Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Before the house tour, walking around the grounds.
We visited Monticello (located in Charlottesville, VA) on Wednesday, June 25th.

A small outdoor patio on the left of the house.
And I'm the QUEEN of summer fashion... don't be jealous! lol

The flowers on the outdoor patio, Jefferson's personal study is located to the right of this wall. 

Monticello from the right side. Directly behind the brick wall is the guest room of the home. 

Through this hole in the trees to the right of Monticello, Jefferson could see his project,
"The University of Virginia" being built. 

Specifically there is not a "front" or "back" to Monicello, however this is the view from the gardens and
the view you see on the US nickel. 

A guided tour about slavery and Monticello. Jefferson had over 600 slaves throughout his lifetime and
approximately 150 worked at the home/plantation  at any given time during it's operation.

The vegetable garden at Monticello must have had 20 different
varieties of kale! I just wanted to grab bunches and take them
home for dinner!

You can see 40 miles to the west of the Monticello grounds on a clear day. It's such a gorgeous landscape!

The garden pavilion and vineyards.  

ARTICHOKES! I had never seen them in an actual garden before! 

more kale varieties!

and even more kale varieties! 

Michael looking through the windows of the garden pavilion. 

We rode the shuttle up the hill to Monticello, but on the way
back we walked down the path which allowed you to see
Jefferson's grave and more of the beautiful grounds. 

While Jefferson had been President of the United States, and held
multiple political offices over the years,
he only wanted these two accomplishments listed on his gravestone. 

The path back to the museums and gift shops of Monticello. 

Here's lookin' at you kid! 

Country Church Photography: Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church

I saw the little sign for this church while I was taking a drive last week. Intrigued, I went back on Saturday to take a walk around. This one is quite different from the others I've found so far.

This little church shows how much beauty there can be in simplicity. There are no outward symbols of their faith, such as crosses or statues. The grounds are well maintained and lush with green grass. I love the little round window above the doors.

When I walked around the property and found this sign, I felt more connected to the parishioners here. The church had been rebuilt in 1945. I love this keystone dedicated to their history and their faith.

I didn't notice the contrast on this photo until I was editing pictures at home. I love how the shadows begin exactly along the fence-line. The church had this small cemetery on the back grounds.  The flowers on this very old gravestone were new.

I also love how this church sat exactly at a bend in the road. You could see the sign from either direction, and it was such a beautiful place surrounded by tobacco fields on a tiny back country road.

And my sweet Max joined us on the ride. This cat LOVES LOVES LOVES to take a ride! He was safe and secure in Micheal's lap and he was pretty intrigued by the lovely little church too!

Country Church Photography: Lebanon United Methodist Church, Eastern NC

This beauty of a small church is on an old country road several miles from our home. It's tiny and from the website it looks like it has an attendance of about 25 folks a week (that's probably a good Sunday!), but I just love these places. I feel like I'm at home at all of them and they make me feel closer to God. I'm sure it's because I grew up in a church similar to this where my faith was established. I'll always be a United Methodist girl at heart! 

This little church is just gorgeous. I've seen it from afar for over 7 years and this week was the first time I stopped to check it out. They still had the Easter wreaths on the front door and the church has meticulously maintained grounds. 

I have no doubt that the small congregation of this church is dedicated to making sure their small place of worship remains a beautiful part of the country landscape. It's a peaceful place. 

Country Church Photography: St. Johns Free Will Baptist - Goldsboro, NC

One of the little things I love in life is small country churches. I grew up in a small church and I have a lot of fond memories of running around on the big lawn and church suppers and vacation bible school!  This post begins a series I hope to continue of sharing photography of some of the small country churches I find on our travels in and around eastern North Carolina.

This lovely little white-washed church is St. John Free Will Baptist on NC Hwy 111 S. I asked Michael to stop as we were on our way to one of our favorite state parks Cliffs of the Neuse, located several miles outside of Goldsboro, NC.

The day was so beautiful and bright that the church was nearly washed out in the photography, but as with many things I like the imperfection of the pictures. I love the yellow flowers in the wreath on the door and the way the red brick of the addition pops over the green grounds and next to the white chapel.

Lovely, lovely place!

Take me out to the ballgame...

Just about mid-March the "spring" itch begins.. some people just get itchin' to plant something... to get outside, to dig their fingers in the dirt, and add annuals to their spring beds.

But for me... spring    means    baseball!

Ever since we were dating my husband and I have gone to see the Mudcats battle it out around the pitch at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC.

There's just something comforting and "All American" to make it back to the stadium every spring. To hear the National Anthem being sung by local talent. The 13 year old boy who sang it on Friday night for the opening game had the entire stadium in a quiet hush as he opened his voice and his heart with the age-old tune. Every note bold, beautiful, with perfect pitch.

As you walk into the stadium, the scent of pizza and hotdogs and popcorn and boiled peanuts waft through the air. Your mouth begins to water... the gluten-free options? Well... few and far between, but you could also have popcorn or peanuts... maybe ice-cream if you're cool with dairy.

Instead I pack my own. Friday night's gluten-free baseball food was a fried egg & turkey bacon sandwich on Rudi's new gluten-free whole grain bread. Along with roasted pistachios in the shell and some coconut yogurt. I treat myself to a soda instead of food. I wasn't feelin' it for peanuts or popcorn.

The best mascot in local baseball: Muddy, the Mudcat! A mudcat is an American catfish often found in muddy river waters in the South. We keep our mascots classy around here.

But truly Muddy is the highlight of the game. It's coming back to see a happy old friend every year, with his fish tail swishing on his four wheeler! In between innings Muddy plays games with the kids in the crowd, tosses t-shirts to fans, and loves to make people laugh. Think: a southern catfish version of Santa... okay, maybe not.

Muddy had friends with him at this game, Mini Muddy and the happy Pig from our favorite local grocery store, THE Piggly Wiggly. I never could figure out why the pig was so happy considering his certain fate in the grocery store butcher department (after all Piggly Wiggly is KNOWN for it's awesome pork products!)

After one inning they rode around the baseball field in a gigantic grocery cart. Because where else do people ride around in a gigantic grocery cart?

Baseball games are always happy memories. Even if it's 40 degrees at an April game in rural eastern NC!

I'm proud to say that I am the one who brought a huge love of baseball to our relationship (thanks Dad!)... thankfully Michael quickly followed suit!

I love that baseball games bring out everybody, even a beautiful momma with her three babies next to her. One, super small and bundled snug in a zebra blanket.

Coffee and gloves were needed for this baseball game... it wasn't Starbucks... but it was hot.

Are we having fun yet?

Can you see it?

I'm still waiting for the zoom lens... that will have to wait until Christmas! Did you see it yet? Michael caught these great shots of the ball being pitched.

Last chance!

I told you it was cold! This guy came well prepared!

And a 10 - 1 win for the Mudcats! Bring it boys! We'll be back soon!

Are you going to a baseball game anytime soon? You should! What gluten-free goodies would you pack to take with you?