A Partridge in a Pear Tree Birthday Love

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to take pictures. I only bought an iPhone so I could finally use Instagram. Over my sad-foot-surgery holiday I did my best to put our tree up before I went under. This little grouping of partridges made me realize I had a fantastic Partridge Family all of a sudden. My buddy Marge made a great statement recently that back in the pre-Instagram days no one would take a photo of their meal, have it developed and save it in an album. So funny. So true. Although, I wish to I had taken a camera to my 25th birthday dinner at Citronelle in DC. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, they make the mundane and small details in life seem okay to document. Great for an over sharer like me, annoying for anyone who could care less to see another brunch or sunset shot. For the latter, you can stop reading now. Anyone else who cares about the little details and great gift giving...keep reading.

So my darling little partridge collection for our tree started our first year together. I'm sure I've written about it on this blog before, surely. I knew it...read here.

It's grown a ton since I first wrote about it in 2010.

Figs and pears are our jam, literally at Stone Hill Farm, and this partridge thing became hilarious after the fact that Eric didn't even remember saying his favorite song was the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Mom gave us this cute partridge this Christmas. I mean, it's fun to hunt for part of a collection but I love getting such thoughtful gifts. 

Okay, so flash back to December. Cold, mid-December two full weeks after my foot surgery. I hadn't been out of the house in what felt like forever. E. took me on a date to see The Hunger Games fire whatever in Harbor East. We walked past the window decorations and I FREAKED when I saw this "Twelve Days of Christmas" display at City Sports. Naturally, I took a photo. It was the "Seven Swans a Swimming" Day of Christmas, the 7th Day. How appropriate for E. and me who love the number seven and married on 7-7-07. The "lords a leaping" are RAVENS players. Each ornament was hand knit. It was incredible.

I snapped a close up of the Partridge in a Pear Tree for Instagram and said "Want this partridge. Big Time."

Fast forward to my birthday three weeks ago. My dearest Nette came to town from Atlanta and I wanted to surprise her with a visit from our cute friend @WendyCinDC. We had a very small dinner at Woodberry Kitchen. Wendy pulled out a gift and insisted I open it at the table. I squeezed it and said something about hoping it was a Barbie. Isn't that what you wanted as a little girl? A new sparkly, fresh Barbie. Well, this blew new Barbie out of the water. Wendy, an avid follower of this blog and my Insta-feed, who, don't forget lives in DC, tracked down the Partridge in the Pear Tree at City Sports!!! She called the shop and they gave her the artist's name who made the ornaments. Turns out it was Sue from Lovely Yarns in Hampden where I took a knitting class three years ago. Wendy called Sue and said something along the lines of, I'm looking for the Partridge in a Pear tree from your City Sports window display in Harbor East. Sue then replied something like, Are you sure? I thought the partridge turned out kind of funny looking. Wendy then explained that it was for a friend who has a partridge collection named Nelle Somerville and could she buy the partridge. Sue then exclaimed, Nelle?! I know Nelle. I'll just give you the damn thing. Not only did Sue hook Wendy up with the most thoughtful gift of all time, but she wrapped the present and brought it to Woodberry Kitchen since Wendy couldn't get it before Lovely Yarns closed!!! I MEAN. Isn't that just the limit? 

Even Eric couldn't really follow the story because we were all squealing so loudly and I was just so overcome with JOY. So I pulled out my phone and showed the table the progression of photos to try to explain it all.

And that my friends is the story of the most thoughtful gift I have ever received! E. and I went to stop in at Lovely Yarns to see Sue last weekend and she was on vacation. We left her our fig preserves and pear chutney with thanks and love! 

Sue, I can't wait to squeeze your neck and thank you in person for such a lovely birthday surprise.

Wendy, I seriously cannot thank you enough for your dedication to blow my mind with this gift. Your gift is generosity of spirit. God given girlfriend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Nette, I love that you flew away from your baby girls to be with me for the best girls weekend ever. Thank you times a million. 

E. thanks for the gorgeous dinner, incredible birthday cake and fancy new sheets. You are my favorite.

Baltimore, you make me happy at every turn. Thank you for your small town everything and for the fact that everyone knows everyone and that this little exchanged happened because of you. I love you!

Black Tip Shark Reef and Turtle Love

I was on the guest list for a fun opening six months ago. I had a date with a very important turtle and some sexy little sharks at the National Aquarium. The museum went under a great renovation to add a Black Tip Shark Reef with over 700 animals. I remember hearing about the renovation and thought, huh, it couldn't look that different than it did before, but I was wrong. The biggest difference was the reef. The coral was and is magnificent. If you haven't seen it yet, get yo'self to the National Aquarium stat.

One of my all time favorite people in Baltimore runs the social media marketing at the National Aquarium. @KateKateBear on Twitter and @natlaquarium. I love going to the aquarium with her because she knows so much, finds the best fish and sometimes even takes me behind the scenes. 

Calypso is our three finned turtle. I love her so much that I seriously cried the first time I saw her and get seriously choked up when I spot her on my visits. I don't know what it is about her that makes me so emotional. It could be that she was once a wee little egg and made her way to the sea, was harmed and rescued by the aquarium in 2000. Sea turtles are usually not held in captivity so it is really special that we do have her in Baltimore. 

In the new exhibit there is an interactive wall where you can write what your connection is to water and have your picture "made". "Turtles I love turtles" was my answer. I grew up in the Midwest. We spent our summers on Lake Michigan, Destin, Florida or Seed Lake in Georgia. I've always loved the water. When visiting Hawaii in 2004 I saw sea turtles up close in the wild. I love how box turtles sun themselves on fallen trees in the estuaries of North Georgia. Spotting a turtle seems very common and also very lucky. They look like prehistoric creatures and I just think they are the neatest. 

Bubbles!

The event was great and I got to hang with some of my best pals. This is one of my favorite pictures of all time of our friend Craig. I said something funny and he dropped down laughing. Love. IT. 

This one too! My darling Kate Kate Bear and The Front Rowe are getting hitched this May on the water, naturally. We can't wait to celebrate their adorable, funny, creative union. Thanks Kate for always giving the best tours. I miss your face to pieces.  

Baby Nephew Two

Matthew Tayloe Averitt was born on Monday, February 24, 2014. We are so happy that Elise is doing so well and that the whole family is home together today in Kalamazoo. Mac sent me updates throughout the labor on Sunday afternoon and Monday and has been texting me photos. Enjoy photos my newest crush.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139: 13-1

Macker said that Andrew keeps hugging and kissing the baby. Oh my stars! (To quote Nette.) He also said that the delivery was flawless. High fives to my sweet sister Lisey! Hearing Andrew say Matthew's name on the phone just put me over the edge. Andrew is 3 years and 4 months old and his little voice is just the sweetest. We have had some great FaceTime calls lately.

We are so proud of Baby Nephew and can't wait to meet Baby Nephew Two!!! We called and sang Matthew Happy Birthday on Monday night. I cried when we hung up. It makes me crazy that we don't live closer. 

We love you all so much Mac, Elise, Andrew and Matthew. Love, Aunt Nana and Uncle ChaCha

Artful Weddings Studio Opening

I had the honor of being invited to a studio opening for a fantastic photographer in Baltimore. It was just down the street from Stone Hill. It's always fun getting invited to an event by people who attend and work events for a living. Great food, drinks, music and you run into everyone in your industry. Read here to see the professional photography taken at the event. My photos pale in comparison, but I still wanted to show off this way cool space.

The space is gorgeous in a classic Baltimore mix use warehouse in Clipper Mill.

Ann Sachs and her husband own Artful Weddings. With my wonky foot, I came for a brief visit and had to sit down after 15 minutes. Pathetic. But I couldn't miss ANOTHER party. 

Chef's Expressions catered the event. They were passing warm, thick cut, "Billionaires Bacon" in little pails. I will never forget having candied bacon the first time at my cousin Rob's wedding at the Memphis Country Club nine years ago. They served the bacon stacked a la log cabin style. People were seriously eating it like candy! I'm so glad I didn't miss this party. The bacon was legendary. 

They also served a chicken roulade with avocado and other lovely little nibbles.

The space would be great for rehearsal dinners, brunches or even a small wedding ceremony. They not only want to use the space as a photography studio, but rent it as an event site as well. The windows are huge and have a southern light that would be gorgeous in the late afternoon.

The Pie Station was gorgeous with four simple options to choose from.

I loved the grilled cheese station. The blue cheese and bacon sandwich was epic. It was great seeing lots of friends but I especially enjoyed a long visit with Lindsay and Erin from Union 3 Events.

Thanks for taking good care of me and my crutch Ann. Look forward to working with you soon.