family and firecrackers

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what better way to celebrate america's birthday than with food, family and firecrackers?

that's just how we spent ours.

it was a lovely, sticky fourth of july!

sleeping in the woods

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we took another jaunt to the woods last weekend.

my parents bought a pop-up camper and we took it for a test run.

thankfully it had AC because it was the hottest weekend on record.

saturday we spent the whole day bobbing in the water to stay cool.

in a few more weeks we will be camping again at hunting island.

let's hope for some cooler temps.

refreshment

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when it's hot outside, you need to have something to cool you off.
this is the perfect cocktail to do just that!

i didn't follow a recipe and it doesn't have a name.

here's the recipe:

muddle 3 basil leaves with 2 thin orange slices in the bottom of a shaker.

add:

1 tbs fresh ginger syrup 

(boil equal parts water and sugar until dissolved, steep with sliced fresh ginger root, let cool or chill)

1 oz St. Germain

2 to 3 oz good vodka

Ice

then shake what ya mama gave ya!

pour into martini glass and top with chilled club soda

garnish with basil and orange curls

try it!  you won't be disappointed!

mt. pisgah

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last weekend we headed to the woods with friends and camped at mt. pisgah.

i always love being in nature.  it helps me recharge and clear my mind.

mama's house

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whenever the world feels like it's crushing my soul, all i need is a visit to my mama's.

her yard is like a dream where the lilies dance in the breeze, life is slow and sweet, and the air smells of southern magnolia.  i spent the majority of my childhood here and coming back always feels right.

terrariums

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this past friday, i had a little extra time in my day and made these easy terrariums.

i already had the bowls and just put a layer of pebbles in the bottom and covered with potting soil.

i stuck those little plants right in there and gave them a bit of water.

ta-da!

weekend

***

this was a weekend well spent.

and productive.

friday i was up and at 'em pretty early.

i picked up some new flowers and herbs from lowe's, planted those on our deck.

i made a couple of easy terrariums. (more to come later)

friday night, the hubs and i had dinner at chorizo's in asheville, followed by treats at world coffee.

saturday was spent running some errands and then a cookout with dear friends.

and we can't forget the citrus-basil sangria.

sunday morning was spent in the coolness of the morning and then a girl's day with one of my gal pals.

we had brunch at over easy cafe, wandered around asheville, strolled the mall, and shared laughs and wished we could live like this everyday.

moments of complete contentment.