on the boardwalk

While Nellie napped with the windows down, Ryan and I took advantage of a dog-less moment and headed to the Atlantic City boardwalk to take in the sights of this great American landmark. I've long had a thing for the Atlantic City of yore (Boardwalk Empire hasn't hurt this obsession), and though I've known for awhile it's nothing like my gangster dreams I still had to see it for myself. It was nothing and everything I'd dreamed of. 

The boardwalk was built upon the request (read: demand) of a train conductor and hotel owner who didn't like that sand was getting into the train cars and resorts popping up along the shore. So, they built the first boardwalk, and over the years it's gotten higher and broader and more grand than the original. Casinos didn't line the boards until much later, but they're now the main attraction of this tarnished gem along the Atlantic Coast.

I prefer the tiny shops, and local color to the dark gambling halls, but to each his own. We headed every which way, peeking into shops, and stands, and desperately seeking out ice cream. A girl has to have ice cream sometimes guys. A giant cone covered in sprinkles later, I was a happy camper. Atlantic City we'll be back. big kiss, bekuh

FOLLOW ALONG:

jersey shore trippin

After days of grey clouds, and thunderstorms the skies opened up and the sun shone high on Saturday. We took advantage of this break and headed east to the Jersey Shore for a little family fun. After a long search for a dog friendly beach, we landed on the north end side of Brignatine beach which was amazingly uncrowded and full of dog lovers like us. I always imagined the shore to be wall to wall condos and trashed beach bars, but Brigantine was surprisingly peaceful and the perfect retreat from the city streets.

Brigantine was Nellie's first experience with the ocean and she was hilarious to watch. She wanted so desperately to be in the water but hated the waves, so every time the water went out she jumped in and when the waves came rushing back she ran to shore. We finally got her swimming a little bit, after about two hours of trying. Ryan on the other hand took to the water like a big fish. I think he was really born a stingray, and only recently learned to be human to fall in love with me. ha!

I'll admit it was a bit cold for me to dive in, so I mostly ran along the shore and dug for "perfect" shells to admire. Nellie didn't seem to mind the exercise, and she was pretty good at digging up the shells still connected by ligaments. I think she was hoping for a few oysters on the half shell, I wouldn't have minded some either.After a few hours in the sun, we were all ready for a little ice cold drink (and a nap), but first Ryan and I had a boardwalk to see. Tomorrow we're going to Atlantic City on the blog baby! big kiss, bekuh

my music man

Ryan turns 25 today, he is now a quarter of a century old. I remember 25 feeling a little weird, like the end of youthfulness or some drama. I hope he doesn't feel like that. My hope for this birthday weekend is that Ryan will play guitar, we'll listen to lots of good music, and eat good food, and drink some of the best beer we can afford. I know today is kind of hard on him as we haven't met many people in Philadelphia yet, and we're far from home, but we have some grand slam plans for this evening and we'll make it special anyway.

Even though there are no pedals, cords, microphones, or instruments to open I want him to know he is loved beyond measure. Something really special occurred this week, and I feel like it deserves mention. For the first time in a long time we spent an evening creating side by side, he on his guitar, and me on canvas. It felt liberating, and special. Though we didn't speak there was no denying a connection between our processes. We're both so protective of our individual creations that this small step towards sharing in the process was a pretty big deal. That evening was a gift, one I see us revisiting more frequently in this year. 

For Ryan's 25 year I see a lot of new experiences, and discovery. His creative spirit cannot be denied. He is my music man, and I love him. Happy birthday handsome. big kiss, bekuh

48 Hours of Sweet Dreams

I'm missing that handsome mug of my husband's right now. I'm on a quick trip out of town, and I can't stop thinking about him. I'll be home late tonight, and you better believe I'll be kissing that face. It's Friday which means two days of relaxing with him, and 48 hours of sweet dreams. I can't wait. big kiss, bekuh

A Listening Party

This past weekend the local record label that Ryan works tirelessly on, Sewn Together Records, had their first listening party. This party was in honor of their first physical release, You Are Here, that is officially released today. Did you catch all those firsts? It was a big weekend for the STR boys and I was so happy to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun to share a few photos from this intimate gathering, and boast about my amazing husband's achievements. He's pretty incredible if you ask me.

STR is a joint venture that Ryan works on with his friends Austin and Shaun (pictured below). Austin is the President and founder, while Shaun works on the PR and Marketing for the label. Ryan's main role is as the business officer (his degree is in music business), and I've been beyond impressed with his immense knowledge and expertise in this area. In addition to being behind the scenes in producing this record, Ryan also mastered all of the music for the vinyl, and has a track on the release. He's kind of an over achiever.

For those of you who may not know what a listening party is; it's basically a chance for everybody involved with making the record to party. They all come together, and celebrate all their hard work, while listening to the album completely through from start to finish. It's a pretty cool thing to hear everyone's response to it for the first time. You Are Here is unique in the fact that it's a compilation album of local bands, covering local bands. So basically the party was a giant thank you to the music scene in Roanoke. I'm excited for physical release number two now! big kiss, bekuh

PS- It's the last day to enter the Holly Mame Giveaway! Enter for your chance to win any two pieces of Jewelry.

Ryan's 24 Birthday! Story Time

My loving husband's 24th birthday is today! 

It's hard to believe a year ago we were still just dating, and just beginning to contemplate a future life together. I shared 10 reasons why I love him last year and though I could easily come up with a 100+ more reasons why I love Ryan I've decided to spare you the ooey gooey details. Instead today I want to share a memory with you.

I first met Ryan when he was 19 years old and still living in Florida for college; he was home for winter break and we shared a meal with friends. After he left we occasionally chatted using Facebook chat (does that even still exist?) but rarely talked on the phone. I knew through a mutual friend that he had a bad case of insomnia and one summer night I decided to call him.

I was working as a waitress close to my Mom's house that summer, and most nights after long shifts I would head an hour into Roanoke to hang out with friends. Feeling the need to take a night off from everybody I decided to camp out by the lake in my parent's RV. With no power, and the sun having set hours before I had a lot of time to think. After an hour or two I felt restless and needed someone to talk to so I picked up the phone and dialed the first person that came to mind, Ryan.

As we talked I made my way to the dock and sat cross-legged at the edge looking out over the water and up towards the stars. Ryan and I talked for hours. We talked about history, and future plans, we talked about our childhoods, and we talked about the great outdoors. We shared a lot about things we loved that night and before we got off the phone we said our first "I love you." The love we expressed was not one of romance or lust, but simply friends sharing their deep appreciation for one another and the care we both felt in our hearts for the person on the other end of the line. We have said I love you every time we've left each other since that night; even when we've left a little hurt or angry. 

 It would be almost three years before our love matured into what it is today. Loving Ryan has been, and continues to be, the most natural thing in the world to me. I am grateful for those early days of friendship before butterflies, and flirtation, and first dates. And I am grateful that he is still the first person that comes to mind when I just need to talk and look up at the stars. I love you Ryan more than any words or memories. Happy birthday handsome. big kiss, bekuh

On the Cooling Board

My fabulously talented husband played out as On the Cooling Board for the first time in a loooong time recently. It was so much fun seeing him play and he had a few new tricks up his sleeve that were awesome to listen to and watch. He's so dreamy (hehe).

He played at this dive of a bar in Vinton, VA called the Horseshoe alongside Another Roadside Attraction and The Bloodroots Barter. It was a raucous night of music, friends, and people watching.

Our good friend Ben R. Williams introduced Ryan to the crowd in a sea-captain-worthy manner and it definitely set the tone for the performance. Ryan's lyrics are a continually morphing thing, in true blues fashion, so every show brings something new and exciting for the listener. His song "Eyeball Soup," is always a favorite.

This was the first bar show Ryan's played as On the Cooling Board, though he's played non-bar venues before. He really thrives in a large setting like this and as his set went along his personality really shone through. He never plays his music for me one-on-one so I got to hear new songs for the first time along with everyone else that night. I like surprises.

Take a listen to Ryan's most popular song as OTCB, Destroyer, and have a great day!  big kiss, bekuh 

Ryan's Song to Me

In honor of Valentines Day being this past Tuesday I thought I'd share a song that Ryan wrote for me right before we got married in October. Ryan is an amazing musician and I love his new project On the Cooling Board, a one man band heavily influenced by pre-war blues and early alternative. I'm so proud of all the work he's been putting into this project and he will have a new album out this Spring!

I've hesitated sharing this on the blog earlier purely because the thought of someone writing a song about me terrified the ever living day lights out of me and made me extremely uncomfortable. I was mortified the first time he sang this in front of our friends because of the attention that I was receiving. But now I listen to it secretly when he's not home and love the work he put into this super special surprise for me. Heart really captures those first confusing moments in our relationship where our three year friendship suddenly felt like something more. We've both been broken but now that we're together all of that heartache makes sense because without it we wouldn't know how good we've got it now. So listen up.

You can download this and other On the Cooling Board songs for FREE at Sewn Together Records the record label that Ryan and our two good friends Austin, and Sean have been tirelessly working on to offer great Roanoke music to the masses without the record store prices. You owe it to yourself to check them out. big kiss, bekuh

The Outdoor Circus

Recently while I was home and we had an Outdoor Circus, just the name makes it sound like the best time ever. The festival highlighted some pretty awesome outdoor gear and demonstrations for people interested in all the wild, wonderful, outdoors that surround our region. Along with all the outdoor goodies they had music. Ryan and a group of his Music Lab students planned and ran sound for all of the acts involved in the festival. Everything got kicked off on Friday and went through until Sunday afternoon.

It was a lot of work and a lot of fun and Ryan was incredible. He worked so hard to put a good show together and it came off so well! His brother played in the afternoon and sounded great with his new band; and our good friends from Greensboro, the Old One Two were the mainliners. Of course I bought a t-shirt and kept warm with copious amounts of hot tea. big kiss, bekuh