Southern Send-off, Meet Blogtember

Most of my fabulous followers know that I end each week with a Southern Send-off. Just a little something southern to get you on your way to a great weekend. And since I am taking part in the Blogtember challange, why not combine the two?

So today's prompt for Blogtember is to write a "a story about a time you were very afraid."

 

Well, I was very afraid when Darius Rucker released Wagon Wheel.... I know this is not a real tragedy or life altering event to most people but it sorta really made me afraid.... This is a classic, southern song, right up there with Family Tradition or Dixie Land Delight.Why mess with that?

 

Truthfully, the real reason this whole thing makes me afraid is because this song has a very special place in my heart.  Believe it or not this was our wedding song. That's right folks, we danced our first dance as man and wife to Wagon Wheel!

Reid and I love this song. Way back when we had just started dating, I was living in Charlotte and we would frequent all too often a local bar, Ed's Tavern and this song was on its play list. It just hit home for us, we were in a long distance relationship and one of us was always "heading down" the road to one of the Carolina's to see their "baby tonight". 

I was actually upset when I heard that Darius Rucker had bought the rights to Wagon Wheel. My friends sent me text messages saying they heard it on the radio.... I thought "oh no!!" this song is so special and should be kept as is!
 

Ok come on.....I mean, doesn't it make you just a little sad to think that most people believe that Darius Rucker wrote Wagon Wheel? This whole younger generation is now singing along to this "new" hit. Living in the south, I know that the true Wagon Wheel is preformed by a crazy bunch called Old Crow Medicine Show and you must give a listen here!
 

  Now, I am not saying that I do not enjoy Hootie, I think he is wonderful, loves his country and a proud southerner! Other than be being a HUGE South Carolina fan, I think the man is fabalous! In fact last night Reid and I, along with another couple Lorin and Jeremy, braved the Richmond country music scene to see Darius Rucker preform at Snagajob Pavilion. 

 

It was awesome weather and even better company. It feels so good to get out and take in all that Richmond has to offer. We even caught a glimpse of a beautiful hot air balloon dropping low for peek.

 And the crowd! It was so diverse and so Richmond. I was shocked that the mood was so somber in the begining when Darius was just singing country but the second he pulled an old Hootie & the Blowfish song out the crowd went wild. There is the Richmond I know!  He, of course, ended the night with Wagon Wheel and Purple Rain - DUH!

Also, congrats to Darius for being the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, you can't get more southern than that!

 

Even though I am not in love with Hootie's version of Wagon Wheel, we all had a great time!  Maybe I should take a lesson from my post yesterday and be nice, and not be afraid of change.... I should embrace it and be happy that our song is out in the world. (I still think the original is better and always will!)

 

What do you think?

 

Have a grand weekend loves!

 

CAD

 

Ps. Do y'all want to know a secrect? Hahah can't believe I am telling you this. I actually wrote this post on my phone while standing in line at the porta potty.  Eeek! Sorry I am not sorry!  xoxo

 

be nice Caroline!

Good mornin y'all! I have decided to link up with Jenni over at Story of my Life and join in the fun with her Blogtember challenge! She will be suggesting a topic to blog about each weekday in September, hence the name Blogtember. The topic today is "Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered".

My mother always told me to be nice.

Growing up, I remember times when I would be upset at a friend or boyfriend and go vent to my mother. She would always respond with the same thing "Caroline, be nice" UGH Be nice? Fine Mom, I will BE nice. And the really annoying thing is that she was always right! Mom's have a way of being that way. 

It sounds so simple doesn't it? But being nice is actually really hard to do. After all, we are girls aren't we? Often times, we get the urge to give another girl the stink eye because they are in a really cute outfit and all of the sudden what you have on looks like poo! ugh

be nice Caroline!

 Being nice really does cross all sections of life and is generally the southern thing to do. I try to live by this simple piece of advice every day, whether it be at work or at home. Now I am not saying that I am nice everyday but sometimes you just have to be the bigger person, step up and be nice, even if it almost kills ya.

So next time you are stuck in a sticky situation, take the high road and kill em with kindness. You will be happy you did! And being nice has all sorts or advantages! One of my manages pulled me into his office today to say thank you for being nice! See, you never know who is looking! 

make sure you check out my other post today here! 

Later loves!

CAD 

ps..... thanks mom!

Dinner Anyone?

It was a Saturday night, I had just worked 10-5 and Reid and I were long over due for dinner and a movie. We decided at 6pm that we were going to shoot for the 7:50 showing of We're the Millers, which is laugh out loud, clap your hands, snort kind of funny. 

But where to eat? Reid and I are always in this predicament! 

Since Richmond is known for their diverse food culture, we try really hard to not choose a chain restaurant. But with so many cool places to choose from we usually PANIC and end up at the same old stand bys because Reid is now starving and I am so indecisive. 

That night we actually ended up at a great new restaurant in the ever thriving Scott's Addition area called En Su Boca. Don't worry, I have a post coming soon with our rave review! Even Reid is getting used to this blogging thing and now asks if I need to take a pic before he can eat. What a sweet hubby! 

Our indecisiveness got us thinking....Why don't we compile a list of places that we want to try, try them and then let Virginia Sweet in on the juicy details? 

Here is what we have thus far in no particular order: 

En Su Boca

The Roosevelt

New American Tap House 

Pearls Raw Bar 

The daily Bar

Heritage 

Blue Goat (new menu)

Curry Craft

Estilo 

Café Rustica

Black Sheep

Lunch 

We are defiantly taking suggestions of other places to add to our list - any ideas? 

See y'all tomorrow for another southern send-off! 

Till then Loves, 

CAD 

ps...make sure you check out my Blogtember post here! 

game day and tailgate reveal: Clemson vs UGA

Did I already mention that we just had the best time at the game this past weekend? Being in Clemson is a home coming for my husband and seeing him there, happy and with his best buddies is one of my favorite things! Clemson is also a true southern university, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by lakes and cowfields this university is a must see!

outside Death Valley

 I don't know how to explain it, the energy in Death Valley on Saturday night was electric. Now, I must confess, I was sorta bored for the first half ....Clemson would score, Georgia would score, Clemson would give it a go and Georgia would return the favor and so on and so fourth.... Exhaustion was also setting in (we had been up since early in the am and I did not sit down all day!) so I was more than happy to trudge back through the massive crowd to our tailgate for half time. (YES Clemson does let you leave the stadium and re-enter during the game... they even stamp your hand. How very efficient????) I also must admit that the thought did cross my mind to not re-enter the game. Y'all, I.was.spent. and it was already passed 10:30pm BUT I put my big girl panties on and headed back in to watch the rest of the game. I am so glad I did!!! When Georgia missed that field goal during the 3rd quarter our Clemson Clan knew that we had a shot. The crowd began reacting to Clemson's every move and cheered our Tigers on to a glorious victory!! What a feeling to be a part of such joy and excitement!

As promised from yesterday's post, here is a snap shot of our day:

packed and ready to be loaded

boys were supposed to be packing the car! 

we drove past ESPN College Game Day on Bowman Field

it's all in the details!

custom Clemson logo for our Clan! Thank you Kate and Terri for the cookies and cups!

Pimento Cheese!

candid corn hole shots

just some random fun pics! Love that industrial fan we had! 

poor Georgia fans! 

Clemson Wins! 

Well folks, other than an interesting stop off at McDonalds at 1:15am, that about sums up our day! What did you think?? Phew, I am really tired just thinking about it but so thankful we made the trip! 

Later Loves!

CAD 

and we're back!

Well,  we are finally home and I am exhausted from a wonderful Labor Day weekend full of tailgating, friends and family, lots of time on highway 85 and a BIG win for Clemson! 

Clemson fans rushing the field after a victory over UGA

The football gods were defiantly in our favor as the Tigers beat the Dawgs but I can not say as much for the weather gods....it was a typical South Carolina day - hot, sticky, a little sunny, a little rainy and humid.  

But we did it! Thanks to Ashley and the other Clemson wives, we put on a fabulous tailgate, clad with silver trays, picture frames, burlap bunting, chalkboards, a custom banner and cups, and personalized tailgate cookies thanks to Kate! (see if you can spot Virginia Sweet on her blog!) 

This is just a sneak peek of tomorrow's post as I promise to reveal our Clemson inspired tablescape and unique touches that you will for sure want to steel! 

As for the rest of the weekend, Reid and I had such a great time visiting with our friends and his family in Greenville, Sc! We are so lucky to have our own room at Ashley and Andrew's house in Greenville when we visit and they are just the perfect southern hosts. And as a special treat, Reid's parents drove up from Columbia on Sunday to brunch and spend some time with us and the rest of the gang!  I must say that if you have never visited Greenville, South Carolina, check out this charming little southern town! 

So as we start this Tuesday back at work, or first day of school for all you VA people, I know I am thankful for many things: good college football, great friends, Labor Day sales at the Gaffney outlets and the return of the pumpkin spiced latte, which will, for sure, be getting me through the day! 

Check back in this week for my tailgate revel, adventures in Greenville, details on a much needed date night and a classic southern send-off! 

till then loves,

CAD

ps.... Virginia Sweet just hit a big number of page visits today! So if you are out there, leave some love or follow me!