Summertime, and the Livin is Easy

Reason I love the summertime # 27: Cook outs

My last post got me thinking about all the other reasons that I love the summertime. Many of my favorite summertime memories, spanning from when I was a child up through college and beyond, involve a good cook out, or as I've learned can also be referred to as a Barbeque.

But we (the Flory clan) always called it a Cook Out, which I feel is a very fitting name. After all, the main event consists of cooking out. So why not call it a Cook Out?

It wasn't until I moved away from home that I learned differently. I said Cook Out and people gave me blank stares. You know, where you grill hamburgers and hot dogs and your grandma brings the macaroni salad? Oh, you mean a BBQ? No, I mean a Cook Out.

Well, as it turns out, they're exactly the same thing. Of course I'm partial to Cook Out as it's what I grew up using, but BBQ is also a fitting name and so I also may at times use it when trying to describe the goodness that is grilled meat and corn on the cob on a hot summer night.

But never, no never will you catch me calling an Elephant Ear a Scone. People may try to convince you otherwise, but they are definitely NOT the same thing.

Boy, I love semantics.

Play You Like a Record

Reason I love the Summertime #62: Summer Concerts

I know it's not quite summer, but I've already got a head start on my concert going, and I have quite a few more scheduled in the upcoming months.

A few weeks ago, I went to the "Music Inspires Health" tour, featuring April Smith, Ari Hest & Ingrid Michaelson - all amazing artists. I was blown away at their talent and have been singing their songs in my head ever since. It was a really fun show and afterwards we stuck around and got to meet all of them. It was very relaxed and fun and I am happy to have new music playing in my head.      

Me with April Smith

  

The gang in Charlottesville               

Feist

Last weekend I took a last minute trip to Charlottesville with a group of good friends to see the Feist concert. They had been planning on going since Easter, however I regretedly did not buy a ticket. At the last minute, Brittany wasn't able to attend and so I bought her ticket. I am glad I did. Charlottesville is about a 2 hour drive, but that made it even better because it felt like a mini-vacation. Nikki even rented a mini-van so we could all drive down in the same car (very good choice Nikki). It poured on the drive down, but it was a beautiful drive and even better to spend the time with some great friends. Road trips are by far my favorite. You always make great memories that would never have occurred otherwise.

Like having Micah ask for tots at the drive thru of Taco Bell and Wendy's. Turns out they don't have them, which was a bummer because he and Kristy sure do love those tots.

Or Claire, making goofy faces in every single picture that was taken.

Or having an amazing car ride karaoke session to the music of Hairspray.

Or learning that Heather makes THE best peanut butter bars. Ever.

Yes, road trips are incredible. 

And Feist was amazing.

It's been a beautiful day today and thanks to Pope Benedict XVI, I got to spend a portion of it outside in the sun. The Pope was in Washington, DC today and in a unique and possibly once in a lifetime moment, I got to see him ride down Pennsylvania Avenue in his pope mobile.

He started the day at a welcoming ceremony at the White House, where he addressed around 13,500 people. Unfortunately I was not one of them, but thanks to many up- to-date news sources I have heard bits of what he said. Most touching to me was his remark that he hoped his presence would bring renewal and hope for the United States.

Among the masses on Pennslyvania Avenue this afternoon, I think I saw a bit of that hope. There was excitement, full congregations celebrating in dance and song, believers waiting for the chance to see this great man. I too found myself anxious for the opportunity to catch a glimpse and was glad for the brief moment as I saw him ride along. I was impressed with the thousands and thousands of people, all there for the same brief experience, to pay tribute and respect to the pope.

The picture below was taken by a co-worker. She had a much better view up above. I was down on the street level and in a rare moment - did NOT have my camera. I'm glad she got such a clear photo.

Dance, this is the way they'd love

Perhaps I am biased, but I find these videos hilarious. This is my nephew Ian. He is known for always cracking a joke and making us all laugh. And he's pretty darn cute too! 

Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight

This was a video taken of my niece Nora at Christmas time (please don't mind the camera angle). She is quite the funny girl and I happened to catch her with a quick video. I found this the other day while going through some photos on my computer and it made me laugh really hard. I hope it does the same for you.

Nora Kate - we love you!

The Best Part of Waking Up

You know it's going to be a long day when you arrive to work and the Starbucks machine is out of order. Since I don't drink coffee, this really shouldn't affect me. But, within 10 minutes of arriving at the office, 5 different clients had come to let me know that the machine was not working. I of course assured them that we would have a service person here as soon as possible. If you don't already know, people are not happy when they don't get their morning coffee.

Which adds to the reasons why I'm glad I don't drink the stuff. Though I once lamented to my mom that I felt everyone in the world had a competitive edge on me because they drink coffee and other caffinated beverages. My natural energy level just can't compete with that. And in a society where I feel pressure to complete more in a day than I have hours, it sure would be nice to have an extra boost.

But the biggest temptation comes from my favorite Folgers commercials...who doesn't want to have mornings like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmgdH8oAcG4

Popcorn Popping

Favorite salty snack: Popcorn *

I could eat it most all the time**

Today at work, I mentioned I was hungry. My coworker said, "There's microwave popcorn in the kitchen." She's only worked here for a month and already she knows me well. She graciously agreed to share it with me since I can't justify making a bag just for myself.

While digging through the bowl, as I'm prone to do, to find the half popped kernals, I remembered something my good friend Micah told me awhile back...something about someone selling only the half popped kernals.

I turned to my favorite search engine***, and sure enough in .30 seconds, I found what I was looking for; popnots!!!

Unfourtunately, their website is being upgraded and I cannot currently purchase online, and the closest store is in Scranton, PA. Looks like it's time for a road trip to the home of my favorite show. ****

http://www.popnots.com/

* Not exclusive and subject to change upon any given day, mood or time of the month.

** Not recommended while blogging.

*** Google

**** The Office