60D

This post doesn't have anything too particular. I purchased a new Canon 60D, which I adore, and had to take photos of, well, anything.

1. Maggie

2 & 3. Ana opened up a hair salon in my bathroom

4. Wedding souvenir

5. One of dad's many paintings

the past week

1. We celebrate Christmas year round at our house

2. Franklin sunset

3. Downtown Franklin at 1:00am

4. Franklin Theatre for showing of 'Animal House'

5. Dad's window painting-- perfect when the sun shines through

6. Little guy hanging and night post

7. Jared about to move out of the very college-like bedroom

shooting range

First of all, I don't like guns. They are loud and can cause some pretty serious damage. So, what evoked me to purchase a shooting package from LivingSocial for Guns and Leather? I have no earthly idea.

My nerves were on high alert as we pulled into the parking lot. For starters, I stuck out like a sore thumb in the shop/range, talking a million words per second. Even toy guns pointing at me seem to make me cringe. Real ones are a whole new playing field.

Regardless of my still present fear of guns and minor thumb injury, it was actually a lot of fun. I wasn't too bad either!

Couldn't we have non-human targets?

gluten-free chocolate chip cookie attempt

Ana, Katie and I had a craving for chocolate chip cookies the other night, especially the ones from this day. So, we went the gluten free route because the ones we had at Joe Natural's were to die for.

Well, this decision kinda came later in the night so we had to go to the grocery store, where we couldn't find a couple crucial ingredients. We thought, "Eh, let's swing it." Then, after coming home, we realized we didn't have baking powder--making the the missing total come to 3.

"We'll just double the amount of a couple of the ingredients."

The batter left a chalky aftertaste and the smell was anything but sweet. Then, they seemed to melt rather than cook in the oven. After what we thought would turn out to be a mistake and a horrendous mess, the cookies actually turned out delicious! Not quit the same as the other day but delicious all the same. Lesson learned: If it's a dessert, it will turn out edible.

joe natural's

Thanks to Ana, I had the most delicious, organic lunch in Leiper's Fork at Joe Natural's today. Everything is grown locally, making not only your taste buds dance for joy, but your entire body will just want to hug you because of all the goodness you're loading it up with! Not to mention they have the best chocolate chip cookies I have EVER had. These guys are no joke-- plus they are gluten free! My words to describe their perfect gooiness cannot be justified. The cafe itself is a sweet, southern house that you could sit in for hours to chat.

Today Ana and I split "Beth's Favorite" and the "Newman." Apple butter, cranberry sauce and brie? Yes please. The perfect summer brunch spot has been decided.

independence day

My friend Caleb's rooftop is probably the best spot you could be to watch the Nashville fireworks on the Fourth of July. Away from all the crowds, we enjoyed pizza and beer, listening to the Nashville Symphony as we watched the amazing show, not to mention ending it with the infamous "Proud to be an American." It was as if they put the show on just for that rooftop. After spending all day in the pool with my favorite people I got to finish it off with this amazing night. Thank you Nashville, fireworks, rooftop and friends.

They couldn't get any better...

not a care in the world

Wasn't it nice when all you had to worry about was getting a bandaid for an invisible scratch and what dessert mom packed in your lunchbox? All you had to do was put your energy level on high for the entire day and then sleep soundlessly through the night with a little sunburn, waking up to do it all over again.

This week I did just that. I played ninja, the pool game 'stars,' and was running my own french-braid salon. I ate my lunch in the grass and was pushed in the pool countless times by little ones half my size. I joined in when we made crafts, coating our hands with glue just so you could peel it off when it dried.

Even if you have to pretend, being a kid is the best.

{Camp Wonderfully Made photos by Gina Page}