Monday Mindspacing Vol. 122

1) I try new recipes constantly.  99% of the things I cook are things I have never cooked before.  That is not in the least bit an exaggeration.  I like trying new things but it can be tiring when I want something simple to cook.  It's also problematic when I halve a recipe we really like.  I often halve recipes so if it doesn't turn out well or it turns out well but we don't love it, we're not stuck with tons of leftovers.  I need to fix myself.
2) I tried Kleenex's new Cool Touch and they're amazing!  The coolness is so weird!  And ultimately unnecessary.  Ah well.
3) I have a recurring dream that I'm falling from very high.  It terrifies me every time and sometimes starts me awake as I try to catch myself mid-air.  Recurring like weekly.  I hate it.  Apparently it means I'm stressed about some part of my life.  Um... yes.  I want an income.  Preferably from fabulous job.
4) I've been planning the Thanksgiving menu for weeks and I'm STOKED about it!!  I'm thisclose to setting it!  Our first married Thanksgiving.  Awwww!
5) I have no patience for basic fitness articles that tell you things like eat small portions and don't start drastic diets you can't maintain for a lifetime.  I know it's practical and there are still people who need to hear that but it wears me out to see them pop up with such regularity.
6) When I was in elementary school, I loved polysyllabic words.  If I'd known the word polysyllabic, I would've liked it, too.  In geography, my favorite word was archipelago.  In language arts, onomatopoeia!  (I liked to spell it, too.)  Boo!  My favorite dinosaur was triceratops.  Apparently some people don't think this is a dinosaur anymore???? *weeps*
7) Can we have an age limit on tarted up Halloween costumes?  I know there's this "movement" for women to be tasteful with their costumes this year (sigh... must we make everything a grand gesture?) but I feel like that applies quadruply if you're 35 and over.  30?  If we agree on 30, I missed my last year.  I'm okay with that.   I saw some costumes that made me gasp in their inappropriateness in the 40+ set and I just want to try to stop it.
8) I think about running all the time.  I got irritated Saturday and I wanted to go running.  I don't want to mess up my schedule and risk injury, though so I stayed in the house.  I'm thinking about changing one of my 30 Before 30 goals to run a 10k.  These goals are making me a bit nuts.
9) Did y'all watch Next Iron Chef?  Loved it!
10) The show "House Hunters International" has THE most stereotypical and borderline offensive music for every country.  It's ridiculous.
11) I just remembered I bumped into Pharrell when I was at Hampton for undergrad.  I was leaving a basketball game and walking backwards talking to my friends.  He saw me coming but I didn't see him.  One of my friends said, "Watch out!"  I turned around and we were less than a foot apart.  I gasped and apologized.  He was very polite but as we continued in our separate directions I remember thinking, "What in the world? Why wouldn't you go around??? My group was on a collision course with yours... Strange."
12) The Tribe Called Quest doc made me remember that.  The music was good of course but the film... meh.

Rowland... A Trip to the Country

I learned something about my husband when we were planning our trip to the 5k... and it disturbed me.  He wanted the 4+-hour trip to start from home the day of the trip.  I knew the idea of me waking up to leave at 3 a.m. and sleeping on and off in the car before my first 3-mile run was a bad one so I began looking for alternatives.  But that wasn't what disturbed me. 

I realized my dad's hometown was en route to the festival and I was geeked!  I hadn't been in a good 15 years so I asked my dad where we could stay.  When he said my uncle has a nice trailer that he uses when he's in town, I was ready to hit the road!  I told Rashan it was country... He didn't know I meant cotton field country.  

Rashan was shook knowing cotton fields were in walking distance.

I was incredibly confused.  I thought Rashan knew both of my parents have country roots.  Straight country.  Cotton fields, dirt roads.  All of that.  He was uncomfortable when we hit the first dirt road.  And his nervousness started rubbing off on me.  Not cool.  And that was what disturbed me.  So it's not that you just like the city, it's that you've never been to the country and it makes you uncomfortable.  And most of all, there was nothing I could say to make him relax.  Umm... 

You know what's funny, though?  He asked me if one field had tobacco in it.  Okay.  I know I spent part of my childhood down here and my grandfather used to grow it but what do I look like being able to recognize tobacco in the field???  So funny.  After we dropped our bags, we went to see my grandparents' old house but couldn't find it.  I called my dad and he helped us out.  Turns out it was right around the corner.  It looks nothing like I remember it.  I had been warned it wasn't in the condition it was when my grandparents were alive so I honestly expected much worse but it was still strange.

My grandparents' graves

Next we went to "visit" the grandparents.  I felt like the graveyard wanderer.  Before December 2010, I hadn't seen any of my three deceased grandparents' graves in 15 or more years.  But in the last year I've now seen all of them?  I saw my mom's dad's grave while making my film about him over the last year.  That first visit was really emotional because I had learned more about him in a week than I'd known in my entire life.

At this grave site, I didn't get emotional in part because I kind of remember them but also because I was on the phone with my dad.  You know what he said, though?  That he was honored that I was visiting his ancestors.  Awwww.  I also saw my great grandma's grave (grandma's mom).  She was a landowner and business owner (a store called Rag Mop).  I didn't even know she was buried there.  We also saw the grave of my oldest uncle.  He died the same year as my grandma and used to call me JamesEllen (which at the time I haaaaated) because he said I looked exactly like both of my parents.  I thought of him on my wedding day because of that.  My SIL met my mom and said, "You look just like your mom!"  I said, "Wait til you see my dad."  LOLOL!  My dad walked in and she goes, "Whoa."  LOLOLOL!  So hilarious!  I definitely look like my dad's entire side.  That's cool but sometimes I wish I had some features readily identifiable as belonging to my mom's side.  You can see I look like my mom when I'm with her but I don't really look anything like her side.

The giant headstones

Back to the country in North and South Carolina...  Have you guys heard of South of the Border?  If you've driven anywhere near Interstate 95, you probably have.  It's only 15 minutes from my grandparents' house so it weighs prominently in my memories of them.  So of course a trip down there necessitated a trip to South of the Border.  Dad gave me directions there, too.

I had talked to my favorite aunt, currently the family historian on that side, who told me we have another family graveyard right next to South of the Border... on yet another dirt road.  Rashan was so put out!!  At this point it was quite hilarious!  Can you please calm all the way down??? Please??? Merci!  At this family graveyard, there were two family headstones taller than me (granted I'm only 5'1 but still).  Can I get one of those when I kick the bucket??  I don't know nearly enough about this side of the family so clearly I have some work to do on this side.  My aunt has traced back to 1865 and has agreed to pass it on to me.  Whee!

Sombrero tower ride

After grave time, we headed over to South of the Border!  This Sombrero tower had super cheap rides... IDK why we didn't hop on.  I went through phases with SOTB.  As a kid, of course I loved it.  The stores with trinkets, the rides, the bright colors.  As a teenager, I was obviously too cool for it. I'll let you know, I've turned a corner into nostalgia.  It reminds me of my childhood and the store is filled with things I would buy to amuse myself and others if not for limited space and varying levels of taste.

One thing my grandmother INSISTED when we visited her was that her children take her grandchildren to get ice cream.  So you know I had to go get ice cream, right?  Rashan was like, "But... you have to race tomorrow. You can't get ice cream."  I listened to that about 7 minutes then I said, "Pleaaaaase can I get ice cream????"  Why did I do that?  Like he's my trainer and/or controls what I eat?  I have no idea.  LOL

WE GOT ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!  So exciting! :)

The ice cream parlor

Coffee ice cream $1.95

Afterward, we went across the street and wandered around the "pantry".  It was full of Southern jellies, jams, candies and snacks.  Some I approved of, some I was dismayed by...  Want to know some I was dismayed by?  Beet eggs (WAY TO RUIN EGGS!!!!), chicken skin cracklins (I'm crazy for this since I like pork cracklins... it's just that I've never even heard of chicken skin cracklins), packaged boiled peanuts (wait... you BOILED THEM, then put them in a can/bag. no.) and packaged fatback (I love fatback but fatback in a bag????).  I didn't want but was okay with scuppernong grape jelly.  You know what I didn't know you could still buy?  Candy cigarettes.  I told Rashan he should buy some for his nieces and nephews and he declined.  Then almost a week later, I realized they would've been PERFECT for my Donatella Versace costume!  Hater!

South of the Border at night!

My friend pointed out that that picture would've been even better if I was a few inches higher.  That sombrero would've been on my head... HILARIOUS!!!!

We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant about 5 miles south and it was quite good.  Then we headed back to my uncle's place.  Y'all.  That happy face Rashan had?  Gone.  He couldn't get comfortable.  He couldn't sleep for more than 10 or 15 minutes.  Um... what?  He was making me nervous.  I had to go in a room and leave him to get some sleep.  Then I woke up at 2 and couldn't get back to sleep for hours.  I told him he needs to know we will be going to the country again when we go to Mississippi to see my mom's side.  He's not ready.  And I'm not ready for his nervousness.  -_-  Pray for us.

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 121

1) Terra Nova really does nothing for me.
2) I don't know how I carpal tunneled my hand (did you know that was a verb???) Saturday night but I woke up Sunday displeased.
3) I'm so excited some of you guys want to go running now!  We should do a blogger meet-up at a 5k!!!
4) We need more people at the Nerd Girl-hosted blogger book club.  Read The Hunger Games by December 5th and join the discussion!
5) I need interrobang (‽) to become a thing.  I love the word, I love the meaning, I love the punctuation mark! I also enjoy the snark ( ) punctuation! The future of punctuation article amused me greatly!
6) I have unnecessarily short patience right now. Tis bad.

I think he's ADORABLE in this pic!

7) Rashan and I went to two parties this weekend.  Friday was a costume party.  I was Donatella Versace & Rashan was static cling.  He won most creative for an idea he found on the web and I assembled in five minutes.  LOL  Saturday was an Oktoberfest party so I made a cranberry apple pie that was a hit!
8) At the Saturday party, the hostess said we flirt like we just started dating.  :)  I thought that was the cutest thing ever!!  Who else would I want to flirt with other than my husband?? NOBODY!
9) OMG! We found out my brother-in-law is coming to Savannah for Thanksgiving which should also mean our youngest niece and nephew (ages 2 & 4) are coming.  I loooooove them!!  They're so cute!
10) I missed Hampton Homecoming yet again.  I've now missed it as an alum more times than I've been.  Ah well.  Plenty of time to right that imbalance.
11) I want to read more books.  Have you read anything good lately?

#9: Run a 5k

In July 2008, I found a 5k I wanted to run.  Now finding a 5k to run and running a 5k or even training to run a 5k as you know are not the same thing.  They don't even look like the same thing.  One's all talk, the other is ACTION!  For the last 3 Januarys, I've made a new year's resolution to run a 5k.  What took me so long?  I've never liked to run.  Ever.  Not even when chased.  On the playground, I preferred to just say, "Okay okay! You caught me!"  Seriously.  LOL  I never ran all the way through the mile in school.  I just didn't like to run.

But back in 2008, Losangelista & 1969 ran a marathon and a 5k respectively.  And I was like now wait a minute.  I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT!  And I felt like if Liz can run for 26 miles, I can run for 3, right?  I'm already in great shape so it shouldn't be too big of a leap!  Then I went to grad school.  And not only did I not run, I barely worked out.  Twas bad.  I knew when I created my 30 Before 30 list, running a 5k absolutely had to be on there.  It was one of my easiest additions.

Once again I found a race, I even hired a trainer (then fired her when I found out she wasn't a runner) and hired a new one who runs marathons to get me in shape to run.  Then 7 weeks ago, I started the Couch to 5k (C25K) running plan.  The general idea is that through interval training you build up to be able to run 30 minutes or a 5k.  I was hooked from the first week!  In week one, I felt very capable.  Week 2 was a bit harder, but still cool.  Each week I felt more and more proud of myself as I hit new milestones.  Then I registered for my first 5k.

I decided to run the Oyster Festival 5k at Ocean Isle Beach partly because my family used to vacation down there but mostly because you got free entry to the Oyster Festival!!!!  Do y'all know how much I love oysters?  I love them as much as Bubba loved shrimp!  I'll eat them however you'll serve them. Raw, steamed, broiled, fried, in stew, with toppings, with only a bit of lemon and some horseradish, with cocktail sauce, just gimme the oysters!!  So I trained and trained but before the race, I'd only ever run about 1.6 miles, which is about half of the 3.1 miles required for a 5k.  That made me a little nervous but I figured if I ran for the 22 minutes I was scheduled to run for Week 6, Day 3 of C25K, I could probably go a little further and if I needed to walk, I could do that, too.  But I also knew if I stopped running, it would be harder to start up again.  I went ahead and set a goal of 45 minutes.

Rashan and I spent the night in the city where my dad was born and raised (more on that later) and took this picture at nearby South of the Border so we'd only have to drive about an hour and 45 minutes as opposed to 5 hours before my race.  I had oatmeal, a banana and water on the drive down. We picked up my race packet which included a shirt, a wristband for the festival and chapstick and I was ready to go... but there was still over an hour until the race started. 

The ocean object of our ogling

I wasn't nervous, just READY!  It was kind of cold when we got there but I knew it would warm up even without me running since the high was 78 that day.  We ogled the ocean for a little bit then sat in the car, then watched the kids run the one-mile fun run, then I paced.  Can we get started yet???  Please???

The horn sounded at 8:30 and we were off!  Now I wish I could say I had photos of me running but the start and finish were at the same location and the official photographer was apparently only at the start and took sporadic pictures.  That means I have 0 pics of me racing until the end.  No matter.

I had carefully prepared my playlist so that I would be pumped and ready to go and keep going.  I didn't have a watch but I hoped there would be some sort of timing system.  Couldn't use my shuffle because it has no screen!  But I knew most of my songs were about three minutes so that was my way of pushing myself through.

I'm wearing lipstick because I couldn't find my lip gloss. 

I breezed through the first 10 minutes but then I see these two guys barreling toward me (one of whom I later found out finished the 10k in 32 minutes!!!).  Part of the course looped back for both the 5k and simultaneous 10k so I got to see allllll of the people who were passing me about to hit the one-mile mark.  That was a bit demoralizing.  I immediately wanted to know how many people were behind me but I decided to just wait until I hit the loop to peep that.  It turns out I was the slowest of the people continually running but there were a good 30 or so people behind me so I was cool with that.  I was just so excited to be out there I really didn't care at this point!  I was waving and smiling at all of the course-directing race officials.  I did a little cheer for myself at the one-mile mark and said, "All right! Let's keep going!"  I was sailing along smoothly here and feeling fine!  I kind of lost count of where I was on time but I knew I was around 26 or 27 minutes.  I did a big cheer when I hit 2 miles.  That's both further and longer than I'd ever run!  I felt like a rockstar!!! 

I also realized that while some songs are fun and work for other workouts, they are not so much for me when running.  One of those songs is Ciara's "Bang It Up."  Love it for other workouts.  Blech for my run.  Outkast's "Bombs Over Baghdad" and "Pump It" by Black Eyed Peas?  Got me dancing on the course.  That's right!  I was running and dancing!  Lol.  I was having a ball!  And it helped that there were people standing on the decks of their beach houses cheering us on!  Somewhere after mile two the inside of my ankle started hurting and I couldn't shake it out.  Usually I can shake it, mid-stride and fix it but that wasn't working.  Then the outside started acting up but I really didn't want to stop.  Once I hit two miles I figured I might as well run the whole thing in. 

Why do running & walking look the same???

At about this time I got to the water station where they did a great job of cheering me along!  It is there that I discovered I need to practice running and drinking because I almost choked myself.  Wait.  I choked myself but managed to get it under control.  That was scary, but then I went back to being my excited, self-motivating self.  I knew I was getting close but I couldn't tell how close.  A lady speedwalking said, "Almost there" as she passed me and I replied, "THANK GOD!!!"  LOL  Shortly after I passed the three-mile marker, gasped and cheered and looked ahead and wondered why in the WORLD was .1 miles so long???  I saw Rashan and smiled and waved, then looked at the back of the encouraging speedwalker and decided she wasn't gonna speedwalk and beat me across the finish line when I ran the whole thing.  I kicked it into high gear and crossed at 44:12.  Woohoooo!!   I beat my goal!!!  I was PUMPED!!  And shocked!  I kept saying, "I did it! I did it!"  I guess it's a compliment that Rashan wasn't surprised that I ran the whole thing under my goal but I wanted him to be amazed with me!

Look! A medal!

My brother via text told me he was so proud he's gonna tell everybody his sister runs marathons.  LOL.  That is absolutely not my goal at this point in my life.  I want to run my next 5k either at Thanksgiving in Savannah or a "Mistletoe" run locally in under 40 minutes.  I'll do a few more 5ks, then do the Bridge to 10k, then run a few 10ks and see how I feel.  I do need to stretch better after races and cool down.  But overall, the race was very exciting!

Seafood Bog

The festival?  A complete fail.  It's an OYSTER festival, right?  So why did the majority of the vendors serve 0 oysters?  It was typical fair food!  There were tons of beach-specific vendors which also included things I don't care anything about but the food was the reason we traveled that far for a 5k.  We wandered over to the festival around 10 and many people were just setting up.  We did a (disappointing lap) and saw $20 plates of fried oysters or steamed oysters you have to shuck yourself.  I don't know how to shuck and do you know how many oysters I can get for $20 elsewhere?  I just couldn't bring myself to do that. 
There were some oyster gumbos and stews but the non-oyster food far outweighed it.  AND NO RAW OYSTERS!!!!!!  This murdered my poor little heart.  I got a seafood bog that had shrimp, fish & oysters with a tomato, onion & celery seafood broth and rice.  It was quite good but I was stuck on the lack of oysters.  We left after less than an hour and I fell into a deep sleep in the car.  Then the next day I slept for 12 hours!!  Phew!  I RAN MY FIRST 5K!!!!!!!!!!

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 120

1) I like Rashan's face scruffy.
2) Mild cheddar cheese is a worthless product.
3) You know what our next place MUST have? STORAGE SPACE!! It's extra ridiculous up in here.  Sometimes that means a little creativity but right now it's about to mean WHERE DO I PUT ALL THIS STUFF??? Rearranging meant our hiding spots were eliminated in the front room.
4) I'm ADDICTED to the Couch to 5k Facebook Page!! Addicted!!  I use it to encourage me to go run when I don't feel like it and I encourage others when they need it.  I love it!!!
5) I get so excited when people ask me for recipe, cooking or baking advice! :)
6) I MIGHT break out the Christmas music this week.  LOL!  I know it's waaaaay too early for almost everyone I've ever known but when the temps stop being in the 80s and I know it's October, even MID-OCTOBER??? I get that itch!!!
7) I don't like it when people ask me why I'm awake (Because I am.) or tell other people to go to bed.  If this is an odd hour to you, I'm may or may not be happy to be up.  If you're telling me to go to bed... you know you're up, too, right? Oh okay.
8) It makes me giggle when people ask me where my husband is.  I often forget I have one of those until they ask!
9) Have any of you had mincemeat pie before?  It sounds really gross to me.  I'm not saying I wouldn't try it but I'm kinda scared.
10) I ran my 5k & I can't wait to tell you all about it!  Well... I can.  And you can, too!  Later in the week, my friends!

Movies 2011, Weeks 38-40

September 25- October 1, 2011
168) Blade Runner. Harrison Ford stars in this sci-fi thriller about human-like "replicants" he's sent to track down and destroy.  But sometimes his feelings get in the way.  Pretty awesome at times but the narration?  Oh the narration.  Absolutely terrible.  Definitely a thriller.  3.5 stars
169) The Deer Hunter. A film about a group of friends (including Robert DeNiro & Christopher Walken) excited to go to war until they get to Vietnam and are disillusioned by what they see.  I did not get or enjoy the hour-long build-up to war.  The actual war part was short but horrific.  The aftermath included some amazing moments but also some plodding ones.  Some absolutely useless characters in this one.  I can see why people would love/respect this movie.  It was pretty good in isolated spots but I wouldn't want to watch it again.  2.9 stars
170) Bill Cunningham New York. Documentary about the NYTimes photographer behind the street style column.  He's an awesome guy and now a total superstar to me.  I'll have to join the club on that one.  If you like fashion at all, you should like this film.  Riveting.  4.4 stars
171) Gone with the Wind.  I definitely see why this is a classic despite the steppin and fetchin negroes.  Of course there was a romanticized version of the Civil War but what do you expect about something written by a Georgian?  This movie is awesome!  Such a great story!  Also, Clark Gable??? WOW!!  Also the ending?? Yep!  4.8 stars

October 2-8, 2011
172) AClockworkOrange. Futuristic StanleyKubrick film about a violent psycho and his band of psycho friends.  I really hated watching this creepy, disturbing film.  It sticks with you, it's unique, which of course for many is a great part of the appeal but that is part of what makes it so disturbing.  1.4 stars
173) Ralph Nader: An Unreasonable Man. A documentary about the public interest man and presidential candidate.  It made Nader a sympathetic character while still bringing forth some of the chief criticisms against him.  But this film was full of far too much rhetoric and too many talking heads.  2.4 stars
174) Just Married. Ashton Kutcher & Brittany Murphy (RIP) star in this film about a couple who get married and then all heck breaks loose in their relationship, specifically on the honeymoon.  Clichéd with some bad acting but not the worst movie I've ever seen.  Some pretty unforgivable musical choices, though.  2.9 stars
175) Ben-Hur. Charlton Heston stars in the epic film set in the time of Jesus about a Jewish prince who vows revenge on a Roman friend who betrayed him.  Pretty awesome throughout most of the movie.  The end was a bit sappy but overall, an enjoyable (if obviously incredibly long) film.  3.7 stars
176) Taxi Driver. Robert DeNiro plays a deranged taxi driver who decides he must rid New York of scum on his mission to save a 12-year-old hooker (Jodi Foster).  I can't understand why Foster was nominated for an Oscar.  Because her parents let her play a child prostitute?  She was barely in the film.  Great cinematography.  3.3 stars
177) Prohibition. Five and a half hour Ken Burns documentary about making alcohol illegal in the United States.  As you see, extremely long.  It kind of made me question whether there was still a demand for these sorts of serial movies and if so, why and for how long?  Of course there was amazing archival and some great storytelling but the music was a bit surprisingly cliché.  I understand choosing music your audience can attach to the time but this seemed to go beyond that.  The interviews looked like they were shot without the assistance of current camera equipment-- grainy.  3.5 stars
178) Scream 4. Wes Craven directs yet another Scream movie.  I honestly went into this wondering why Rashan was getting this.  But it was pretty awesome!  Full of surprising twists and turns.  4.2 stars
179) Spartacus. Kirk Douglas stars as the titular character in this epic film from 1960 about the slave who led a revolt against the Romans.  Directed by StanleyKubric, I liked this FAR more than his other film I saw this week.  Slow at times but much of it was riveting.  3.8 stars

October 9-15, 2011
180) The Station Agent. Indie film about a dwarf who relocates to the country intent on becoming a hermit when his only friend dies.  His plans are interrupted by his neighbors.  Amusing, leisurely paced.  I enjoyed it.  3.8 stars
181) Midnight. Claudette Colbert stars as a poor girl in Paris who poses as a Hungarian baroness.  Cute, old school rom com.  Very fun and somewhat unpredictable.  3.8 stars

Sunny Days

As Rashan tried to sleep after his alarm today, I said, "Good morning, sunshine!"  Then I spoke the words to "You Are My Sunshine," internally laughed at the high fructose in the air and it almost turned into this.  Then I thought about how mad I would be if he woke me up rapping.  Maybe mad is an understatement.  No.  Mad is an understatement!!  I can barely tolerate his rapping fully awake and full of delicious food. 

Speaking of delicious food, I had some salsa last night at my first ever pumpkin carving that was AMAZING!!!  I probably ate 2 cups of it.  Thou shalt not put a bowl of delicious salsa in front of me if thou shall like to have any. 

The first pumpkin I ever carved! And free-handing it!

I also sampled pumpkin ales for the first time.  Delicious!  Most pumpkin-y and delicious awards go to Weyerbacher and Big Boss Harvest Time.  And now that I know Big Boss is brewed in Raleigh?  I feel the need to visit them ASAP!  My sister would love that since it would mean me coming to hang with her. :)

The Rooster

I think it's cute when Rashan and I find stories we've never told each other.  It's particularly strange because we spent hours and hours in email before we spent hours and hours on the phone.  This was after the years and years of blogging we both had done before we ever met.  I managed to accidentally stumble on an untold story last night.  For some reason the rooster popped into my head last night, a day when my daddy was DEFINITELY my hero!  Our hero, actually.  My sister and I. 

We were at his parent's farm in Rowland, North Carolina.  A town I was shocked to "learn" on Wikipedia last night has over 1100 people.  Wow!  That's WAY more than I thought it would have.  Then I remembered he might actually be from Elrod which has just 441.  Still sounds like 400 more people than I've ever seen there.  The last time I went, admittedly a good 15 or so years ago, but still in the 90s, there were a few dirt roads around.  As a Charlottean, this scandalized me!  A dirt road???  In 1990?? 

My grandfather produced all kinds of things on his farm but I only remember squash (prickly things he told me to pick without gloves, then laughed when I yelped... I only have jerky memories like this of him), watermelon, pecans, muscadine grapes, pigs and chickens.  My mom liked picking things out of the garden.  My sister and I would run around in the dirt yard playing, chasing chickens and I was always seeking out a cat to pet.  I had a favorite orange one, a stray, that I tried to take home but my mom hates cats.  I just realized how hilarious it is that we chased chickens!  What???  What year was this???  I promise it was the late 80s!

My grandparents were definitely of the school that children should go play outside instead of sitting up under grown folks.  Stay out of grown folks business.  I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to enact this on other people's ill-mannered children but seeing as I'm childless and people don't generally take to kindly to such interference, I manage to keep my mouth shut.  When we arrived at my grandparents' house, usually for the 4th of July when my dad and his 8 brothers and sisters would converge on the family farm with their families and the children were sent outside.  I can still vividly see the entire house and most of the yard in my head and my grandparents died in 1989 and 1990.

One day, my sister and I were outside running around, chasing chickens (LOLOL) when suddenly the tables were turned.  We noticed all of a sudden that one of the chickens, a rooster, was semi-chasing us.  At the very least he was stalking us and that is not cool.  I was probably 7 which means she was 5.  And I was a small child.  That rooster was probably half my size.  Am I exaggerating?  I have no idea.  In my head I see a huge rooster only dwarfed when we were standing on the porch.  This thing was out to assert its dominance.  So what did it do?  It chased us around that house!  We ran inside screaming!  "Daddy! That rooster is chasing us! We're scared!"  "What??!! That rooster is out there chasing my babies?? I'll show him!"  He stomps outside and gives chase, "Get outta here! Scarin my babies!"  We cheered and jeered as the rooster ran like the rest of those chickens.  Daddy saved the day!

October Goals

September Goals
1) Read 4 books.  At least one teaching book and make progress on two film and/or journalism books.
Surpassed!  I read an additional book.  It was a great month for reading and I'm so glad this is a part of my daily life again!
2) Read an additional 60 chapters of the bible to reach 1155.  
Surpassed!  I got to 1157 and only have 32 chapters of the bible remaining!!!!!!  SO EXCITING!!
3) Watch at least 4 AFI movies.  
Surpassed!  I watched six and have only 8 left.  Hmm...
4) Cook at least 15 new recipes.  
Surpassed!  I will smash my goal of trying 100 new recipes this year and my cooking and baking mojo remains.
5) Complete at least two 30 before 30 goals. 
Erm... I got nothing.  I made more progress but it's frustrating to have so many long-term or fiscally or geographically impossible things on this list.
6) Work out at least three times per week. 
Done! 5k training is still awesome and I'm definitely getting my three workouts in per week.
7) Make progress on the job search daily.  
Done!  Daily may be a bit extreme but close enough for me to feel comfortable with my progress.  Submitted two applications and found several other positions with various start dates.
8) Complete at least two syllabi for future courses. 
Wow... this was a crazy and semi-unrealistic goal.  I've made enough progress on two books that this goal might be worthwhile next month.

October Goals
1) Read 4 books.  This will include completing the film/journalism books.
2) FINISH THE BIBLE!!!  Once I finish, I'll move to daily readings of My Utmost for His Highest.
3) Visit 4 local churches
4) Watch at least 5 AFI movies.  I have only 8 left but they are long and/or challenging films to watch so I don't want to tax the brain too much.  So far I've already watched A Clockwork Orange which is enough to make anyone not want to watch any more movies again.  Ever.  Also one is on long wait on Netflix so I don't know when it will be available.
4) Cook at least 15 new recipes.  I'm quite certain I can do this again.  I need another food-related goal.  Any ideas?
5) Complete at least two 30 before 30 goals.  I have 7 completed, 7 in progress and 16 outstanding... in a little over a year.  I have registered for a 5k this month and I'll finish the Bible.  I'll try to add another in there as well.
6) Work out at least four times per week.  That includes three days per week of 5k training and one day of cross training.
7) Make progress on the job search at least five times per week.  This includes searching, writing letters and resumes and CVs, etc.  I want to apply for at least 4 more positions near and far.
8) Complete at least one syllabus for a future course.  I want to be ready when I get my next teaching position.  Even if I don't get hired teaching these courses, the more practice I get making syllabi, the easier it will be for me to create them.

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 119

1) I'm trying to finish this Malcolm X book for the blog book club and it is looooong.  Biographies can be very difficult to read if they're not narrative enough.  This one ventures off into non-Malcolm territory quite often early on in ways that for me can be tedious.  Thankfully it picks up when his wife arrives on the scene.
2) I read some old posts from November 2007 and up popped a comment from Rashan.  I got all mushy thinking about how I never could've imagined he'd be my husband 4 years later!
3) My heart aches for these "America's Sweetheart" types groomed then discarded.  I MISS YOU, MEG RYAN!!
4) I have to remind myself daily not to make the people I love crazy as I go stir crazy from being in the house.  It doesn't always work.
5) I have 3 running partners of sorts who show up on different days and have different fitness levels and of course personalities.  It can be crazy-making because we're a part of a running group where I tell when I'm working out and someone shows up.  I'm hoping at least one turns into a regular.
6) I miss sushi & Mexican food. I don't have either regularly enough i.e. at least once a week for each. 
7) My plan for athletic domination is to outlive everyone.  Then I'll win my age group every time!  Woot!
8) "Happy Endings" is quite amusing!  Rashan and I decided to try it out and we approve!
9) I don't get too bent out of shape over most changes.  I see them as a part of life.  But it takes me a while to agree to changes inside my house.  We've lived here over a year and I'm finallly ready to have a new configuration in our living room.  It's oddly-shaped so it was interesting to attempt but I like it.  I was going to spend today rearranging things but I feel yucky.
10) I want some crazy bright colored fall/winter clothes!
11) I hate quotes... but I like this one!  It fits my life right now and I found it on a blog I started reading recently.

"Press on; nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."  -Calvin Coolidge

Charlotte Il Fabulosa!

Y'all know I loooove my vicarious kitty!  You also know I gave her a gift when her actual owners got married a few weeks ago.  When she opened the gift, I got a video!  So I turned that video into this video!

Rashan watched it in shock and said, "My wife is CRAZY!"  That's a stretch, no?  I think so! LOL

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 118

1) Do y'all know that I hate pigeons?  HAAAAATE!!! I think they are the nastiest thing on two legs.  After Uncle Luke. And Too $hort.  No wait.  Too $hort, pigeons, Uncle Luke.
2) I love that fb sent me an email to tell me they'll send me less emails.  LOLOL  Irony is awesome! :)
3) I'm used to calling Rashan my husband to his face but I've had so little interaction with other people since we've been married (yes, I know that's weird) that I'm not used to calling him 'my husband' to non-family/Stace people.  Still sounds weird.
4) I've been gorging myself on books & it's pretty great!
5) I have a very keen sense of smell. I really don't want that to increase when I get knocked up.  You know, so life will be livable.
6) During my last run interval last Friday, my brain actually told me, "No."  What?! You betta get on board!  We are RUNNING!  Now like it! (again)  I'm getting back into it today.
7) I had the pumpkin custard with caramel mousse and gingersnaps at Cracker Barrel yesterday.  WHAT?!?!  This is the best ever and pumpkin custard with gingersnaps is this year's contribution for dessert courtesy of moi!
8) OMG Judah is even cuter in person!  I enjoyed lunch w/MrsCount & her sister, Rashan & former blogger Coco!  We went to Lupie's and got a mountain of yummy food.  And MrsC tried to get me to change Judah's diaper but uhhhhh NOPE!  Not the kid!  Did y'all know I've never changed a diaper?
9) R & I watched more fall series premieres last week than I've watched in my entire life!!  I usually like to let other people decide what's worth watching before giving it a chance.  LOL
10) The first week of our marriage, Rashan gave me a kiss for every day we'd been married.  Yesterday I insisted he give me a kiss for the 84 days we've been married. :)  LOLOL
11) He's also agreed to buy me a bottle of champagne the first day I run 13 miles.  Then he told me to just run 6 miles to the store and back and get it myself.  I think that negates every mushy thing I just said!!!
12) If you ask me what your dream meant and you don't seem disturbed, I'm going to make up something outlandish.  I can't help it!!  LOLOL!  A friend of a friend said he had a dream involving a pack of wolves, a dead eagle & a badger chasing him.  MAN what I could do with that!!!
13) I hit 1200 posts and 6 years of blogging this month and didn't even realize it!  Go me!

Movies 2011, Week 37

September 18-24, 2011
I love movies more and more every week!  That's good since I'm in the biz, huh?  LOL
162) The Tillman Story. A documentary about the lies told in the wake of the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman and its impact on his family.  Really awesome  and thorough documentary.  Great access to the family and some military insight.  Oddly, I vividly remember hearing he had died.  I was in the cafeteria at Hampton.  I also remember not being surprised to later hear it was a cover-up.  Extremely emotional film.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  4.5 stars
163) Win Win. Film starring Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan about an attorney/wrestling coach who becomes an elderly man's guardian then finds out the man has a wrestling prodigy for a grandson.  I wish this film was a little shorter and had a less obvious ending.  It took the route a lot of indie films do today of setting up a unique or interesting set of obstacles, then giving it a Hollywood-like ending.  True it wasn't necessarily the happiest but it was tidy, which weakened the film overall.  3.4 stars
164) Out of the Past. Kirk Douglas stars in this 1947 film noir classic about a private investigator, a gorgeous girl and a mobster out to find her.  I really enjoyed it!  Noirs get my vote so often because they don't follow expected, happy timelines.  Pretty great.  4 stars
165) The Blind Side. Sandra Bullock stars as the family matriarch of a white family that adopts a giant homeless black kid.  At the beginning, it was like the scriptwriter couldn't overcome those white savior movie tendencies.  It was eye roll-inducing but got much better when it just became a story about a mother trying to do the right thing. There were still some hokey, ridiculous moments but overall, much better than I expected. 4 stars
166) Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids. Academy Award-winning documentary about the struggles and triumphs of a California couple who had and adopted children, some with severe physical handicaps.  The film is clearly from 1977 as evidenced by its over-reliance on sometimes trite narration but the story is told very well.  It's not overly sad or emotional, but shows the reality of this family's life.  The crews followed long enough to have some transformations for some of the kids and show some controversy.  3.7 stars
167) Medicine for Melancholy. Wyatt Cenac stars in this black indie film about two people who awake from a one-night stand they don't remember and wander the streets of San Francisco trying to figure each other out and what exactly they're doing together.  Interesting, if slow at times.  I can't necessarily say I was satisfied at the end, either.  I wasn't dissatisfied.  This movie, like many indie hipster movies, just was.  3.5 stars

Getting High

Running is still awesome! Sometimes it's hard, but more and more frequently, I shock myself by doing something amazing like running for 3 minutes w/o stopping!!  Y'all!!!

Three minutes!

And I felt like I could keep going!!

This from the girl who haaaaaated running. HATED!
1) I didn't see the point of it,
2) My little sister was a WAY better athlete so I ceded all things athletic to her (she's done basketball, soccer, softball, cheerleading, track AND field... yeah...),
3) I didn't like to sweat.

When I was little, I didn't even run when being chased.  Chase starts, I scream & say, "Okay okay!"  Why?  I don't like the shock of not knowing when I'll be caught.  And I WILL be caught.  I'm not fast.  This is young me.  Old me says bring on the sweat, I've already run thrice in drizzle/rain and I. FEEL. GREAT!!  ((high))  Now this last time running in the rain?  Today?  I did NOT enjoy this one.  But I know what I did wrong-- not enough food but that's because it's supposed to rain most of the day so I had to run in the break... which happened to be 20 minutes after I ate.  No matter.  I'll be back in the grind on Friday.

I'm currently on an every other day schedule because most days I really want to run DAILY but I'm giving myself an off day in the mix to allow my body to adjust to the new amount of running we're about to be getting in!  If there's pain (like after my first run when I had to take off 5 days!! (tight calves)), I'll add an extra day or more off but right now?  I'm loving getting to know my body's running needs!  Makes me feel awesome!!!

If you've ever considered running but didn't know how to start or felt intimidated by it, I highly recommend Couch to 5k!  I'm definitely a convert!  I had a running buddy for 2 or 3 days but she got injured.  At the beginning it helped to have someone there and I think it will help again but right now I'm so pumped to get out there, I'm fine going it alone.  Well, not totally alone because I have my fb & twitter friends AND the C25k facebook page.  Great encouragement there!  Love it!  Also, a special shoutout to 1969, Liz, K. Rock & Aretha, my favorite runners who really inspired me!  Runner's high is REAL!  Now go run!

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 117

1) I put in my first application for a full time position for 2012-13 school year.  *Deep breath*  My applications will be all over the country.  Well... I haven't found a California position I like yet so Dallas is the furthest west right now but up and down the east coast and into the midwest.  I'll go wherever God wants me.  I just hope there's good food and a wonderful work environment.
2) Last week was ROUGH for us in terms of communication.  P hit the nail on the head when she said "I hate when I'm mad at my husband. He's the cause & the cure."  YASSSSS!!
3) We're going to be in Charlotte next week the same time as Mrs. Count so we get to meet JUDAH!!!!!  AKA my blog nephew!!  I'm so excited!!  :)  Oh I'm excited to meet his momma, too.
4) Did I tell you when I got my degree, my new last name was spelled incorrectly?  I mean... why???  So I'll have to wait 4 more weeks to get a new one.  On the plus side, transcripts are FREE!!  Thanks a million for that!
5) The temperatures dropped on Friday and I was so not ready.  How is it gonna be 75 in the middle of the day one day and 55 the next?  DO NOT WANT!!
6) Today is the start of week three of my Couch to 5k training program AND I registered for my first 5k on Friday!  WHEEEEEE!!!
7) I've been the bride whisperer on facebook this past week... and I love it!  I don't like seeing people stressed while planning what is supposed to be a happy day so I try to spread some joy when they're angsting.
8) When Rah and I are bored/it's late, we watch House Hunters or whatever else is on HGTV.  He started it and I'm now equally hooked!  We invite you to test our drinking game.  Bottoms up every time you hear someone say open, granite or stainless.  WARNING: Do not play this unless you're drinking water or you will get ALCOHOL POISONING!!
9) I went nuts at my local Borders when everything was 90% off.  I spent $28 and saved $239.  PAROXYSMS OF JOY!!!  But I'm sad Borders is gone.  I don't really like B&N.
10) If I'd been on the birth control that got mixed up and got preg?  O_O
11) You know how I'm the alleged internet bully?  Guess what I don't care about at all?  Hashtags on fb.  Things transfer and no one dies.  Really long blog posts on tumblr are a bit annoying but I can ignore those.  When you post on tumblr 30+xs/day and post every single one to twitter, then you are the worst person on twitter and tumblr simultaneously.  FANCY!!
12) Have you seen the latest cover of Ebony mag?  AWESOME!!!  Best I've ever seen from them!  Looks like a fashion mag!  I couldn't stop staring!
13) The latest Netflix announcement of Qwikster may push me over the edge.  They are the epitome of doing too much.  And so horribly, too.  I realized, though handled poorly, I wasn't going anywhere with the price hike.  It changed my subscription but how many options do I really have to get movies?  I'm a filmmaker and I need access to a lot of films.  But two separate sites for DVD & streaming??  That don't interface???  Really???  Please learn how to talk to your customers and FIX THINGS WITH FEEDBACK.  I mean... unless being in business is bothersome or something.  Hire a public relations firm IMMEDIATELY.  If I taught PR, we'd be dissecting this in class THIS WEEK!

Movies 2011, Weeks 34-36

It's been a while since I posted but I'm back with a vengeance!   I watched four movies in one day this week.  There was enough of a mix of films to entertain me in the last three weeks.  I only have 11 films left on the AFI Top 100 and I'm delighted about it!  I think I'm going to have to finish in November because I have such lengthy films left.

August 28- September 3, 2011
145) Who Does She Think She Is? Documentary about the challenges of being a woman and an artist simultaneously.  It starts out with a somber tone and moves to an empowering one.  It confirmed that I don't expect to become less of a person when I become a mother.  But I didn't need to hear and see that from a dozen people to believe that.  And of course some stories resonated much more with me than others.  This movie needed a focus.  2.8 stars
146) Just Go With It. Jennifer Anniston & Adam Sandler star as an assistant cajoled by her boss into going along with his plan to convince a girl he's married.  Sigh.  First of all, I would've passed on this movie if only I'd seen it was 1hr50 mins!!  What?!?!  For a romcom???  Get over yourself.  You knew what was going to happen and there weren't really any actual complications.  And is Sandler going to do the groin injury "comedy" for every movie???  Sigh.  I just wish these two would get some good scripts.  2 stars
147) Zodiac. A thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a newspaper cartoonist trying to solve uncover the identity of a serial killer who calls himself 'Zodiac.'  Very tense and awesome.  I really enjoyed it.  4.4 stars
148) The Grapes of Wrath. Henry Fonda stars as an ex-con who unexpectedly finds himself on a journey to California when his sharecropping family is forced out of the dust bowl in Oklahoma.  Wow.  This is a really slow-moving film with no opportunity to connect with the characters.  It really is no match for a stellar book.  Even dirtied up Fonda doesn't look rough enough to be Tom Joad.  I'm sure it didn't help that the book was so fresh in my mind.  The movie?  Didn't enjoy it.  2 stars
149) The Perfect Host.  David Hyde Pierce stars as the titular character in this thriller about an ex-con who finds himself in a dinner party.  It started off very interesting then veered bizarrely and badly off-course.  Just... what??  It really could have been so much better... well somewhat better... with a few relatively minor changes.  2.9 stars

September 4-10, 2011
150) With Six You Get Egg Roll.  Doris Day and Brian Keith star as the heads of a newly blended family that's having trouble gelling.  Cute but silly.  Light and easy comedy.  3.3 stars
151) Catfish. Documentary about a guy who meets this beautiful girl on the internet and then goes to track her down.  It shows the evolution of a facebook relationship and his involvement with an entire family.  Really crazy.  It got pretty interesting in a different way toward the end in a way I liked.  It just went on a little too long.  3.7 stars
152) The Godfather. Awesome Scorcese-directed classic about an Italian family controlling a neighborhood and the dangers associated with that business.  Loved it!  I wished I hadn't seen Godfather II first so I would be more surprised by more things.  5 stars

September 11-17, 2011
153) Saving Private Ryan. Matt Damon stars as the last surviving son in a family full of boys at war.  It's Tom Hanks' character's job to save Private Ryan from death.  The early D-Day landing scenes really reinforced the futility and horrors of war.  No wonder people return so jacked up.  You can't unsee that stuff.  Still, those points were belabored in the script.  Good, but a bit too long. 4 stars
154) The Long Kiss Goodnight.  Samuel L. Jackson & Geena Davis star in this film about a spy with amnesia and the sidekick who helps her.  This movie does not stand up to the ravages of digital production today.  Nothing looks as good as it would today and therefore looks incredibly cheesy.  Geena Davis' innocent face and simply fair writing erases much of the thrill of the action moments.  2.9 stars
155) Something Borrowed. Film adapted from a great book about a boring lawyer who finds herself entangled with her best friend's hunky fiancé.  It actually combined ideas from the following book as well.  First, I loved the books.  And I think that was part of my problem with the movie.  I could see Kate Hudson as her character but the rest kept me confused.  Especially John Kransinski.  Extremely perplexing casting.  Like they were chosen for their recognition factor rather than how they fit the character.  The story line was a bit too loose for me period, though, even accepting differences from the book.   2.9 stars
156) Contagion. This movie was awesome!  It stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslett and Lawrence Fishburn.  Their lives intersect as an international team of scientists, including those at the CDC try to figure out how stop an epidemic.  They must also figure out where it began.  If you are the slightest bit of a germaphobe, you probably won't even touch yourself on the leg w/o washing your hands for at least a month.  I loved it!  I'm all about a thriller that could happen to me!  4.4 stars
157) The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. Documentary about a year in the life of a crazy clan of hell-raisers.  Riveting.  We couldn't turn away if we tried.  For all of the flaws in the family, those flaws did not exist in the making of this film.  Very well-written, directed & edited.  4.4 stars
158) Dante's Peak. Film starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton about a vulcanologist's effort's to save a town along Dante's Peak from certain volcanic activity.  The volcano-related stuff  was AWESOME!  Great special effects and everything!  The loving and people-related activity was terrible.  Insert copious eye rolling.  3.5 stars
159) Dinner for Schmucks. Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd star in this remake of a (far better) foreign film about an aspiring exec who finds the perfect loser to bring to his bosses' monthly party for losers.  Oh I wish this movie was better.  But it wasn't.  It was too long and too chatty.  Get to the point.  2.7 stars
160) Love Potion No. 9. Sandra Bullock stars in a rom com about two nerdy scientists whose lives are changed by a love potion.  They become hot commodities and then guess what happens?  I won't spoil it for you... *snicker*  One of those amusing-ish, outlandish 80s movies.  I would watch it while cooking again!  3.3 stars
161) Baby Face. Barbara Stanwyck stars in this 1933 film about a woman who charms and manipulates herself to fame and fortune.  You could absolutely see this film today.  You might make a tv series... call it... basketball wives?   But hopefully in a more well-written form.  Extremely abrupt and confusing end.  Jerky story line.  2.8 stars

A-T-L-A-N-T-A, G-A!

As you guys know, we went to Atlanta this past weekend and had a BLAST!!  Our primary goal was Bakima Wedding!  Our 2nd favorite internet-joined couple (after ourselves) got married in Atlanta and we had to be there!  We got into town around 2am and had to be up bright and early to go get the rest of their wedding present!  The first part was a gift for my vicarious kitty!  And the second part is something I also need!  LOL I'm obsessed with gadgets!!

We don't have a Crate and Barrel here so we went to the one at Lenox and were there the SECOND it opened.  The music wasn't even on and workers looked stunned we were in there.  LOL  But we got immediate help and secured these for them!  I get these every time they're on someone's registry.  I think they're so cute!

Their colors were navy, yellow & white with teal accents.  So cute!

 When I go to weddings, I like to look at the groom's first glance of the bride... AWWWWWWWW!

 Here comes the bride!

 Awwww!  Officiated by one of their friends!

 Cocktail hour!

 The favors!

 First dance!

 Me & Rah!

 Me & Mrs. Smithville!

 Loved the mantle decor! And this picture doesn't even do it justice!

 Peacock feathers are always a great addition to a bouquet if you ask me! :)

 Damask was a part of her theme and I loved that her bridal bag put that touch in there! :)

 One time for the internet!!

 After the wedding it was nap time!  After nap time?

La Fonda!  One of our favorite Latin restaurants!  I had paella!  Soooo good!!

 Rashan had a chorizo quesadilla. MMMM!

 The next day we went to...

THE VORTEX!!!!!!!

I had a burger with horseradish sauce and it was delicious!  We also started with what? Fried dill pickle spears!  MMMMMM Love!

 We met K. Rock & her husband there! :) I love blogger meet-ups!  Rashan and I are tied 13-13 for blogger meet-ups!  Now I need to go meet someone in secret!  LOL

 After lunch we did some window shopping in Little Five, then Rashan and I went to the King Center.

 The homie, Gandhi met us at the entrance.

 A mural on the wall

 Close-up of one of my favorite posters

 Awesome quote on nonviolent protest! "Passive physically... but dynamically aggressive spiritually."  Deep.

 Rashan in front of the wagon that pulled Dr. King's coffin.

 The tomb for the Kings.

 Then... THE FARMER'S MARKET!!!!

My carrot cake cupcake! :)

 Rashan's creme horn

 My cream cheese croissant... yo...

I could eat these DAILY!!!!!

SO GOOD!!!!

 We got a Fellini's spinach & mushroom with garlic pizza for the road! YUM!

Wonderful trip and we can't wait to go back!!

#11: Go Wine Tasting in NC Wine Country

For some reason, vineyards have exploded in this region in the last few years!  I know some have been around for decades, while others have capitalized on a nation with a renewed interest in wine and the availability of wines at all price points.  For my birthday, Rashan and I went to Raylen Vineyard right in the middle of harvest season!  I LOVE driving past vineyards and this one was not a disappointment!  Grapes were dangling from the vines on our drive up to the main building!

 We did a tasting that you'll have to take our word for because there is no photographic evidence!  He was really moving through those wines!  They produce a ton of wines here.  They were out of my fave, the pinot grigio.  Sad face.  But they had two of Rashan's faves aka any kind of sugar wine.  They had a riesling he liked and a rosé.  On the latter, the tester said was made for people here raised on Kool-aid & Pepsi.  WOW.  Then he (pseudo-snobbily) said he knows someone who mixes the rosé with frozen fruit and blends it.  We looked at each other like, we shall be buying a bottle and doing that.  Thanks for the tip.  And we tried it and it was quite good.  Here's one of the barrels they use to ferment the wines.

 Here are the cases of wines stacked to the ceiling!  They'd had a bottling session recently I believe.

 Here's me!

 Don't I look like I know EXACTLY what I'm looking at?  It's a grape! For the wine!

 So beautiful!

 This dude here... LOL

 Is he playing with the soil??  I can't... LOLOL

 Yay us!

Tada!  So that was my first NC wine experience and it won't be my last!  There are at least 10 more within an hour drive!