Ashland, Virginia –The Center of the Universe.

Through the Lens Thursday

Home, sweet home.

This weekend I’m heading home to Ashland, Virginia to attend one of my oldest and dearest friend’s wedding. Even though my hometown is only 1.5 hours away from D.C., I know I don’t make it home quite enough!

There are many things I miss every day about this small, sleepy train town like my Sunday dinners with my mom, afternoon ‘tinis with my favorite Aunts (and pups),  waving at every passerby as I rock on my front porch, hearing the train roll by as I fall asleep, snuggling up with my household pets, and visiting with high school friends….just to name a few :).

I still find it quite humorous Ashland’s tagline is “The Center of the Universe”, and I can’t help but crack a smile every time I drive by our town welcome sign. As I’ve grown older though, I’ve realized when I come home I do feel just that way, in the center of my universe.

Needless to say, I’m super excited to see my family, friends, and somehow squeeze in an amusement park visit to Kings Dominion on Sunday.

Here are a few night photos of my home town:

Iron Horse Restaurant

Night Train

Cross Brothers Grocery

Library Statue

Resting Cowboy

Railroad Tracks

Ashland Train Station

Waiting for the midnight train

Thankful Tuesdays

Life Long Friends

Well I wasn’t very good at keeping my Lenten promise this year, which was to write 5 things I’m grateful for each day. I started out strong, but my dedication withered as the 40 days and 40 nights continued on (hey I’m no Ashton Kutcher).

So in an effort to remind myself of the many, many things in my life I am truly thankful for and to make peace with the big man upstairs by keeping my promise, I’m starting ‘Thankful Tuesday” (again, a sucker for alliteration).

Today I’m thankful for one of my oldest and dearest friends, Whitney who came to visit this weekend.  We hadn’t seen each other in months, but it felt just like we saw each other yesterday.  There’s something rare about childhood friends that instantly brings happiness and comfort to this big, new world I’m in.

Luckily we escaped "Operation Adam's Morgan" 🙂