happy (belated) 30th birthday to my friends!

We surprised two of my oldest (literally) and dearest friends, Jenny and Summer, for their 30th birthdays back in November. Let's just say it was fun for the people who typically make plans for the group be excluded from these plans because surprising them was the BEST! :)

Jenny and her yummy cake

Summer and her awesome cake!

Jessi, Jenny and I

happy (belated) thanksgiving!

And since I'm posting this ridiculous picture of my brother, I've included a
better shot of him posing with his lovely sister. :)

happy (belated) halloween!

bleeding heart - UPDATE!

UPDATE: I have been informed by a loyal reader that this is NOT a bleeding heart - it's a Turk's Cap. Thanks, Loyal Reader.

Last year I planted a bleeding heart plant that I think came from my Grandmother? Anyways, it's a funny little plant that has done really well this summer, despite the HOT July sun and now waterless August/September. Order of photos is first blooms in August to multiple blooms per head from last weekend.

P.S. the "hummies" love this plant :)

hummingbirds, round 1

I've had many hummingbird sightings this year, which of course has been fantastic for me. Jarrod makes fun of me for always peeking out the window to see if there's been any activity at the feeders, but I think he's secretly a "hummie" lover like myself. Hah! Anyways, I don't have the best camera in the world, which means I have to take 30 pictures just to get 1-2 decent shots of these little creatures. But I admit, I do enjoy waiting for them to zoom by, snack for a few seconds, and then take off for one of our trees. To me, bird watching is much like fishing -- you have to be incredibly patient, but in time it will pay off and in this case, the reward is a great shot! So, bear with me as I've been shooting for the last 5-6 weeks and just now getting around to posting.

The first batch of photos is of the male Ruby-throated hummingbird who has claimed our feeders as his territory. Watching him fight off other males and females has been hilarious...

love this shot I got of him at dusk - much easier to see his red throat!

good music

This year has been quite rewarding in terms of music: discovering new bands, seeing them live and of course, questioning their ridiculous names. FYI - this post serves more as a "memory jogger" for me since I tend to (unofficially) have short-term memory loss -- either that or selective memory. Jarrod - have I missed anyone?

Shows at the Earl: Freelance Whales; Bear in Heaven; Beach House; Wild Nothing; Neon Indian; Lost in the Trees; Plants and Animals; Washed Out

Shows at the Masquerade: Delorean; Miike Snow

Shows at the Variety Playhouse: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros; Tyler James

Shows at the Tabernacle: Band of Horses

Shows at the Atlanta Botanical Garden: She & Him

Shows at the Savannah City Center (think that's what it's called!): The Avett Brothers

Shows at Philips Arena: John Mayer

mi gato