Singing. Sips. And Strokes.

Hope y'all enjoyed the Tour Diary Video from yesterday!!! I will be posting the next one REALLY soon. So keep your eyes peeled :)

I was back at Ben's studio, Hat Factory Cinco, today for just a bit. Ben is mixing a new song of David's that is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to hear the final version! And I got to sing pretty, airy backgrounds on it :) awesomesauce.

Last days before a big stint on the road are always a bit chaotic. It's usually when I realize how little I got done no matter how MUCH I got done while I was home.

But the one thing I did accomplish today was completely awesome and not at all work or music related. It was actually related to something that I have absolutely NO talent in whatsoever. Painting.

Jenn Cancino took me to a place called Sips and Strokes which is a "step by step" + BYOB painting class. Jenn and I were pretty hardcore with our waters and sprite :) I am usually one of those girls that sticks to polka dots and stick figures when I am expected to draw something. But I am so proud of myself!!! THIS was REALLY REALLY fun! The class was sold out - birthday parties, Red Hat Society Ladies, ONE token dude, and lots of spilt wine. (Mostly from the lady sitting directly behind us! HA!)

Jenn and me all excited to paint:


And our finished paintings! Mine's on the left... hers the right... You can tell I like big, dramatic hair...


It's amazing how different all the paintings looked as you looked around the room. Some people choose different skin and hair colors. But more than that, everyone's approach was so different! I HIGHLY recommend doing this if you live close to one! They have locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. And I'm sure there are similar places throughout the country. I can't wait to go back!

Peace. Love. Fiddle. Sips. And Strokes.
~natalie

Smores, Horse Rides, Skiing - Not The Typical Bar Gig

We just crossed the border into Ohio. We've been driving ALL day :) And now it is time to stop for a few hours.

This weekend was non-stop. And SO fun. My head starts spinning when I think about starting to write a blog about the whole thing because there are so many fun stories. I figured I would in the car today... you know... since we drove almost 15 hours...
But between driving, , snoozing, (not at the same time!) and just mentally resting a bit... I never even got my computer out!!! It's weird to be in my "office" and not be on my computer these days. :)

It was 50 today in Stowe as we were packing up. Gorgeous day. It's quite ironic, though, to be watching people ski down a mountain in 50 degree weather! The only times I have been skiing were in Tennessee and both times it has be in the 40's and 50's - and they had to put fake snow on the mountain... I LOVED skiing when I tried it. They had offered to get us lift tickets and gear to ski today. But we needed to get on home. :( But ONE DAY!!! It looks like the most fun.

Our route took us on a bunch of state roads this afternoon. Vermont has so much untouched land. The snow, the mountains, the rivers - the whole landscape is unbelievable. And the little towns don't even look real. They are all so picturesque - like they are straight from the Charles Wysocki calendars Mamma has always had.


Our show yesterday afternoon was unlike any other we have ever played before!! I have never watched people skiing while playing a show! It was a HUGE area in the main ski lodge. So yeah.... not quite the typical "bar gig" :)

This was the view out the window behind James:


In the upper left corner of the pic - they're making smores around the fire, horse rides, people putting up their skis... what a great atmosphere.

And this was one of the views out the front window:


I hesitated to share these pictures - the mountain is so much more majestic in person. This doesn't even come close to doing it justice. But it at least gives you an idea of our view from stage.

So I'm gonna stop now. And tomorrow, I will get ALL the pics uploaded and organized to share the stories! Nashville - here we come!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.