Interstate bloggings

So the month of August has been a busy one for me. I have traveled from Virginia to California to Indiana back to Virginia then to Tennessee and finally back to Virginia. A little before my travels began, my dearest old friend Elizabeth came to Hokieville to visit and to ride her bicycle around our beautiful mountains. We loved playing host and hostess to her and hope she comes back real soon.

Me and Elizabeth

Next stop, California. I went the Anaheim to present a poster over my research at the International Association of Food Protection annual meeting. It was a pretty good experience, lots of learning and whatnot, but not very action packed. I did walk down to the downtown Disney area one night where I managed to capture this blurry picture...

(it says C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A)

but all in all, not a lot of photo worthy happenings.

I left California and headed to Indiana for the second annual Riverstock arts and music event. It was a pretty big deal this year. Mom and Dad busted their tails getting the event together, including bands, food, friends, and a little arts and craft booth. Klayton and Molly put together some pretty cool t-shirts which they nearly sold out of, and O.P. roasted some mean Boston butt (so I was told). We managed to raise over $200 for the Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis. And we all had fun doing so. We were blessed with great weather. We couldn't have asked for things to turn out any better than they did. Just ask Dad's horoscope that day. Another successful year. Good job Mom and Dad.

The art booth

The blurry band.

The blurry crowd.

After Indiana, I came home to Hokieville for a few days before heading off to Nashville for Tegan and Jesse's wedding. The weather was not on our side in terms of temperature. It was at least 100F the whole time we were there, which limited our willingness to get out in the city and explore. That is the only negative to the trip though. Tegan and Jesse had a beautiful wedding and a great reception. We rarely get all of Ian's side of the family together in one place, and we really loved hanging out with everyone, and meeting new family too. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the event.

Post-rehearsal dinner. Ian showing off his bow tie. I couldn't be more proud.

The "Groom's cake"

Tegan and her parents

Some of The Bacon's

The Danielson's

Man, I wish this picture wasn't blurry.

Tegan and Jesse with Harper, Finley, and Hadleigh

And this picture, which I LOVE, Ian and Tegan after the reception.

Now Ian and I are back in Va for a while. School started today, even though I only have one class. I am teaching Food Processing this semester. I also have my preliminary exam in September. I have a busy semester ahead of me, and not much school left. Ian and I are still loving the new house, and can't wait to get some visitors, so get us on your schedules please!

Riverstock 2010

Get ready for River-stock 2010. Our little local music and arts festival should be bigger this year than ever! New this year: We'll be taking donations to go to the Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis. Proceeds will stay to help those in need in Madison County.

Bring a covered dish and lawn chair. Great entertainment , activities, fun for all ages.

So far, the music line-up includes:
Ricky D. Copeland, Jason Beamer, Dan Daugherty, Martha Baker-Green, Earl "the Red Tornado" Shell, James Maidlow, Henry Connelly, Jeff Hardin, Larry Arnold, Phil Sylvester, Barry Seacat, Rick-bob Barton, Steve Loser & Youthgaurd, Doug Wimer, Mark Jacobson, along with Nick & Tony "Bub" Harless...we be jammin'

Be here this Saturday, Aug 7th. It all gets started at 3pm. Leave me a comment for questions or concerns. Can't wait to see you there!