i'll eat that sour cream for you

This weekend I went with my soul friend to the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain.

It is voted one of the top five arts & crafts shows in the nation.

Did someone say ARTS AND CRAFTS?! Oh, I'm there!

I grabbed some Green Apple and Blue Raspberry Italian Shaved Ice and Lisa got a burrito from Enrique's Place and we began our trek through the forest lined with hopeful vendors.

It was so much fun to walk through the woods in the coolness and shade of the trees.  The wind would blow just enough to remind us that fall is on its way.  

There was a lady selling homemade drink mixes and we were able to sample some of them.  We tried the Caramel Apple Cider and my eyes got wide and I could taste fall!  

I left with two bags of hand-ground Pioneer Porridge and Ground White Grits.  I can't wait to have them for breakfast.

When we left Lisa and I went to the Atlanta Temple for a few hours.  

I love the temple so much.  

It is such a place of peace and comfort to me.  I was so happy to have been able to take my daughter inside with me!  

I could feel her excitement as we were inside there together and she began to move around.  

I felt so relaxed and hopeful for the rest of my life as I sat in the temple and contemplated silently.  

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to go inside the temple and leave all of my cares behind and have time to feel like spirit and feel God's love for me.  

(and I know Evaleigh felt it too!)

1, 2, 3 easy as ATC

A couple of weeks ago I spent the week in the atrsy, funky and eclectic little town of Savannah.  

I was "sans husband" until Thursday.

We learned that we both don't sleep too well without the other one and that a queen size bed feels a lot bigger when you are the only one in it.

Thank goodness for over-sized pillows that act as a double for my giant of a husband.  I'm a snuggler when I sleep.  That poor pillow...

I went down to Savannah because I had been accepted to compete in the American Traditions Competition for singers.  

It was a week long competition full of concerts, rehearsals, sound checks, master classes, friend making, sight seeing, boat riding, and yummy food tasting.

This was really the first competition that I have done outside of college.  I was so happy to have been singing alongside such wonderfully talented singers.  I felt completely honored to have been chosen for the competition.

When we first arrived we had a reception at the Cupcake Emporium in Wright Square.  It was dangerous because we were given free reign to eat all of the free cupcakes we wanted. 

"Oh, sweet salted caramel cupcake get back in my mouth!!"

One day I had some free time, so I went over to try out my best friend's brothers's new restaurant.  They just opened next to SCAD's biggest building.  

The night before I received a phone call from a number I didn't know.  I love answering unknown numbers and it always makes me giddy because I get a small thrill from not knowing who is on the other line.  It was Lisa's brother Patrick who invited me to come to his restaurant.  

So I did. 

And I did not regret it.

Once my family arrived we took a walk down River Street. Our eyes feasted on the treats of River Street Sweets.  We had free pralines and taffy.

I was quite proud of how I sang.  I was one of the youngest people in the competition and I feel so proud of how I represented myself.  

I love singing so much.  

I love the thrill of being someone else for a few minutes and feeling what they would feel.  

I love giving every ounce of myself to make art.

I was so thankful to have been supported by a loving husband and my family.  So many people came down and made me feel so loved.  I am proud to have the family I do.