I'm gonna marry the boy next door.

Last weekends wedding was so much fun! It was a fairytale love story if ever there was one.

Ashley and Brandon literally grew up next door to each other, and have been sweethearts for years. When I was putting together their childhood memories slide show for the reception, there were lots of photos of the two of them together even as little kids. There were prom photos together, and even the two of them in their high school graduation cap and gowns together.

Thanks, Ashley and Brandon, for taking time to create something really special to remember your day. After the wedding, we went to the road where they grew up, and where their families still live. These photos were taken in a shed on her great grandpa's farm where they used to play when they were kids. I could have spent hours photographing on the farm, but I had a hunch Brandon wouldn't be as enthusiastic about that idea as I was. ;-)

What great stories they're going to have to tell their kids someday! Congratulations you two, and thanks for including me in such a special and utterly fun day.

Gala at Kyle Petty's Place

Well, I'm happy to report that the planning committee survived the Randolph County Partnership for Children's Second Annual Gala at the Kyle and Pattie Petty Farm on Saturday. Actually we more than survived--we thrived! Right up until we plopped into bed in the wee hours of Sunday morning and slept very, very soundly.

The tickets sold out, and between tickets and auction sales, we raised even more money than we had dared hope for, pretty cool, hun? What an amazing group of people gathered in one place! Just like having 250 of your closest friends come over for a hoedown. These folks really "got it" and made the night a resounding success. They were generous, patient, fun, and they looked sharp dressed up in their denim and diamonds. Plus, I think they had a pretty doggone good time, and even learned to do a little square dancin'.

The food was great (fried chicken and the best fried squash you ever tasted from Snyder Farms Catering), the music was awesome (Rocking Horse Band really does rock) and desserts were amazing. If you haven't had Chocolate Lava cake or Baileys Irish Creme cake from Homeland Bakery (http://www.homelandbakery.com/) your life just isn't complete yet. You better call Torri Nelson right away and fix that.

The party was a "Barnyard Dance" theme, and was held in the Petty's barn. Let me just tell you, I'm doubting you've ever seen a barn like this. At least I hadn't, and I grew up in the country. According to Kyle's son Austin, when his sister Montogomery Lee decided to have her wedding at the farm, they spent about a million dollars renovating the barn to host her reception. Of course that was before they added the "trophy room" (aka: museum) onto it. Let's just say it's nice, reeeall nice.

How was your weekend?

Photo of the Day --March 8, 2010 – Down on the Farm

I was driving back from a committee meeting in Asheboro, and thinking of what would make a great photo of the day for today when I saw a little dirt road I’d never been down. “Let’s see what’s down there,” I said. It was a beautiful farm that was a real step back in time. I thought a sepia tone image would give this photo just the right feel, like an antique print.

February 15, 2010 - Photo of the Day - Homestead

When I stumble upon a scene like this, I wonder at the stories that are part of the creation of such a place. There must be hundreds of untold stories that either start or end here at this exact place. I find myself trying to imagine what this spot looked like 100 years ago, what it took to complete this unique and beautiful farm house, how many children and cats have played in these barns?


I'm guessing that this old farm has been around for decades, it certainly shows the signs that a family has loved and cared for it. Unfortunately, this is one of those times when a photo just doesn't do it justice.