Summer days in the South. . . .

Well, month two is here!


School is out and Summer has begun in more ways than one! Simon came home from school on the last day and asked if I could call him "Baby Cakes", because it's what his sweet Southern Belle of a teacher called him!  He doesn't even want to go on to first grade because he really likes her, potentially his first crush?!

During, my last week before summer break I enjoyed hanging out with a dear friend from WA.  If you keep up with my FB page, you will see we did a lot of shopping and eating chicken salad, putting our best "southern women" foot forward! We even wore our white pants, curses to the tomato basil soup.  We only  had 4 days to squeeze in as many 'southern' experiences as possible.  BBQ and live music, quaint cafes with lots of fruit tea, downtown boutiques, Grand Ole Opry, Cracker Barrel, music in the vineyard (complete with thunderstorms) and rounded it out with some Chic fil a! Memorable days!

Now that the kids are home everyday we spend our time at the pool. They have been at the pool almost every day since it's been open. They are becoming great swimmers and will also have lessons beginning next week! It has been unseasonably HOT, or so they say! Above 90 the past 5 days, I was inquiring about the heat, and the locals just smile saying "Oh Honey, this ain't nothing yet, the humidity hasn't even arrived!" Since our kids were on vacation, our central air conditioner took its own vacation by freezing up. . . really now?! This Granola chick was ready to boil some grits on her forehead this past weekend. . .the heat can get to your brain!

Living in the Nashville south, "Music City" boasts it's share of famous musicians.  Everyone has a connection with someone famous.  One evening shindig at the home of "The Dad's" boss I was afforded the opportunity to meet and have my picture with and meet a legendary christian music icon. In the 80s I grew up with him, 90s included the pop years, and 2000s he helped us worship, the one and only, Michael W Smith.  It was epic! I don't get excessively "star struck", but the evening was so casual it caught me off guard, sending me over the moon! My new "grits friends" just laugh and understand it's part of living in Nashville!
We have also had other great music experiences including the infamous Blue Bird Cafe, private singer songwriter nights, and meeting Country music Hall of Famers. The Dad and I feel very TN-cultured!

The Kids say they feel like we are on a long vacation, and they love living in TN.  I know they love the pool!  Honestly, my love of the pool has overshadowed the guilt of laying by the pool.  It's for the kids. . .

I also really love and thank God for the new friends and neighbors we are making here.  Sometimes, however, I miss those that know me. Insert theme song from Cheers. . ."Where everybody knows your name". I have never been the "New Girl" and I am reaching out in new ways. Ways  I have rarely had to do in the past.  I am actively seeking friendships, which still seems a bit odd. I have always had everyone around me that I need. I am really enjoying the blessings of meeting new friends.  I continue to discover people, despite their differences on the outside, are searching for the same things no matter where you go. There are always those you can connect with on a heart level, as long as you are willing. The Lord has had us on a journey, especially the last 4 years.  I am blessed sharing the story of God's sovereignty with new friends. My Granola friends remain witness to that journey and I miss them dearly.  While, never forgetting the life and friends our family shared in WA, I embrace new friendships and look forward to meeting those kindred spirits that will touch my life in a special way.  I pray the Lord uses this summer to show us all the heat and jealousy of his love for us.

Sweet Tea, Sirens, and Styrofoam cups. . .

Well, this "Granola girl" has officially been eatin' grits for one month now!
Feeling more like home, for sure! I have been driving around like true tourist, exploring all the great haunts in this southern town, taking in the sights,sounds, festivals, and local eateries. Loving me some fruit tea and even wipped up my own homemade batch for visiting friends! I have decided that the sweet tea is WAY TOO SWEET and omitted the sugar in my fruit tea recipe. . .the "TN Belle" approved! Tally one for the "Granola girl"!!

One observation this "Granola girl" has noticed is the beverages being served in. . .wait for it. . . if you are from the NW you may want to cover your eyes. . .STYROFOAM!! Last I checked this was outlawed in WA, but it seems to be the material of choice for cups here? Well, I have also figured out why it is used, and they have a very good argument to boot! When you order a cold beverage or take an object from the fridge and set it on the counter it takes about 30 seconds for condensation to form and it begins to drip! And as you may well know, Styrofoam doesn't sweat! Tally one for the "grits"! :) And. . . my hand stays dry!!

The kids are doing great, adjusting wonderfully to there new school and have been to TWO birthday parties already! We had a "cook-out" with our neighbors and I have met new friends for lunch at Chic fil a! My son performed in his first Kindergarten concert the other night. It was a cute performance and he did great for only 2 weeks practice! On the way home, we decided to go out for ice cream to celebrate. On our way, rain came down in buckets. . .and I mean serious deluge in the matter of minutes! Add intense hail the size of marbles, and there was no way we were getting out of our car for ice cream. We decided on the drive through window, and headed for home. When we got in the house we could hear a siren and assumed there was an accident from the bad rain storm. We entertained ourselves by storm watching out the window, in awe of the intense thunder and lightning outside, since we don't see much of those out west. The Dad flipped on the T.V. to see a news flash at the bottom of the screen that a "tornado warning" was in effect, in fact, one had touched down at a baseball field 3 miles away and flipped some cars! OH, WOW, that must have been a TORNADO WARNING siren!! And here we were eating ice cream and looking our the front door!  Well, we will know for next time I guess. . .

I am off to make another pitcher of "fruit tea". . . minus the sugar, the pool opens in a week and I have to fit into my new suit. . .how do you drink your tea??