A Kindred Spirit Came to Visit

One of my kindred spirits came to visit me in January.

It was her second visit to Virginia, but this time she brought her husband.

Before I continue, let me go back a bit.  Almost 10 years ago, when I first met Amber.

Amber had finally turned 18 and as she had vowed years earlier, was on her way to spend the summer away from her home and small town in FL.  I was on my way to spend my 21st summer at the lake.  I was going to spend the summer scooping ice cream for the tourists.  Amber was going to help a few nights every week, in addition to working in the dining room on campus.

 

Amber was so cool.  She was the outgoing, optimistic girl that all the boys had a crush on.  She had a way of making anyone feel loved.  She never swore, she went to church on Sunday mornings and she sang in the talent show.  She was way cooler than me but for some reason wanted to be my friend.

We spent the summer getting to know each other.  She dyed my hair and helped me get the perfect thin-eyebrow that was so-2004.  We made lists of what we wanted to do each day that we had off together: go on picnics, work on art, and of course go to Walmart.  We hit it off and before we knew it, we were dancing on the bathroom sink singing Maroon 5.

When the summer ended, we kept in close touch.  There was no facebook or texting yet which was the most perfect way to make memories.  She sent me the most creative cards and notes that always lifted my spirits in the dark days of Ohio winters:

There would always be a surprise inside: tea bags, glitter, pictures, itineraries for future reunions, etc.

We finally did get that reunion, after 4 1/2 long months!  We met back up for a New Years bash:

And 3 months after that, I met Amber in her homeland of sunny FL for spring break:

 Orlando

at Jimmy's Buffet's

 

 

 

We spent another summer together in 2005 as roommates.  Our dorm room was themed with palm trees and sea shells.  We spent that summer making plans after graduation: we'd open a coffee shop together in FL with her art and my math skills.  For some reason I cannot find any photos of our room.  It was gorgeous though.  I hope 9 years later that it's still painted that beachy green color.

 

 

I didn't get to see Amber again until 2009.  We had yet another reunion and she finally met Jim!

 

Our old stomping grounds: the Store. 

Sipping on our favorite: Saranac.  After indulging in jalepenos of course.

So you could imagine my excitement when Amber announced that she was bringing her husband to Virginia.  Granted it was the ugliest month of the year (January) for Virginia.  But we made sure to have a blast!

 

 

 

Fresh off the train

Amber making us laugh.

 Monticello.

Our husbands proudly displaying their $2 bill in front of Monticello.

Goofing around on the walk to Monticello.

Right after Amber got in trouble for climbing the tree by security...and I obviously had to social-media it.

 

 

 

On the steps where ole Tom once stood.

In front of Amber's name. 

We had such a busy schedule while they were here.  We went to Monticello, Mount Vernon, DC, Luray Caverns, and my personal favorite, Rappahannock Winery.  It snowed hard that night and we had massive snowball fight in the back yard afterwards.  Couple vs. couple.  Not pictured :(

What a blessing a Kindred Spirit is.  They can live near or very far south.  I am looking forward to the next time we reunite.  It will be by summer for sure.  Because we have a lake in common that will forever whisper both of our names when we've been away for too long.  In the meantime, we shall make our lists through confetti-filled snail mail of what our next reunion will be like.

Finally, a Taste of Spring

Spring is my favorite season.  It hasn't always been, (as a kid, who doesn't love summer the most?).
But since college, I crave that first hint that Spring is coming.

It happened today.  After the coldest, longest winter in my life, we finally had a taste of spring today.

We opened the windows.  And with that came every chore we've "put off" until Spring.  "Quick!  Clean the oven since the windows are open!"
I dried the sheets outside, giving it the crisp, cool outdoors smell that instantly refreshes the soul.

After months of having the outside world on "mute", birds chirped.  Neighborhood kids played basketball.  The sound of motorcycles that had been just as cooped up all winter as we had been, hummed in the distance.

I am SO GLAD to have this tiny taste.  I know it will get cold again.  But the promise that warmer, brighter days are coming is so reassuring!

Before we know it, the grass will be turning green, tulips and daffodils will be blooming, the grills will be fired up. 

Just a few more weeks.  We can make it!

I Can't Wait for Spring!

This time of year is so long and hard for me!  It's dark when I leave for work, dark when I come home.  I have no energy on the weekends because it's usually so overcast and depressing.  I found myself aching for signs of spring the other day.  (Mainly due to a recent unseasonably warm day of 60-ish degrees!)

So as I was cleaning up my house this morning, I came up with this list of reasons why I cannot wait until Spring!

1)  Electric and gas bill will practically disappear!  Gotta love when you can turn off the heat and not yet turn on the air conditioning in the same month, and open up the windows!

2)  I long for tree-frogs and birds chirping.  Seriously, is there a more relaxing sound at dusk?

3)  I am ready to plant my garden!  I am tired of checking the produce section at the grocery store to see which country my plants are coming from.  Tomatoes from Venezuela?  Thanks anyway. 

4)  Bright colors of nature  There's the locally grown hydrangeas, the tulip festival, Bradford pear blossoms.  What a mood-lifting season!

Pick-your-own local tulips!

4)  My dogs are going stir-crazy.  Which means I do not sleep well at night:)

Spring means no more playing indoors!

 

5) What color is my car?  I cannot tell due to the build-up of salt, sand and mud.

(No pic, you're welcome!)

6)  Social life will resume.  Doesn't it feel like everyone stays inside all winter?  The streets are silent, stores are empty.  Then suddenly, as spring emerges: farmer's markets, kids playing outside, neighbors bonding through fences.  I can't wait!

Hurry, Spring.  You are my favorite season!

A Country Drive

I have lived in Culpeper for 4 years now. 

 

Ever since moving here, I have admired the beauty of the Autumn mornings.  Misty sunrises are breathtaking!  And for 4 years now, I've vowed to get up as early on Saturday as I do the rest of the week to get out and capture the beauty on camera.  And this year, I finally did!

 

Jim decided to crawl out of bed before sunrise with me.  He was my chauffer and did not mind pulling over and helping me trespass wherever I found a bit of beauty.  Enjoy!

 

 

Jim's favorite 

 

I have passed this old church to and from work every day since 2009.

I finally pulled over and took pictures of it.  I don't know the story behind it, but I just daydream about what kind of history it has seen! 

 

 

Another cute church on the out skirts of town.

 My fav pic!  We pulled over on a busy section of Rt. 29 for this shot.

Across the street from our house. 

Our first time visiting this lake that is 5 minutes from our house. 

 

If you have a favorite, I would love your feedback:)  Even after 4 years of living in this house, our walls are still pretty empty.  I finally have some artwork that I can put up! 

Wednesday Review: Opus 9, Williamsburg, VA

Opus 9 Steakhouse
5143 Main St., Williamsburg, VA 23188

Menu: Sunday Brunch

Jim and I decided to take a little weekend getaway earlier this summer.  We wanted to drive no further than 2 hours, so we settled on Williamsburg.  My only request was to go outlet shopping.  Jim's only request was to find a Sunday brunch.

To me, Sunday brunch was the meal {sausage gravy} that took so long for me to make {3+ hours?}, that it was AFTER breakfast but before lunch before it was ready.  To Jim, you went to mass on Sundays and then went out to brunch.  Once he moved to Virginia, he realized that Sunday brunch isn't really popular.  There are not many restaurants in our town or surrounding ones that serve it.

So I looked to google.  I found Opus 9 through a "Top 10 Williamsburg Restaurants" list.

We arrived just as the restaurant was opening for the day.

We were the first ones seated.  We were offered mimosas or bloody Marys, which I turned down!!!  {ONLY because I had a rough day on Saturday at Busch Gardens.}  Suddenly, a man came and sat down at the piano that was sitting right next to our table.  A bassist soon joined him.  They played the entire time!

The brunch set up was amazing.  There were the typical omelet, waffle and carving stations.  But there was so much more.  There were crab cakes, grits, jambalaya, etc!!!  The dessert spread was the length of the bar.  I ate so much!


It was so good, that we are considering going back one of these Sundays, only to eat brunch and then drive back.  (and not outlet-shop!  yeah right.)

Price: $24.95/person.  Very reasonable for the spread.

Score: 5 out of 5

Tips:  -Make a reservation!  
           -Private rooms for parties.
           -Do not go to Busch Gardens the day before.
           -St. Bede Catholic Church is about five minutes away.  We went to the 9 am mass to be at         brunch when they opened.  And to sneak in a little shopping in between, muah ha ha.