As I mentioned in Monday's post, Lonnie and I went on an overnight camping trip for his birthday. We decided the best camping method for us was to drive around Pisgah National Forest and park at one of their several roadside camping areas, which meant that we wouldn't be in a campground, but we also didn't have to hike to get to our tent-pad and fire pit. We ended up finding a really good spot, with enough space to park the car off the road closer to the tent. The site was close to a babbling creek, which we later found out was more than likely a part of a larger river that we could easily access by driving a few minutes down the road. Our site also had a trail we could hike, and there were plenty of other trails nearby.

S'mores were assembled and eaten, and hotdogs were grilled over the fire. The weather the whole trip was some of the most gorgeous we've had all summer. Yellow monarch butterflies breezed by as we set up camp and gathered firewood. At night, fireflies started to appear one-by-one and the stars tagged along. The main focus of the trip was to get away from the city and the traffic and the people, and in that sense it was a total success. Time passed without knowing what hour it was. We didn't have any service, so the only photos I took were on my camera and none were shared on Instagram. Instead, we shared quiet moments together, listening to the stream and the cicadas.

Looking back, this little camping trip highlighted that sticky-sweet deep summertime feeling that really only lives in the tail-end of the season, and I'm so thankful for that. Living in the mountains for this past summer has been very different than the others I've known growing up, the ones spent at the beach and by the pool. This summer has felt less like a big long vacation and more like summer camp, especially with it being my first summer not living at home. None of this is bad, especially considering that I never went to summer camp as a kid. Overall, I'm thankful for the ways that I've grown, been bit by the adventure bug, and gained independence, and this little weekend getaway was just what I needed to take the time to reflect on those things.

10 things.

10 things I'm thankful for this week:

1. Lonnie surprising me with pizza and the best bottle of rum he could find (two of my very favorite things) to celebrate our 5 year anniversary
2. having a guy I can count on to always be loyal and loving
3. extra lime
4. hiking up to Crabtree Falls
5. My best friend Samm texted me to let me know she was in town for the day so I met her and her family for lunch at Early Girl and ice cream at The Hop
6. waking up slow with the late summer sun and re-watching Fried Green Tomatoes in bed
7. making brownies with Brandon on the rainiest day of the week
8. pressing flowers into sketchbooks
9. finally buckling down to achieve my goal of exercising 4 days this week instead of my usual 3
10. getting all dolled up for a date night out

from the fair.

Lonnie took me to the Blue Mountain State Fair. Now I have talked about how important the fair is to me before. (My Senior Prom was even Fair-themed!) And since we both weren't home to go to my hometown's fair this year, we decided to give the fair up here a try. We both really enjoyed it, but we didn't ride any rides because there wasn't a wristband or anything you could get for 20 bucks that allowed you to ride everything as many times as you wanted. Our hometown fair had that deal, and anything else seemed like a waste to us in comparison, so we just spent our money on food.

And oh my gosh, did we eat a lot of food. We had Vermont maple cotton candy(that's what Lonnie is putting in his mouth in the picture a few shots up) and homemade barbeque pork rinds(I can't believe I just typed that. I don't like pork rinds, but these were different and amazing.), both of which we snacked on throughout the trip. I also had a foot long corndog and fried cookie dough(my favorite).

We listened to bluegrass and looked around at all the baby farm animals. We even saw a sea lion because they had a sea lion show!

cheers to three years.

Lonnie and I have been together three years today. I wasn't sure how to compose a post for this life event without being super cheesy. I didn't even want to include the above triptych because how cliched are kissing pictures, right? But look at how little we were just three years ago! We were just kids. We still are. We didn't know what we were doing then, and although we have learned and grown exponentially within the past three years, we still don't have a clue what we're doing now half the time.

But all of that is okay with me, because there is absolutely no one else I'd rather figure out everything with. There is no one else I'd rather have spent the past three years of my life with. Things haven't always been easy, but they have always, always, always been worth it. I am so in love with the best friend I've ever had and every moment that realization hits me like a wrecking ball, I am filled with the utmost joy and gratitude. 

I have got to keep this post fairly short, otherwise I will find myself spilling out even more cheesy confessions. Therefore, I am ending with the certificate pictured above that I recieved on our 3 month-versary. I have now officially survived 3 years, and I want a damn trophy this time.

may flowers.

A few quick updates:

Lonnie showed up to my house on Mother's Day with gorgeous yellow tulips and roses for my mom and I. They're making me smile.

It's finally warm and staying warm. This is hopefully the last time I will have to repeat that sentence this year.

I've been keeping myself busy while waiting on a call to confirm my summer job orientation schedule. I've spent a lot of time with old friends going to old places, while having new experiences and new conversations with some new friends added in. It can be a tough act to balance, but I think I'm doing fairly well at it. I'm having fun, at least.

I have been eating so much fruit lately. Pineapples, strawberries, and bananas are my ultimate favorites, especially when mixed together.

One of my first days back was spent rafting on the river which flows all around my hometown. I even jumped off a rope swing for the first time. I have some high hopes that this summer will be drenched in water. Lake trips and beach trips are already being planned. 

let's take a drive.

Spring suddenly appeared, so Lonnie and I took a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway to eat lunch and drive around a bit. We packed a picnic of sorts and then went to the Visitor's Center and the Folk Art Center. Photography wasn't allowed at the Folk Art Center, but there was so much cool art for sale which I wish I could've taken home with me. The weather was absolutely perfect outside, and it has actually stayed warm ever since! A miracle. Students are doing their homework in The Quad and tanning in the Botanical Gardens, I've welcomed shorts and sandals back into my wardrobe, and smoothies from the cafe in the Library are tasting better than ever.

I feel like all I ever blog about is the weather, so I really loved seeing this post on Ashore the other day. Sam's writing is beautiful, and I absolutely agree with what she said. I definitely associate the coming and going seasons with the seasons of my own life.

I can actually see that summer is not too far off, and I am becoming increasingly happy about it. We registered for classes for next semester on Monday, and I really love how my schedule turned out. I have no classes before 10 a.m. and only one class on Mondays. It's starting to get to that time of year where things are looking ahead and I can't help but want to speed everything up. Hopefully, I can remember to slow down in order finish out this semester with full days brimmed with adventure like this one.

lonnie's house and guinea pigs.

My boyfriend Lonnie got guinea pigs. Well, Lonnie got a guinea pig and named her Zoë(first picture). Then, he got another guinea pig and named her Zena(second picture), because he did some guinea pig research and learned that guinea pigs work best with friends. When Lonnie finds a new interest or hobby, he does all sorts of research on it and meets people(online via forums or in real life) who are also interested in it. He does something all the way or not at all. There is no in between.

Anyway, when he originally got Zoë, he built her a cage(last picture). Then, since getting another guinea pig, he built a bigger, temporary cage to house the both of them(third picture). I was pretty impressed by the first cage. I like that Lonnie does things all the way or not at all and I like that he is handy and creative. He can make so many wonderful things, and as a maker of sorts myself, I'm glad to share that love with someone.

Also, Lonnie learned that new guinea pigs can be handled better by wrapping them up in a towel and then feeding them(first picture. the towel also stops them from pooping on you.).

Lonnie is also currently obsessed with guns and shooting(fourth picture, taken while messing around for my photography assignment. gun is not loaded, obviously.). I find it somewhat interesting(at least as opposed to his other obsession: cars), and he is going to take me to the shooting range so I can learn more and learn how to shoot. We also have a camping trip planned for when it gets warmer out and alongside that, we had a long conversation the other night about our shared desire to get healthy and active. We will both start eating like guinea pigs(fresh fruit and veggies!), and Lonnie will try to convince me to start running with him. We'll see.

sweet like honey.

Prior to Valentine's Day, I painted my nails sparkly pink and gold.

I also did some much needed toiletry shopping and and bought jars to organize my office supplies. I couldn't find a desk organizer I liked, but these jars were perfect. I can always use them for something else if I happen to stumble upon an organizer I like, but for now, this is working really well.

I worked on this Valentine for Lonnie the day of Valentine's Day. I had a dream the night before that I was back in Mrs. Sowle's classroom painting with oil and mineral spirits. I woke up aching for it. Now this is by no means considered serious art, but it felt good to break out some watercolors and brushes and put paint to paper.

One of my hallmates, Corey, taped candy to everyone's door. Corey's awesome like that. I got a laffy taffy but traded it with Brandon for this pink lemonade lollipop. I love pink lemonade anything.

I wore a loose fitting pink shirt, burgundy jeggings, a cream colored cardigan, my gold sparkly flats, dogwood shaped earrings Lonnie gave me, and a ring shaped like a heart with floral detail. Curled hair and pink lip butter, of course.

As a complete side note, dorm room pictures are killing me. The light is always bad and the grey and blue (and messy) floors and tabletops do not make pretty backgrounds at all. I apologize.

Despite me telling him not to get me anything because we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, Lonnie showed up to pick me up with potted Chrysanthemums. I am so not a roses in a vase kinda girl(unless they're orange roses), so I accepted these. Now I just have to try my best to keep them alive.

He also ignored my meal request. I wanted to go to Taco Bell, but he took me to my favorite restaurant that we've been to so far in Asheville: The Moose Cafe at the Farmer's Market. It's nothing fancy, but they serve their drinks in mason jars and give you biscuits with honey and (as I found out yesterday) have some damn good fried chicken. It's just a really happy place.

Another side note: my restaurant taking pictures are always the same, I know. I get so shy taking pictures in public so I just snap one quick picture and try to hide my camera by keeping it super low. It's something I need to work on.

Overall, my Valentine's Day was filled with love. The need for me to call my loved ones was pretty much erased because I am heading home today! In less than an hour, actually. I'm still not packed. Of course.