A DAY WITH MY FAMILY

The day before yesterday my Nanna, brother and nephew came up to the hillcountry to spend some time with me.  We had such a nice day.  We had lunch at my house and then we drove out to my parents house to hang out on the land.  Aiden and I took a nature walk, we played mini golf on the porch, and just soaked up a little of the spirit that is out there.  Then we came back to my house and got things ready to go fishing at the river by my house.  Aiden was so excited to go fishing all day.  He had his very own spider man fishing pole.  He was so cute and so into it.  If he could of, he would of sat there all day fishing.  When we were done we went to James parents restaurant and got some food.  A perfect day with my family.  So so blessed.​

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I am so in love with this photo I snuck of my Nanna, reading a book by the window in my parents house.  So so beautiful.  I just love this woman.​

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Aiden had the best time playing the piano over there.  He was naturally really good at it coming up with all kinds of tunes.  So happy that my mom's piano will now be his.​

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One more of this sweet boy fishing.  We couldn't get to any spots where there would actually be fish... (but he didn't know that)  He was just so happy to put his pole in the water.  I took some with my real camera too, I just need to edit them still.  Love this little man.​

In other news... I'm excited to spend some time with our friends tonite.  Jonny is coming over to jam with James and Im delighted for them.  They are both really excited to sit and write songs together.  ​

Tomorrow I'll have the full moon reports from KV up!  Such good ones this time, seriously.  But then again, they always are.  Truly a gift she has.  I'll put up an announcement when they are ready.​

And today is the last day for my huge sale in both of my shops!  Use the code 'DREAMS' to get 30% off in Roots and Feathers, and 50% off in Violet Bella!!!​

CRYSTAL SHOP + FRIENDS

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Our last day in Louisianna, we went back into the french quarter on the hunt for a crystal shop.  We had been looking for one the whole time we were there and finally found out that we were right around the corner from one the first day we were down there.  We were so happy we found it last minute.  It was the best crystal shop Ive ever been in.  So many amazing beautiful stones.  I had to be very decisive and only get ones that really spoke to me for specific things.  Im very happy with the ones I came home with.  ​

We didn't go into the fortune teller shops, but I loved the old signs.  I could walk for days around there just taking photos of old walls and signs.  There are so many nooks and crannies full of textures from age, decay and the amazingly eclectic culture.​  Everything down there is eye candy for the artists eye.

On our way home we met up with my dear friend Katelyn from Gypsy Moth Sol and her two beautiful babies.  It was so nice to see her even if it was just for lunch.  She picked an amazing greek restaurant to eat at.  It just so happened to be Leena's birthday, so I felt super lucky to get to see her that day.  She was all dressed up in costume she got from her party the day before.  And she was in a super sweet mood.  Melted my heart.  It was awesome for my family to get to meet her in person b/c I talk about her alot!  It's kind of funny b/c Ive seen my friend from another state more often this year than Ive seen most of my local friends!  It was the perfect way to end the vacation!​

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION

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On our 3rd day in Louisianna we visited the Oak Valley Plantation.  More than anything I was enthralled with the huge 300 year old oak trees.  They were tremendously huge, hard to tell in these photos just how big they were.  And what made them so enchanting was that they were covered in small ivy called resurrection ivy.  And the roots of them were all knobby and sticking up out of the ground.  And their tree limbs were so long they came back down to the ground and began to grow into the ground.  Truly magical fairy tale land trees if Ive ever seen any.  ​

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They had the prettiest flowers beds around the plantation too.  Below were some of my favorites.  ​

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After the tour of the plantation house, we ate at their little restaurant and I had the yummiest meal.  Im excited to make it at home.  It was parmesean portabello risotto with breaded eggplant and a friend egg.​  so so good!

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SWAMP TOUR

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On our second day in Louisianna we went on a swamp tour.  It was my favorite part of our trip I think.  I loved our tour guide, and the sights were just amazing, and so different than Texas.  The trees in the water were just beautiful.  I didn't have my camera with me, just my phone.  I really wish I had brought it on this trip.  I could of captured so many amazing things that I couldn't see with my phone.  Like the peacock in the tree next to our house we stayed in that was there every night.  And the yellow crested night herons in the tall trees of the swamp.  And the little yellow birdies that were flying around the swamp.  So many times I said, damn I wish I had brought my camera!  I was just in awe of the swamp.  Everything about it.​

​click on the images above to see them larger.

1. tour guide feeding the aligators a weenie // 2. crazy windy hair on the boat while it was going super fast // 3. beautiful trees // 4. more trees // 5. alligator // 6. my auntie holding a baby alligator

I took a million photos of the trees, but I decided to spare you and just share a few.  Really, they all look the same, but man they are beautiful!  Ill be back soon with pics from the plantation we went to.​