Where did July go? a monthly review

The month of July blew in with a powerful windstorm causing most of Virginia to be without power for the first full week. In record breaking temperatures, no less. Here's just a little of what Mr. Price and I had to throw away.

The power at the Price Cabin came on before our apartment, so we spent a few days out there.

Here are just a few things we always do when we are out at the cabin.

We always fire up the grill. Since it was the 4th of July, we decided on grilling hamburgers.

Mr. Price usually takes a ride on his dirt bike. This time he had a nice surprise waiting on him. A bird decided his bike would be a great location for a nest!  

We always enjoy the scenery. I especially enjoy the early mornings when you can watch the fog rise.



And finally, Matt likes to collect rocks to skip in the creek.

July has been a hot, hot month, and there have been several afternoon thunderstorm showers.

To beat the heat, I tried freezing fruit in my ice cubes. It gives my ice cold water a little kick.

Food trucks are definitely trending these days. So on one of the hottest days of the summer, I decided to experience the Noke Truck (Noke being short for Roanoke). Tacos and crepes are the specialty. I had a shredded chicken soft taco and it was fairly good. 

This month our babe turned five months old, and it has truly been a big month for her developmentally. She cut two teeth, started crawling and has now started pulling up on furniture and the railing of her crib! Needless to say, naps are a challenge. I finally had my first mommy outing with another new mom. We had yogurt at Sweet Frog and then took our babies on a stroll on one of the local greenways. It was so nice to get out and have a conversation with someone who could relate to the struggles and joys of motherhood!



Thanks for stopping by! I wish I could update the blog more often, but it looks like a monthly review is all I am able to accomplish these days. Please check back next month!



Monthly Review: june

The months are flying by. And like many of the photos I take of our daughter, it's all a blur. The month of June was a busy one. Mr. Price and I traveled to Charlotte to attend a Gov't Mule concert. If you haven't heard of Gov't Mule, then you've most likely heard of their lead singer/guitarist Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band. The band plays a lot of covers, and they simply just rock it out!

Since Charlotte is half way to our hometown, I had my parents pick me and V up, and we spent a week visiting family in Georgia. Now that I think about it, I think almost everyone saw her this month.  Mr. Price's father and paternal grandparents made a visit to Virginia. And his mother babysat for us while we were at the concert with his brother.

Mr. Price celebrated his first Father's Day. I really wanted to spoil him, but we were so tired from our long trip back to Virginia the previous day, that we spent most of the day napping!  I was able to surprise him with a few gifts.

The last two days of the month were crazy. A strong windstorm blew through most of Virginia, causing the largest non-hurricane power outage in Virginia history. Mr. Price and I lost power at about 9 PM Friday, June 29th, and it did not come back on until Monday, July 2nd. We had two large trash bags of spoiled goods to take to the dump. A lot of our Trader Joe's food was wasted! All I can say is thank goodness for our emergency account, and caring church members. We are now adding a generator to the list of things we are saving up for!

With a power outage during a triple digit heat wave, July sure did get off to an interesting start. Wonder what else the month has in store. We'll be sure to update you soon!

Monthly Review: May 2012

Here's a re-cap of the month of May!

My mom and sister made a visit to see us and the babe. My sister had not seen her niece since she was born. We took a little drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped at one of the overlooks for a picnic. We also picked up some amazing cupcakes from Bubblecake to have a belated birthday celebration for my sister.

We finally started making recipes from the magazine Everyday Food. We have a gift subscription and have about four issues already. We've had some tasty dinners. And I learned from Design Mom that the magazine has daily recipe videos. You can read more about it here.

I celebrated my first Mother's Day. Mr. Price cooked a delicious breakfast for me that we ate on our fine china. He makes the best scrambled eggs.  He gifted me a Pinhole Press journal. I received several other Mother's Day wishes from family members, and even received a gift subscription for a Birchbox. Have you heard of it? It's a neat box filled with the latest and greatest beauty supplies. It shows up in your mailbox each month. A great little surprise. I even found a similar concepts for babies! They are called Stork Stacks. Read a review and see packaging and contents here.

Our babe also had visits from both sets of great-grandparents. And they both babysat for a short time while Mr. Price and I went out for a bite to eat. I'm still not very comfortable leaving our daughter.  But it is nice and needed to have some alone time with the hubby, even if I am thinking about her a lot!

Although I don't have any pictures to share, Memorial Day weekend was the best. I'm starting to love Saturdays. That's when Mr. Price is home all. day. long. Baby was so pleasant. We took a trip out to the creek and she slept from 9:30 pm to 5 am. Oh how I wish that was the norm!!

She has really become more vocal and mobile this month. She's rolled over a few times and had a few babbling monologues. It's so cute. I just wonder what she is trying to tell us.

I'm looking forward to the month of June when summer season officially arrives. We already have a few activities lined up. And V may just go for her first swim!

I LOVE Pinhole Press

images 
There's certainly no shortage of online companies that produce photo books, stationery and other items that show off your personal photos. But I'd have to say one of my favorites is Pinhole Press. I discovered the company while reading one of my favorite blogs - A Cup of Jo.

Pinhole Press offers unique, high-quality photo products. Martha Stewart even teamed up with the company to produce story books.

My Pinhole Press wish list includes a photo book, large day planner, photo magnet, photo journal and I'm crazy about the big book of names and faces.

Take a look at their site and let me know what you would add to the list!

A Neat Story

Today I'd like to share with you what I think is a pretty neat story. The picture below is my baby book. The baby book my mother and father kept for me. It was purchased just months before my birth during a trip my mom took to New York.









One day in June while working at 2nd helpings, I was dusting off some books to sell, and I came across a baby book. Not just any baby book. A Metropolitan Museum of Art baby book identical to mine. I just had to buy it.







I remember telling a co-worker, "I'm not pregnant, but I have to buy this baby book because it is the same one my mom kept for me."

Well little did I know, I WAS pregnant. The very next morning I took a pregnancy test. Since several previous months' tests came back negative, I wasn't expecting anything. But sure enough, on June 4th, the test displayed the word - pregnant!

I think coming across the baby book foreshadowed what I was about to learn. Now my daughter and I share matching baby books!

'bout time

we finally received a real winter snow!

A Temporary Hiatus

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

This week we are celebrating the birth of our first child. We praise God for a comfortable pregnancy and a natural childbirth delivery.

This blog will be on a temporary hiatus as we transition into our new roles as parents!

Love,

The Price's

Roanoke City Guide

A Roanoke City Guide

STAY

Downtown



The historic Hotel Roanoke is probably the most well-known and most luxurious hotel in Roanoke. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. This Tudor-style hotel and conference center is located in the heart of downtown Roanoke and can be seen as you drive by I-581. Its location makes it convenient to walk to many of the shops and restaurants in the downtown area. The guest rooms feature many standard amenities such as ironing board/iron, hair dryer, Wolfgang Puck coffee, flat screen TVs and Internet access. The hotel has a couple options for on-site dining and room service. Their Sunday and holiday buffets are popular with the locals and might be worth checking out even if you do not choose to stay there during your visit.

Northside/Airport

There are a string of hotels located near the Roanoke Airport and the major shopping area.

I've heard that the Best Western is very nice and some rooms have mini refrigerators. Other hotels in this area include:

Hyatt Place

Mainstay Suites


Southwest County

Comfort Suites Inn

Hampton Inn

Holiday Inn

If a Bed and Breakfast is more your style, I've found two online that look suitable.

Maridor Bed and Breakfast certainly looks classy. Each time I drive by I always admire this estate, and was happy to learn that it was in fact a B&B. It is located in the Raleigh Court neighborhood near Grandin Village. Guest rooms feature queen or king sized bedding with private baths. Suites also offer private porches.

Brugh's Inn is a little more quaint. It is located in Salem in the southwest part of Roanoke County. Although the inn is located near a few large businesses and industries, the landscaping provides enough seclusion and privacy for guests. There are three guest rooms each with their own private bath. You can arrange to use the kitchen and laundry if discussed in advance with the owners.

EAT and DRINK

Fine Dining


For years Carlos Brazilian has been voted one of the best places to eat in Roanoke. Carlos is usually the place we go to celebrate a special occasion. And we normally insist that our family members go when they visit. Not only do they serve traditional Brazilian cuisine, but also delicious fish, chicken and steak entrees. Be sure to save room for dessert prepared by Bobby Amaral, an award winning pastry chef. Reservations are recommended. Ask to be seated in the Olinda Room with the windows (pictured above). Plan to arrive just before sunset, and you will be sure to have a fabulous and memorable evening! Carlos also has lunch hours.

Other fancy schmancy places we've heard are very good, but have not personally tried are:

Table 50

Frankie Rowland's

Shula's 347

Other great local (and more casual) dining establishments include

Local Roots - As the name suggests, Local Roots is farm-to-table restaurant. Their menu is mostly comprised of foods that are in season, and ingredients are provided by local farmers. We've only been to their Sunday Brunch, but Local Roots now offers lunch a few days of the week as well as supper most nights. Reservations are encouraged.

Rock Fish

On the Rise - is a bread bakery and a nice place to eat lunch if you are shopping in the Market Square. They serve paninis, sandwiches, pizza and desserts.

Grace's Place Pizzeria - Located in Grandin Villiage. This restaurant has a great pizza joint atmosphere. I love their bruschetta!

Thelma's Chicken and Waffles - Also located in the downtown Market Square. Offers great Southern food! Enjoy the traditional chicken and waffles dinner, or just a vegetable plate.

Wildflour Market and Bakery- Great atmosphere. An old grocery store was transformed into a lovely restaurant featuring fine artwork. Wildflour is also know for their assortment of desserts.

Cafe Asia is in Bonsack. It features a variety of Asian food including sushi.

Ben Gui - We've heard this restaurant is the place to go for sushi.

Allsports Cafe - Sports lovers this is your bar! Great wings!

Last but not least - 2nd helpings Cafe which is owned by the Rescue Mission of Roanoke. This is a fabulous place to eat and visit. The cafe features Boar's Head Meats for sandwiches and wraps, excellent soups and decadent desserts made by long-time baker, Georgia Crump.

Chain Restaurants

The two chain restaurants we enjoy and recommend are Cheddar's and Chipotle!

For Your Sweet Tooth

Of course cupcake bakeries are quite the trend these days, and there a couple to choose from in Roanoke.

Bubble Cake - now in two locations near Grandin Village and West Roanoke

Viva La Cupcake - in Grandin Village

Blue Collar Joe's is a must-see. The original bakery is located in Daleville, about 15 minutes from Roanoke, but well worth the trip. They specialize in gourmet donuts. They just opened a downtown location in the new Patrick Henry Hotel that I am dying to go check out. We think the donut prices are very reasonable.

THINGS TO DO

Roanoke is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, so taking in the beautiful scenery is a must. You can do this by hiking or traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.



Popular hiking trails near Roanoke:

McAfee's Knob

Dragons Tooth

Tinker Cliffs

Sharp Top

If cruising the countryside in a car is more your style, try taking a leisurely drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are several locations to access the parkway from Roanoke.

Popular Stops along the parkway are Peaks of Otter (mile post 86), Mabry Mill (176.1), Chateau Morrisette Winery (171.5) and Floyd County.


There are also several places worth visiting inside the Roanoke city limits.


View art exhibits at the Taubman Museum of Art.

Visit 2nd helpings - an upscale thrift store, art gallery and cafe all in one location!

Tour the grounds, and get a behind the scenes look at the largest rescue mission in Virginia. Tours of the Rescue Mission of Roanoke are given every Monday at noon.

Visit the Virginia Museum of Transportation

Take in lovely views of the valley while sipping on award-winning wine at Valhalla Vineyards

A visit to Roanoke wouldn't be complete without viewing the valley from Mill Mountain. At night you can see the Mill Mountain Star. Children might also enjoy the Mill Mountain Zoo.

Have a picnic or take a walk/run through one of Roanoke's many parks and greenways.

SHOPPING

Of course Roanoke has your typical metro-area shopping stores. There are two malls, Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Kohls, Micheal's, Jo Ann's Fabrics, Walmart, Lowes, etc. These stores are convenient, but be sure to check out some locally owned stores you won't find anywhere else.

Downtown

One of the main attractions in the downtown area is the City Market. It is currently being renovated, but usually features three blocks of vendors who offer everything from local produce, flowers, and photography to hand-made soap. Outside this farmers' market you will find locally owned gift shops, clothing stores and restaurants.

Walkabout Outfitters - products for your camping, hiking and other outdoor needs. They supply big name brands such as Vibram Five Fingers, Merrell, Bogs, Chaco and Teva.

Chocolate Paper - This is a fun store for gifts and fine chocolate.

Ladles and Linens specializes in fine kitchen and gourmet cooking supplies.

310 Rosemont is a hip clothing boutique.
A complete list of retail shopping the downtown Roanoke can be found here.
Antiques

If browsing antiques is more of your thing, then Roanoke will not disappoint. There are several great antique stores throughout the city and in nearby Salem. Black Dog Salvage and Old Salem Mercantile are two of my favorite.

Black Dog Salvage must be worth the visit if Nate Berkus featured the store on his hit design show. Check out the episode here. The store re-purposes commercial and architectural elements such as mantles, doors and wrought iron. It also features a 40,000 square-foot space called the Marketplace which houses home, garden and other antiques from a variety of local vendors. It is sure to be a unique shopping experience.

Old Salem Mercantile Items from more than 50 vendors that specialize in hand-made, re-purposed and gently used items. I'm always able to find something I want here.

The streets of Salem are lined with local antique, gift and clothing shops. You could spend several hours here just browsing the area. Click here for a list of things to do in Salem.

West Roanoke

West Village and Promenade Park are two shopping plazas located near Tanglewood Mall.

The West Village is home to Olivito and another Chocolate Paper location. Olivitio is a new store that carries high quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars. There are several other retail stores, a spa and restaurants in West Village. Click here to check out the other attractions.

Our Little Cherubs is an upscale babies and children's clothing boutique located in Promenade Park shopping mall just across the street from West Village. Another fun attraction in this plaza is Roanoke's only pottery painting and glass fusing studio, Glazed Bisque-it.

Provisions and RSVP share one location directly across from Tanglewood Mall. It is one of my favorite stores. It features upscale kitchen items, home accessories and elegant paper accessories. Love.this.store!

Grandin Village

Grandin Village is nestled in a quaint Roanoke neighborhood just two miles from downtown Roanoke. It has retail shopping, restaurants and an old renovated movie theater. The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op is a unique grocery store that is worth the visit.

January: a monthly review

Here's a look back at the month of January.

This has been a very mild winter for everyone. Today, February 1st, the high may reach 66 degrees. We did receive a dusting of snow earlier in the month.



Since it has been so highly recommended that we take date nights after becoming parents, Mr. Price and I thought, "Why wait?" We tried a new-to-me Japanese restaurant - Sakura.



Within one week I had three baby showers, hosted by these lovely people:

Our Price Family.





My friends and co-workers at 2nd helpings.




My Journey church family.



I experimented with baking.



We celebrated a family member's birthday with breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I think breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!



I finally started taking some baby bump photos.



We are getting organized for baby to arrive....any day now!