Our Vacation to Blowing Rock, NC

Brendan made a wonderful video of our vacation in Blowing Rock, North Carolina with my parents, you can view it here.

this Schnitzel is the Shizzle

We've been on vacation in Blowing Rock, NC this past week. It's been real fun but more on that later.

Today we found a German restaurant in Hickory, about a 40 minute drive from Blowing Rock ~ oh it was awesome. Unfortunately, it took us 2 hours to get there because the signage in Hickory is seriously backwards. So this German restaurant, which we saw on TV last night was voted as the best restaurant in N.C. by the food critic who was chompin' on some pork medallions and spaetzle. We were sold when we saw the Bienen Stich for dessert. He said not to let the location fool you, the restaurant sits smack in the middle of an abandoned strip mall outside of Hickory. The place was packed, a sea of cars in the middle of nowhere... it was amazing. The schnitzel was verrry good! If you are ever around Hickory, God forbid... the Old German Schnitzel Haus is certainly your saving grace.

Happy Birthday Dear Konrad

I can not believe it's been a year already. I'm amazed how much a child develops in just a year, life goes by so fast! He is on the verge of walking, crawling around on his hands and feet like a little baboon boy. He also walks around with his blue cart. He imitates us talking... he'll babble to himself, it's all too cute. We enjoyed the day watching Konrad play in his pool and later opened some gifts.

I'm Diggin' Small Magazine

It has great illustrations, fabulous photographs of children, and links to creative children's stuff. They also feature homemade designy-creative things that make my eyes go big. The overall design of the magazine is cool and I prefer to look at it online actually. This issue has redheads in it, so of course I super love it. Here is a link to Small Magazine.

Putting Up a Fence in Marion, PA

We spent Friday up in Marion, PA visiting our friends. Brendan helped to put up 700 feet of fencing for their goats. I enjoyed hanging out with the children, it was a beautiful day. Konrad got his first tractor ride, petted the goats and was easily distracted with the goings-on of a farm. Brendan made a video of the day here is a link to it.

If you have a Mac, we discovered that while viewing Brendan's videos, if you hold down the shift key and widen your viewing area with your fingers, the video opens up larger.

Adjustments

So Miriam, dear friend of Konrad, Norman and I - as you know is an amazing photographer. She recently submitted her top 24 photos for a job. You can view her selections on her blog here. She's awesome, her work is wonderful and makes me smile... the titles fit the pictures so well. There is no way they can't hire such a great photographer.

Adjustments is one of the pictures and honestly it wasn't until I viewed this picture now do I really realize what my poor Norman has dealt with in the past year. Poor good kind Norman...

Konrad's First Book

For Father's day, Brendan got his first homemade book. It's called Mein Papi. I found 8x8 inch blank cardboard books, drew the drawing in Illustrator and printed them out on sticker paper. I carefully pressed the 8x8 images to each page of the book. I was really pleased how it came out and already have plans for my next one. Brendan made a short video of a reading of the book here. Konrad loves this book and already points to himself and talks, it's cute.

Harper Quy Low

And here she is! I am just overwhelmed with Aunty-dom. She is beautiful. All day I have been zooming in and studying her face, hands, and feet...comparing Low traits and enjoying the amazing little creature overall. I think it's wonderful that Konrad and Harper are just 10 months apart in age, perfect for first cousins!

June 11: A NEW Member of the Family Has Arrived

Harper Quy Low
Born June 11 at 3:40 pm Hanoi time.
7 pounds 8 ounces

Bright pink, chirping squeaking on arrival.
She is stunningly beautiful with Asian eyes the size of saucers.

Brendan and I are a very proud and happy Aunt and Uncle! Photos to follow...

The Politics of Living in a Small Town

Last night we sat through a town meeting to support a friend and neighbor. The meeting left me more depressed than ever in regards to the people here. Harpers Ferry literally wants to live in history forever, it does not tolerate new, creative, or innovative ideas. It is really pathetic. And the people that enforce the rules here aren't old enough to die anytime soon.

It's time for a change... I'm ready to leave.

(Tom Petty's song Time to Move On is now running through my head)