catching up.

Well, I didn't get a "5 things" post done last week...Daniel and I were traveling home from my parents house. Looks like I won't get one done this Tuesday either (considering it's now Wednesday). I may just need to pick another day to do those...or it may just end up being whatever my off-day is for the week (which is today).

The day after we got back from my parents house, we had 3 of our friends (members of Sparrow + the Ghost) from Tuscaloosa come visit. They, along with Daniel, had a show at Old Town Tavern Friday night. Good times.

Saturday, we all headed out to Rhodesville for the 13th Annual Music, Fireworks, & Chicken Stew Festival. It was held on a couples land...the couple, George & Ladonna, invite people to come camp on their land all weekend. Saturday, they have live music, TONS of food, and fireworks. It was the epitome of southern hospitality. Saturday's weather was perfect...it was a little toasty when we first got out there, but once the sun went behind the trees, it was heaven. Also, two of our good friends were in town for the weekend visiting family and they came out to the festival as well. I shot a composite of them while they were here since I usually only get to see them 2-3 times a year. I miss them so much!

Here are some photos from Saturday.

(to view this large on Flickr, click here.)

That's all for now...I've got lots of things to get taken care of this afternoon before everyone comes over for the Art Hive meeting. 

HOWEVER! I do have a bit of exciting news (well, exciting to me). A friend of mine that taught photography at UNA just got a job in Virginia and will be moving very soon (sad for me). She has a set of studio lights that she no longer wants/needs and is giving them to me...they're messed up right now, so I'll have to get them fixed, but it will still be much much cheaper than buying some...I'm so excited! I'm getting an amazing set of lights! Such a blessing.

Have an awesome Wednesday!

(If I have time later, a 5 things post may make an appearance.)

oh, saturday.

I love waking up to storms on Saturday mornings...but I had to open today, so no sleeping in. I hated leaving Daniel all snuggled in this morning...I'm sure he loved it though. He likes taking up the whole bed and that proves to be difficult when I'm using half of it. I wanted to ride my bike this morning, but the rain definitely prevented that. I've only been here a little over an hour, but it's already been a very eventful morning.

Everyone's favorite pawn shop owner was waiting for me when I got here (he opens at 9 as well and likes to get his coffee beforehand). Normally, I'd be really annoyed that he was waiting for me...but I was running about 10 minutes late this morning...I like to allow myself at least 15 minutes to get all the opening tasks finished and got here at 5 til today. I told him I worked at Rivertown yesterday and then immediately following work, shot a wedding. He didn't know that I was a photographer but promptly started grilling me about camera equipment and whatnot. I actually enjoyed talking to him today.

Today is definitely a French Kicks kind of day...my French Kicks Pandora station is perfect for storms.

Also...I looked up while I was making a latte earlier and saw a girl writing something while she was standing at the register...shortly thereafter, I found one of our markers where she was standing and noticed this is my tip jar.

(I blurred out her last name and part of her phone number.)

Annnnd...Carrie! I've had 2 different people try to buy my necklace off of me...haha. I get complimented on it every time I wear it, too!

Sorry it's not a great photo of it...I'll try to get a better one later. I got this from The Appleseed on Etsy! The Appleseed is run by a lovely lady named Carrie that I met while I was a student at the University of Alabama. She's super-crafty & posts lots of inspiring things and tutorials over on her blog...you should definitely go check it out! I've been on the lookout for some branches to make a jewelry stand based on one of her tutorials.

We're supposed to be having a Trunk Show for the Art Hive here at 3 today...it was storming this morning and is still pretty cloudy, so I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not...I hope it does! I've been working like crazy all week to get some new stuff made. I got a few record clocks finished and 2 wood clocks as well...the bigger clock hangs funny (which I didn't check until last night), so it won't be for sale today...I've got to figure out a different way to hang it. I'm excited about getting some photos of all of my stuff and getting them online though!

Goal for July:
-open up shop on Etsy

Ok, it's been busy this morning and I have more customers coming in...so, that's all for now.

I'll try to post some photos from the trunk show soon (if it happens)!!!

summer soundtrack.

When I got home from work tonight, Daniel was watching I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco. It shows all the issues and problems the band had while recording Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (one of my favorites!!!). Hearing the songs from that album made me get a funny little feeling in my chest...and then it hit me - Wilco is one of my summer bands...not that I don't enjoy them year-round, but there's just something about the feeling I get when I listen to them in the summer.

SO...it made me think about my summer soundtrack. I've been listening to the same stuff since it heated up a bit (pretty much), and I'd like to share it with you.

1. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

We have this album in the CD player at work...it's my go-to album when I first get there...I just can't seem to get enough of it. I can't get enough Wilco PERIOD lately. I think my boss is rubbing off on me...he's pretty much obsessed.

2. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News

For some reason, I get nostalgic in the summer. Nostalgia is usually associated with autumn, but I seem to reminisce more during the summer...maybe it's because I hate summertime so much. There were many, many weekends I would come visit Daniel when I lived in Tuscaloosa that I stayed at some of his bandmate's house. Jarrod usually had this album (or any Modest Mouse album, really) playing. I just get that "feel-good" feeling when I hear it.

3. She & Him - Volume One

Maybe it's my obsession with Zooey Deschanel...or maybe it's my new-found love for female vocalists...whatever the case, I can't stop listening to this album. I love Volume Two as well, but this one hasn't left the CD player in my car since I put it in. I love singing along with the windows down...when I can bear the heat enough to roll the windows down...such a good feeling.

4. The Ettes - Look At Life Again Soon

Again, loving the female vocalist. I got to see The Ettes open up for The Dead Weather back in April, and they were amazing. This album is upbeat and so, so much fun to sing along to (which is probably why Daniel doesn't like it so much...he hates sing-a-longs).

5. The Civil Wars - Poison & Wine EP

I actually just got this EP Saturday night, so I haven't listened to it much yet...HOWEVER, I saw them live Saturday night and they were absolutely incredible. They're going into the studio soon to finish their full-length and I can't wait!!! Joy Williams has the voice of an angel. Also, they did a cover of "Billie Jean" which just so happens to be my favorite Michael Jackson song.

6. Kings of Leon - Youth and Young Manhood

This is still my favorite Kings of Leon album. It's one of those "roll-your-windows-down-and-sing-as-loud-as-you-can" albums for me...usually makes me dance at stoplights and such. I love all of their newer stuff as well, but this album just sounds like summer to me...dirty, sweaty summer.

7. French Kicks - Swimming

Apparently, my summer music taste switches between dirty rock&roll and music that's a little on the lighter side. This album falls more on the lighter side. I've been listening to the French Kicks since I was in high school and I never get tired of them...they just keep getting better. Plus, my cousin Josh plays guitar/keys for them...so that's pretty cool.

8. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells

Back to the dirty rock&roll...I can't get enough of Jack White...pretty much all I have to say about that.

9. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams voice breaks my heart in the best possible way. Daniel & I have had the privilege of seeing him live 3 times. I love all of his albums, but this one is my current favorite.

10. The Black Keys - Magic Potion

I guess I'll end with The Black Keys. I'm completely hooked on them now. We watched them on Letterman last week and they were incredible! I haven't gotten a chance to listen to their new album yet, but this one is my current favorite.

I suppose 10 albums is enough for a summer soundtrack.

What's your summer sound like?