Paint Party 2012

This weekend was fabulous; (most of) my fam came to Roanoke, saw most of Roanoke, and conquered a $&*%-ton of painting!

 That's the short version. So stop here if you don't want to go through a zillion pictures and hear the nitty-gritty deets.

Overlook at the Roanoke Star from Mill Mountain

For you poor brave souls reading on--there's plenty more to share. Friday my Mom, Dad, and brother, Robert, came to the Valley to see our new place and to serve as "The Help" (as they referred to themselves). ;)  They got into town late on Friday and we quickly decided the painting could be put off until morning. After a full tour of the new house we got into the car and set out for a tour of our new city. We drove up to the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. For those of you planning to visit (and you better!), we've decided this is a must-see when you come up. If you don't get your picture taken from THE STAR at some point when you visit, you're missing out. On second thoughts, we might just make it mandatory.

After the driving tour of downtown and our adventure around the neighborhood/other parts of town we indulged in a happy hour (or two) (or four) then got the grill fired up to cook out some burgers. We ate all together in the (new to us) dining room.  We broke out the backgammon set and had a low key night. We knew the tasks ahead of us Saturday were looming and inevitable. 

Man's BFFs: Dog & Grill

The grub line.

Oh, there's strategy involved.

 Saturday came early and after a good dose of coffee for everyone we got to work (except for Chris, who, insanely enough, doesn't drink coffee). We had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the dining room, foyer, and kitchen to tackle. Chris and I chose a different color for every room and the "Paint Crew" was just thrilled with that. ;) We (with some hearty advice from Mrs. Jennie Morgan) decided to choose a very neutral palate so that the rooms would flow. Actually most of the colors downstairs are on the same paint strip (they just vary in tint). [Special shout out to Robert Farry for hooking us up at Sherwin Williams!!]

Complete Before/Afters are coming soon (in the next post!) but, for now, I am gonna show you how much fun the Morgans/Winchesters can have (even if we have to paint 7 rooms in one day).

The task force.

Mrs. Jennie Morgan

Chris had a little helper

According to Robert...(L + C = WORK) 

As you can see, we have an amazing support system! They MUST love us a whole lot to drive 4.5 hours to help paint our whole house, right?! We finished up the painting at 5ish, cracked a few well deserved beers, and had time for a little R&R before our night out on the town. Here are a few action shots:

Backgammon again.

This was the first time Dad beat Chris in ping pong!

Me and my Stella

Cheers!

We managed to pull ourselves together, shower, and head out on the town for a late dinner. Each time we go out, Chris and I are also trying the restaurants for the first time with our guests (for the most part). We elected to try Blue 5 and, boy, was that a good decision. They not only have a great menu with a little bit of everything for everyone, the atmosphere is incredible. This place has Blues inspired decor and they even had a guest band to entertain. After a few songs, we all had to pick our jaws up off the floor. Robert even commented that they were (by far) the best band he has ever seen in a bar. Come to find out, there's a big reason for that; the band, Mac Arnold & Plate Full of Blues, has some serious history. Mac Arnold has played with the likes of James Brown, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, produced Soul Train, and he originates from Greenville, SC! We not only got to watch him perform, we all MET him and got autographed CDs. Talk about a reward for a day of hard work.

Mac Arnold & Plate Full of Blues

Mac playing his wireless Gasoline Can Guitar around the restaurant

All of us with Mac Arnold

Dad and Mom chatting it up with the band members...Those groupies.

Needless to say, we had a phenomenal night out! Sunday came early and after a small breakfast of cinnamon rolls and grits, we had to say our goodbyes until next time---the Ball State v. Clemson game. A few short hours after my fam departed, we had our second round of visitors! Katie (Chris' sister) and her boyfriend, Danny, stopped by on their way back from their summer roadtrip to Long Island & DC for lunch and quick tour. It was SO sweet of them to come and we had a great time. We ate at Grace's Place, a little pizza joint, in the small downtown called Grandin Village area near our neighborhood . Here's the proof!

Clearest day yet from Mill Mountain

(Mandatory) Roanoke Star picture

Grace's Place

 This weekend I learned how to play backgammon, that I love Blues music, painting parties actually fun, and family is completely priceless. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all our visitors this weekend. The support our first weekend here together is huge. BIG thank you to Mom, Dad, and Robert for your love and hard work!

Love,

Someone Seeing Stars