Mom 2.0 Summit

Last weekend I was enjoying myself with 450 other bloggers at the Mom 2.0 Summit in New Orleans. We left there to visit family in Texas so I haven't had time to gather my thoughts about the conference. I have had time to upload some pictures and a short video so we will start there.


The first night started with a Mardi Gras party in the courtyard of the host hotel, the Ritz Carlton.


Chef John Besh was the guest of honor. He was gracious and had time for everyone.


There was a party in the Ritz Carlton Suite on the top floor. The suite was nicknamed the "Brad and Angelina Suite" because Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reportedly stayed there before they bought a residence in New Orleans.


One of the fantastic things about blogging conferences is the chance to catch up with friends. Jen of One Mom's World and I live in the same state but don't see each other often. I love every chance I get to spend time with her.


Yep. That's me. In Brad Pitt's shower. I know you're jealous.


On Saturday I was able to go on a walking tour of New Orleans that was focused on the history of music and jazz in New Orleans. We started in a cemetery. The cemetery had a tomb especially for musicians that cannot afford their own burial. I was struck by all the beauty and the contrast between well-attended tombs and ones that declined into decay.


More from the cemetery.


Walking through the French Quarter I loved seeing what people did with their balconies.


Our tour concluded at Preservation Hall.


We had a short party in the courtyard at Preservation Hall (how cool is that?)

After we all had a chance to get a drink and chat for a few minutes we were ushered into Preservation Hall. PBS provided a jazz concert for us. I simply cannot tell you how cool this was. I do have a short video of the musicians but it simply cannot do the day any justice. I apologize because the lighting is dark, but hopefully you can still see a little. You should be able to see the trombone player because toward the end I thought he was going to knock the camera out of my hand!

North Carolina Azalea Festival Garden Tour

This past weekend Wilmington hosted the 64th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival. The festival has so many activities that it's hard to take them all in. On Saturday my mother and I visited some of the gardens on the Garden Tour, sponsored by the Cape Fear Garden Club. The Garden Tour is a huge deal every year. There is a ribbon cutting on Friday and everyone breaks out their hats and their best Azalea pink outfits. There are usually around ten gardens on the tour, and in each garden there are several Azalea Belles. Young women, most high school juniors or seniors, are selected to be Azalea Belles. I was one when I was in high school. I mainly remember trying to be graceful in a hoop skirt on a parade float. If you know me, grace is not one of my strong suits. It's amazing that I didn't fall off the float. 


This was the first garden we went to. It was a cool, overcast day but the flowers were so pretty.




I could totally get used to this view.


This space was made for me, the pillows even have my initial!!


The Azaleas were so close to peak, they were beautiful. The belles were all lovely, too.


This was my very favorite dress! Wonder why?

If you ever have the chance to attend the North Carolina Azalea Festival, I highly recommend it. Beyond the garden tour they have concerts each year, (Avett Brothers and Darius Rucker performed this year), a home tour, a street festival, a cake competition, and a parade! The Festival usually takes place at the beginning of April, so make your plans for next year now!

New Babies at the Farm ~ Wordless Wednesday

These little cuties wandered out from under a tree yesterday. We spend all year trying to discourage the geese from living at our pond, but we can't deny how cute the goslings are!

A New Job

I am delighted to share that I have started working at The Fisherman's Wife in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  My very good friend, Estelle Baker, opened the shop around twenty years ago. We (yes I'm already saying "we") specialize in "decorative accessories and distinctive gifts," in other words, "Little Luxuries." The shop has an extensive bridal registry and we do lovely stationery and invitations.

I have been a customer of the Fisherman's Wife for a long time. It sits just across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway in a little yellow cottage. There are restaurants and marinas just across the street. We can even hear the drawbridge sounding when it is getting ready to go up! It is such a peaceful place to visit and shop.


photo by Cheri Stalls

I have been looking for a part time job to supplement our income but there have not been many jobs available. Of course as soon as I took this job I was offered another job, but this one is much better!  I will be working part time so if you are around Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach, stop in and say hi! If you can't make it to the beach, you can always say "Hi!" on Facebook!


photo by Cheri Stalls
 
And just for good luck, I kissed the fish!

Dad Walking ~ Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday


photo by Amy Hodges

This past weekend my dad walked his dog about a third of the way to my house.  He is not as well as he is going to be, but he is so much better than he was!