Tea Parties, Rappers, and Life's Little Surprises

This week was just full of surprises. 

I woke up Monday morning, finally feeling a sense of peace and calm. I actually got a good night's sleep, awake feeling energized and motivated, then I set out to embark on a new week.

Things have been going fantastically at the Cannonball House. We just got word that we are going to receive a grant from the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) to help restore one of our front columns. This is a very important, as well as, necessary task. (Not to mention, very expensive.) Today we are going through round two for the Watson Brown grant. The Junior Board is arriving for a site visit, and if we receive this, along with the DAR grant, we will have all the funds we need to complete the task! That would be a huge bee in our bonnet!

That Monday morning, I made it back to the gym (first time in weeks, if I am being honest with myself. I pushed myself harder than I have in a while, and it felt good. That bit of sweat and exertion just put me into a deeper state of relaxation. 

Then I got home.

I got the word that my roomie was moving on the greener pastures. (Aka moving on with her significant other,) and I would have to make other plans in late June. Alas, my life is flipped upside again. Luckily, my sister will be my port in the storm, until I figure out the next chapter in my life. I'll be moving back to Jones County this summer, living with her and my niece temporarily. Yes, my stuff will end up back in storage, and yes, I will be staying in my niece's room, but this too shall pass. I just don't have enough time to figure out my next move. Until then, I can help her out with Auttie Blossom and save a little money in the process. 

Though that surprise was slightly unwelcome, I did find a few small blessings along the way!

For one, very good friends have come along to offer me boxes, help with moving, and general good vibes. I am completely thankful for these people. Luckily, my friends Betsy & Gary got married last weekend, and with that came tons of boxes of gifts shipped to them. Now I have bubble wrap, scrunchy paper, and box after box. 

Just last night a series of good deeds came my way. My friend, Scott, called and asked me to dinner. His partner, Bill, was out of town, and my SG lives almost two hours away, so we went to eat Thai at a local restaurant called, "Lemongrass - A Thai Bistro," which is owned by my friend Gary. 

I opted for the Green Chicken Curry. YUUUUMMMM

After dinner, I popped by Roasted, and saw my friends, Floco Torres do a free concert for his latest release, #dreamboard with producer/DJ Shawty Slim. (Yes, THE Shawty Slim.)

Following the concert, my friend Molly from Southern Bon Vivant, invited me for a drink at Dovetail, a farm-to-table restaurant in Downtown Macon.

Our friend, Ryan, whipped us up a delicious glass of Sangria. 

Earlier that day, I got the opportunity to meet a ridiculously talented chef by the name of Michael Wright. He is the Corporate Chef for the HotPlates Restaurant Group. He has traveled and worked under some of the most talented Executive Chefs in the Southeast. I interviewed him for an article that I am writing for Macon Magazine. 

I also got the opportunity to interview tons of super talented coaches for this summer's Otis Music Camp for the 11th Hour. (Otis.. as in Otis Redding.) 

Lots of good writing ops ahead. 

Finally, my staff put on a fantastic tea party for mommies and their daughters. 
They ladies got to make tussy mussies, learn the "language of flowers," and go on an herbal scavenger hunt in our Victorian Garden.

Oh yeah.. one more thing.

What do you get when you mix Nutella + Bananas + Espresso?

THIS. 

Ocmulgee Trader's

Sitting In The Tower

Surrounded by hotel shuttle info, Southern Living, and website updates

 “You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don't know it, all of that doesn't even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It's not like you have forever, so don't waste any of your seconds, don't throw even one of your moments away.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

I have not wasted one single second.
2015 has shaped up to be a glorious year. If I set aside the financial struggles (which, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, we all have them to some degree,) life has truly made up for the cosmic cluster f*ck it shoved down my throat in 2014. 

With that being said, I have been extremely busy. So busy that I can't think of a sufficient word to describe how slightly overwhelmed I have felt. 

Luckily, this past weekend I was able to pull it together and sort out my thoughts. When this happens, I am able to write... again.

I thought the best thing I could do today, is share with you some of what I have been up to. In the world of "me" - there is never a dull moment. ;-)

I suppose we could start with Easter weekend. I went down to spend it with my S.G. This is Preston United Methodist Church. This is the church he grew up in. 

We had a relaxed Easter lunch down at the cabin, The entire family (and extended family) came down for a Potluck dinner Fishing, Paddle Boats, and tons of laughs. 

That weekend,S. G. took me out to eat for a nice steak dinner at The Station in Americus. Quiet, relaxed, and the food was pretty good.

We also went antiquing in a little town called Sasser.

I found the quirkiest items in one shop called "Alice & Jay"

In my evenings - a little Skype time with my S.G. & his girls always makes my night

I even got some Auttie Blossom time. Don't you just love the 8 year old attitude?

Finally made some time for my "Mean Girls" lunch date. 

Got another story published - this feature was in the 11th Hour. 

Bonding time.,

Then there was this event I threw.
Oh yeah...
Please watch the video...
I'm quite proud.. really..

Then....

Of course... I just had to attend the Just Tap'd Craft Beer Festival in Macon. 

The turn out was spectacular. Even with the rain!

This past Saturday, I attended Betsy Campbell & Gary Ballard's wedding. What a surprise - for her reception (and first dance,) Otis Redding III performed for them! (Yes, that's the son of THE Otis Redding.)

Sneaking a pic with the bride. To the right is Josephine, a dear friend and Station Manager of Georgia Public Broadcasting, 

Finally, I'm always harping on about how cool little Macon is... or how much it drives me crazy. Just like family, when it does something to make me proud, I like to show her off. Well... we're in the May 2015 issue of Southern Living.
And yes.. the people selected are awesome. All very involved in our community and good people.


Well... that's been my past couple of weeks. 
Nothing profound to share.
Just living life.

I have a busy week ahead - conducting three interviews for some stories I've been asked to write, Otis Redding Music Camp for the 11th Hour and The Amerson Water Park reopening and a spotlight on Hot Plate Group's new chef for Macon Magazine. 

Good stuff!

I am also participating in Bibb County's Relay for Life on Friday night. I'm on the Bibb County Executive Leadership Board for the American Cancer Society. I am looking forward to a very successful fundraiser.

THEN - GUESS WHO TURNS 9 THIS WEEK?

Auttie Blossom!

And finally - I am headed to the American Alliance of Museum's Annual Conference in Atlanta for a week. 

Busy Busy Busy.

What are YOU up to?

PS - Sitting in the Tower refers to my office. We call it the tower. Our house is large and the view from my office over looks Mulberry Street. 

I Did It For The Beard

A few weeks ago I was scanning one of those publisher's catalogs that gift shops and museums get. You know the kind, one peddling the wares of this company or that. As I was checking out the various entries, I came across one book in particular that caught my eye: "Bad Ass Civil War Beards" by Anna Hider and Julia Hider.

I stopped.

I laughed.

You see, I run a historic house in Macon, Georgia that happens to be an homage to life during the Confederacy. The home was built in 1853 and belonged to a plantation owner and probate judge, Judge Asa Holt. The home is a planter's townhouse and absolutely the quintessential antebellum home.

One of the goals I have set for myself is to really increase their  bottom line. I noticed the home/non profit did not have a true signature fundraiser. Then it hit me - why not do something that will celebrate beards. They are all the rage these days with younger, hipster type guys. Not to mention, most of the volunteers of the house are Civil War reenactors and a majority of the men have burly beards.


Okay.. now that I had the idea of celebrating the beard - but what else? It hit me - A Gentlemen's night. But what else do guys enjoy down here? Well.. hello! Bourbon... and BACON.

Boom - Now I have a fantastic fundraiser called Beards, Bourbon, and Bacon: A Gentlemen's night at the Cannonball House.

Let me tell you - it is coming together so nicely! There is a fantastic barbershop in town called, "The Gentry."

photo found on the Gentry's website

The gentleman you see in the picture is going to lead a discussion on the proper growth of a beard, how to maintain and care for your beard, and what face shapes work best with different styles.

Then... I figured, if you are going to celebrate the beard - we should have a BEARD contest. Softest/longest/bushiest/most unique stash, etc.

Plus - we will have a local historian and author, Wayne Dobson, share the history of the styles of beards. Apparently the 1850s - 1860s were considered the "Golden Age" of beards. 

As far as bacon goes, the house is super lucky to have the United Daughters of the Confederacy involved with the home. The ladies of the UDC plan to create a large variety of bacon inspired dishes!

Finally, how do we do the bourbon? Oh boy - this is a good one! Ryan Smith is a mixologist at Dovetail restaurant in Macon. Ryan is known for his extensive knowledge about bourbons/whiskey.

Photo credit: From Ryan's Facebook - Jessica Whitley

Ryan plans to share about four different bourbon options: high grade to mid grade. He is also working on making some bacon-infused bourbon in a barrel that he plans to sell.

We will have the tasting back in the old kitchen that is basically lit with soft lighting and candles. It will be incredibly authentic.

To top it all off - CIGAR GROTTO in the beautiful garden - complete with reenactors singing songs.

The event is going to be Saturday, April 11 from 7 - 9pm. Tickets will be $20 a person.

I am sooo excited and hope that we are able to secure some good sponsors and have a great turnout!

Any of my friends or readers that have ever considered visiting a southern town - this may be the perfect trip for you. No beard required and yes, ladies are welcome!