Jam Packed Post (Around Our Nest!)

Hi friends!  How was your weekend?

Around here it was pretty nice :)  Here's the quick run down of what non outlandish stuff we did.

On Friday I finished up work around 1:00 and knew that I did not want to hang out around the house with the kids.  I pulled the cleaning stuff out of the car, put the kids in, and we ran errands.  Of course running errands meant I decided to go to Party City (absolutely nothing fitting the bug or horse theme in stock!), Toys R Us (is it just me or are those stores nasty?), Chicfila (peace be with you), Target (clearance score), Shoe Carnival (waste of time), and Hobby Lobby (never with small children).

Target Clearance:  2 shirts for little man for less than $3, jeans for the hubby for $7.50.  Almost low enough for those $10 at Target posts!

This is epic sadness.  I love Christmas but not on August 5th.  My kids were in awe of the nutcrackers.

Wait, what?

We wrapped up our Friday evening by hitting up Krispy Kreme and getting a dozen of hot original glazed.  I think this is the cue to inform you I have ate like crap all weekend.

After the kids were tucked into bed I watched Cops because it is my all time favorite show.  My favorite line:  "She was all good until she saw me get the Jimmy Dean sausage."

The kids were out the door Saturday morning to go to a day time VBS in Statesville with my mom's husband.  I was a little lazy after they left.  I had envisioned sleeping late, drinking coffee in bed, reading, you know the stuff you see on Pinterest.  Instead, I did my nails, walked the dog, gave said dog a bath, and went to Walmart.

This is real life.

Since I didn't have the kids I walked all over Walmart and decided they didn't have crap.  I also hit up Sally Beauty Supply to get my shampoo - I could spend a while in there too.  Now that I have my Sally Card again I may be in there more than I have been in the past six months, shhhh!  Next door to Sally's is Shoe Show.  I know this is a regional shoe store but I generally have great luck there.  I went in excited to finally get a new pair of sneakers and of course everything I tried on felt bad and then I realized their prices were jacked up from the last time I went in.  The sales lady informed me i was because of back to school and they would come back down after Labor Day.  Can I just say that I cannot wait that long and the struggle to find good sneakers is really wearing on me?  Being honest.

One of the best parts of Saturday was shopping next door to my house.  I have highlighted Snoring Horses Vintage & Antique before on the blog and now I must tell you they are the best neighbors for so many reasons and maybe the worse neighbors too LOL - I mean every time we pop in we pop out with less money than we had before!

OK OK here is one of our newest pieces!

We also (not at Snoring Horses) picked up two Barred Rock hens for our coop. My husband has been wanting Barred Rocks for a while.  My favorite chickens are Buff Orpingtons but they aren't quite as hardy as our Rhoade Islands or the Barred Rocks so I will fuhgettaboutit.

 BIG NEWS:  My revive box from Influenster arrived!  I put a mini vlog on the Facebook page about it.  Over the course of August I'll be sharing about the products I received and my thoughts and feelings on them.  Honesty is the best policy so you will only get the truth about whether you should drop those dollars or not.  This month my box is helping me get back on track with my fitness. I'll be testing out some protein shakes.  For you beauty counter baby dolls I'll be testing out two shampoos.  So stay tuned!

Did I tell you Saturday was date night?  Well Saturday was date night!  Our first date night since Memorial Day Weekend - that is just stupid.  Now that I think about it we did have dinner out with out kids one night in June.  So maybe, in reality, we had a dinner date night on June 10th.

This past Saturday we headed to Mooresville to have dinner and go bowling.  My husband's coworker invited us and it was a fun time.  We had dinner at a very chilled out place called Kickback Jack's and then went and bowled four games at George Pappas Victory Lanes - I suck at bowling but I won three of four games.

How my son stayed awake until almost midnight is a mystery I may never solve.  When we got home the sitter and kids were all hanging out on the couch.  I was in total shock the three year old was still going strong - I had to wake him up at 8 AM and then he spent all day at VBS and then he failed to nap at all.  People talk about bottling kids' energy well that's the first one you should start with!

Sunday fun day.  We missed church services because our kids were at my mom's church for a VBS service and lunch. My goals were to take my dog to get some exercise - she's seriously a fatty and once again try to find some sneakers.  We did just that!  It was only eighty-three degrees but man oh man was it humid!  The hubby and I got in about 2.5 miles and had a good time.

Our day was great with some pool time, throwing the football around, and yard work.  

This week on the blog we're talking vacation prep, blogger love, and birthday headaches!  I hope you'll be checking in and reading.  Don't forget to like the Facebook page, add me on Snap Chat, and follow me on IG!

xo -
Amanda

This Weekend in North Carolina

Hello!  It is time for a very late and a very short edition of the weekly This Weekend in North Carolina post.  There's so much going on all around our state.  Here's some info I received to share with all of you!  From Raleigh to Charlotte - there's something to do!  

Do you have an NC Tree in your living room?

Let's start off in Raleigh...The Christmas/Holiday spirit comes to life in a magical display of moving and musical arts this weekend.  The Cirque Musical Holiday Spectacular with the North Carolina Symphony will amaze and captivate you this weekend at the Meymandi Concert Hall of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.



If you are in the Clayton area check out the Lights on The Neuse at Boyette Family Farms.  For you non-NC peeps we're talking about the Neuse River and not the thing you use to hang someone, glad we cleared that up.  This light show, hayride, cookie decorating barn, and Santa visit will put you right in the holiday spirit!



Meanwhile in Greensboro this weekend you can catch Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity.  This musical will have you smiling, laughing, and doing a little toe tapping.  The performance is being put on at Triad Stage.  You can also catch some other holiday favorites being performed including A Christmas Carol in Winston-Salem.



Here's a little knowledge for you bowl of macaroni.  Did you know America's oldest mountain range is in North Carolina? It isn't the Appalachians or Smokeys but the Uwharrie Mountain Range.  These mountains (which have eroded down quite a bit) are located nearly in the center of our state.  Now, get this.  One of the largest homes in the Southeast is here in the Uwharrie Mountains and it offers you a chance to come in and enjoy it's holiday splendor!  Trinity is home to Linbrook Hall a 60 room estate that is part of the heritage properties in NC.



Charlotte has got a lot (at least that's true and what the sign says) and this weekend you can check out the 61st Annual Singing Christmas Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS.  This event will be held at the Knight Theater in Uptown.  Loads of music, fun for the whole family, and this event is especially for ages three to ten!  Come out and enjoy!



On going events to catch this weekend if you have a some free time:
Charlotte Area - McAddenville, Christmastown NC!
Winston-Salem Area - The Festival of Lights - the largest light show in NC!
Asheville - Christmas at Biltmore


Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all our friends and family!

This Weekend In North Carolina

Here's what is popping in NC this weekend...

It just makes me giggle...mullets everywhere!

Travel to Wilkesboro this weekend to hear Shenandoah play at the {Walker Center of Wilkes Community College}.  This country act from the 80's and 90's is known for catchy tunes like Church on Cumberland Road, Next to You Next to Me, and Two Dozen Roses.  



If you grew up with the understanding you didn't eat oysters until you were in a month that had the letter "r" in it then gear up to get a belly full of this weekend in Hickory.  This weekend there is a {Shuck & Peel Party} featuring the Extraordinares.



One of the largest fall celebrations is in Huntersville and it is celebrated regionally.  {The Renaissance Festival} goes on for the next two weekends and celebrates the life and times of the Renaissance period of Europe.  From turkey legs the size of your thigh to all the crushed velvet you can dream of this is a fun time for the family!



The Christmas Season may not quite be here but you can head to Banner Elk and get in the spirit.  {Apple Hill Farms} is hosting its Christmas Celebration beginning this weekend going through mid December.  Tour the alpaca farm and purchase some unique alpaca gifting items as well as fresh NC greenery.



What would this post be without a wine notation?  The beautiful and many times mentioned {Raffaldini Winery in Ronda} needs your help!  The reds are ready for blending and they want your input on what best suits the palate.  You must RSVP to this event.



This weekend in Charlotte you can visit the {Southern Christmas Show}.  Last year I attended this event with my mom.  It is a fun time for the girls to go out and get in the Christmas spirit.  You will get a peek at adorable tree styling for the season; taste some good food; and if you're me you'll hit up Duplin Winery's booth for some Carolina Mustard.  I can share this is a very crowded event and if you do not like crowds...stay away.



If that doesn't tickle your fancy then maybe this will.  The Charlotte Museum of History is hosting a {Back Country Beer Fest}.  This event features 4 local breweries, local food and food trucks, cornhole and more.



If you have a daughter you is all about Laura Ingalls Wilder then you should drive to Raleigh to Meredith College.  They are presenting {A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas} in Jones Hall.  You can also go ahead and let your daughter fall in love with the campus of Meredith College - a private female college very close to NCSU.



Also in Raleigh, {VeggieTales Live at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts}.  Many years ago I took my daughter to see VeggieTales Live and she really enjoyed the jam packed music show of her favorite Christian vegetable story tellers.



If you will be in my area check out these events (Winston-Salem):

Visit airtype.com Winston-Salem's own graphic media and clothier firm.

Ziggy's will have The Nappy Roots on Thursday & Corey Smith entertaining the crowd on Friday.



Old Salem begins their {Christmas Candlelight Tours} this weekend.  See the beautiful Moravian settlement at it's holiday finest and divulge in some delicious Moravian Sugar Cake for me!

Football Notes:



The Carolina Panthers are undefeated and this weekend they'll be in Texas to try to keep it up.

The NCSU Wolfpack is 6-3 so far this season.  I am happy.

I was told Duke was the ACC team to beat.  Untrue.  They were stomped by UNC last week.

Ole Miss is currently 7-3.  They play LSU this weekend.

WV is 4-4 this season.  They take on Texas on Saturday.

I pick the teams I am most familiar with so if this list looks weird to you -so be it.

That is this weekend in a nutshell from the desk of A Brownie World.  Have anything to add?  Please do!


What are you doing this weekend?

Of course you think about this in July....

This week I have noticed something that I didn't think I was quite ready to see.  I will give you a minute to brace yourself for what you are about to read.  If you are like me you need to prepare yourself for things that you are not quite emotionally ready to take in with your eye balls.  Ready?

Christmas

 

Oops was that a bit small for the old windows to the soul?  Ok, I'll try again.

 

Christmas.

 

Yes, the holiday season.  The most special time of year that induces stress and anger and anxiety.  You know, when you blow money on people you don't even like? 

 

That's just my take on the commercial side of the season.

 

I really like Thanksgiving - it is our favorite holiday because we go off on our own and there is little to no stress involved.  Christmas is great and I love the reason for the season but the commercialization of the holiday and loss of meaning really leave me with a sad feeling in my gut of guts. 

 

Oh well.

 

The things I love about Christmas include:

1.  Decorating

2.  Music

3.  Fun outings

4.  Good church concerts/plays/musicals

5.  The excitement from my five year old.

 

After reading about people having all their shopping done, seeing Pinterest shares of holiday ideas, and my mother mentioning the purchase of several Christmas gifts I did find myself putting the cinnamon potpourri in the warmer and letting it scent my home.  I also began thinking about this year's Christmas tree and how to best place it so that a certain baby wouldn't be trying to climb it.  Then I started the thought process of gifts being handmade.

 

Heads up friends and family this is your gift from me this year....ok now please forget about it.  Or act surprised later on ok? Here's the link to this idea!



Is this not beautiful.  That's it, I'm planning a get together!  Here's the link to this idea!

 

 

For about an hour I had my own personal little Christmas in July.  Then I was over it.

 

The potpourri can continue though...

 

 

 

 

The real reason please. Link to this here!