by steph_egan | personal
What was your first concert? I’m pretty sure mine was Neil Diamond. Mmmm hmmm… for real. I was young and tagged along with my Mom. I remember actually enjoying myself because I knew all the songs – she played the ALBUMS (like the record kind) so much, I was a fan by association. His sparkly outfit was pretty awesome too.
I went to a few different concerts throughout high school – and like Heather was smart to do yesterday, I also won’t embarrass myself with revealing my high school taste in music (Mmmmmmmbop!).. but there is one concert I will admit to going to: the Barenaked Ladies. I saw them for the first time in Boston after taking the train into the city with friends. We managed to make our way up to the front row and it was the best! We sang our hearts out.. and then a porta potty almost caved in on me when someone walked across the top of it. True story.
Fast forward a few years later and the Barenaked Ladies are on stage in front of us again. Like that other time, it was a warm Summer night and there was a group of us belting our hearts out. Is there anything better?
by heather | personal
The summer is winding down and it is time to take those last beach vacations before the fall is here and the cold weather approaches. I happen to be in Corolla at the Outer Banks (OBX) this week for my last beach trip of the year. My husband grew up with family beach vacations to OBX and last year we started the tradition back up again. I loved every minute of our vacation and happily welcomed the idea of coming back each year for an end of summer outer banks adventure.
We stay in Corolla, which is the top part of the 200-mile string of barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. Our daily routine includes coffee on the deck, relaxing beach time (maybe some sandcastle building or wave surfing), pool time, nap and then dinner with everyone with a glass of wine or three. Perfection. The great thing about the Outer Banks is that there isn’t a ton to do. Which means, you are free to relax in your beach house and not feel like you need to get out and do a bunch of tourist stuff. Snuggle up with a good book, soak up some sun rays, catch up on much needed sleep….these are all what a good relaxing vacation is all about.
I look forward to spending many more summer vacations here and I really hope you someday get the chance to vacation at the Outer Banks. I promise you will not be disappointed!
My Top 5 Things To Do in Corolla, NC
1. Wild Horses of Corolla – This is by far the number one thing to do in Corolla and well worth the money. Jump in an open air truck and the guides will take you on the beach and over the dunes in search of the 90 or so wild horses that still roam over the 7500 acre area. The trip takes about 2 hours and I promise you will not be bored. We saw at least a dozen horses on our tour last year. An amazing experience and memories sure to last forever.
2. Currituck Beach Lighthouse – An easy 214 steps up to the top provides some amazing views and a refreshing breeze. On your way up to the top, stop to read some history on the light house and surrounding area. Be sure to bring your camera up to the top with you!
3. Brew Thru – Since 1977, this drive thru store has proudly served the best beer, wine, snacks, drinks & souvenirs on the Outer Banks. And you literally drive thru the store! They have some awesome tshirts – a must have souvenir from your Outer Banks trip.
4. Beach Time – Wide open, uncrowded beaches are the big draw here. It is so peaceful and de-stressing. Just yesterday we counted over 50 dolphins during the day out in the water! Also, be on the lookout for seashells – especially the morning after a storm. That’s when you hit the jackpot.
5. Order Pizzazz Pizza – I know this seems like a funny thing to recommend at the beach. Most people love fresh seafood at all of the restaurants – which, I’m sure is amazing, but I don’t like seafood. Last year I discovered some of my favorite pizza of all time from Pizazz Pizza- the Hurricane White Pizza. YUMMY. And the perfect thing to order on the first night you are getting settled into your beach house for the week.
Cheers to awesome beach vacations!
by heather | personal
I am happy to introduce Lee from Life Lived Out Loud. Not only is she an amazing writer, she is also my awesome mother-in-law. She tells the best stories, and below she shares one of her favorite memories.
Memory resides in our brains, but can reach into our souls with an electric shock that brings tears… or fear…or maybe the biggest smile or laugh of a day. It is a sort of inner magic, sometimes so clear that it seems more present than past, sometimes so fuzzy that it seems more dream than reality.
One of my favorite memories is from my childhood. My grandfather was a carpenter who had created a workshop in the basement of his Atlanta home. He made furniture there, some of which we still have, I’m grateful to say. One piece he made especially for me was a sturdy little stool. He would carefully place it a safe distance from his work bench so that I could watch him work without being in danger from flying wood or sawdust.
In my memory I can still smell the rich, red Georgia clay of that basement floor, the scent of wood being cut and the sharp stinging odor of the stains he lovingly applied to finished pieces. I can still see him, standing tall over the workbench, measuring and sawing, connecting the pieces to make a cabinet or bookcase. I can almost hear his voice as he told me what he was doing when the saw wasn’t making too much noise for me to hear his voice.
My memory is one that I believe engendered my love of creativity in whatever form it takes. It might have affected my childhood penchant to be a tomboy, since I so revered my grandfather. The memory is also one of a safe haven that I shared with a man I held dear, a man who made a place of love for me in the space where he seemed most himself.
My grandfather has been gone from this earth for decades. But he is still here, still my “Pops,” very much alive in my memory.
