Many of you spoke up recently and suggested I branch out a little more with my posts, so consider this my first official "branching out" post.
Jerry and I drove to Richmond, VA a few weeks ago to see Iron and Wine perform at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. We decided to take advantage of this unique experience and make a day of it, taking in the gardens and even eating a late lunch at one of the venue's restaurants. We arrived around noon and as soon as we walked into the doors, we passed by this guy, who was leisurely strolling around the gardens in his flip flops:
Sam Beam aka Iron and Wine
I couldn't believe I FINALLY got to meet one of my favorite musicians. He was so nice and down to earth. Also, it was really weird how accessible he was. We kept bumping into him all day in the gardens and chatting. Jerry got to confess to him that we mowed our grass, which was inspired by this article that I had read to Jerry on the trip up there. We also asked Mr. Beam how it was to play at such a variety of venues, since he had been in a big city venue in Philidelphia the night before. He answered is his soft, laid back voice, "Variety is the spice of life, man." So fucking cool! Oh, and speaking of fucking cool, he looked right at me and waved when he was on stage later that night.
Here's some photos Jerry took of me strolling through the gardens looking very boobalicious. This outfit should look familiar. It was very comfortable, but it was hot that day and my legs couldn't get much air, hence the hiking up of the dress.
Jerry wasn't the only one taking photos that day. I've recently been trying my hand (and eye) behind the camera. Jerry's been trying to teach me the ropes, but I'm a slow learner. The gardens provided the perfect opportunity for me to practice with the camera, but I still needed Jerry to help me adjust the settings to where I wanted them. I was happy with my shots, but I could definitely tell the difference in quality between Jerry's shots and mine.
Jerry's Best Shots
Bonnie's Best Shots
Notice I captured the bug in mid flight on this one. Dumb luck.
After we had our fun in the gardens, it was time to line up for the concert. As luck would have it, severe thunderstorms came rolling through the area around that time. The folks running the show were nice enough to let us all wait it out inside. This was the scene for a couple of hours.
The girl to the right in the green dress with the white straps has on a Anthro dress. Only I would know this useless information.
The rain finally stopped, and we were able to take our seats. I managed to snag us front row and center ones, and then the drinking commenced.
All that was left to do was to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Oh, and take a few more photos.
Jerry's Best Shots
Bonnie's Best Shots
Posts
This is a lovely post - you look so happy and lovely, and yall's pictures truly captured the essence of the venue! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a stellar night! This is such a fun, happy post! Love the flower shots, especially yours with the red flowers (not sure what those are). You are one cool chic, Bonnie...and a red wine drinker! A girl after my own heart!
ReplyDelete(Cathy was here and loved this post!)
It looks like you had a great time! Gorgeous pictures (both of you).
ReplyDeleteGAH! Tried to comment already - drinking some champagne. Anyways, good to see you happy! You look like you're having a great time, and I love when you smile with teeth. Jerry's photos are lovely as always, and yours aren't so bad either ;)
ReplyDeleteHi just tried to comment and disqus is being annoying. My comment was way more eloquent the first time, before disqus deleted it, I promise!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say I enjoy your blog and your posts, including this one. It's nice to see this other side of you, enjoying life and a relaxing fun day:)
Also I have been a long time reader of your blog and as a fellow shy, introvert and lover of anthropologie I identify with what you write about.
I also think you should write about what you care about and what makes you happy. Who cares about what the readers want! This is your blog and I admire the care and effort you put into it and I admire your blog for not selling out to a ton of advertising and affiliate links like some of the other blogs I read seem to have done.
And I enjoy reading your posts:)
Hope you keep writing and all the best with everything:)
That looks like a great time and you look very happy.
ReplyDeleteAHHHH! Bonnie, I am SO jealous! Iron and Wine is my all-time favorite and I can only dream of watching a live performance. <3 Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteLove all of the flower pics!
ReplyDeleteGood job with the photog, Bonnie! I love your dress - it looks really hipster and romantic at the same time. Glad you guys got out to have some fun AND that you shared it with us. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteOh, Bon Bon. Let me see if I can summarize what I'm seeing here: you wear a dress that emphasizes your bodacious attributes, walk around the garden hiking your skirt up to mid-thigh cuz you have hot legs (shout out to Billy and Dusty: love yew guys!), get all handsey with the talent, swill wine from a plastic cup and flirt with the lead singer from front row center. Um. Sounds kinda groupie-ish to moi. No wonder Jerr has that look of consternation. He understands that behavior, even if you don't.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side: we have teefs! Oh... and no infected hairs. Always a good thing.
Cathy: Do you happen to have a relative named "Kilroy"?
ReplyDeletewow! what a great post with awesome photos: music, flowers, fashion, all in one, love it and thanks for sharing considering not all of us could ever meet mr Beam up close and personal.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, I really enjoyed this post. You look so happy and the photographs are great (both yours and Jerry's). I've never heard of this band but I might take to YouTube, can never resist a band with a horn section!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mandy!
ReplyDeleteHi, Louise! Great to see you again! Look at that cute baby in your picture! She's getting so big!
ReplyDeleteIf the horns are what turns you on then you will probably only be into the most recent album, Ghost on Ghost. Iron and Wine is constantly evolving his sound. He started out very striped down with hushed vocals and acoustic guitar and banjo. I actually prefer his earlier work. He has some of the best lyrics out there. I do love me some horns too, though!
Thanks, Olya! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm going to try and do more post along the lines of this one in the future.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to you, Richard? You used to be such a fun loving, happy guy. Now, all your comments come across as bitter and judgmental.
ReplyDeleteDid you read the article I linked to? I don't think he is all that concerned about appearances. Dude doesn't even mow his grass. I kinda respect him for doing his own thing.
Sorry about Disqus! It can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I really appreciate you sticking with it and finally getting a comment through.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words. It means a lot! I'm so happy you are digging what I do here. It's people like you who keep me going.
Oooh, champagne...fancy! Glad you found my photos "not so bad." It's the best I can hope for. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHi, Tonya! We did have a great time! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteha yes this picture was taken last October when we were in France, she's almost 21 months now! I probably ought to change it. Thanks for the recommendation, I'm off work Monday so I'll check it out :)
ReplyDeleteI am trying to catch up with my reading, and WOW...what a great post. I loved everything about it - the photos, your happy smile, just everything. Thanks Bonnie!
ReplyDelete'one cool chick' - I'm in total agreement! When the day comes that we can 'beam us up' or, over, to a meeting spot convenient for us all, I'm sure you, me and Catherine would be awesome, red-wine-swilling pals.
ReplyDelete