August Goes to Asheville

This weekend we decided it was time to take Gus on his first roadtrip. He has been such a trooper with everything we have thrown at him - in 3 weeks he's been to see Mama Mia, to see the Chocolate Drops in concert at the art museum and to many restaurants. We are trying to make the most of his laid back attitude as much as possible in case he decides to become high maintenance with age! It was also nice to escape to mountain air in August.

Here are some shots of a walk through downtown Asheville. This is the Arcade area. Not sure why it is called the Arcade. To Aaron's dismay it seems to be related to the history of the building and not because it contains video games.

There is always a great display of container gardening going on down here to inspire us.

One of our favorite destinations is "The Screened Door"which is a quirky antique/curiosities mall that also has a great bookstore inside with the best selection of botanical books around at half the price. We usually shut the place down. It was a great place for Gus to escape the carseat and stretch.

We also enjoy going to the North Carolina Arboretum near Asheville. Great to see a bounty of blooms despite the dry warm weather. They've put the finishing touches on their Japanese garden which is my favorite. Fun to see ancient bonsai trees and beautiful, peaceful compositions.

Gus smiling for us at Mellow Mushroom. We always love the 'shroom but the Asheville location is our favorite with their funky patio made of glass bricks and bowling balls. And the people watching can't be beat.

Sound Sleep

Teddy Bear

Summertime Through the Shades

A most favored time of mine to have beautiful backyard blooms. With the heat, humidity, and unfriendly weather comes the urge to unwind and seek shelter in the AC. Having planned for peak summer blooms brings a breath of much needed beauty this time of year and creates a backyard vacation destination to lift my spirits. Slender petals on this spider daylily sitting atop 6' bloom stalks.

Fragrant flowers can be found on this ginger lily.

Like tropical honeysuckle to me...

Augusto

Aaron and August

Coffee Culture

Many of you know Aaron can appreciate a good cup of coffee on occasion and was very disappointed when McCafe stopped offering awesome mochas in favor of an automated machine version. He has been on the search for the perfect coffee since then. Not only has he found it.....

He has me drinking it as well. I managed to make it to 32 years old not drinking coffee until this year. I guess it really is an acquired taste. This is from a coffee company based out of the Raleigh area. Come to find out they supply the better restaurants that we have frequented in Charleston and around here. Now that we can get our hands on it, it has replaced dessert in the evening for us. And since drinking coffee has recently been shown to have many health benefits (unless you are someone who notices anxiety or stomach troubles with it) it seems a better alternative than sugary desserts. We had a baby and now drink coffee - guess we're officially grown ups. Okay, it sorta tastes like Sugar Smacks cereal - not a terribly mature taste!

And now a word from our sponsor:
http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/

Just kidding. But seriously, you can order it online and it really is good.

Thoroughbred

I adore this picture. This onesie is from his cool Aunt Aime' in Kansas City. What are the odds she managed to find a onesie with "Thoroughbred" on it? I have a feeling Mimi and Poppy will want a copy of this one!

Backyard Bloomage

Loving the late blooms on one of my long time favorites. Fresh flowers can be found perched atop my Mexican Petunias every morning now.

Desert catalpas like frilled feathers floating on the sumptuous summer air

Happy this hibiscus found its way, springing to life from seed sown and collected by a vacationing avian adventurer (i.e. by a bird)

This gleaming white acanthus glows against a green backdrop. Also answers to white mexican petunia. Fondly known by me for its seeds that explode like buckshot bouncing against our backyard fence

Happy Hangout

Patio Playtime

The entire family hanging out on the patio on the first sultry August evening. JoJo looking sharp and Fitzi managing to fit her fuzzy head into the bottom right corner of the shot. The lump of fur on the chair is Izzy.
Dad and Gus hanging in the hammock until the mosquitoes threatened to carry him away.

The heat makes Gus sleepy. Everything makes Gus sleepy.

August in August

Happy August, August! He is almost 3 weeks old and it is hard to believe how much he is changing just like everyone warned! He is such an angel baby. We are constantly amazed by how laid back he is and sweet. He sure is making this transition easy for us.

He is having more waking hours now - sometimes 3 hours at a time of just calm alertness combined with a little playfulness where he smiles and waves his clenched fists.

He also has an emerging dimple shown above as well as a cleft in his chin (like his dad) that shows up every so often.

A playful look

Departing Daylight

Serious Sleepytime

Okay, we might be biased but we think our boy is adorable even when he is doing nothing. Here he is sleeping..

Oh look! He's sleeping. But isn't he cute?

Bubbles and Baths

Aaron is the professional bath giver. We have both tried pitching in at the same time and it really is just easier with one person who knows what they're doing. I'd say he does a good job since Gus seems to find it very relaxing.

He was completely sacked when Aaron finished his backrub.

Sling Shots

Today I got to break out my new sling! My friend Erin let me pick out this beautiful fabric online so she could order this sling for me and I love it!! Isn't it pretty?

Lets me work at the computer, cook, walk around the house doing errands without putting Gus down if he's awake.

And he is snug as a little pea in there.