A Homecomin' (and a little Bar-B-Que)

If you've ever moved away from the town you grew up in, you might understand this next entry because honestly there's nothing like going "home".

What is home you ask? Home...to some it might mean the actual house structure in which one lives, and that is true, but the meaning of home is different for everyone. Dictionary.reference.com defines home in many ways but the definition that stands out to me is: "the place or region where something is native or most common".

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go "home". Eric was traveling (boo), and Thomaston (my home town) was putting on their annual BBQ Festival - Smoke on the Water. We haven't been in a few years, so I decided to take the kids down and enjoy a nice weekend.



It's all about the bar-be-que

The 8 hour trip in the car was well worth it when we topped the hill coming out of The Rock, GA and headed towards Thomaston. It was Thursday afternoon and I could already start to feel the excitment boil inside me as we got closer. We drove down the country roads, onto Highway 19, and finally the trek was over; we were on top of Sunset Hill on R Street...we were "home". Now, this home is not just the house in which my parents live, it is the street I'm referring to. I grew up on R street and always love coming back to it; it's just your typical, quaint mill village. R street is always beautiful with the tree lined streets, but I must say that Spring has to be the prettiest. The dogwoods were in full bloom and they were everywhere. I guess I realized this weekend why dogwoods are my favorite tree...the delicate white flowers that adorn the branches were open like arms ready to embrace me and welcome me home. 
The kids were so excited and I was too. Not only were we going to get to spend time with my parents, aka Mama Suzy and Papa G, but we were also going to get to see and spend some time with my 'big' brother and his wife.
Of course our first meal in town was at La Fiesta...can you get any better? It's the hometown Mexican place, and it's my absolute favorite. It's nothing special, but always tastes sooo good and I can't go home without going there...at least once.
Friday, was a peaceful day. I decided to go for a run, and what a great run it was. As I was running and listening to my music I started wondering why the run felt so good. I felt like Forest Gump...I just kept running. Then I realized...I was "home". All the trees especially the dogwoods were in full bloom and lined those Mill Village streets as if they were the crowd cheering me on...so I kept on and on.
Later in the afternoon it was time to go to the festival; it why we came to town, afterall :o). Garrett (my brother), his wife, Cassie, along with a high school friend, Travis make up the band Soul Kitchen out of Savannah, GA. Every year they open Smoke on the Water, and this year would be no different - except for the fact we were there. The kids were just overjoyed to go see their Uncle Garrett and Aunt Cassie sing on the "big stage". The performance was awesome and as usual they surprised me with how great they are (I definitely did not get the musical gene in the family).




Arriving at the festival



Garrett on the right, Cassie center, & Travis on the left

My big brother doing his thing...



Kids dancing with Aunt Cassie







Enjoying mouthwatering bbq



















I just love this picture!



 













Saturday was a crazy fun-filled day. We woke up bright and early to go to the first annual "Hog Jog". Mama took the kids along with BB on the fun run - or 1 mile. I cheered them on and then they rooted for me as I ran the 5K. I didn't win, but I did make my best personal time of 28:25...yes I'm bragging a little here.



The kids and me before my race

BB, Mama Suzy, and kids before the race

This is me finishing the race...best personal time ever.

The kids taking a ride with BB pulling during the race.

After showering and cleaning up, we headed back to the festival. We spent all day out there. We listened to some great music, the kids played in all the bounce houses and inflatable slides, got their faces painted, and of course we ate lots and lots of bbq. It was the best in the southeast. The best part for me though was just catching up with old and dear friends. When I say "old" I don't mean in age, I mean friends I haven't seen in quite some time - even years. It was so good to see everyone and catch up.

 



Hunter showing off his face painting.

 As I drove home (back to Raleigh) on Sunday the kids and I were talking about our favorite parts of the weekend. My son chimed in and said it was the race because he liked being pulled in the wagon (typical boy). My sweet daughter sat up straight in her booster seat and said "Mommy, my favorite part was seeing Uncle Garrett and Aunt Cassie sing to me on the big stage". What a sweet girl. She knows how to warm my heart...and I know that will just melt my brother's heart.

As for me, the whole weekend was wonderful. The kids slept well and didn't whine, so that makes for a fantastic weekend. The car rides seemed quick, I ran a good race, and got to spend time with my family. But I must say my favorite part of the weekend was just being "home".

 

Everyone loves an Italian Icee.



Thanks to Darcey Fuller and Mama  for all the wonderful pictures from Smoke on the Water.