Photo From the Past: Pink Roses

Starting late last night we experienced an intense thunderstorm with plenty rain and wind. It was akin to the hurricanes/tropical storms that I lived through in Wilmington. Last night I woke up around 3 or 4 for some reason and looked out the window. The sky was red and the wind was whipping through the trees and pushing the rain sideways. Always a sight.

Today my daughter and I took a walk in the gardens to survey the remnants of the storm. The bog garden was full of big puddles; some much, much bigger than normal puddles. My daughter wore her new rainboats (we bought them yesterday) and she had fun splashing. After splashing in the puddles she would sit in them. Luckily, I had dry pants in the car.

I have gotten a new battery for my camera and lot's of film and should have new pictures soon (hopefully of rain and ducks). Enjoy the weather where ever you may be.

The New UPS?

My grandmother read it like it was a word instead of an acronym. "I sent your package ups, should get there tomorrow." There was a point when I tried the pronunciation out, but people just thought I was dumb, whereas my grandmother was charming. I guess that how it goes. She had a contagious smile and laid back laugh. She never said, "hi," she said, "Well, Hey..." and gave you a hug.

This week good old ups paid us a visit making me wonder: didn't they use to knock? They didn't always stay to chat, but at least gave the common decency of letting you know they were on your front porch and leaving a package. In the past few years their delivery has gotten shakier and shakier, until today when, I'm quite certain, the delivery man threw my package from the truck door or at least the sidewalk. I heard a thump. A loud one. The package contained only clothes so no real harm done. Other than the fading memory of delivery men who were courteous and I was able to communicate with even if it was a just a wave and a thank you as they headed back to their truck. Oh, the bygone era when we people interacted with each other in person, face to face, with words, smiles, and sometimes even a wink (another of my grandmother's fave).

Varied Thoughts

My camera battery is dead and my supply of photographs is dwindling. It's times like this that I am thankful that I go overboard when taking photos of flowers at the various gardens. Hopefully, I will remedy this tomorrow. We have had an exciting past few days. Yesterday, we were rear ended at a stop light. Luckily, we're fine and looks as though our bumper took on all the pressure. I've never been in an accident as a passenger and it is a definite shock to the system because I had no idea what was coming. Of course, a crying baby and the immediate, desperate concern for her well being probably also had to do with the tension in my shoulders. Within a minute of my freeing her from the car seat she was laughing and playing; thrilled to be able to crawl all around the car while we waited for the police. Thank goodness it is all over.

It has been raining nearly non-stop these past few days. We are greatly in need of rain here, so it is a good thing. Plus, I am so tired of these 90+ days, I desperately want to pull out some sweaters and long sleeved shirts. Even all the rain hasn't made it too much cooler due to the thick humidity. On our walk today I saw plenty of joggers in minuscule shorts. Oh well. I know fall is on the horizon because the leaves are slowly changing, but it sure is taking an awful long time. I know that I will wake up one morning and the leaves will all seem to have changed over night. It always seems to happen that way.

Photos from the Past: The Audition

I'm not totally back in my routine because I still don't have a Flip'n Friday for today. Instead I thought I would share some production stills from a film that I made in graduate school. It starred two dancers from Greensboro; one is now dancing in L.A. here and the other teaches in Greensboro and has this lovely etsy shop where she sells clothes for children. This film was adapted from a short story that I wrote in high school.

Also if you want to watch a video of sorts check out this performance from the Avett Brothers. This song always gets in my head, but I love it, especially the line, "it's not the chase that I love, it's me following you." Don't ask me why.

Back to the Routine

My mom left on Tuesday and yesterday my routine felt all out of whack and I couldn't make it to the computer. I think I (we) are getting back on track; mostly because I am back to having my "me" time tonight. My husband and daughter are passed out. I can use the computer and watch anything I want on TV. Small pleasures.

Today is my good friends birthday. I have known her for about two decades. Long time. On her birthday I can reminisce about bygone years, but since she is older than me I always feel young. The only time being older was a benefit was when she turned 16. That was a good year for her. You'd think 21 would have been good, but she said it wasn't too fun because no one else could go out to the bars with her. She was 30 first and will be 40 first. And some people say a month doesn't make a difference.

Of course it comes back to get me because me other friend that I've known for almost three decades is younger than me by a month and a half. So I'll be feeling old in January.

Happy Birthday Lindsey! Love you.

The Dancer in the Garden

This wonderful sculpture is hidden in the trees at the bicentennial gardens in Greensboro. There are many sculptures throughout, but I never noticed this one until my daughter found the swings in the memorial garden. As we were swinging one day I looked over and there she was. So lovely, yet somehow fleeting. Most of the sculptures in the gardens are solid and were placed in clearings to highlight them. I wonder why she is so hidden, just an outline. Yet, there is something about her that is full of life and beauty.

Until I was about sixteen I really wanted to be a ballerina. There is something so magical about tying the ribbons on your pointe shoes. I still have a pile of them that keep in a box under my bed. My very first pair I hang on the wall. I'm hoping to spend this year working on a documentary about ballerinas. It has always been my goal for my two loves to intertwine: ballet and film. Here's to dreams.

Late Summer Flowers

Somehow all these flowers keep holding on around town. The leaves are starting to fall, though I am not sure from where since all the trees are green. I keep thinking that soon the flowers will be gone, but they seem to hold on and on. It seems as though the seasons change very quickly and the moment that I stop looking a the flowers I am sure that the leaves will suddenly change. It never seems to come gradually. In October we will be going to visit family in Asheville and I hope that the leaves have changed by then.

My mom is visiting this weekend. We picked her up at the airport today: me, my husband, my grandmother, and my daughter. Quite a welcome, huh? We are excited she is her and I may not be posting much until she leaves next Tuesday. I have been so busy this week that I did not get a Flip'n Friday edited. Hopefully, next week I will be able to edit a trailer for Drowning Slowly. 

Wordless Wednesday (Strawberry Bread)

Strawberries

The other day the grocery store had strawberries buy one get two free. I wasn't planning on buying strawberries, but couldn't pass it up. Knowing that they were more than likely on such a good deal because they were about to go bad. Luckily, I love strawberries, so does my daughter, but my husband is so-so.

Immediately, I chopped up a box to make a strawberry sauce to put on yogurt. My daughter loves it (and me too). I had many great ideas of how to use them, but other than a really good loaf of bread I ended up not using them all. I'm kicking myself for not freezing some. Too much of a good thing I guess. Today I noticed that strawberries were buy one get one free. Though it was extremely tempting I passed. My mom is visiting this weekend so I probably won't be baking too much.

Mother and Daughter Night

Tonight my daughter did not want to fall asleep. It wasn't the cranky, I'm too tired to go fall asleep kind of night. Instead, she was playing and eating graham crackers and having fun. She only fell asleep about ten minutes ago so I haven't had anytime to write a good entry today. Hopefully, you will enjoy these photographs taken at the gardens during one of our mother-daughter walks.

Flip'n Friday: At the Farm

At the Farm from Chelsea Wayant on Vimeo.

While in Vermont almost a month ago we visited an amazing farm that boast brand new piglets. Sweet as can be. I know that it has taken me awhile to get this footage edited, but it has been very busy at my house. Plus, it takes a lot to make a video every week. Soon I think I will be make Flip'n Friday a monthly installment instead of weekly.

If you are ever in Vermont I recommend a visit to Shelburne Farms, particularly if you have children. My daughter was only about 15 months at the time and she enjoyed it, though the older kids seemed to be having even more fun than her.

For those of you that are new to this blog every Friday I post a video for the week. Normally, I shoot the pieces with a simple Flip Camera, but every now and then I will use my Canon or edit footage from one of my films into a trailer or whatnot. It just depends on the week. You can see all the Flip'n Friday here (or just check out this and this, two of my favorites).

Stolen Roof

As a sign of how bad the times are, recently someone stole the donated copper roof off of the gazebo at the Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro. My daughter and I walk here every morning. Luckily, it is so beautiful there that it isn't an eyesore that the copper is missing.Though it is really unfortunate that people are resorting to stealing from public areas. Read about it here.

Wordless Wednesay (Pecan Sticky Buns)

{Recipe}

An Orange Chair

A few months ago I moved my desk downstairs because I couldn't bring my daughter to the upstairs office (there is way too much stuff for her to get into). I didn't have a chair to use in the living room and had to use a kitchen chair. My husband and I upholstered our headboard and I have wanted to upholster a chair as well. Years ago I used to watch House Beautiful every Sunday and they did a profile on a woman who fixes up chairs and have always wanted to try it myself.

The hardest part was finding a cheap wooden chair. It took me a good month or so to find one. Our living room is light blue and my sister suggested orange would pop well in the room. We had to completely rebuild the seat because the wood was coming apart. I'm very happy with it and excited that I finally fixed up a chair.

Arrival of Autumn

Nearly every morning I take my daughter on a walk at the bicentennial gardens. During the month of August beautiful butterflies have been everywhere. This last week or so they are starting to be less in numbers. More than often I notice them moving slowly or sitting on a flower with their wings barely moving, even with a breeze.

Today while my daughter gathered rocks and played with her sidewalk chalk, I noticed some yellowed leaves that have fallen from the tree in the front yard. All the flowers seem slightly wilted though sometimes one perfect one tries to peak out its unblemished petals. It seems that Autumn is starting to come around. It has taken awhile it seems because the heat has been so incredibly high.

I have to admit I am looking forward to cool breezes, golden leaves, and sweater weather. I'm sure it is still far on the horizon, but luckily I can finally see it. I know relief is on its way.

Flip'n Friday

Yard Sale: Moving to Hawaii from Chelsea Wayant on Vimeo.

This week for Flip'n Friday I've made a piece about my sister's garage sale. She moved to Hawaii on Wednesday and had to sell all of her stuff. This consisted of a lot of clothes. I knew that she loved clothes and had a substantial collection, but it was pretty amazing to actually see it all laid out in piles.

For those of you that are new to this blog every Friday I post a video for the week. Normally, I shoot the pieces with a simple Flip Camera, but every now and then I will use my Canon or edit footage from one of my films into a trailer or whatnot. It just depends on the week. You can see all the Flip'n Friday here (or just check out this and this, two of my favorites).

Hawaiian Cupcakes

Before my sister left she had a going away party and asked me to make some Hawaiian themed cupcakes. These are still from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. They taste so good nobody believes me that they are vegan.

The first cupcake is pineapple, the second is lemon macadamia, and third is chocolate coconut. I had the worst time decorating the last one, but my friend was helping me and we decided that it looks like a volcano. While they are not decorated Hawaii-ish, I used Hawaii ingredients.

At this point my sister has been in Hawaii for twenty-four hours. I talked to her earlier and she says it is really beautiful and she is enjoying watching geckos play. It's a pretty shocking statement to say it is beautiful in Hawaii, I know. Can't wait to visit her!

Wordless Wednesday (Vermont)