The BIG 2-5!!!!

Good morning, friends!!!

Today I am 25!!!! 

I am a little shocked that I am half way to fifty, and I am wondering where the last twenty-five years went. I am excited to have a little birthday party tonight at karaoke and then another party tomorrow with friends and family.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! I am off to the DMV to renew my license! 

Tomorrow I will be hosting my first giveaway for my birthday, check back tomorrow for the giveaway!!! 

Tasha

Rhythm and Roots 2011

This past weekend is absolutely one of my favorite weekends throughout the year.  If you read my blog, then you already know that I was born, raised and still live in Bristol, TN. Most people know Bristol is home to the "World's Fastest Half Mile," Bristol Motor Speedway, but most people don't know that Bristol is also the "Birthplace of Country Music." In 1927, the "Bristol Sessions" were recorded by The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers in downtown Bristol, making it the birthplace of country music. Today, you can hear live music almost any day during the week celebrating our country and bluegrass roots. On the third weekend of September every year, the downtown area shuts down to host The Rhythm and Roots Reunion. This three day music festival brings in thousands of people from all over to hear the local talent in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The festival also brings in a few famous singers to perform on the main stages. Twenty-one stages are set up in the streets, inside restaurants and bars with over 150 bands performing. 

I was excited all week and could not wait for Friday to come so I could head downtown for all the fun.

My favorite band, Folk Soul Revival performing Friday night.

John Oates Band performing Friday night.

What is a southern festival without a funnel cake?

The state line that runs through the middle of State Street dividing Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA.

 Famous Bristol sign over State Street.

I am already excited for next year's festival!

Tasha

Catch Up!

Last week was very busy and time slipped away from me.  I tried to catch up on my blogging but it never happened.

Wednesday, I came home to a very special package and I was overwhelmed with joy...

My Erin Condren Planner! I am in love and I hope it helps to keep me organized.

We normally eat at Chili's every week because they send us a coupon for a free dessert...who doesn't love a free dessert?

For fall they have a new Apple Cobbler dessert that is delicious!

Thursday, I kept little man.

It was, also, his 3 Month Birthday!!
This week I am keeping him for two days while his MiMi is in the Dominican Republic. A post of updated pictures will come later in the week.

I started not to feel very well on Thursday evening. I knew that I needed to do something to make me feel better because I had a long weekend ahead...

My pharmacist suggested I try this to help me feel better. Well, first of all, this stuff is nasty. I was gagging the entire time to get the 4 ounces down. Second, it didn't work.

This weekend is a huge weekend for my hometown. It was the 11th Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Thousands of people come to our downtown to listen to the most amazing bluegrass and country bands.

I took this picture from the upstairs of our local bar, overlooking the busy street.
Details from my weekend and lots of pictures will be in tomorrow's post!

I hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week. I am battling a sinus infection and walking pneumonia from this weekend, so I will be resting most of the week.

Today is my sweet friend, Nicole's 21st Birthday! Go over to her blog and wish her a Happy Birthday!

Tasha

It's almost fall, ya'll!

Normally, I am unhappy to see fall roll around. I love football, the leaves changing and anything pumpkin. But, I love, warm weather, sandy beaches, weekends on the lake and lazy days by my pool, much more. I love wearing flip flops, shorts and my favorite J.Crew tank top on a hot summer day. For some reason, the past few days, I am longing to wear jeans, cute sweaters and riding boots. I have a feeling that will be my go to outfit this fall. Thanks to Pinterest, I have a few ideas in mind. Here are a few of my fall fashion favorites...

All image  via Pinterest.

These outfits make me wish for colder temperatures (can't believe I just said that!). It's still in the 80's in Tennessee so I will have to wait a few weeks.

Have a great day!

I am linking this post to the Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge. 

Tasha

A Day Trip

On Saturday, my friend Jenna and I headed to North Carolina for a little shopping. She had never been to Boone or Blowing Rock so I knew this was a perfect place for a day trip. The weather was gorgeous, so we put the top down and took off through the mountains. There is a cute little outlet mall in Blowing Rock, NC, it's not much but it has J. Crew and Banana Republic (that's all I need!). 

We started our little adventure with lunch at Canyons in Blowing Rock. This is the view from the deck where we ate...

Next, we went to the actual site of Blowing Rock.

The views are absolutely gorgeous and I am still amazed every time I go there. We took a break from sightseeing and did a little shopping. 

Then we drove through downtown Blowing Rock and headed towards the Blue Ridge Park. 

We drove across the viaduct and over to Grandfather Mountain. We didn't go up to Grandfather Mountain...the views are gorgeous but my friend is crazy, scared of heights. I know that she would never be able to cross the swinging bridge and walk out on the cliffs. We just admired it from below and then headed to Boone for more shopping and dinner.

Downtown Boone is such a cute area. Appalachian State had a game that day so everyone downtown was dressed in yellow and black. They were loosing the game so everyone was leaving early and the streets were filled with students and fans. We window shopped a little then asked a local where was the best place to grab dinner. He directed us to this amazing little (literally, there were only 10 tables in this tiny place!) mexican-burrito place...it was yummy!   

After Jenna posed with Doc Watson we decided it was time to start home.  We have a already planned a trip back in a few weeks when the leaves start to change colors. 

If you live anywhere near the Blue Ridge Parkway and you have never visited it, you must go. There are so many things to do and tons of cute little towns to explore. If you are interested in visiting, leave me a comment and I give you some info on the top sites to see.

Tasha

Ten years ago today,

On September 11, 2001...

I was a sophomore in high school. We were in the middle of switching classes when the first tower was struck. I was walking into my English classroom when my teacher turned the t.v. on. 

We sat there, in shock, as the second plane flew into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. 

I remember thinking that it was all a dream. I could not believe what I was seeing.

When the towers started to collapse, I just sat there in shock.

As sad as this day was, I was never so proud to be an American. 

Today, I am still just as proud to be an American. I want to thank the men and women who lost their lives that day. I am thankful for the men and women that serve our country everyday to keep us safe... 

I'm just trying to be a father,

Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,
I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay,
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dying's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with an honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, so sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,
An American,
An American Soldier 

This song by Toby Keith gives me chills every time I hear it. This song represents what is like to be an American and know that you are protected by the best men and women in the world. Thank you to the people who live this song everyday.

Never Forgotten. Forever Grateful