a husband's craigslist find: china

When we registered for china three years ago, I knew I wanted something that was timeless.  I've always loved the idea of white textured china which is why I registered for Wedgewood Edme. It is dishwasher safe, and if it breaks, or if I need more,  I can simply add other white textured pieces to my collection of china.

The other day, J was searching craigslist for a buffet (another story all together) and he came across 4 sets of Wedgewood Edme for only $40! He sent me the link and I instantly jumped on it.  Because the plates were purchased in the 1980's, they were a bit worn, but the pattern was the same.  The major difference was the size between 2009's Edme and 1980's. You'll be amazed.... But first a major shout out to J for finding this awesome deal! Yay J!

so handsome and smug!

Okay, on to business. Here is the 1980's edme tea cup......

Pattern is the same.

it is Wedgewood

 And a side by side comparison to the cup I was given in 2009!

On the right is 1980's Wedgewood, on the left is 2009!

 And now for the dinner plate comparison.  I'll let you guess this one....

Dinner plate comparison.

I don't really mind the size difference, but it does amaze me how large our portions (even in coffee and tea) has grown in 30 some years - it really does speak volumes to the obesity epidemic our country is now facing.  I wonder how large our plates will be in 2030? Perhaps dish companies should revert back to smaller plates to curb these growing appetites?

summer sunset

Early this summer, J and I went beach camping in the Outer Banks with a few of our close friends. I found a few summer sunset pictures I thought I'd share in honor of these waning August days.

End of Summer

Goodness! Its already labor day and I have my second thesis chapter deadline on Wednesday! I have to admit, the end of summer is my favorite time of year. I love the warm days and the cool nights, and the afternoon light which is just phenomenal at this time of year. We've been busy spending time at the lake, saying adios to Jon's brother and his girlfriend as they make the big trek across the country to California, celebrating our first wedding anniversary, and trying to figure out how we'll spend out next year of marriage :). I don't have a lot of time, but I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

gallery tours at the VMFA

end of Summer days at the Lake

Italian dinners with girlfriends

Newly designed Martha pearl cluster earrings

homemade mojitos to celebrate....

One year!

And the vacation continues: Biltmore Estate

It seems that we have been granted a reprieve from the summer heat. Today's forecast is calling for highs in the mid seventies, which means I've busted out jeans and some apple spice tea(between June and September, as I make it a rule to never wear jeans or drink hot tea when the temperature is above 80)

I wanted to share pictures of the Biltmore from our vacation last month. It was a lovely estate, but crazy expensive- $60 for admission, no student discounts?!!!! We figured we probably wouldn't go back, so we paid the $120 to get in. While the estate and gardens are lovely, I'm a little disappointed with the Biltmore. Sure its gorgeous, but it is not a nonprofit, there are no educational or outreach programs. Being in the museum/nonprofity/historic houses world, I'm all about preserving, but preserving with a purpose. Call me a socialist (;-)), but I like the idea of art, historical houses, museums, etc giving back in some way to the community. The Biltmore doesn't really give back, rather it takes, at $60.00 a pop. And I understand that it is expensive to run the place (its totally massive), and appreciate the preservation of the land and the house and the 23 wines we got to taste, but I was expecting the admission fee to be more in the realm of $25- $35.

Now that I am down from my soap box. Please enjoy the pictures we took of the beautiful Biltmore. Its truly a lovely place, and I suggest visiting once (but check with your hotel and see if you can get a discount like my Mom did).

Beach Camping

We have been so lucky to have been able to camp several times this summer. Last weekend we went beach camping with some of our closest friends, Erin and Charley, down at Frisco in the outer banks. Days were spent on the beach, and nights were spent around beach bon fires where we feasted on the most delicious dinners and watched the meteor showers

Asheville

Oh goodness, where has the past week gone! Asheville is the most awesome city! Breweries, delicious restaurants....need I say more? I will let the pictures speak for themselves :)

The LAB

Delicious pizza at Modesto

Lemon love

Early Girl Eatery where I had the most delicious sweet potato, local sausage scramble

Vacation: Hot Springs (pt 2)

We stayed in Hot Springs for two nights and three days. Hot Springs is a tiny little town and the Appalachian Trail actually follows main street for about a half a mile. It was a little late in the season for north-bound AT hikers and a little early in the season for south-bound hikers, so unfortunately we didn't meet any through hikers, which I was bummed about. (I love talking to people and hearing their stories- which is most likely the reason I love all your blogs :)).

After our big hike we headed for, of course, the hot springs. Because what else would we want to do on a hot sticky July day, but sit in 101 degree sulfer springs? No but really, the hot springs were incredible. For 25 dollars we got our own little private hot springs hot tub, which had private walls and sat right along the river. It was delightful and a great way to relax.

The next morning we packed up camp and headed to Max Patch, a bald mountain about 45 minutes south of Hot Springs. If you are ever in Western North Carolina I highly recommend checking out Max Patch. Its a short hike (only 2.5 miles) but it is magnificent. On clear days you get a 360 degree view of the mountains. Unfortunatley for us we had some major cloud cover, but it was still a great hike!

ahhh...hot springs in july :)

Super dork

Max Patch

On the top of Max Patch

Epic

Up Next: Asheville!

Vacation: Hot Springs (pt 1)

JM and I both grew up camping, but if I had to pick an expert it would def. be my sweet husband. He is an awesome planner, and found some of the best hiking trails! We camped outside of Hot Springs, NC on the French Broad River. It was mighty humid and a few thunderstorms rolled in at night, but thanks to JM's expert tenting skills we stayed nice and dry.

hiking along the AT (immediately after this picture was taken we encountered a cute little black bear- of course since it was a baby we didn't stick around to take pictures, as I'm sure momma was right around the corner)

camp food!

smokey mountains

home sweet camp

sunshine

Photos like this...



....make me nostalgic for my DC days. Gosh I love that city.
For more pictures of DC sunsets visit the dcist.

p.s. asheville/atlanta/camping trip posts coming soon. Promise, promise, promise.

July Weekend

Hello!! How was your weekend? Jon and I went hiking and stayed at the farm this weekend. Our hike was cut short due to a thunderstorm and we ended up turning back after only a few miles. Since we had the a few free hours added to our afternoon we decided to do a little wine tasting at some nearby vineyards-- Sharp Rock and DuCard.... I might be biased, but I love Virginia wines.

Rappahannock County, Va

my favorite of our post hike photos- though totally unfortunate that the porta-potty is in the background

At Sharp Rock Vineyards

DuCard Vineyards just opened...they are in Madison and are fabulous

What are your favorite wines? Are they local? We are always looking to visit new vineyards!

vegetable bounty

We joined a CSA and I love it.

The food is fresh and local. Wednesday night pick up is the best night of the week!

Check out this bounty! (minus beets, a melon and several tomatoes)

Here is a meal cooked with said bounty--beets, tomatoes, pesto pasta salad and local chicken. I also spy a little black cat, begging for treats! Camilla loves CSA veggies too!