Patio Bars & Gardens

{my backyard, aka the James}

You can't always sit in your corner of the forest and wait for people to come to you... you have to go to them sometimes. {Winnie the Pooh}

This weekend passed by too quickly. I tend to wake up on Monday mornings and think back to work already? It's too easy to hit the snooze button over and over again, roll over and snuggle with your pillows. Every morning I wake up and rush to get ready.... so that I have an extra hour to go back to sleep. It may seem impracticle to some, but that's when my best dreams come.

This weekend was full of patio bars, warm weather and lots and lots of laughter. I spent most of my Saturday at Arts in the Park, eating more food and drinking more lemonaid than anyone should be allowed. It was so nice seeing my parents and laughing with them. All day I searched for glass beads to put into my dreads, but the only ones I found were $12. each. no thank you. But I love spending time with my community and sharing stories with the vendors was my absolute favorite part. We have a lot of talent in Richmond :)

This was the first time I have seen my dad since he returned from Haiti, and there is one story that I have to share with you. No joke, I instantly started crying when he told it.

He said that he was standing outside when school let out and there were tables and tables of food. All of the children ran up to him and the rest of their team and pointed to their mouths. They were hungry. My dad asked the pastor why the children were not able to eat, and he responded by saying that all of that food was for sale. So even though they were starving and there was food surrounding them, they could not eat because they didn't have any money. And those selling the food couldn't give it away, because they also had to earn a living and feed their families.

So my dad asked if he could buy the children some food. All of them {there were around 30}. He purchased a whole table of food for $10. Are you serious... that's roughly two beers here. That wasn't all he did. He then went around to all of the women selling the food and handed them each a dollar bill. That dollar was able to feel them and their families for an entire week. Doesn't that make you want to just empty your pockets for these people?

Unbelievable. After that we went out to eat and I ate so much food that I wanted to explode. It doesn't really seem fair that we are able to over eat while children and families are starving around the world... and even in our own neighborhoods.

So ever since that story I have been thinking about how to help people who are less fortunate. Maybe volunteering at a food kitchen or something. I don't know. More on that to come.

A huge highlight of this weekend was finally picking up my Sub Irrigation Planter and lots and lots and lots of potting mix. I planted wildflowers, tomatoes, peas, lettuce, red peppers, cilantro and basil. The farmer's market down the street is finally open, and I am excited to buy local and also try my luck at planting my own food from home.

Being in the community helps me to remember that I am a part of something bigger. I like meeting new people and learning from them. So many of my friends are ultra conservative, so it's nice to venture out and find some fellow libs! Trust me, Arts in the Park was jam packed with tattoos and dreads... not to mention many artists used recycled materials. I love the idea of taking something old and turning it into something new and beautiful.

Most of my nights were spent outside on either our roof top deck or on a patio at one of our favorite bars. I love that it is getting warm enough to wear sundresses and skirts and the simple fact that warm weather makes everyone seem happier.

Here are some pictures of my indoor garden... I am just learning so I have my fingers and toes crossed that it all works out. My dog Samson likes eating the dirt... so that needs to stop. Now.

Here is a {very poor quality} picture of my indoor garden so far. It's in front of an old elevator shaft in our loft and directly underneath several sky lights.

My monkey man growing some basil:

Peas...

I really really really hope this works. I sort of feel like I'm over my head with this... especially wandering around Lowe's this weekend debating over and over on potting mix and what veggies I wanted/would be able to grow. But I think I can do this.

I can't wait to see more little sprouts poking their heads through!

{photo credit}