Teaberries

Sugar Grove Music Festival

This weekend we continued our tradition and attended our 3rd annual Sugar Grove Music Festival. I have come to realize that I love going so much because of what the festival symbolizes for me - the beginning of summer. I definitely love the music, but I mostly love the act of sitting outside, on a blanket or a chair, eating festival food, and relaxing in the warmth of the day. Everything about it is pretty much perfect.

This year we only went to the last three shows on Saturday. We heard The Kruger Brothers, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Doc Watson. It has been such a privilege to have heard Doc Watson on several occasions. It is amazing to me how people overcome adversity and accomplish greatness with their lives. He was blinded by an eye infection before his first birthday, yet he overcame he challenges and is now recognized as one of the best bluegrass players and guitar pickers in the world.

Since we didn't get there until late in the afternoon, it was already pretty crowded and we didn't get seats very close. I love that so many people come out to support bluegrass music and local vendors. One interesting observation - I don't think you'll ever see more people wearing chacos in one place except for MerleFest!

I have to tell you that we LOVE our camping couch that Uncle Marc and Aunt Bonnie got us for our wedding. It is so much easier to carry one chair than two!

One of my favorite things about the festival is the relaxing atmosphere - plenty of time to sit and knit! I made good progress on my Autumn Leaves Stole - it has been a side project since Thanksgiving, and I am ready to get it off my needles!

There is always a lot of dancing going on at the festival, but this is the first time I've seen hula hoop dancing. It was quite entertaining.

I'm so thankful that we had the opportunity to see one of our favorite bands - The Carolina Chocolate Drops!

Roan Mountain

We recently went to Roan Mountain to go to the Rhododendron Festival, but unfortunately we were a little late and it was starting to sprinkle, so the vendors were packing up. Thankfully it wasn't raining at the top of the mountain so we were able to go on a nice little hike. 

We stopped for a while at the first overlook and watched the fog roll in. I've never been able to watch the fog move into a valley like that - it was such a cool experience. 

Linky Love - Gardening

I have to confess that of the gardening blogs I follow, there is only one that I truly love. 

Chiot's Run - Susy Morris is the writer, photographer, and real-lifer behind Chiot's Run. Her posts are incredibly authentic, practical, and inspiring. She is an organic gardener in NE Ohio, so her growing climate is similar to ours. I have learned so many practical things from Susy, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Making your own potting soil
• The best gardening gloves
• Making your own toothpaste (someday I'll do an entire post on this one!)
• Making your own brown sugar
• Blueberry skillet cake (one of our favorites - I always make skillet cakes instead of muffins now!)
• Organizing your freezer
• Making maple syrup (this is definitely in the plans for next year!)

Honestly, I could go on and on with links to Chiot's Run, but I'll leave it at that for now. Trust me when I say that you will never find a more down to earth, comprehensive organic gardening blog, with some cooking, preserving, and simple living thrown in. Second only to SouleMama, this is one of my favorite blogs! Even if you don't garden, you will love this blog, and I bet you'll be inspired to at least put some basil in a pot on your front porch.

Is It May or February?!

It is 44 degrees and raining at 2 pm on May 17th. I'm ready for the warm weather to come back if only so I can get to my dining room table again.

 

Farmers' Market - May 14

There was so much good stuff at the farmers' market on Saturday!

Spinach and mixed lettuce - $4.30

2 pints organically grown strawberries - $5.75

Spring onions - $3 

1 lb. broccoli - $4

Strawberry lemonade - $3.50

Total: $20.55

 

The strawberries were among some of the best I've ever eaten. The were bright red throughout, juicy, and oh so sweet. I would rather eat just 2 pints of locally grown strawberries in season than grocery store strawberries every day. 

At $3.50, the strawberry lemonade was a complete splurge but it was absolutely delicious! In fact, it was so good we made our own strawberry lemonade yesterday. 

Did anyone else have good farmers' market finds this weekend?