Matthew Perryman Jones at the Square Room

Andrew and I have been saving up in our Dave Ramsey Miscellaneous Envelope for a big date.  When I heard Matthew Perryman Jones was coming back to the Square Room, I knew I had to make up for our previous unsuccessful attempt to see him there.  Turns out it helps to buy the tickets in advance!  

We started the evening in the Old City at Pasta Trio.  I have heard great things about it, and we really wanted to try something new.  When we walked in at 6:00, they said their chef wouldn't be there until 6:30.  We walked around and thought about doing Nama instead, but decided we weren't quite ready for the sushi leap.  At 6:30, we again went to Pasta Trio, and this time they said their chef wouldn't be back until 7:00.  Are you kidding?  It's Friday night and your chef isn't even in the restaurant at 6:30?  

If we didn't have our heart set on eating here, we would have just eaten elsewhere, but instead we hopped next door to Crown & Goose for a drink until the chef felt like showing up.  Finally, they were ready for us, and the lovely hostess gave us the prime window seat surrounded by empty wine bottles signed by their devoted patrons.  The salad was creative and tasty, the bread simply scrumptious, the pasta perfection.  Totally worth the trouble.  I must brag that Andrew and I resisted offers for more bread two times.  I told him if they asked again, I didn't think I could resist.  Sadly, I did eat my entire dish of pasta.

Peter Barbee opened for MPJ.  Apparently he is a Knoxvillian trying to make something of himself in Music City.  He was great, but lets face it, we were all waiting on the headliner.  Just before MPJ stepped out on the stage at 10 o'clock, I thought there was no way I could stay awake.  He completely proved me wrong.  I had never seen him with a full band, and they were incredible - especially the lead guitarist that couldn't stop smiling.  I don't understand why MPJ isn't a famous rock star by now.  His vocals are silky smooth, his lyrics subtly introspective, and he just rocks.  He happens to be quite easy on the eyes as well!

Here, you decide for yourself.

At the concert, he mentioned a new community called Brite Revolution where you can pay $5 a month and get two new songs from each artist every month.  Pretty cool.  When I was checking out their website, I noticed that I know one of artists.  I went to UT and did my internship with Ellie Holcomb.  I saw her picture and couldn't believe that was her!  I had no idea she even sang.  Pretty cool.

We had so much fun last night that we went back for more this morning.  When I saw the menu at the French Market on Gay Street, I had to have it ASAP.  Andrew chose a fresh-baked pain au chocolat, and I ordered a cinnamon butter crepe.  Oh my.  Felt like I was back on the streets of Paris (where I will be in about a month!!).  I highly recommend this place.  I can't wait to try one of their savory crepes.  

On today's to do list: two photo sessions - taking advantage of this beautiful Tennessee Spring weather!

Beta Club Tennessee State Convention

Rachel and I left Monday to take a group of 27 Beta Club members to the state convention at Opryland Hotel.  When I tell most people about this, they say something like, "Oh my!  27 teenagers running around a hotel for three days?"  I really can't complain much, though; they are all great kids so we don't have to worry about their behavior.  Seriously, we had to force some of them to go to the dance Tuesday night.  Plus, Rachel and I get a free stay at the Opryland for two nights and a complimentary sponsor breakfast on Tuesday morning.  Possibly the best breakfast of my year. (Well, except for the whole Paris thing!)  After going through the buffet, my plate looked like I was ready for Thanksgiving dinner - eggs, hashbrowns, blueberry muffin, yogurt with granola, and fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and pineapple!  The trip is worth it every year just for that feast!  We always hit the fitness center to try to burn off at least a few of those calories!

I had to get their group picture while they were all gussied up for the dance.  Too bad you can't see their outfits!  I need to work on my group picture taking skills.

Yes, I really am getting my money's worth on those outrageous jeans from NYC.  I wear them non-stop, and I don't put them in the dryer so they won't fade, but most importantly, so they won't shrink!

Easter

This Easter weekend meant more to me than any other has in the past. I think for the first time I understood the weight of the cross because I made an effort to focus more on it than just the family get-togethers, the peeps (you know you love them!), and the Easter outfit. Thanks to the creative and innovative staff at Powell Church, I experienced a powerful morning of corporate worship. It truly was a celebration of the God's goodness and his unfathomable mercy.

I was charged with bringing dessert to three separate family functions, so I created this smorgasbord of options: Carrot Cupcakes, Truffle Tarts, and Paula Deen's Lemon Blossoms.

The family functions began with dinner at Mom and Dad's Saturday evening.

Mom and Dad looking like a couple of teenagers in love.

Mission Accomplished. Nana is notorious for running from cameras, but I got her!

Mama Ese and Mom getting some tomato plants ready. Hope it's not too early!

Mom always has the prettiest Johnny Jump-ups. I love these delicate little flowers.

After church on Sunday, we headed to Mamaw Shirley and Papaw Jim's (Dad's parents) for the annual egg hunt. We have only one child under the age of sixteen, but we've always kept the tradition.

Two of my favorites.

My sweet grandparents.

The Cole Crew.

The traditional Easter pic at Mamaw's. I think we have one just like this from every year of my life.

Lucy loved the colorful eggs, and

everybody was gathered 'round to watch her every move.

Stop #3: Maryville for the annual egg hunt at Russ and Melissa's.

On your marks, get set,

GO!

You hid how many eggs???

Eggs? Who cares about eggs? Look at me sitting up by myself!

But where's the golden egg? I want the dollar!

We may never solve the mystery of the golden eggs. Three eggs with $1 each were hidden, and only one was returned. Was it a curious animal? The sticky fingers of one of the kids? One of the adults? We may never know.

I hope each of you experienced the power of this Easter weekend as I did.

charity:water update

Thought some of you might want to follow along and see what this wonderful organization is doing.  charity:water is drilling wells in Ethiopia and posting videos online over the next four days to show the progress they are making.  By the video on day four, one of the wells should be up and running.  100% of the donations are used for direct project costs.    

Twestival Well Drilling - Day 1 from Ethiopia - charity: water from charity: water on Vimeo.

New Logo

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about creating a new logo; the first one was temporary, just so I could start the website.  This is what I have come up with.  I'm really struggling with color ideas though.  I'm such a fan of neutral colors that I have a hard time coming up with anything creative.  Do you have any ideas for me?  I'm thinking for the business card maybe black text with a light colored background.  And are the brackets too much?  Should they be thinner or maybe in the same scratchy font as the "SC"?  Let me know what you think.  I want to create something that I will keep for a long time because as Jasmine Star preaches, it's all about branding!

For some reason it looks gray here, but it is really solid black.

I'm Not a Librarian!

Friday night Andrew and I took Maddie to see the PHS concert choir's performance of The Wizard of Oz.  They have worked for weeks to prepare, and it really paid off.  So many of the characters were spot on.

Maddie got all dressed up for our night out.  (P.S. How about that new lens making even our backyard look like a great location?)

Maddie is famous for her one-liners and she didn't disappoint on this night.  On our way to Bruster's (the night just wouldn't be complete without ice cream, now would it?), Andrew asked her if she was still keeping a list of all the books she has read.  Apparently this must be something Morgan is doing without her knowledge because she was quite confused.  When Andrew asked her a second time, she replied, "Um, I'm not a librarian!  Hello!" (Insert all the attitude you can imagine.)  Hilarious!  When Matt and Morgan asked how she liked the show, she stated, "It was off the hook!"  And she is only four.  I can't imagine the attitude when she hits her teens!

One of my shoots this weekend was cancelled, but luckily the beautiful weekend didn't go to waste.  Today I took some pictures of my cousin Holly's little one, Lucy Kate.  Though they only planned to have pictures made of Lucy, I forced them to do some family shots.  I had to put that new lens to use!  

Click here for more.

She's Here!

When I checked the shipping status of my lens this afternoon and saw she had just been delivered, I decided to dash home before my match so I could play with her.  At first I was a bit frustrated when I saw the traffic at the West Hills exit, but then I realized I had my new lens to keep me occupied!  I got so distracted I wasn't even concerned being stuck in traffic for 20 minutes while I needed to be preparing my players for their district match.

The view from my side mirror.  I'm not lying when I say I was on the exit ramp for 20 minutes.  

I hoped to get some shots of my players in action, but today's match was a little too intense for that.  We played Hardin Valley Academy - a total unknown in all sports this year.  My girls won 8-1 and the boys lost 3-6.  So far the girls are 4-0 in the district while the boys are 2-2.  

I rushed home to take advantage of the beautiful sunset.

Milly is always willing to be my subject.

Well, this isn't her best angle, but check out that sunset!

I may need to switch her onesies to preemie size.  Her 0-3 months shirts are a bit saggy.

Here is a shot taken with my standard package lens.

And the same shot with the new 50mm 1.4.  Much crisper and defined.  Totally worth it!