An Afternoon in Salem

"Old Salem, Salem was founded in 1766 by the Moravians – a Protestant group of people that began in what is now known as the Czech Republic.  The Moravian Church and Salem residents kept meticulous records and accounts of their lives, their interactions, their buildings and landscapes, and their evolution into the town of Winston-Salem. These records, diaries, and accounts provide accurate details to tell the stories of those living and working in Salem. From the tavern keeper to the doctor, the gunsmith to the boys’ schoolteacher, every person in Salem played a vital role. Today, visitors can interact with costumed staff members through engaging conversation and by participating in hands-on activities." 

Old Salem was a prime field trip destination for elementary schools all over North Carolina.  I went there a few times through my elementary-middle school career.  However being under the age of 16, I was more excited to be out of the classroom then I was to be visiting somewhere new.  So at the end of a hard week, Vlad surprised me with afternoon tickets to Old Salem on Friday!  We got to spend  a little time in the sunshine and fresh air.

It's always interesting when you find places that embrace the time past and the present.  It's a unique moment when you can almost straddle the line between the two and see how far we've come and where we once were.  At the inn you can stand in the parlor were President George Washington once stood on those very same floorboards in a time where a women's s ribbon was a symbol of her marital status.  It's good to be reminded that time moves on and that it always continues to move forward with the good or the bad;  It carries us through.

Dragonfly on the Stairs

Happy Monday everyone!  I want to start off by apologizing for my lack of recent posts.  April truly was a month of change, and during these past few weeks I've started a new job, worked on several projects, and have just been trying to get my life a little more in order for the upcoming summer!  But now as things are finally settling down, I can refocus on personal hobbies including my art and this lovely blog!  Thank you all so much for being patient with me! 

To begin this May, I wanted to add an addition to my bug collection!  While bringing in groceries on an overcast Tuesday, I found this guy perched, ever so gently, clinging to the staircase railing.  Without moving a leg or fluttering a wing, he sat so calmly just enjoying the mid-afternoon.  I couldn't pass up such a perfect moment, so of course I ran upstairs and grabbed my camera before he flew away.

I found such a beauty in the ornate details of his body.  I'd never really been able to see a dragonfly up close, as they usually are buzzing so quickly by, but as this one rested peacefully, I could now notice how beautifully patterned they are!  Even the symmetrical wings that glistened in just the right light with a prism of colors, are so breathtaking in their uneven web of lines.  He reminded me that even the smallest things can have unique splendor to them.  I finally took the time to stop and really see the dragonfly!

Succulents and Pretty Pots

A few of you may remember last spring, when I had a huge porch that had full sun and lots of room!  It was the perfect place for a container garden and I filled it to the brim with fruits, vegetables and lots of different herbs.  But this year, since I've moved into a new apartment, I have a beautiful 3rd floor screened-in porch that is perfect for lounging in the tree tops and has gorgeous views of the spring blooms and the fall leaves, however it's not the best place for plants to soak up the sun.  However, I do have a few sunny spots, and use them for a container of basil, my favorite and most used herb, as well as a magenta orchid I couldn't resist buying.  So while I'm kind of sad that I won't be growing raspberries and tomatoes like I have in the past, I am still a loving green thumb when it comes to my five new baby succulents.  

Succulents are some of my favorite plants!  I have a teacup of the "Frosty" variety, as well as a whole bowl of various kinds that I've had to brighten up my office all year.  They are such low maintenance plants and there are so many different versions that you can mix and match and create your own designs with them!

One thing I love about having a container garden, no matter how big or small, is being able to get creative with my container choices!  My favorite one from last year was the golden tin decorated with Alphonse Mucha prints that I think is so sassy and matches my living room perfectly!  I also found a small scalloped-top ceramic vase with the classic blue and white motifs that looks so clean and pops with the bright cobalt!  I'm so glad I finally have something to fill them up with since they looedk so cold and lonely in the storage closet all winter!  Happy gardening!

& of course I must include the ever-watchful supervisor who is absolutely thrilled at spending an afternoon on the porch.

Spring Pastels

Download Pastel Cherry Blossom Here

Since I took a few weeks off from blogging after my Florida vacation, and before that  I had so many bloggy projects going on, I haven't had much time to create any color scheme posts!  I really miss these because they help me visualize the connection between my photography to a design to another finished project, that all connect through color.  As usual, this color scheme (as well as all my other ones) are available for a free download on Kuler.  I hope you can enjoy using these pretty pastels in your own projects this spring!

Spring has Sprung!

This Saturday was so pretty outside, I didn't want to stay indoors at all!  So Vlad and I spent the early afternoon grabbing a Greek gyro for lunch and then walking through the Greensboro Arboretum.  It's almost the peak of this spring season so all the buds are finally opening into full blossoms and adding a sweet fragrance to the air.  

The Arboretum is a unique collection of blooming trees, sculpture art, and wildlife.  It's "come sit and enjoy the scenery" atmosphere makes for the perfect afternoon of leisurely strolling.  Vlad and I were both intrigued by the way they labeled every different kind of flower, shrub or tree, letting you know exactly what you're looking at.  My favorite was the Japanese Cherry Blossoms that were in full bloom with the last few buds opening.  They were so delicate with their pastel colors and silky petals. The butterflies flitted through the branches landing from one blossom to the next.  It's days like these that lifts my spirits and makes me think anything is possible in such a beautiful world.  Thank goodness spring has finally sprung!

Florida

After every trip, I like to think back and have a quick re-cap.  While it all is happening so fast, it's hard to really soak in everything you've been able to do!  If you know me or have been following on my blog for a while, you are probably aware of my 5 places Resolution, which is where I try my best to go to five new places every year.  Usually they are small cities around the Carolinas, but sometimes I venture further out, to places like Miami!  This year, since I finally became a grown up and have a full-time job, it's become harder to find time to take off on new adventures, so I updated my resolution to "Do 10 Things I've Never Done Before".  But I feel like I managed that in one week on this trip, so hopefully I'll be able to knock even more things off my bucket list in 2013!  But to recap my latest trip, here goes my usual lists:

This was the first time that I'd:

-been to Miami
-held a parrot like a baby

-hand fed a stingray

-gambled at a casino

-eaten key lime pie

-tried dolphin

-fed a flamingo

-seen a killer whale

-been to a dolphin show
-ventured to the top of a lighthouse

Day 1:  travel day
Day 2:  beachside brunch at Latitudes, sun day at Halendale Beach, dinner at the Yard house, fancy margaritas in Fort Lauderdale
Day 3:  walk with Stuart, visit the ancient Spanish Monastery, dinner in Coconut Grove at Greene Street, and evening browsing through shops at Bayside
Day 4:  lunch on Hollywood Boulevard at Big Easy, day at Jungle Island, dinner at Bongos and night at the Hard Rock Casino
Day 5:  visit the Miami Lighthouse and the Miami Seaquarium, dinner by the intercoastal and one last walk down the boardwalk
Day 6:  travel day back home

So as a final farewell to my Florida vacation, here's a selection of my favorite Floridagrams!

South Carolina and Georgia

Mango Jalapeno Butter and Mango Coleslaw with Key Lime Tarter Sauce 

Buy One Get One Margaritas

Greene Street and my first slice of key lime pie!

Bongo's: Cuban Cuisine

Street Art and Stingrays