There’s Nothing Like Old Friends

A recap of our trip to the Ben Rector Old Friends Acoustic Tour in Durham and other spring things!

Ben Rector Old Friends Tour with Old Friends!

Lynsie and I have been friends since the year I moved to Charlottesville. People used to think we were sisters at ACAC!

We have always shared a love for Ben Rector’s music, and this is the fifth or sixth (we can’t remember!) time we have seen him together. The first time was in our small Jefferson Theater here in Cville and we have loved him ever since! 

We jump at any chance we get to see Ben on tour. We first saw him in 2015. We did a meet & greet in 2016, and Lynsie and I went to Raleigh for a show.

Last summer we went to Wolf Trap to see him on the big stage with a full band.

This time we drove down to Durham to the Durham Performing Arts Center to see the acoustic version of his tour. And we had second row seats!! 

The Younger B&B

We stayed with this lovely couple who hosted us at their bed and breakfast in Hillsborough! The accommodations were comfortable and meals were included!

When we arrived for a late lunch on Friday, mom had chicken salad, chips and grapes for us to enjoy!

Plus a super yummy angel food cake topped with whipped cream and berries!!

As a music lover, Dad came with us to the show! His first Ben Rector concert. He said it exceeded expectations : ) 

Dinner at Bull City Burger

Dad led us to Bull City Burger where we had a casual dinner before the show. 

The perfect evening for outdoor dining. 

We split fried pickles, two kids of french fries, and a juicy burger that tasted homemade (in the best way)

We walked over to the DPAC and had a few minutes to kill, so we strolled through American Tobacco to show Lynsie the area. 

The show was incredible!! We were so close, and Ben brought his humor and entertainment as he always does. I love how the audience sings along. We did not want it to end! 

I didn’t get home until 11 and wasn’t asleep till midnight! In the morning, mom, Lynsie and I walked to Cup-A-Joe’s for coffee and muffins. And then we hit the road for the trek back to CVille and all of our kiddos. We talked nonstop all 6.5 hours in the car! 

Other Spring Things

Carter Mountain Sunset Series

The first of the Thursday night sunset concerts at Carter Mountain started last week. Thomas’s friends are in the band The Root Cellar Remedy and we went up to watch them play.

It was 88 degrees and the perfect day for a sunset! I forget out gorgeous it is to live in the mountains sometimes. 

We had a few Bold Rock ciders and shared this pizza for dinner. 

Celebrating Baby Violet!

My friend Erica, mother of Fern (Birch’s due date twin!) is expecting baby #2. Another botanical name is joining the family – Violet! LOVE her name! I wore all things purple in her honor <3 

We had a baby sprinkle for Erica at Cake Bloom (more floral themes!) 

I had a soccer game after and wasn’t planning to drink any bubbly – until they offered a NA rose! I am so happy to see NA drinks popping up more on regular menus. 

Downtown Ice Cream

Birch and I walked downtown for ice cream after school on another gorgeous spring day. Spring is not my favorite season because I don’t love the unpredictability of the weather – 57 one day / 85 degrees the next. However, when you get a perfect warm spring day – there is nothing like it!

All The Baseball

Mazen is in the thick of baseball season. Since moving up a level to the Majors in Little League this spring, he has practice or a game 3-4 times a week. A big step up from the once-a-week sports teams we’ve had until now. You’d think that it was too much, but I think it’s so great to have so much team time that it’s better than ever! (It has made weeknight dinners a bit of a challenge though. We’ve been eating at 5:00 before his 6:00 games start). 

Smoothie Paint Colors

Should we paint our kitchen island this smoothie pea green!?

I’ve been studying paint colors with intensity. Here are some of the contenders that I ordered Peel n Stick sheets from Samplize. 

It was all fun and games until Birch ripped them off the wall and crumpled them – ahhhh.

The Bebedero

I had to share this drink from girls’ night at The Bebedero! It’s called “Donde esta mis pantalones?” and was a mix of mezcal, lime, and tropical fruits with smoked thyme! 

Everyday Life

I took this while we all gathered in a mundane afternoon in Mazen’s room. Pretty accurate of everyday life! 

Happy half birthday to any other 10/26ers out there 😉