry's Black & Mild's - I think that's what they are?). Good news - Kyle did not turn into a tomato this time!

As always, the trip came to an end much too soon.  It was sad to say goodbye to Cindy, and its hard leaving when you don't know when you will be back.  Hopefully soon, but potentially not until next year!  So much changes in a short period of time...

Family

Happy Days

Nowadays, one of the popular things to do is post on social media one thing that made you happy each day, for 100 days. I haven't don't it yet, for a number of poor reasons, but I really admire the people who think about what made them happy each day. When I see their post, it makes me think about what made ME happy that day. It's a really easy way to spread a positive attitude. Since I can't commit to 100 days, here are some things that are making me happy on this summer Monday. 

* Sienna and I have been taking the best long walks most evenings for the past week. I think she knows when I want a casual stroll or when I really want to power along. I really do my best thinking if the day in those 20-40 minutes. 

* Nashville with Kyle and Matt to see Cindy on Thursday! Can't wait. 

* Four day work week obviously 

* My team hit our quota this quarter, which ended today. It was the worst quarter we've had since I started. We did not exceed our goal as is normal, but we made it to the quota at least. Thankful for that. 

* A lot if my very good friends who normally are busy or live out of town, I've seen frequently this summer, and I'm thankful I've been able to see people I love a lot

* Jubala.  Coffee. That is all. If you live in the triangle, it is worth the drive for the pour over coffee alone, never mind the bacon pimiento cheese biscuits in top of that. 

* Kyle and his friend Andrew taught me how to play the DJ box last night. I was terrible but it was pretty cool. You may now refer to me as DJ Mrs. nDEEP. 

* A really nice, unexpected thank you card in the mail. 

* Bed time in t-minus 45 seconds

I'd love to hear what is making you happy, dear reader. Thanks for tuning in. 

Boone

Kyle and I went to visit family and friends in Boone two weekends to celebrate our anniversary a week early (I have a bridal shower next weekend) and did all our favorite things - Our Daily Bread (YUMMM), river floating, and hiking.  There's really not much to tell about what we did, because those activities took up all our time.

The boys with the beer float 

selfies, duh (RIP sunglasses)

Boo and a big blue sky

Had a little too much fun

river fronds

kergmonster on the rope swing

***

Rough Ridge

Making me nervous

What a view! The mountains are nice too...

Hai its me, Merg

BRP pano <3

Middleburg Part 2

Saturday morning I helped Rachel with some barn chores before breakfast, and then we went to Belle Grey farm to watch a driving horse demonstration.  Belle Grey was also pristine, but had more to look at.  The owner makes jumps so there were a bunch of gorgeous handmade jumps everywhere.  We watched the owners drive miniature horses around, walked around the grounds a little, and were about to leave when they said they were going to also demonstrate the mini's jumping.   It was hilarious!! These children run around at full tilt and the mini runs beside them and jump the jumps.  That is if the mini feels so inclined - sometimes the mini would push the kid over to avoid the jumps.  They also showed us the minis in at "at liberty" class in which they let the mini free, it has to trot and canter in both directions, the more attitude the higher the score, and at the end of 2 minutes, the kid has to try to catch the horse.  It was ridiculously funny.  We couldn't believe it was a real thing!

From Belle Grey we went down the road to Caliburn, which was probably the nicest barn on the tour. The interior was completely varnished wood, it had a lounge with easy chairs and kitchen (granite and stainless steel appliances), handmade mosaics everywhere, multiple chandeliers, a suite above the aisles, and of course, 12 perfect horses in the stalls.  It seemed surreal because it was SO nice and SO fancy.

Looking up into the cupola

Yes, that's a tile mosaic on the ground

We grabbed a quick bite to eat, checked on the horses at Rachel's barn, and then ended our tour at Poplar Grange.  It was the group favorite.  It was stone and wood (also all varnished), canvas prints of the owner and his daughter as barn decor, a perfectly decorated lounge with countless trophies (the owner also has steeplechasers) and awards.  I'm pretty sure we drooled all over the aisle.  I later looked this one up and it cost 10 mil - casual.

We had some time to kill before dinner, so we went to the nearby Greenhill Winery and Vineyards.  The service left something to be desired, but the wine and the view were stellar.  I tell you what, I LOVE Virginia wines.  Every one I've had was out of this world.  Greenhill was pretty expensive, but their Philosophy red blend was one of the best red wines I've had in the states (sorry to be a wine snob).  Ugh, I'm drooling just thinking about it.  We sat out on their patio and enjoyed 2 glasses while watching the sun slowly sink in the sky.

From Greenhill, we went to Salamander Resort for drinks and dinner.  I had the best cocktail there - all my favorites in one! Gin, ginger, jalapeno, cilantro - yum!  It was busy busy at the resort, but the view was amazing, the decor is so swanky, and the company, again, could not be beat.

Sunday we didn't do a lot, just coffee on the deck, watching Ruby herd airplanes and chase bunnies.  We also went to see Rachel's 2 baby horses, Teddy and Beau.  Total cutie pies!  Lunch and then on the road.  I hate leaving Middleburg because we always have such a great time.  Hopefully going back at the end of July for WEG selection trials, more drinking, Rachel, and fun!

Middleburg Part 1

Short week = lots of catching up = delayed blog posts.

Firstly, I got my wedding band in the mail!!!  HOORAY!  Its beautiful and French, so it will go well with my engagement ring.  Plus I think the wedding will have some French-inspired touches as well, so its all going to be so perfect.

Last weekend Mother and I went back up to Middleburg, VA to visit our friend Rachel again.  You'll recall we were up there for their Christmas Parade last year and we couldn't wait another year to go back.  We had a BLAST, of course.  We left super duper early Saturday morning and got to Richmond in time to eat breakfast at my favorite place (the smoked salmon plate is killerrrrr).

Once up in Middleburg we drove around a little to look at the spectacular farms and scenery, dropped off our bags, and then headed to downtown for a little lunch and window shopping.  Nothing was really different in any of the stores but they are fun to pop into anyways.  I think Middleburg is one of the few places I don't feel like shopping very much because there is so much else to do and see.

Every Memorial Day weekend, there is a Hunt Country Stable Tour which is a fundraiser for a local church, and this was its 55th year.  The tour showcases some of the nicest farms in the area, and we went to see five - Wind Field, Banbury, Belle Grey, Caliburn, and Poplar Grange.  They were all amazing in their own way, but were all so different.

Rachel had to work on Saturday, so Mother and I went to Wind Field and Banbury by ourselves. Wind Field was *pristine.*  I've never seen a more immaculate farm in my life - and it was 450 acres to boot!  Can you imagine keeping that much land perfect?  Oh, and it was only an 8 stall barn!  All that land for 8 horses!  I liked Wind Field, but it paled in comparison to the others, if you can believe it.

Wind Field

I know, my pants are amazing

Banbury's farm itself was pretty average, except they have their own polo field because they train polo ponies.  As part of the tour, the Banbury team played another local team out in their field.  Neither of us had ever watched a polo match, so we were pretty enthralled.  We only stay for 2 innings/quarters (not sure what the correct terminology is), before going to pick up snacks and meeting Rachel at her house.  We had a much-needed glass of champagne on her porch before going to Twilight Polo, at the Great Meadows, which is one of their many equestrian venues up there.  Rachel lives in the coolest house - it is nearly surrounded totally by cow fields, it is so old, there is even wood flooring in the bathroom, she has a wood burning stove and a great little back porch.  It is basically my dream home (minus the no heat thing).  Twilight Polo is the Middleburg equivalent of Beach Music nights at North Hills.  Everyone sits and has a little picnic, a lot of alcohol, and its just a social event with some horses in the background.  The only downside was that it was arena polo and not field polo, which is much more exciting because the ponies can run full speed in the field.

Trip to be continued....